Focal Utopia 2022 Review, Measurements

[Atriya]

Can someone recommend a TOTL tube amp (under $10k though) that has good synergy with the 2022 Utopia?

A warmer amp should be fine as the rest of the chain isn't warm (Weiss DAC501-4ch, silver cables throughout). The 2022 Utopia itself may be warmer than the OG, but I use it with oratory1990's EQ settings, which has -2db at 200Hz, taming that warmth a bit.

 

[Spawn300Z]

Get the WA23 and call it a wrap.

 

[jamato8]

Can someone recommend a TOTL tube amp (under $10k though) that has good synergy with the 2022 Utopia?

A warmer amp should be fine as the rest of the chain isn't warm (Weiss DAC501-4ch, silver cables throughout). The 2022 Utopia itself may be warmer than the OG, but I use it with oratory1990's EQ settings, which has -2db at 200Hz, taming that warmth a bit.

Linear Tube Audio, MicroZotl 3. It will compete with anything.

 

[Atriya]

Get the WA23 and call it a wrap.

This is the "Luna". I wonder how it compares to the WA33.

 

[meomap]

Can someone recommend a TOTL tube amp (under $10k though) that has good synergy with the 2022 Utopia?

A warmer amp should be fine as the rest of the chain isn't warm (Weiss DAC501-4ch, silver cables throughout). The 2022 Utopia itself may be warmer than the OG, but I use it with oratory1990's EQ settings, which has -2db at 200Hz, taming that warmth a bit.

ALO Studio-Six tube amp.

 

[Rhodey]

This is the "Luna". I wonder how it compares to the WA33.

The Luna will be sweeter and probably a little warmer than the WA33. I found the WA33 pretty dry. I had already sold the WA33 when I purchased the Utopia 22 but I personally wouldn’t think it would be a good pairing.
I really liked the DNA Stratus and I’m sure the Stellaris would be great too (hard to get tho).
I currently own the Envy and really enjoy it with some upgraded tubes. Great impact and body.
I’ve also owned the MZ3 and can see it being a nice pairing too. Only concern with the MZ3 is if you need to use other headphones that may need more juice. But if you don’t need a lot of power it’s a great amp.
Another option could be an Eddie Current Studio B, tho haven’t heard it.
I’ll say the Utopia 22 doesn’t seem to be as picky so I think most tube amps that work with low impedance headphones should be ok.

 

[Godisopen777]

Wrong reply.

 

[Godisopen777]

The new RME 2/4 Pro SE get a Strong buy from my side





NOMAX

PS.lol

I completely agree. I love mine. I don’t find I need an external amp anymore, as I almost always did with the ADI 2 Dac FS

 

[jamato8]

The Luna will be sweeter and probably a little warmer than the WA33. I found the WA33 pretty dry. I had already sold the WA33 when I purchased the Utopia 22 but I personally wouldn’t think it would be a good pairing.
I really liked the DNA Stratus and I’m sure the Stellaris would be great too (hard to get tho).
I currently own the Envy and really enjoy it with some upgraded tubes. Great impact and body.
I’ve also owned the MZ3 and can see it being a nice pairing too. Only concern with the MZ3 is if you need to use other headphones that may need more juice. But if you don’t need a lot of power it’s a great amp.
Another option could be an Eddie Current Studio B, tho haven’t heard it.
I’ll say the Utopia 22 doesn’t seem to be as picky so I think most tube amps that work with low impedance headphones should be ok.

I use the Abyss on the MZ3, no issue. Not sure how much more power you would need. In fact it was a guy walking around at a show but not using them. I asked him what he had tried them on and he said nothing, nothing here can power them. I said try them on the MZ. He said it won't do it. I said, try it anyway. He was blown away and had his wife listen.

Also the Cayin 300BMK2.

 

[Rhodey]

I use the Abyss on the MZ3, no issue. Not sure how much more power you would need. In fact it was a guy walking around at a show but not using them. I asked him what he had tried them on and he said nothing, nothing here can power them. I said try them on the MZ. He said it won't do it. I said, try it anyway. He was blown away and had his wife listen.

Also the Cayin 300BMK2.

Abyss what? 1266?

 

[jamato8]

Abyss what? 1266?

Yes, the latest one.

 

[Rhodey]

Yes, the latest one.

You ran the 1266 off the MZ3 and thought it provided sufficient current and power? I’m sure it got loud but I’d never run something like the Susvara off it. It has one watt. One solid watt but still one watt. You do you and enjoy….

 

[Atriya]

Any opinions on the Auris Nirvana IV or the Manley Absolute, for the Utopia 2022? I realized these have something I need that Felix Audio and Woo Audio products don't have (LTA does, though): the ability to work with both 110V and 220V mains voltages. The ALO Studio Six has apparently been discontinued.

 

[jamato8]

You ran the 1266 off the MZ3 and thought it provided sufficient current and power? I’m sure it got loud but I’d never run something like the Susvara off it. It has one watt. One solid watt but still one watt. You do you and enjoy….

I never said loud, I don’t just run headphones loud to test them that proves nothing. I’m talking about sound quality I own both I listen to both and as I said, a very skeptical, owner of a pair was sure that they would not work, and he was amazed at how well they do work and how open and dynamic the sound was so much so that he had his wife listen.

 

[meomap]

Any opinions on the Auris Nirvana IV or the Manley Absolute, for the Utopia 2022? I realized these have something I need that Felix Audio products don't have (LTA and Woo Audio do, though): the ability to work with both 110V and 220V mains voltages. The ALO Studio Six has apparently been discontinued.

ALO Studio-Six still for sale in their website.