[diadack]

Yes, the Utopia is a very revealing headphone, but when the source material is right (electronics, too), it’s magic.

Used a Hugo 2. No problems with source it was just the fact that everything sounded absolutely lifeless and thin and the soundstage was a narrow tube.

 

[diadack]

Used a Hugo 2. No problems with source it was just the fact that everything sounded absolutely lifeless and thin and the soundstage was a narrow tube. Also tried them through a linear tube amp and didn’t notice much of a difference.

 

[musicman59]

Yes, the Utopia is a very revealing headphone, but when the source material is right (electronics, too), it’s magic.

I agree. I love my D8000 and also my Utopia.
The Utopia is so revealing that everything in the system matters. I run my out of either a Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP or a Wells Audio Enigma with upgrades. My DAC is a Bricasti M1 SE with the latest upgrades and the Utopia is magic and even more when I added the Klmber Axios AG cable, oh boy! The sound is amazing and who says the Utopia sounds lifeless and thin have not listened to them with the right equipment and cable. Out of the WA33 is incredible.

 

[jwbrent]

I agree. I love my D8000 and also my Utopia.
The Utopia is so revealing that everything in the system matters. I run my out of either a Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP or a Wells Audio Enigma with upgrades. My DAC is a Bricasti M1 SE with the latest upgrades and the Utopia is magic and even more when I added the Klmber Axios AG cable, oh boy! The sound is amazing and who says the Utopia sounds lifeless and thin have not listened to them with the right equipment and cable. Out of the WA33 is incredible.

The Utopia and D8000 really compliment each other very well. I had to sell a kidney to afford such high priced headphones, along with equally high priced replacement cables, but I have my desert isle pair.

Since I have balanced cables, I normally just run either off my AK240SS loaded with hi res files, but I just ordered a HeadAmp Pico Power to connect to my Qutest DAC which I’m sure will take me up a notch or two ...

 

[musicman59]

The Utopia and D8000 really compliment each other very well. I had to sell a kidney to afford such high priced headphones, along with equally high priced replacement cables, but I have my desert isle pair.

Since I have balanced cables, I normally just run either off my AK240SS loaded with hi res files, but I just ordered a HeadAmp Pico Power to connect to my Qutest DAC which I’m sure will take me up a notch or two ...

You need a Wells Audio Milo. This amp with the Qutest makes the D8000 sing beautifully.

 

[Drumonron]

My D8000 leaves all my other headphones wanting to be heard, they really are impactful and emotional.

And. Now. Ready for the 2019 Tool Album to drop.

Last guess was August 30, 2019. I am patient and will wait
for the Tool perfection.

 

[erpguru]

Got the D8000 and am loving them so far..believe I do like them more than the LCD-4 and they are a keeper. Has anyone found a cable maker who has cables for it with the native twist locks (other than Final)? I have a set of cables from another headphone that works, but they don't lock and I can't push them all the way in on the cups or they go too far and the sound cuts out. The stock cables are ok, but find them really heavy/cumbersome and would love a lighter braided (preferably) XLR cable for it, but having a difficult time finding anyone who sells such a beast, or is Final our only option at this time? Or even a non-locking cable but fits properly and does not exhibit the issue I am having of not being able push them all the way in?

 

[diadack]

Got the D8000 and am loving them so far..believe I do like them more than the LCD-4 and they are a keeper. Has anyone found a cable maker who has cables for it with the native twist locks (other than Final)? I have a set of cables from another headphone that works, but they don't lock and I can't push them all the way in on the cups or they go too far and the sound cuts out. The stock cables are ok, but find them really heavy/cumbersome and would love a lighter braided (preferably) XLR cable for it, but having a difficult time finding anyone who sells such a beast, or is Final our only option at this time? Or even a non-locking cable but fits properly and does not exhibit the issue I am having of not being able push them all the way in?

I know there are a couple websites out there that can possibly take your stock cable and turn it into something you’re asking about. Maybe send the shorter 3.5mm cable and they can just take the ends and re solder them onto a nice braided cable for you.

 

[Ricky64]

Got the D8000 and am loving them so far..believe I do like them more than the LCD-4 and they are a keeper. Has anyone found a cable maker who has cables for it with the native twist locks (other than Final)? I have a set of cables from another headphone that works, but they don't lock and I can't push them all the way in on the cups or they go too far and the sound cuts out. The stock cables are ok, but find them really heavy/cumbersome and would love a lighter braided (preferably) XLR cable for it, but having a difficult time finding anyone who sells such a beast, or is Final our only option at this time? Or even a non-locking cable but fits properly and does not exhibit the issue I am having of not being able push them all the way in?

Final will supply the twist connectors for custom cable makers. Contact Michael Brown of Final USA.

 

[jwbrent]

Got the D8000 and am loving them so far..believe I do like them more than the LCD-4 and they are a keeper. Has anyone found a cable maker who has cables for it with the native twist locks (other than Final)? I have a set of cables from another headphone that works, but they don't lock and I can't push them all the way in on the cups or they go too far and the sound cuts out. The stock cables are ok, but find them really heavy/cumbersome and would love a lighter braided (preferably) XLR cable for it, but having a difficult time finding anyone who sells such a beast, or is Final our only option at this time? Or even a non-locking cable but fits properly and does not exhibit the issue I am having of not being able push them all the way in?

I would contact whatever cable maker you’re working with and let him know you’re going to send the final cable to him so he can reuse the metal twist lock connectors. Should be real easy to do.

 

[jwbrent]

Final will supply the twist connectors for custom cable makers. Contact Michael Brown of Final USA.

The twist lock connectors that Michael has are from the Sonorous series. They are nowhere near as nice as the D8000 twist locks. The Sonorous connectors are about $55 shipped.

 

[Gibson59]

The Utopia is so revealing that everything I run my out of either a Prima Luna Dialogue Premium HP or a Wells Audio Enigma with upgrades.

Not to derail the thread but how is the Prima Luna vs the Wells Audio amp? I am seriously considering buying the PL HP integrated for my speaker system. Hoping it might be good enough to serve as my headphone amp as well I use HEKse so they’re very sensitive.

 

[musicman59]

Not to derail the thread but how is the Prima Luna vs the Wells Audio amp? I am seriously considering buying the PL HP integrated for my speaker system. Hoping it might be good enough to serve as my headphone amp as well I use HEKse so they’re very sensitive.

The Prima Luna works great as a headphones amp. The headphones output is from the same circuit as the speakers tabs just with a resistor to reduce the power so is tubes output. Even with the resistor it has enough power to drive any headphones.
If you want a dual propuse amplifier the Prima Luna is a great option.

 

[Tekunda]

I am very much interested in buying the D8000 but on a German forum I was told to be careful because there is no way to change the ear pads.
Acccoring to this member he was told by Final, that more or less the whole headphone needs to be disassembled in order to swap out the pads.
Is there any truth to what I was being told?

 

[Oscar-HiFi]

I am very much interested in buying the D8000 but on a German forum I was told to be careful because there is no way to change the ear pads.
Acccoring to this member he was told by Final, that more or less the whole headphone needs to be disassembled in order to swap out the pads.
Is there any truth to what I was being told?

Not at all, the pads come off like on most other headphones, they have a lip around the edge and you can pull them off with ease.