FWIW, the pictures of the Mass Kobo 465 flagship being demoed at one of the Can Jams showed the DAC Mr. Masuda chose to show off his amp to the world was an OG Topping D90. So one of the world's premiere amp designers was fine with a mid-fi DAC. Very telling.

I use a 4.4mm to XLR adapter for my DSHA-3FN and it sounds absolutely fine. I tested A/B tested it on my A90 and couldn't hear a lick of difference. Isn't the termination of ANY cable basically an adapter anyway? If there were some mystery mojo that caused problems with adapters, how would any...

It sounds stellar with a $500 Topping DAC too.

I'd imagine this would be excellent.

I would recommend any good-measuring DAC (I'm of the school that DACs are DACs until anyone produces objective empirical research that says otherwise), plus the Nitsch DSHA-3FN. It's smoooooooth but incredibly revealing. The fact that it was designed specifically with the Utopia in mind to...

Well played. That made my day!

Wonder if you have any insight into what's happening: I charged my M8 to 100% and turned it off. The next morning, when I turned it on, the battery was at 84%. Does this mean the battery is dead or dying? Is there some sort of firmware problem?

Apple music is a mess now. Often, the app shows the song playing, but no sound. Then you switch to another album or Qobuz and it's fine.

Before chasing any out-of-production amps, you can check out Nitsch -- they're doing another run of the DSHA-3FN, which is specifically tailored to Focals. I demoed a Feliks Euphoria, and it wasn't even a horse race with the DSHA. I haven't tried any DNA amps, but the Nitsch does amazing things...

What about the NAIM Uniti HE? I tried it with the OG Utopia and it was stellar. It’s tuned to have synergy with Focal. The footprint is small, and it does everything well. Had I been starting out, I would have bought it, but I already had a good DAC and just needed a better HP amp.

I've flown many times with Utopia in their case. Never had an issue.

What's odd about SMSL and Topping rolling out higher-end stuff is that they're starting to contradict their raison d'être in their own marketing. The whole budget Chi-Fi methodology held that if cheapo resistors and chips measure as well as primo resistors and ladder decks, then the "high-end...

The original name was the SMSL SU-CKS.

What appeals to me about the Composer is what drew me to the Utopia -- the ability to drive it with almost any amp or DAP. If you travel for work, the Susvara is pretty much useless, unless you plan to carry a steamer trunk's worth of expensive, fragile, and fiddly gear. Having a TOTL headphone...

I wonder how the composer would pair with a Nitsch DSHA-3FN. It's SOOOOO good with the OG Utopia.

Before you spend another dime -- or ten thousand dimes -- why don't you buy a $900 SMSL SU-10 (I don't have one, so I'm not flogging it; it's simply the best measuring DAC available). Have a friend come over and switch it out with the Chord DAVE. If you can't tell the difference, sell the DAVE...

FWIW, that track sounds perfect -- with present vocals -- through a Topping DAC.

Both Bathys and AirPod Max are over-ear designs, not IEMS. And you can turn the ANC off with a touch of a button. It's simply an option if you want it. You might want to hear what's going on around you until you get the only seat left in the library and someone is clearing their throat next to...

For a college student, why go wired or open-back? The moment you are in a public space, open-back is a liability. Given the need for portability and work outside of the room at libraries and coffee shops, I can't imagine anything more practical than a pair of Focal Bathys or AirPods Max -- the...

I used the MT-604 with Focal Utopia (but I had to use a Topping A90 as a pre to control volume). The synergy was surprisingly wonderful. I only replaced it with a DSHA-3FN, which is specifically designed for Focal.

Thanks! Yeah, the D90 is pretty smooth — and not lacking for detail. Somehow the DSHA-3FN arranges all the detail in its proper place. It was interesting going back to my AirPods Max after a long night of Nitsch. The absence of detail was apparent for the first time. Like listening through...

Your blunt honesty comes across as hostility. Have you heard the Composer? Might you allow for the possibility that Nomax genuinely loves the sound and is only encouraging people to listen before deciding? He’s been transparent about his involvement with the development. Why shouldn’t he be...

One vote for the Nitsch DSHA-3FN. (With OG Focal Utopia)

Finally got my DSHA-3FN, after a bit of a journey. The unit was damaged during shipping, and Christian was AMAZING. He handled everything with such care and professionalism - always updating, explaining, taking accountability. Can't say enough good things about the Nitsch customer service...

@Nomax What DAC are they using to demo the Score One?