[Svatopluk]

Sorry to hear this. Would you mind sharing which certified dealer this is so that folks can avoid them in the future?

Crutchfield, been doing business with them for almost twenty years and the vast majority of the money spent was not on the Utopia's. To their credit they did replace the first pair after thirteen months of use. This time however, the only help I received was the phone number for Focal warranty repair and a copy of the original invoice.

 

[rgs9200m]

It sounds strange, but there is a special synergy between a Headroom amp and the Utopia. It sounds really excellent, with strong,controlled bass and tons of detail and silky vocals and mids, and even some fine layering in staging.
I have a Headroom Max with it and I just love the sound. (It also is doing a very nice job with my LCD4.)
Try to seek one out.
Here's one for $800 I just found by googling; I would snap it up ($800 is like spare change jangling around in your pocket in this crazy hobby):
https://www.amazon.com/HeadRoom-Desktop-Balanced-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B013Z8P6CU

(It's not a Max, but it's in the same close family; designed by Tyll.)
Original review of the Max by the late Wes Phillips (who had a great ear for things):
https://www.stereophile.com/headphones/261/index.html

 

[GryphonGuy]

Recommended amps for the utopia currently?

1. Chord DAVE - technically a DAC, amp and pre-amp all in one but the pairing is exemplary for transparency of your source chain
2. Headamp GS-X mk2
3. GD-Audio HE-9

Regards
GG

 

[Mrstump5]

1. Chord DAVE - technically a DAC, amp and pre-amp all in one but the pairing is exemplary for transparency of your source chain
2. Headamp GS-X mk2
3. GD-Audio HE-9

Regards
GG

You dont think gs-x mk2 with a utopia would be too bright?

 

[JLoud]

I like my Woo WA5le with the Utopia's. Helps to take just a little off the top end. Not that it is rolled off, but I find the Utopia a little hot up top sometimes. The Woo also plays nice with my LCD4 as well. Highly recommended if you like tubes.

 

[koven]

You dont think gs-x mk2 with a utopia would be too bright?

Personally I had GSX mk2 and V281 with Utopia (and LCD4) and preferred the V281 w/ both.

 

[MacedonianHero]

You dont think gs-x mk2 with a utopia would be too bright?

GS_X Mk2 isn't bright...it's flat. If your headphones (like the HD800) are bright, then you'll hear what they're about.

In fact it measures dead flat:
https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/HeadAmpGSXmk2.pdf

That said, with the Utopias, you don't need anything more than the DAVE...simply the best I've heard these headphones sound.

 

[GryphonGuy]

You dont think gs-x mk2 with a utopia would be too bright?

Depends on your source chain. If your source already has untamed RF and EMI in it then it may very well sound "bright" but when I auditioned it, the Utopia had the Kimber Axios copper cable and sounded extremely engaging without brightness. Clarity is a word that springs to mind. Space around the instruments also springs to mind.

GG

 

[up late]

i rotate my headphones frequently, but whenever i return to the utopia, it just sounds more complete than its stablemates

 

[kingkikapu]

Gsx is source dependent. It's awesome with utopia provided your Dac is decent quality and not a glary POS.

 

[Mrstump5]

Gsx is source dependent. It's awesome with utopia provided your Dac is decent quality and not a glary POS.

Holospring dac. ..... so I think I'll be good

 

[youurayy]

Recommended amps for the utopia currently?

iFi iCAN Pro.

Invictus XLR silver cable.

 

[guitardave]

I love the Hugo 2 with my Utopias. For cable, I use Nordost Heimdall.

 

[yellowblue]

I really was surprised that the USB-cable (!) had much more effect on the sound of the Utopias than any change of headphone-cable. Whereas the Curious- USB cable with the DAVE could make the Utopias sound a little bright and thin the tonality changes a lot with the new Lush^2 USB cable. This cable makes the Utopias sound much more musical, "lush", with more and better defined bass, and a soundstage much wider (without loosing details).

 

[kingkikapu]

Holospring dac. ..... so I think I'll be good

I’ve run level 3/gsx/utopia combo before. It was great.