Hey Ken, thanx for the welcome. I'll be living in this thread for a while catching up as I'm only on page 67. It's too early to really give some thought out and critical impressions but I will say at this stage, I do like the synergy with my rig. Right now I'm using a
1957 Foton triple mica which is probably one of the better tubes I own....and they're so inexpensive. The thing is, they're so hard to find as they're rare, especially when you're talking about the mid 50's. I believe the tubes I had going at the meet was a pair of 1956 2C51 Western Electrics. So smooth, punchy, resolving while giving you that nice cozy feeling.
I'm really loving this headphone and can't really listen to anything else at this point.
But here are a few comments/early impressions: I don't find these bright at all as some have noted. I believe they're pretty balanced with a nice bump in the bass to make them punchy, tight and overall perfect to my ears. The mids are spot on and so much improved over the Elear! When compared to the Utopia, yeah, they're not as resolving, dynamic or balanced but for $2K less?..... I'll take these every single day of the week. I just don't think IMHO that it's worth it to lay that kind of cash down for 5 to maybe 10% (if that) more performance versus the Clear. The Clear is very comfortable, not fatiguing in the least, more musical especially on my gear where the Utopia is more analytical. The Utopia is an incredible headphone and probably one of the best out there, but I like the Clear better because it suites my personal tastes. It's just that simple and for me, no debate.
I just can't get caught up and analyzing every little sound coming from my music. It sounds great as it is and I just want to get lost in the music as redundant and cliche as that phrase is.....but it's true for me at least. I'm more then happy saving the money while enjoying these pups all day long!