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.

I've read that THX AAA based amps have bit reputation of being treble focused which could not be most optimal with Utopia line. Also tested Utopia OG with SMLS SP200 which is much lower price bracket THX AAA amp and that pairing was not satisfactory.

I think soundstage is bigger because there is more high treble presence in Organic. Another difference i've found that Arya Stealth sounded bit thinnish at times while Organic does not, vocals are thicker and bass is more hefty even it measures the same. Hifiman might have done some changes...

Found closed headphones or headphones with leather pads unusable during hot months Open headphones with velour like pads work well even in hottest months aka HD6xx, Focal Clear etc....

Tried some pads in the past - Dekoni Elite Sheepskin = Honky tunnel sound and super bassy. - Fenestrated Sheepskin aliexpress copy = Not as atrocious as above but not great either, slightly honky. - Elex/Clear pads = more bass, thicker sound, less treble/soundstage, bit worse imaging, more...

What a bugger, they look nearly pristine!

Sold elsewhere

Selling Arya Organic in excellent condition, comes with OG box and accessories. PP and Shipping included, purchased earlier from JM-audio. No need for trades. CONUS only. Ships from St. Louis MO

Those pads are used ones with some QC issues, did not buy them HE500 but instead of disposing them did the mod, anyways i think they improve sound compared to stock. I don't like SMC connectors but haven't had courage or tools to change them to 3.5mm or else.

Stickiness has caught me few times so always on guard:spy:

Looks like there might be minimal amount of goop at bottom of pad on left, anyways very good looking.