[paul2qute]

Fingers crossed I'll get my heimdall 2 headphone cable this week, been waiting at least three weeks for it to arrive.Told the Mrs it was 50 quid, she was outraged

 

[Kamb1ng]

I bought my Utopia from Darin here on Head-Fi and just realized that the stock cables aren't XLR lol. Fortunately he put an XLR cable on the Utopia's and I hate to admit it but the XLR sounds better to my ears than the SE. Can't tell if it is placebo but I try to match the volume between XLR and SE -- but still prefer the XLR. Something about the XLR makes them sound more full.
 
Anyone else try SE vs XLR, am I just experiencing confirmation bias lol?

 

[dannybgoode]

problem is the voltage - it is not 120 for use on our side of the pond

Looking at the manual for the 931 and 933 they do offer a 120v option.

I am sure Paul will agree with me-they're exceptional sounding things and work brilliantly with the Utopia (in fact most Amy headphones).

 

[Allanmarcus]

  I bought my Utopia from Darin here on Head-Fi and just realized that the stock cables aren't XLR lol. Fortunately he put an XLR cable on the Utopia's and I hate to admit it but the XLR sounds better to my ears than the SE. Can't tell if it is placebo but I try to match the volume between XLR and SE -- but still prefer the XLR. Something about the XLR makes them sound more full.
 
Anyone else try SE vs XLR, am I just experiencing confirmation bias lol?

Are they identical cables, or is  just the termination is different?
 
Even if they are identical, balanced vs single ended is very dependent on the amp. It's quite possible your amp isn't outputting the exact same signal SE vs Balanced. In fact, I'm not sure that's technically possible. You don't have anything in your profile, so not sure what amp you are using.

 

[Imusicman]

I bought my Utopia from Darin here on Head-Fi and just realized that the stock cables aren't XLR lol. Fortunately he put an XLR cable on the Utopia's and I hate to admit it but the XLR sounds better to my ears than the SE. Can't tell if it is placebo but I try to match the volume between XLR and SE -- but still prefer the XLR. Something about the XLR makes them sound more full.

Anyone else try SE vs XLR, am I just experiencing confirmation bias lol?

I've been experiencing it too then. XLR to me also makes them sound fuller

 

[Imusicman]

Are they identical cables, or is  just the termination is different?

Even if they are identical, balanced vs single ended is very dependent on the amp. It's quite possible your amp isn't outputting the exact same signal SE vs Balanced. In fact, I'm not sure that's technically possible. You don't have anything in your profile, so not sure what amp you are using.

It's strange that the balanced output is better vs the SE on my HA-1 as the Utopia is easy to drive but it definitely sounds fuller with the XLR cable connection.

 

[Hydrored]

It's strange that the balanced output is better vs the SE on my HA-1 as the Utopia is easy to drive but it definitely sounds fuller with the XLR cable connection.

I mentioned this in the past, I prefer the Utopia balanced from my Taurus over SE as well

 

[Kamb1ng]

 
Are they identical cables, or is  just the termination is different?
 
Even if they are identical, balanced vs single ended is very dependent on the amp. It's quite possible your amp isn't outputting the exact same signal SE vs Balanced. In fact, I'm not sure that's technically possible. You don't have anything in your profile, so not sure what amp you are using.

I am really not versed in amps so had no idea balanced vs SE is dependent on amp. I just thought balanced provided more power lol. After reading the thread Darin posted for the Utopia, he mentions that the cable was terminated for XLR.
 
Will update my profile to reflect the gear I have but its Yggy-->Rag.

 

[phaeton70]

an amp can be balanced or single-ended.
 
you can derive bal output from an s-e amp, and you can derive an s-e output from a bal amp.
 
depending on your amp, it is definitely possible that your amp (not the cans) will sound better in one way rather than the other.
 
from the cans pov, if you feed them with a +5V / 0 or with a +2.5V / -2.5V is totally irrelevant. it's the amp that's modifying its sound, not the cans.

 

[sdwong]

an amp can be balanced or single-ended.

you can derive bal output from an s-e amp, and you can derive an s-e output from a bal amp.

depending on your amp, it is definitely possible that your amp (not the cans) will sound better in one way rather than the other.

from the cans pov, if you feed them with a +5V / 0 or with a +2.5V / -2.5V is totally irrelevant. it's the amp that's modifying its sound, not the cans.

Well said!

The traditional TRS connection forces the return wire of both the L & R be shorted. Hence, splitting them is better since it eliminate channel interference at this part of the circuit. I can understand the need for a new term to discribe a new connection but balance to me is not right.
If the DAC/amp is true balance in design with 2 DAC and Amp section per channel handling the +ve & -ve signal. It will be best to run them balance with a 3 pin xlr. 3 wires are needed for the +ve & -ve signal. Some claim the increase power comparing single ended vs balance. This is true. Since single ended of a balance amp is generally derive from half of the balance section, say the +ve section. It's the electronics that is balance.

 

[paul2qute]

Looking at the manual for the 931 and 933 they do offer a 120v option.

I am sure Paul will agree with me-they're exceptional sounding things and work brilliantly with the Utopia (in fact most Amy headphones).

Trying to get hold of Paul from Hifi Lounge buzz, I'll speak to him this week.The trilogy 933 can easily drive the.. Is it the hifiman 6 headphone the one hard to drive,in a review it says it can drive anything with ease.Danny think I have my 933 on half volume and the utopias are really working at that volume level

 

[rthomas]

There is a guy on Ebay selling Utopias and Elears.
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focal-Utopia-Headphones/182489340673?_trksid=p2046732.c100040.m2060&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107095009%26meid%3Dfa240260a7a9451e8fb17243fa3b3e7b%26pid%3D100040%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D262894546084
 
 
 
I asked him if he is a dealer as otherwise why would a private seller have multiple units of the same headphone to sell?
He says he is not a dealer and he just bought a bunch of them. I smell BS.
 
Is this allowed by Focal? I find it dishonest that the MSRP is set very high and people play all kinds of games and get them for much less while normal customers pay the MSRP like idiots.

 

[boomtube]

There is a guy on Ebay selling Utopias and Elears.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focal-Utopia-Headphones/182489340673?_trksid=p2046732.c100040.m2060&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107095009%26meid%3Dfa240260a7a9451e8fb17243fa3b3e7b%26pid%3D100040%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D262894546084



I asked him if he is a dealer as otherwise why would a private seller have multiple units of the same headphone to sell?
He says he is not a dealer and he just bought a bunch of them. I smell BS.

Is this allowed by Focal? I find it dishonest that the MSRP is set very high and people play all kinds of games and get them for much less while normal customers pay the MSRP like idiots.

I bought a brand new, unopened pair of Utopia's from a dealer in Audiogon for $2950 and just registered them for warranty etc. 100% legit.

 

[paul2qute]

There is a guy on Ebay selling Utopias and Elears.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focal-Utopia-Headphones/182489340673?_trksid=p2046732.c100040.m2060&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107095009%26meid%3Dfa240260a7a9451e8fb17243fa3b3e7b%26pid%3D100040%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D262894546084



I asked him if he is a dealer as otherwise why would a private seller have multiple units of the same headphone to sell?
He says he is not a dealer and he just bought a bunch of them. I smell BS.

Is this allowed by Focal? I find it dishonest that the MSRP is set very high and people play all kinds of games and get them for much less while normal customers pay the MSRP like idiots.

Probably knock off or fakes, where he based toxteth in Liverpool?He's not going by the name Purple Aki ?

 

[turbo87]

I am not sure if this is BS. I seem to remember that he bought couple of headphones to try out. He had the Sony Z1R that he sold couple of weeks ago. At that time he said that he was going to keep the Utopia. The MSRP for the new Utopia is $3999. So he is selling the used one under that price.