For those who felt that the HEK V1 was "hazy", how does the HEK V2 compare?
This question is only for those who felt the HEK1 was hazy- not for those that felt the HEK 1 was ultra transparent.
This is a very important point...
These headphones being in this TOTL type league, Are very system dependent for synergy,
And In have noted in upgrade thread that the HEK may sound totally fine and even neutral in this aspect you are asking about..
Out of a really strong and upfront amp like the Jotunheim or HeadTrip amp...
Yet to me, HEKV1 was (quoting tour term), a bit hazy,
which led me to modding it...
The Utopia had a bit more micro dynamics over the HD800, but was the most lean sounding as well.
???
I've never heard anyone say this about the Utopia - especially in comparison to the HD800. IMO the Utopia has great 'body' and tonal balance - and I'm using a chip based SS amp.
I use the Utopias as an alternative to my Harbeth monitors, which have a wonderfully natural, rich tonality - the Utopias aren't far away.
What source and amp were you using?
Sorry guys I was away...
The thing I forgot to mention to put my comment in perspective,
Was that my comment was very system dependent...
BOTH The HD800 and the Utopia were very system dependent and more so than the HEK...
My comments ONLY apply to using tube amplification for the HD800, while switching in output transformers for the Utopia and HeK..
That specific observation was using a Lampizator Big 7 HeadDac, so it had option to switch over...
There are other tube amps that also have this ability.
Anyways, I also heard the HEK on a EC Studio and it certainly scaled beyond what I heard from Utopia, but I did not hear the Utopia on the EC Studio, so I must only assume the Utopia would scale as well.
Bottom line I see no superiority of the Utopia over the HEKV2 at all.
In fact I am convinced the HEKV2 is the superior can, which to my ears had the most mature and complete sound.
The HD800 truly excells mostly on tubes which gives the voltage power and impedance match that it needs to "fill out", and be truly competitive to the Utopia.
Utopia will always be in same league for when you want the most intimate experience as it has the smallest soundstage...
To me they are all there, are at similar level in "realism",
and so it really is based on preference,
which for me is balance in all areas, not just a few areas..
That's why although I keep my HD800 and do like Utopia sound,
I get it all with the HEKV2.