Didn't have my mainline when I picked up Utopia. I've learned though, that Utopia is happiest with very very low output impedance (amp). I'd say no more than a few Ohms at the most. Don't remember the specs for mainline 'Z' out, but amps with low output impedance tend to drive Utopia better.

I'm running a Norne S2 with HE1KV2 - stellar cable. Quite a bit more expensive though. Stock cable is pretty good IMO - but sonics can be improved with a cable upgrade. Take care though - not all silver cables perform in a similar fashion, and are generally to be avoided if your chain tends...

wow.

^ What he said :-)   Glad you mentioned the case - didn't want to 'out' your efforts; cause if I was reading this, building this amp, and you weren't making it for me.... I'd be dogging ya! 

@sceleratus  - awesome work! It's gonna be great to see this come together; thanks again for taking it on!

Hey!   Apologies - Not sure what's going on communication wise. I sent you an email a couple of days ago asking for your shipping address. Also, just checked my junk folder; nothing in there from you (or anyone) unanswered. Anyway, glad yo posted here. Please verify you're emailing to...

There isn't a better choice out there in this price range.

Cool. Early impressions are welcome too - we wouldn't hold you to them :-)

Hey Doug - I'm thinking about picking up your L2 MB as a build over winter. Would I be correct to assume that the custom Cinemag OPTs would work with the L2 also?

My player (Audirvana Plus) uses iZotope for the conversion and does a very good job of converting DSD to PCM for Yggy. Much of my library is SACD too, and sounds wonderful through Yggy (limited by source recording quality, of course).

This impression has only strengthened with more listening. Further, I believe many of the early reviews / conclusions will change or evolve as we recalibrate our assumptions / expectations - which frame our listening experience. Don't want to get too abstract or conceptual here, so I'll just say...

Agreed. I re-terminated my Silver Poison (Silver, Gold infused) last night and it's an improvement (IMO) over stock.

Well you should have a fun weekend :-)

I'll be there. Gear:   Amps   Ragnarock EC Super 7 Modded DNA Sonett  Modded Valhalla 2   DAC's   Yggy ALS Audio ESS9018 'Blackbird' DAC Prototype dual mono AK4495S

Please all - let's not spin up the deposit discussion again.