Bought new/unused from Headphones.com in 2017 for $3660 (open box). Tested w DNA Stratus 2A3 tube amp (less than 20 hrs use) and preferred HD800, so set aside. I'm 71 now and cleaning the closet. Headphones in excellent condition. THE UTOPIA IS SOLD. I apologize for the 3d delay in closing this...

After >500 hrs my Utopia is far more enjoyable than my well-used HD800.   But the comparison I really want hear about is the Ether Flow vs the Utopia. 

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/teflon.htm

I waited several weeks for them, but I like using the Duende dampers very much on my WE275s. They add a firmness and increase the sense of presence, of coherent realism, without any deleterious spectral effects that I have detected.   Tapping the case of my Stratus causes a zing with most 2A3...

For those who haven't noticed yet,  Donald has posted a new webpage announcing the soon-to-be Stellaris http://www.dnaudio.com/DNA-Stellaris-2A3-headphone-amplifier.html Several are already on the waiting list!   Also, his Riva Turbo X speaker system receives a glowing review from none...

^^ Here's a very firm plug for froger's position!   Based on his recommendation, I've had the WE275 in my Stratus for over a week now. They produce spectacular sound -- as he said, outstanding texture and musicality, dimensionally layered, and excellent clarity, coherence and bandwidth. For...

> third-eye great photo please identify the cable you are using on your HD800  thanks

  which version of that Sophia tube are you referring to?   thanks

  really very nice!  warm fuzzies!  I wonder if Donald might be willing to post that on his DNA Stratus webpage. That is an iconic image, suffused in DNA blue.

  third_eye, that is a truly gorgeous ID photo!   Stratus glow! Wow!

    A great big THANK YOU to Frihed89 and Froger and especially to drheadphone. My Ken-Rad CKR rectifier arrived yesterday, and it really is a "revelation", as you said.   I am now using the CKR with the 2A3C-Ts and a Pearl Gold plus for my HD800s, just as Froger is. Donald installed the PS...

  I agree. I tried two pair of WR2A3s. They both produced rich tone and superb voice differentiation, the best I've experienced on my Stratus. But all four began to spit-n-sizzle after 50 hrs or less. What a shame.

haha   it's on the DNA Stratus webpage   "All XLR and 1/4" TRS outputs provide the same power: 1.8W into 50 ohms, 900mW into 100 ohms"

  got it   thank you   If you learn anything further, please let us know.   The new speakers I've ordered are 96dB, and I planned to drive them with my Fi 421A 4wpc SET amp. (I've been using it with the HiFi-Man resistive adapter to drive my HE-6.)   I would certainly like to hear what...

  Gilbert at BC made an adapter for you that will allow you to use your Stratus to drive your 95dB speakers? a step-down transformer, or a resistor bridge to match 8 Ohms?   I can't find such an adapter on bluecircle.com. Would you please describe what you have?   thanks

I really enjoyed reading your comments, Acix, and many of the following posts, too.   I finally kept my 3rd HD800, and with the Stratus 2A3 amp, it is the right headphone for classical and vocal music.    When I received the new K812 one week ago, it had little bass and sounded fast and...

That must be an EML 5U4G, but I can't quite tell what your 2A3s are. Would you please tell us what tubes you are using?

  Several ppl have commented here that the HD800 sounds better on the Stratus than they have ever heard. I use my HD800 with my Stratus, only rarely swapping in my LA7000.    If your HD800 doesn't sound right, why don't you try to exchange it?   I had two before this one - one sounded too...

  I agree, Tyll, an interview is certainly different from a review. Of course, the reason I kept watching was to hear you say more than "enjoyable" and "mind-boggling". I'll be looking forward to reading your review of the "Reveal"!

Sweden,   thanks for posting that. Hard to understand why Tyll H posted a 6min video about something that he could not give an opinion about ("very interesting"), especially since it tries to do something like the cross-fill that his Headroom amplifiers do.   It would be interesting also to...

  Randy   WR2A3 http://www.partsconnexion.com/product25278.html   sorry, total was $450.97   do you know what WR means instead of WE ?   it's still sounding *very* sweet with no noise -- but I'll wait to compare 'em to the NatSound until they have more hours

  This is the only comment I've found on the use of PSVANE 2A3s in the Stratus.    I'm interested in trying their WE replica 2A3s. Any recommendations?

I keep an eye out here, too. But Donald says he hasn't had an order for an S or an S2 lately.   A real inexpensive vibration control can be had by getting these  http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ISOBLOCK1-ST   and placing each one on one of these...

Wow Audioclyde (Randy) ! comparing the Stratus to a Shindo Monbrison in sound quality is quite a compliment... And, IMHO, entirely deserved.   Totally quiet, natural and realistic, intoxicating --- I'd say you did a great job describing the Stratus !!  Thank you !   As for signal gain, I...