[Galm]

What I meant by 2 different sites are comments by (users) not professional stated comments by a publisher or anything.

Yeah I had seen those too and was slightly worried.

 

[Whitigir]

I finished this Utopia cables to WM1Z Pentaconn style using the OFC top of their tier

 

[PeteSTRADAMUS]

Looks sweet @Whitigir

 

[lovethatsound]

For those of you that can can the bbc i player,their's a great treat for you and your headphones.You want doctor who and the episode called Knock Knock,This episode was made for headphone users,ENJOY

 

[marcussmj]

You guys reckon the Metrum Acoustics Amethyst would be a good pairing with the Utopia?

 

[sheldaze]

You guys reckon the Metrum Acoustics Amethyst would be a good pairing with the Utopia?

Yes.

But I don't reckon - I own the Amethyst. I would add it makes for a solid foundation, which could be used as a DAC-only option for future amplifier upgrades. It is considerably better at this than the previous generation, Musette.

My question to you - have you heard NOS before? Some people dislike its sound, preferring instead to hear the OS sound, such as that used by Schiit. That is my only reservation, not knowing what you've heard. It is certainly capable of driving the Utopia directly, and I'm enjoying it immensely to feed other amplifiers.

 

[marcussmj]

Yes.

But I don't reckon - I own the Amethyst. I would add it makes for a solid foundation, which could be used as a DAC-only option for future amplifier upgrades. It is considerably better at this than the previous generation, Musette.

My question to you - have you heard NOS before? Some people dislike its sound, preferring instead to hear the OS sound, such as that used by Schiit. That is my only reservation, not knowing what you've heard. It is certainly capable of driving the Utopia directly, and I'm enjoying it immensely to feed other amplifiers.

It is pretty new so I suppose not many have heard it.

I have not heard NOS before for that matter.

 

[bidn]

I knew that Utopia's are microscope that can reveal any changes of components/cables/accesories whatsover. But what I didn't know until last week-end, it's the tremendous bass capabilities of these fantastic headphones. I used to agreed with most people here that said the Utopia's are just a bit shy on bass and just a bit peaky on treble and with an average soundstage. Of course, all the rest is simply stellar. Speed, clarity, timing, details, natural timbre, etc.

I recently replaced my two sources of music (Mac Mini powered by a LPSU for streamin with Tidal and an Auraliti PK90 USB music player from my external SSD) by a Streamer made by Magna HiFi called the Mano. This streamer is made to output a really clean I2S signal via HDMI to compatible dacs (i.e. Audio GD, Holo Spring, PS Audio among others). My dac is a HDMI modified dac/preamp/headphone amp in one box Audio GD Reference 10.32. It's a R2R dac based on 4 PCM 1704UK chips that I configured in NOS (Non-oversampling) mode.

With the Mano at work, the bass became absolutely visceral. Huge, huge step from my old sources. And this is coming from a guy who used to have the Audeze LCD-2v2 for about 4 years. The impact is simply stunning. Bass quantity largely improved too. Goes deeper too. I would certainly compared it as a boost of 3 db in bass region at least. The treble is also much smoother. The whole experience is simply more musical. The sound is just much more full and fleshy now. I suppose that the power supply and quality of components used in the Mano are responsible for these improvements (along with proper cabling with excellent power cord and HDMI cable).

All that to say, that the Utopia's are more than capable to bring fantastic bass presence to the table. Not OK bass, not satisfactory bass, not good bass, FANTASTIC bass presence.

When people are saying that Utopia's performance are really dependant of the source(s), it is an absolute truth. I'm now a real world experience firm believer of that theory.

I find the use of HDMI very interesting, I am considering this for my Utopia.
Would it be possible to have comparative impressions versus a (USB-fed) Chord DAC?

 

[Energy]

Can someone recommend me an inexpensive headphone stand for the Focal Utopia?

 

[x RELIC x]

Can someone recommend me an inexpensive headphone stand for the Focal Utopia?

I use this one. Works great for me.

https://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Technology-EBA01-Aluminum-Headphone/dp/B00Y54RXO8?th=1

 

[Energy]

I use this one. Works great for me.

https://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Technology-EBA01-Aluminum-Headphone/dp/B00Y54RXO8?th=1

That actually looks perfect. The color would match the Utopia's well. Is the top curved enough for the headband shape? The picture looks fairly flat.

 

[Whitigir]

I carry my Utopia with me in the box lol! Always have my Wm1z in it too

 

[Energy]

I would too if I had a portable DAP setup.

Woo Audio HPS-RB seems like another good but cheap alternative.

 

[x RELIC x]

That actually looks perfect. The color would match the Utopia's well. Is the top curved enough for the headband shape? The picture looks fairly flat.

It's curved very well and perfect for the Utopia IMO.

These pics may give you an idea of the curvature:

 

[Energy]

That looks sublime! Those pictures pretty much guaranteed my choice in purchasing one, unless I can find a better one by days end.. (doubtful).
Makes me also want to sell my entire setup for a DAVE.