[inthere]

Hello fellow music lovers,

My first post here as I contemplate my foray into the head-fi universe.

I have a very high performance loudspeaker system (sealed with active crossovers) and have assembled sources and amplification with an eye towards sonic neutrality.

I am considering a Headamp GS-X Mk with Focal Utopia headphones. My source is the MSB Technology Signature DAC IV Plus.

Would DHC Prion4 cables for the Utopia headphones remove another layer of sonic coloration?

Thank you in advance for your shared wisdom and experience.

The stock cables have no "sonic coloration" so I'd say no.

 

[Beng Yeow]

Hello fellow music lovers,

My first post here as I contemplate my foray into the head-fi universe.

I have a very high performance loudspeaker system (sealed with active crossovers) and have assembled sources and amplification with an eye towards sonic neutrality.

I am considering a Headamp GS-X Mk with Focal Utopia headphones. My source is the MSB Technology Signature DAC IV Plus.

Would DHC Prion4 cables for the Utopia headphones remove another layer of sonic coloration?

Thank you in advance for your shared wisdom and experience.

 
Welcome chromazones, similar to you, I was in a position similar to yours 6 months ago, I would think the cables are the least of your worries but if you have time, I would suggest you look at Silver Widow 22 by Toxic Cables. Ensuring you have a clean output to the cables is more important than the cables but yes, getting a good one will ensure minimal sonic coloration.
 
Have fun!

 

[ddanois]

BIG shout out to Jason @ The Source AV!
 
He secured one of the first Utopia's available for me a few months back and has delivered exceptional customer service. I recently had an issue with my headphone and Jason completely resolved it for me within 48 hours. Unbelievable!
 
I have purchased from many different hi-end audio partners over the years but The Source AV is unlike any other.
 
If you're considering any gear that these guys represent, do yourself a favor and buy it from them...You will not regret it.
 
Much Love Jason!

 

[Muvieguy]

BIG shout out to Jason @ The Source AV!

He secured one of the first Utopia's available for me a few months back and has delivered exceptional customer service. I recently had an issue with my headphone and Jason completely resolved it for me within 48 hours. Unbelievable!

I have purchased from many different hi-end audio partners over the years but The Source AV is unlike any other.

If you're considering any gear that these guys represent, do yourself a favor and buy it from them...You will not regret it.

Much Love Jason!

I have to second that emotion Jason is an outstanding guy with lots of knowledge and he goes to bat for his customers.

 

[Dvdlucena]

BIG shout out to Jason @ The Source AV!

He secured one of the first Utopia's available for me a few months back and has delivered exceptional customer service. I recently had an issue with my headphone and Jason completely resolved it for me within 48 hours. Unbelievable!

I have purchased from many different hi-end audio partners over the years but The Source AV is unlike any other.

If you're considering any gear that these guys represent, do yourself a favor and buy it from them...You will not regret it.

Much Love Jason!

Did you have the driver failure problem?

 

[crrrddddeeeee]

Hello fellow music lovers,

My first post here as I contemplate my foray into the head-fi universe.

I have a very high performance loudspeaker system (sealed with active crossovers) and have assembled sources and amplification with an eye towards sonic neutrality.

I am considering a Headamp GS-X Mk with Focal Utopia headphones. My source is the MSB Technology Signature DAC IV Plus.

Would DHC Prion4 cables for the Utopia headphones remove another layer of sonic coloration?

Thank you in advance for your shared wisdom and experience.

Sorry that I might not be answering your question because I haven't heard the Utopia yet (unfortunately lol), but I am thinking about selling my Headamp GS-X MKII very soon if I can get the Chord DAVE. If you are interested after getting a better idea whether it is a good fit for your system, let me know.

 

[TSAVJason]

Did you have the driver failure problem?

I'll answer that for you. Yes it has a driver failure. His Utopia is from the original launch product. Amazingly it failed 6 months later while the other few from that build failed right away. The good thing is Focal stands behind their products and TSAV stands behind all its sales. He's right we took 2 days to get him back up and enjoying a new Utopia again. A day longer than his original purchase took.

 

[Mystel]

Hello fellow music lovers,

My first post here as I contemplate my foray into the head-fi universe.

I have a very high performance loudspeaker system (sealed with active crossovers) and have assembled sources and amplification with an eye towards sonic neutrality.

I am considering a Headamp GS-X Mk with Focal Utopia headphones. My source is the MSB Technology Signature DAC IV Plus.

Would DHC Prion4 cables for the Utopia headphones remove another layer of sonic coloration?

Thank you in advance for your shared wisdom and experience.

Well imo, the stock cables are excellent but its a little grainy. The prion is really smooth and helps the soundstage a little, while providing more details so in a sense it is more transparent. Music just flows. Really superb combination. 

 

[STR-1]

Good to hear. My Prion is taking an age to be finished but I'm expecting great things from it. I've also ordered an adapter that will let me use my HD800-terminated Black Dragon with the Utopia.

 

[STR-1]

Demand for the Prion has been very high recently, hence the longer wait time, but delighted to learn mine should be ready for shipping tomorrow.

 

[chromazones]

Thank you all for the informative replies. Plenty there for my to consider.

To crrrddddeeeee, interested to know the specifics of your GS-X Mk2. Will shoot you a PM regarding this.

 

[HeadAmpTeam]

Hello fellow music lovers,

My first post here as I contemplate my foray into the head-fi universe.

I have a very high performance loudspeaker system (sealed with active crossovers) and have assembled sources and amplification with an eye towards sonic neutrality.

I am considering a Headamp GS-X Mk with Focal Utopia headphones. My source is the MSB Technology Signature DAC IV Plus.

Would DHC Prion4 cables for the Utopia headphones remove another layer of sonic coloration?

Thank you in advance for your shared wisdom and experience.

 
What I can tell you is that the GS-X is certainly designed and tested to deliver the sonic neutrality you seek, it is a revealing, powerful, wire with gain.  Focal themselves purchased one during the development of the Utopia/Elear, which should speak volumes.  The GS-X will reflect the sound of the components you connect to it, and in the case of the Utopia, that is a very direct, detailed sound indeed.  Let me know if you have any questions we can address for you.

 

[kingkikapu]

Anyone willing to chime in on high end amplifier recommendations for Utopia?  I am trying to decide between Moon Neo 430HA, Cavalli Audio Liquid Gold, Chord HugoTT, Headamp GSX-Mk2.  I also require balanced outputs for active studio monitors. Thoughts?

 

[TSAVJason]

Anyone willing to chime in on high end amplifier recommendations for Utopia?  I am trying to decide between Moon Neo 430HA, Cavalli Audio Liquid Gold, Chord HugoTT, Headamp GSX-Mk2.  I also require balanced outputs for active studio monitors. Thoughts?

All are really good on the Utopia. Silky and warm with great transparency but still needing a DAC would be the Cavalli. Including DAC the 430HAD is neutral and detailed. The Chord and Headamp are good but not the same game as the Cavalli Gold or SimAudio 430

 

[crrrddddeeeee]

  Anyone willing to chime in on high end amplifier recommendations for Utopia?  I am trying to decide between Moon Neo 430HA, Cavalli Audio Liquid Gold, Chord HugoTT, Headamp GSX-Mk2.  I also require balanced outputs for active studio monitors. Thoughts?

I have both the Moon Neo 430HA and the GSX-MKII and both are fantastic amps no doubt. Id have to give the nod to the MOON of the 2 simply because it adds a bit more power, tone, and tiny bit of warmth (to my ears at least. Others say it is dead neutral). The Headamp is a bit lean in comparison. All 3 will be plenty powerful enough as well. I haven't heard the Liquid Gold but from what I have heard is that the Gold will have slightly more bass than the 430HA while the 430HA has "mids to die for" from a comparison I read before. Gold is also only able to be bought used but they are hard to find because a lot of people love it. Might need to put up a 'Wanted post' in the classifieds. Hope this helps. I might sell my MOON 430HA with DAC later on (maybe in 2 months or so) depending on whether it is still worth having when I get the Chord DAVE. There is also Ragnarok (I'll also be selling) which is warmer then the Headamp GSX-MKII for cheaper.