[Gorf]

I find you don’t hear the noise itself but when it’s removed, it sounds slightly darker, less bright, bass is easier to follow and soundstage has depth. It’s all very subtle but you’ll hear how you music sounds more engaging. And I don’t think it’s just a placebo because if I had my choice, I would have preferred to sell the streamer and just use directly with the pc.

Thank you for your insights.

 

[dontfeedphils]

Thank you for your insights.

IMO it makes the biggest impact on PRaT (pace, rhythm, and timing).

 

[iamoneagain]

IMO it makes the biggest impact on PRaT (pace, rhythm, and timing).

Well that was sort of my reasoning for getting the Naim Uniti Atom HE. They use high quality linear power supply and the streamer, dac, amp are connected internally. If done right, I can see how this could avoid noise issues. Also Naim is know for its PRaT. Chord is know for its timing but somehow that doesn’t fully translate to getting you foot tapping like Naim does.

The Focal Arche is a little less refined but it really makes the Utopia’s fun to listen to. Great impact, good soundstage, nice tone. It was shock that I enjoyed it so much especially coming from the Chord Dave/mscaler. I ended up liking the sound of the Naim more once had more time to burn in and open up its sound.

 

[Henrim]

Exactly. Their bass quality is some of the best if not the best I've heard, but people get hung up on quantity. I've experienced more than enough bass when the song has dictated it.

Even more so when paired with the right amp.

 

[countolaf]

So after having not used my Utopia for a couple of weeks, the right channel seems to have died on me. It is still on warranty and yes, I've already reached out to the dealer about it and just waiting for their response

I was hoping the issue will autocorrect within the day so I don't have to part ways with it though that would mean something is still faulty inside.

 

[Gorf]

Burn in for Utopias. How long & what sort of music please?

 

[teknorob23]

Burn in for Utopias. How long & what sort of music please?

150'ish

 

[up late]

Burn in for Utopias. How long & what sort of music please?

you could 'burn-in' your utopia while listening to any music you like

 

[dontfeedphils]

you could 'burn-in' your utopia while listening to any music you like

+1

 

[Gorf]

Thanks everyone.

 

[lucasratmundo]

Exactly. Their bass quality is some of the best if not the best I've heard, but people get hung up on quantity. I've experienced more than enough bass when the song has dictated it.

This has been my experience as well. Ultimately though, I kept missing more sub-bass presence in the Utopia, when compared to the rest of my collection.

 

[TANTALUMWATCHES]

Burn in for Utopias. How long & what sort of music please?

just enjoy your music

 

[iamoneagain]

This has been my experience as well. Ultimately though, I kept missing more sub-bass presence in the Utopia, when compared to the rest of my collection.

I came from one of the greatest bass headphones, AT L3000 and the Utopia’s were just too thin on the Hugo 2 in comparison. I was satisfied with them on the Chord Dave. The sound was much fuller. And without direct comparison, I’d say they are at their best with the Naim HE. Now when I play Radiohead’s Burn the Witch song, I can still remember how it sounded on the L3000. They definitely had more bass presence than the Utopia’s even with the Naim HE, but the Utopia’s sound balanced. Not lacking in bass. With the L3000, I never found them too bassy, but I did find them a little too thick, congested sounding at times. Not very airy. I’m sure there are airier headphones but the Utopia sound right to me. At least with the Danacable Lazuli Reference. Just a hint vailed sounding with stock cord.

Now maybe once I attend a head-if meet and compare them against the other top headphones, I’ll have a different opinion since I’ll know how they’d stack up. But for me, their in you face, some what aggressive nature is what I like. Or maybe that’s their nature with that type of music. But in the past at headphone meets, I always tested guitar tracks because I found most couldn’t get the attack and metallic sound right. Most were too soft. The Utopia excel at this.

 

[Gorf]

Utopias & Arche have arrived. They sound a bit closed in at the moment, so I've just been running them. The Arche I'm leaving on overnight. The usb connection seems fine.

I wanted to compare balanced & single, but the single cable with the utopias is too small for the socket in the Arche, so I'm using the balanced cable. Any easy fix for testing?

 

[MatW]

I wanted to compare balanced & single, but the single cable with the utopias is too small for the socket in the Arche,

Sounds like you need to put the adapter on the cable, see bottom left?