I would not call tube amp better, it's different, one might like the flavor or not. Also there is no need buy 1000$ costing at first, you can try cheaper or used one and work way up if needed.

Guessing that's about the same bass EQ as Oratory1990 profile does and clipping at 85 dB is very early with normal music, i would consider warranty services if possible.

IFI iEMatch might stop the hum or reduce by large quantity.

Had both next to next while ago and preferred HD6XX (HD650) because - Stock frequency response felt more balanced, HD600 had bit bass deficiency and got shouty after raising volume. - HD600 soundstage height was smaller. - HD6XX driver resolved better.

Hello there, selling my Utopia OG purchased couple years ago from headphoneauditions.nl as used model. No OG box so shipping it in Focal Hardcase. Ships with aftermarket fenestrated pads but i will include pair of unopened original pads. Comes with long SE stock cable and aftermarket balanced...

I have both HE500, HE6SE (v1) aswell. HE6SE resolves better and is more mature sound but stock frequency response is worse with recessed vocalist and bass deficiency. Also when i remove grills from HE6SE it becomes too soft while HE500 is more incisive and stays snappy enough after removing...

Jot2 has no problems with HE6-SE, 12 clock is quite max even with -5dB EQ headroom in Peace. XLR In and Out, high gain.

Fast shipment, excellent communication, recommend ++++

Hifiman needs to make Arya Organic variant with harman levels of treble, after that i can sell everything else.

Bought HE6SE couple years ago but that turned out disappointing for me. It did better imaging and separation but soundstage was not great as HE500 and dynamics were flat, that unit could have been dud (tried with ~5 amps) so i am thinking of giving it a new chance at some point thou the...

I don't think you have messed up with the tubes, they just wear out eventually and start ringing. One of bigger power tubes went out surprisingly fast. You can find faulty tube by swapping tubes left/right and listening if ringing noise switches side, one pair at the time.

You can probably remove background hum with gain reducer like IFI IE Match, also use lowest impedance setting on HA-A1 to further reduce hum. If you connect HA-A1 to USB DAC it will most likely cause ground loop because amp has build in PSU and connection to amp is unbalanced RCA. Ground loops...

What on earth happened to serials above 999! Did someone tamper with schematics :spy:

I prefer low gain, high gain makes sound more up front as often happens with Schiit amps. Jotunheim 2 is easy listening specially in low gain, comparison Liquid Platinum has clearly hotter vocals and lower treble. I've been thinking of upgrading but Jotunheim 2 is hard to fault.

I am torn between V222 and V550 for Utopia! V550 would be more spacious but i consider OG Utopia bass neutral headphone so amp that gives little extra oomph could be favorable even at cost of some air.