heliosphann
Headphoneus Supremus
This is the second recent thread that's been flooded by all this Schiit talking!
So just from this data, are you saying I can get the $3999 Utopia's sound signature with the $999 Elear+Utopia ear pads? Interesting...
Isn't this thread about the Focal Elear & Utopia? Maybe I'm still green here but I thought the idea was to stay on topic and in this case as it relates to Focal Elear & Utopia and how it sounds and pairs. Just say'n
I'm very surprised you find the Schiit DAC boring. As for bit depth a little digital 101 is in order: 21 bit corresponds to a signal-to-noise ratio of 121 db: a near impossible target for the following analogue electronics after the DAC stage to achieve. Even 16 bits, which corresponds to a signal-to-noise ratio of 96 db would be tricky for all but the best designed analogue stages. Most DACs, including the Naim, will struggle to achieve a signal-to-noise ratio of -100 or lower (equal to about 17 bits) in their analogue stages
Also I cannot think of any music in existence today which truly achieves a 24 bit, 144 db signal to noise ratio: just because its in a 24 bit container doesn't mean it has a true 24 bit signal-to-noise. BTW if you were to really hear a recording with with a true 24 bits S/N at a realistic level, you would probably be deaf for a while after (or permanently). 24 bits is used in the recording industry as headroom for the production and is not really appropriate for the consumer. Nonetheless, 24 bits has been hijacked as "higher resolution" by those wishing to (re)sell their back catalog of music.
Summing up: a higher bit depth is not a higher resolution it is a greater signal-to-noise ratio (technically, dithering noise is reduced as the bit depth goes up). As usual in hi-fi the bigger is better is marketing spin (sample rate or bit depth) to appeal to the non-technical or hi-fi snob.
I've read all that and I see nothing about the Focal Elear or Utopia,Copied reasoning from schiit ad. It's fine if your happy, I own too many dvda and DSD music to have a DAC that can't play them, unfortunately schiit doesn't play those formats among others. Shiit did state in 2013 if they reach 10,000 titles they would update their DACs to play DSD then they apparently switched that comment to 30,000 now. I guess when Sony hits that number shiit will update that question and comment section again. But for the sound part, it's personal I like the colored sound of the naim and for transparent sound I like the Dave, nothing wrong with the schiit besides not playing common formats, the sound part is personal preference. But I can't wait to hear the utopia through the Dave.
TSAVJason
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However, the comparison also makes clear the differences between the drivers--the Utopia driver's superiority (in terms of resolution and refinement) is made even more evident.
Yes from WireWorldPerhaps Jason can help with this question: Will a Utopia balanced cable be available to fit the double 'Pono style' balanced outputs? I am thinking of the new Ayre QX-5 Twenty which has this setup for its balanced connection.
TSAVJason
Stay updated on The Source AV at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
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This is a very interesting perception. Each of these brands have their own very distinctive sound signatures. So I'm confused. Are you really saying they've started to sound the same? If so, I'd like to understand better how you came to these conclusions. Would you mind expounding a bit?I will say that I listened to both of these several times at the SF meet and they are both wonderfully built and sounding pieces of equipment. I wish I had been able to try these pad swaps, it sounds like a fun option on these. I could see myself owning both the Elear and Utopia to suit my preferences on any specific day to suit my mood.
I am in agreement with Jude's comment about drifting toward a fuller sound than neutral. As I told Miceblue recently, the high end seems to be nearing "absolute neutral" and all of these top end headphones are starting to sound amazingly similar. I find myself looking for the "fun" less-than-neutral gear. Yes, there are still fairly stark differences between them; and everything under the sun to suit any person's preferences, but I find it amazing how similar the Utopia, LCD4, Ether Flow, Abyss, 009, HE1K, etc have become. Only a few years ago ToTL were hd800, STAX, LCD3, etc and those are way, way different from each other than the current crop in my opinion.
TSAVJason
Stay updated on The Source AV at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
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No, that's definitely not the conclusion here. What's most fun and interesting about the pad swap is that, yes, you can Elearize one or Utopia'ize the other. However, the comparison also makes clear the differences between the drivers--the Utopia driver's superiority (in terms of resolution and refinement) is made even more evident.
This is a very interesting perception. Each of these brands have their own very distinctive sound signatures. So I'm confused. Are you really saying they've started to sound the same? If so, I'd like to understand better how you came to these conclusions. Would you mind expounding a bit?
Perhaps Jason can help with this question: Will a Utopia balanced cable be available to fit the double 'Pono style' balanced outputs? I am thinking of the new Ayre QX-5 Twenty which has this setup for its balanced connection.