[ChisChas]

Frankie, the most important bit of advice re the Utopias is DON'T listen to a pair that haven't been run-in properly. I first listened to a pair at a London hi-fi show and UK Importers didn't understand about running-in headphones so the treble was harsh & unappealing. I knew someone at the UK importers and managed to borrow a pair for 3 weeks over Christmas that year which weren't run-in either! I listened for about 2 mins and then stuck the borrowed Utopias on continuous music for 7 days before having another listen. I ordered my new pair from my dealer when I sent the borrowed pair back to the UL importers.

 

[Frankie D]

Frankie, the most important bit of advice re the Utopias is DON'T listen to a pair that haven't been run-in properly. I first listened to a pair at a London hi-fi show and UK Importers didn't understand about running-in headphones so the treble was harsh & unappealing. I knew someone at the UK importers and managed to borrow a pair for 3 weeks over Christmas that year which weren't run-in either! I listened for about 2 mins and then stuck the borrowed Utopias on continuous music for 7 days before having another listen. I ordered my new pair from my dealer when I sent the borrowed pair back to the UL importers.

Thank you for letting me know. So you are a Utopia fan as well. I think I will finally get a pair of headphones vs my many IEM’s, and I am still deciding, but I am aware of the Utopias and they seem to have very good reviews. I do not think I will be able to demo them so I am on the lookout if someone mentions headphones. If you have any other thoughts I would be happy to hear them ( did I just make a pun? ). Tks.

 

[Frankie D]

What we all like about a particular brand/model of headphone is often a contentious business lol. I love the sound of the Utopias having owned the AKG K812's previously, I think the slightly warmer style of the N8 matches perfectly with the detailed Utopias and they have plenty enough bass (for me). I use the N8 in Balanced and got OIDIO Cables to make me a balanced Mongrel series cable having previously used Moon Audio Black Dragon.
You have asked me to compare the Utopias with other IEM's or headphones but first I've never used IEM's and I don't think comparing the £1,400 AKG K812 to the £3,500 Utopia will help you much. Perhaps I can say I'm very happy to have stretched to the Utopias and have no plans whatsoever to dem any alternative but when N8 Mark 2 eventually comes out, I'd upgrade the DAP if the Mark 2 offered a decent upgrade. I'm also very happy with the Hugo 2 + Utopia combo but as I use my N8 much more than my Hugo 2 I decided against upgrading my Hugo 2 to a TT2. I'm sure it's a great SQ upgrade but it would be wasted in my instance.

Thank you for the info. I see you are using the 4.4mm balanced output on the N8. Does the headphone cable come that way, or is an adapter needed (I see you also have a custom cable, any thoughts on it vs stock?)? Tks.

 

[lunabamba]

Does anyone when the new firmware for the N8 released?

 

[reeltime]

Quest for a perfect match for the Odin meets the N8:

 

[ChisChas]

Thank you for the info. I see you are using the 4.4mm balanced output on the N8. Does the headphone cable come that way, or is an adapter needed (I see you also have a custom cable, any thoughts on it vs stock?)? Tks.

Sorry I've been out of touch recently. You cannot convert a non-Balanced cable to Balanced with an adapter, you will need to buy a Balanced cable. You can use a 2.5mm Balanced cable with the N8's 4.4mm Balanced output if you use a 2.5 to 4.4mm adapter but it's nowhere as neat as using a Balanced cable with a 4.4mm jack. I can highly recommend OIDIO Cables, fair prices, nice work.

 

[Frankie D]

Sorry I've been out of touch recently. You cannot convert a non-Balanced cable to Balanced with an adapter, you will need to buy a Balanced cable. You can use a 2.5mm Balanced cable with the N8's 4.4mm Balanced output if you use a 2.5 to 4.4mm adapter but it's nowhere as neat as using a Balanced cable with a 4.4mm jack. I can highly recommend OIDIO Cables, fair prices, nice work.

Thank you. I think I was asking about the cable that comes with the Utopia. Did you need an adapter or was it a 4.4mm connection. It sounds like you had an OIDIO cable terminated with a 4.4mm connection. Tks.

 

[jmills8]

Thank you. I think I was asking about the cable that comes with the Utopia. Did you need an adapter or was it a 4.4mm connection. It sounds like you had an OIDIO vs me terminated with a 4.4mm connection. Tks.

Just change the end connection.

 

[Frankie D]

Just change the end connection.

Tks. I was curious as to what type of cable came with the Utopia. I can always just look it up. Tks.

 

[Kiats]

Does anyone when the new firmware for the N8 released?

+1

 

[Green Golden Retriver]

What is the difference between n8 and n8 brass beside color?

 

[Frankie D]

What is the difference between n8 and n8 brass beside color?

In terms of sound, not much really. The SS is supposed to be a bit warmer. My two cents, buy the color you like best as I am not sure you can really hear any difference. One advantage in my opinion for the BB is that it comes with the Dignis case which I consider the be the best case for the N8. Tks.

 

[Green Golden Retriver]

In terms of sound, not much really. The SS is supposed to be a bit warmer. My two cents, buy the color you like best as I am not sure you can really hear any difference. One advantage in my opinion for the BB is that it comes with the Dignis case which I consider the be the best case for the N8. Tks.

In thailand the brass sells for much much more expensive. Good to know they sound not much different lol

 

[noplsestar]

In terms of sound, not much really. The SS is supposed to be a bit warmer. My two cents, buy the color you like best as I am not sure you can really hear any difference. One advantage in my opinion for the BB is that it comes with the Dignis case which I consider the be the best case for the N8. Tks.

What about this new special edition units? Any sound differences there?

 

[Green Golden Retriver]

Are the special edition launch in thailand as well?