If you already have a good dac, then I would seriously look at the Audiolab 6000CDT transport (about $550). This machine is simply amazing! I've compared hi-res (including DSD and hi-res PCM) files with Redbook CDs of the same material played on the Audiolab and they sound virtually...

Some very strange things happening. I still had the old Resonessence website bookmarked and out of curiosity, I clicked on it again and much to my surprise, a new Resonnessence Labs page appeared. It bears no resemblance to the old website although a lot of the material related to filters...

It's too bad about Resonessence but I'm likewise not too surprised. I bought 2 dacs from them in the past - Invicta and Mirus Pro - and never had any QC problems. However I was frustrated about a minor issue with the Mirus Pro cutting off the first microsecond or two of FLAC files - they...

New and very happy user of the Benchmark HPA4 and DAC3 B combo! I had been enjoying the HPA4 with another dac (Resonessence Invicta) but based on the reported synergy between the Benchmark amp and dac, I decided to replace the Invicta with the DAC3 B. The improvement in overall sound quality...

I have been using both the Danacable Lazuli Reference and Kimber Axios cables for my Utopia, and agree that they are both excellent. I decided to keep both since my preference for one over the other seems to vary. However I disagree that the stock cable is not very good -- in fact, I think it...

I doubt that Resonessence is just treading water, especially in the fast-paced world of dac innovation. I do feel that the products they have developed to date are still quite competitive and among the best available, especially within their given price range. I've had a Mirus Pro for just...

I would add the new Benchmark HPA4 to the list of highly recommended amps for the Focal Utopia. The Utopia/HPA4 pairing is magic - easily equal to the GSX MkII, which I have also owned at one time. In fact sometimes I feel that the HPA4 may slightly improve on the SQ of the GSX, but this is...

Several months ago, I did get the 7.0.2d firmware update sent to me via email, and it fixed the problem with the missing start of tracks perfectly. However I'm somewhat surprised, at this rather late date, that the update has not yet been posted on the Resonessence website, although perhaps...

To add to this very comprehensive list of amps to compare with US4+ -- Benchmark's new HPA4. I just bought one, and it's a really top-notch amp -- easily equal to the GSX MkII and, in my opinion, better than the Pass HPA-1 (I've had both).

Brief follow-up to my initial post on HPA4. I now have about 80+ hours on it, and I think the "burn-in" period has probably made a slight but audible difference. My initial impression still holds though - it is one of the best (if not the best) headphone amps I've ever heard. I continue to...

I've been using my HPA4 for about 3 days now (picked it up from UPS on Monday). It was very well-packaged and included all accessories and owner manual. No problem at all setting it up - basically a "plug and play". I did read the manual online before getting the amp, but all the controls...

Well, I had the GS-X MkII and then purchased the Pass HPA-1. I did have both for awhile, and although I very much liked the GS-X, I thought the Pass worked for me a little better overall, so I sold the GS-X. Overall both amps are very good -- both are resolving, dead quiet, and generally...

I have a Mirus Pro (not Signature) as well, and have also experienced the same problem (cutting off a few ms at beginning of track). Fortunately this doesn't happen very often but is annoying when it does. Since I only use SD cards, I can't verify whether this occurs with other inputs...

I wonder if Resonessence Labs will be able upgrade current Mirus Pro units to the Signature Pro level? I'm sure there are a fair number of Mirus Pro owners (like myself) that might be interested, especially if it turns out that the sonic improvements are substantial. Unfortunately I gather...

I had been using the Focal Utopia's stock cable as well as the Kimber Axios, both of which I thought were "pretty good". Thus I was skeptical as to how much improvement the Lazuli Reference would actually be - however, seeing that they had an excellent return policy, I decided it was worth...

I don't think there is anything "magic" about setting the fixed voltage at the maximum XLR level. What level to set it depends on the input sensitivity and gain of your amp, and also how sensitive your headphones are. Many consumer amps have input sensitivities of around 2.0v, thus...

Your reference to the link above is much appreciated. I have read this before, and although interesting and thorough, I also felt that there was a fair amount of subjectivity to this shootout (although I realize that this is often the case). I happened to find another post on the Utopia...

Have you (or any other Focal Utopia user) had an opportunity to compare the Lazuli Reference with the Kimber Axios? I'm currently using the latter (balanced) with my Focal Utopia fed by the GS-X MkII. I've heard so many good things about the Lazuli that I'm been tempted to spring for it...

Just contacted Mark at Resonessence -- he said not to worry about differences between the 2 firmware versions (basically they're the same). This is good news for anyone who currently has an earlier version of the Mirus Pro. Mark said that the website would have a separate section for...

This is interesting - I have a Mirus Pro that I bought just as it was being introduced last year, so I suspect it must have the 7.0.1c (or maybe even earlier) firmware. I have not seen any information about upgrading Mirus Pro firmware (or software) on the Resonessence website. Does anyone...

I have been using my Utopia with the Kimber Axios cable (copper, balanced) with my GSX MkII and have been extremely pleased with this combination. I've been tempted to try the Danacable but keep waffling on this, since I like the Axios so much. I believe the Axios has been compared previously...

I have compared the HD800 and Utopia (both balanced) using a GS-X Mk2 and a Mirus Pro dac as the source. I agree that the HD800 "may" give the impression of a wider soundstage but at least to me it seems artificial compared to the Utopia. The Utopia's soundstage is much more immersive and...

I can likewise attest that the balanced copper Kimber Axios cable (with GS-X Mk2) is extremely good - actually outstanding. Although earlier I thought the stock and Axios were very close, now after more hours of use (? "break-in"), I'm clearly favoring the Axios -- I think it brings out much...

I think my original question was not so much whether an audio dealer stocks (or doesn't) a DAVE and how many are sold, but rather where to find these dealers, and more importantly whether they can sell "remotely" without one having to physically come to the store. If a manufacturer or...

Yup -- I've done that and the closest dealer is in NYC which is 4 hours away -- go figure!! It seems like the lower priced Chord gear (Hugo, etc) is much easier to come by. I can hardly wait for a new US distributor.