[Svatopluk]

Have someone ever compared the utopia with copper and silver cables? Is there any considerable differences?
I want to upgrade to a balanced cable better than the standard one, and really don't know the better choice
I'm using a violectric 281 and a chord 2qute

I have the Silver Dragon and Cardas copper, but I'm using them with the HA-1 and Gungnir so my experience will vary from what you can expect on your setup. I was not a real believer in cables before acquiring the Utopia's but all that has changed now so I will make a few comments on the subject.
 
Basically, to make the Silver Dragon an improvement with the Utopia, you will need ether a warm amp or a warm DAC. From my experience, a natural sounding amp like the HA-1 with it's natural and detailed sabra DAC will definitely not the way to go when pairing the the Utopia's with a silver cable like the Dragon. Just to much off a good thing I guess. Pairing the HA-1 with a warmer DAC like the Gumby makes all the difference in the world while using a silver cable, the slight increase in micro-detail, air and maybe depth are noticeable over the Cardas copper cable. Just me, but I actually prefer the Cardas/Sabra DAC pairing with the Utopia's over the Gumby/Silver Dragon. 
 
If you want to go silver, your Violectric 281 should be fine.

 

[phaeton70]

Have someone ever compared the utopia with copper and silver cables? Is there any considerable differences?
I want to upgrade to a balanced cable better than the standard one, and really don't know the better choice
I'm using a violectric 281 and a chord 2qute

 
I think it really depends on how you like to listen, and the overall quality of the cable regardless of material.
 
for my taste, copper is the best fit with Utopia. I've compared a FAW HPC MKII to a Lavri full silver (don't remember the exact model, think was an Ultimate), and preferred the FAW, but both of those cables sounded darned good 

 

[AnakChan]

The WM1Z is totally and completely built and designed to be used primarily with their new pentaconn balanced connection. You're essentially wasting half the hardware if you use SE because they split and separated the circuitry to improve the balanced performance.

I know...that's why I'm disappointed.

 

[Dvdlucena]

I have the Silver Dragon and Cardas copper, but I'm using them with the HA-1 and Gungnir so my experience will vary from what you can expect on your setup. I was not a real believer in cables before acquiring the Utopia's but all that has changed now so I will make a few comments on the subject.

Basically, to make the Silver Dragon an improvement with the Utopia, you will need ether a warm amp or a warm DAC. From my experience, a natural sounding amp like the HA-1 with it's natural and detailed sabra DAC will definitely not the way to go when pairing the the Utopia's with a silver cable like the Dragon. Just to much off a good thing I guess. Pairing the HA-1 with a warmer DAC like the Gumby makes all the difference in the world while using a silver cable, the slight increase in micro-detail, air and maybe depth are noticeable over the Cardas copper cable. Just me, but I actually prefer the Cardas/Sabra DAC pairing with the Utopia's over the Gumby/Silver Dragon. 

If you want to go silver, your Violectric 281 should be fine.

Thank you very much sir
You did help me

 

[paul2qute]

exactly, it doesn't matter if any or everyone says a product is garbage (which I haven't, just said that the jury is out), so long as the (potential) owner likes said product, that is all that matters.

I probably wouldn't have bought my Master 1s if going on reviews and opinions only.

Don't get me wrong Duncan I'm really interested in your review of both headphones, I couldn't write a review I don't have the skill and my right ear is not as good as my left ear so far from ideal

 

[Imusicman]

  I have the Silver Dragon and Cardas copper, but I'm using them with the HA-1 and Gungnir so my experience will vary from what you can expect on your setup. I was not a real believer in cables before acquiring the Utopia's but all that has changed now so I will make a few comments on the subject.
 
Basically, to make the Silver Dragon an improvement with the Utopia, you will need ether a warm amp or a warm DAC. From my experience, a natural sounding amp like the HA-1 with it's natural and detailed sabra DAC will definitely not the way to go when pairing the the Utopia's with a silver cable like the Dragon. Just to much off a good thing I guess. Pairing the HA-1 with a warmer DAC like the Gumby makes all the difference in the world while using a silver cable, the slight increase in micro-detail, air and maybe depth are noticeable over the Cardas copper cable. Just me, but I actually prefer the Cardas/Sabra DAC pairing with the Utopia's over the Gumby/Silver Dragon. 
 
If you want to go silver, your Violectric 281 should be fine.

Agreed. I have gone with the Black Dragon Premium balanced with the HA-1 Audiocom special edition for the same reasons. Great pairing.

 

[Alu]

  What would be a $1000 amp to pair with the Utopia?

 
I've been using the Pathos Aurium with stock tubes for around 2 weeks now, and I couldn't be happier.
I looked at perhaps rolling in some different tubes, but then I realised that I've already found what I'd consider to be a setup that is perfect for me.
 
I think for once the grass is greener on my own side.
 
I'm only considering a cable upgrade now, mainly because the stock one is a bit too bulky for me and I'd prefer a slightly nicer looking one, but other than that I'm done.
Initially I wanted to upgrade my Wyred 4 Sound DAC 1 LE (Sabre) to an Yggy, but I actually got worried about changing the sound too much and decided against any further drastic changes.
My mind might change in a year or two though.
 
So yeah, the Pathos Aurium is very good I find.
Please note that it doesn't have a balanced headphone output, if you value that sort of thing.

 

[TSAVJason]

What would be a $1000 amp to pair with the Utopia?

I spent a number of hours last week with the Cayin HA-1A MK II and my Utopia. Its a very nice pairing. It's a grand and sells on average for $800.

 

[Allanmarcus]

 

What would be a $1000 amp to pair with the Utopia?

I spent a number of hours last week with the Cayin HA-1A MK II and my Utopia. Its a very nice pairing. It's a grand and sells on average for $800.

Very interesting amp there. Thanks Jason. Did it have stock tubes? There's a nice review at 
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/01/29/review-cayin-ha-1a-mk2/
 
project86's comments right here at: (note, same guy as the above review)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/822029/new-tube-amp-the-cayin-ha-1a-mk2
Plus comments from Andy Kong (from Cayin)
 
and John recommends upgrading some of the tubes. If you thought it sounds pretty good stock, then there's upward possibilities.
 
Did it add some lushness to the mids and lower end of Utopia?

 

[TSAVJason]

Very interesting amp there. Thanks Jason. Did it have stock tubes? There's a nice review at 
https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/01/29/review-cayin-ha-1a-mk2/

and John recommends upgrading some  of the tubes. If you thought it sounds pretty good stock, then there's upward possibilities.

Did it add some lushness to the mids and lower end of Utopia?

The unit I spent the time with was at about 10 hours of use and was 100% stock. We don't tube roll until the original unit is broken in to make a fair comparison. It did richen up the Utopia a lot similar to what the WA8 Eclipse does when used with the Utopia.

 

[Tobes]

  The Focal's have excellent sub-bass...the measurements back this up as do my low frequency sweeps (and measure quite similarly to the HE-6s for that matter and go down to 20Hz). I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with you on the HE-6s...owned them for a few years, liked them...never, ever loved them. Don't miss them one iota as the LCD-4, Utopia and HE1000V2's have eclipsed them for me. 

Just in general (just to other HE-6 owners

), yes, I've heard the HE-6s through some very powerful and impressive speaker amps and my comments hold.

I own both Utopia and HE6. I also think the Focal's have excellent bass, but in this one particular - sub bass - the HE6's definitely provide more extension and have the Focal's beat. 
In all other aspects I prefer the Utopias: more natural/neutral tonal balance, better clarity, transients, detail and overall musicality and engagement. The Utopia's are absolutely wonderful on vocals and naturally recorded instruments.
FWIW I rarely listen to the HE6's any more.

 

[MacedonianHero]

 
I own both Utopia and HE6. I also think the Focal's have excellent bass, but in this one particular - sub bass - the HE6's definitely provide more extension and have the Focal's beat. 
In all other aspects I prefer the Utopias: more natural/neutral tonal balance, better clarity, transients, detail and overall musicality and engagement. The Utopia's are absolutely wonderful on vocals and naturally recorded instruments.
FWIW I rarely listen to the HE6's any more.

 
I would beg to differ on the sub-bass comments...plus the measurements show them about equal as well. (FWIW, I used to own the HE-6s for a number of years, but like you, rarely listened to them and sold them off).

 

[TonyNewman]

   
I would beg to differ on the sub-bass comments...plus the measurements show them about equal as well. (FWIW, I used to own the HE-6s for a number of years, but like you, rarely listened to them and sold them off).

 
It certainly doesn't feel that way when I A/B test Utopia vs modded HE6.
 
I should mention that I have the Blutak mod happening (as well as felt inserts under the ear pads and covers removed) - the Blutak mod improves the HE6 bass considerably - tighter and punchier. To my ears it is not a contest - the modded HE6 bass beats the Utopia bass, at least in the sub-bass department if not bass in general. My opinion is the latter.
 
For almost anything else the Utopia wins (I still find the Utopia presentation too forward and energetic for my tastes, but that's a "me & my rig" thing). Utopia is more detailed, faster, cleaner, more dynamic - no doubt. Modded HE6 sound stage seems a bit bigger, but not as precise. Still, the modded HE6 gets within 95% of the Utopia performance to my ears, and that's kinda remarkable, given the age and price difference between them.

 

[MacedonianHero]

   
It certainly doesn't feel that way when I A/B test Utopia vs modded HE6.
 
I should mention that I have the Blutak mod happening (as well as felt inserts under the ear pads and covers removed) - the Blutak mod improves the HE6 bass considerably - tighter and punchier. To my ears it is not a contest - the modded HE6 bass beats the Utopia bass, at least in the sub-bass department if not bass in general. My opinion is the latter.
 
For almost anything else the Utopia wins (I still find the Utopia presentation too forward and energetic for my tastes, but that's a "me & my rig" thing). Utopia is more detailed, faster, cleaner, more dynamic - no doubt. Modded HE6 sound stage seems a bit bigger, but not as precise. Still, the modded HE6 gets within 95% of the Utopia performance to my ears, and that's kinda remarkable, given the age and price difference between them.

 
Measurements are right here and seem to match my impressions. YMMV of course. 
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FocalUtopia.pdf
and
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE6.pdf
 
Both go down to 20Hz very well. To my ears, both offer outstanding sub-bass and bass quality. But the nod goes to the Utopia for quality overall. The HE-6 has had its day (and is still a very good headphone indeed, but IMO and has been surpassed by some of the more recent headphones like the LCD-4, HE-1000V2, Utopia. 

 

[TonyNewman]

   
Measurements are right here and seem to match my impressions. YMMV of course. 
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FocalUtopia.pdf
and
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HiFiMANHE6.pdf
 
Both go down to 20Hz very well. To my ears, both offer outstanding sub-bass and bass quality. But the nod goes to the Utopia for quality overall. The HE-6 has had its day (and is still a very good headphone indeed, but IMO and has been surpassed by some of the more recent headphones like the LCD-4, HE-1000V2, Utopia. 

 
I don't think that the measurements of the un-modded HE6 have all that much relevance here. The performance in general, and bass performance in particular, is quite a bit better after the modding IMHO.
 
Still, I do agree on the Utopia besting the modded HE6 overall - it's just not my flavour of headphone.