the og utopia is discontinued. not sure what you're basing your second point on but it doesn't align with the reviews and impressions comparing the og utopia and nutopia that i've seen thus far.
It’s not the answer to your question since you specifically look for an amp, but i find that my FiiO M17 in desktop mode is perfect for the Utopia (out of your list I am only familiar with the gs-x mini which does not add vs the FiiO).
My first choice would be the ECP DSHA-3F over all the ones you mention - pronally I use the Luxman P-750u in balanced mode which I find to be a particularly good match, and I've tried 430HA, GS-X Mini, Bryston, Ray Samuels, Audio GD, Focal Arche, and some I don't remember ...
Niimbus or Enleum
The “best“ is obviously subjective but I preferred the Naim Uniti HE even over the Niimbus US5. The Niimbus is technically amazing, extremely resolving and objectively superior to the Naim, but the Naim is just so much fun with the legendary Naim PRaT, that I ended up buying it.
I thought and still do, that the gs-x mini made a nice pairing. Currently I'm using the Niimbus (I still have the mini as well). It's excellent. I have the yggy 2 as well.
I agree with this view. I have the Utopia (2017), Niimbus US 5 Pro, Benchmark HPA4, and HeadAmp GS-X Mini. All these amps drive the Utopia very well. I've enjoyed using them all. The Niimbus is currently in my rack. I'd recommend the GS-X Mini as the best value, especially second hand.
The original is no longer available but the Nitcsh is making a run sometime next year so that's probably your best option for Utopia.
| Solid state headphone amplifier | Current MSRP (or last MSRP if discontinued) - USD | Recommenders |
| Benchmark HPA4 | $3,299 | @SalR406 |
| Chord DAVE | $14,000 | @GryphonGuy |
| ECP DSHA-3F | $2,800 | @puppypatrol, @helljudgement |
| Enleum [AMP-23R] | $6,250 | @vonBaron |
| Fiio M17 | $1,799 | @Hoegaardener70 |
| Headamp GS-X Mini | $1,995 | @acguitar84, @SalR406 (vote for best value) |
| Kevin Gilmore CFA3 | Unclear; DIY or pay commercial DIYer | @paradoxper |
| Luxman P-750u | $4,995 | @puppypatrol (preferred over DSHA-3F, Simaudio 430HA, Headamp GS-X Mini, Bryston [BHA-1], Focal Arche, and amps from Ray Samuels Audio, Audio GD, etc.) |
| Naim Uniti Atom HE (headphone edition) | $3,799 | @Musicophilesblog |
| Niimbus US 5 Pro | $6,600 | @vonBaron, @SalR406, @acguitar84 |
| Wells Audio Headtrip II | $7,000 (monoblock version is $30,000) | @GryphonGuy |
Notably when the Utopia was originally released, the HeadAmp GS-X Mk2, Naim DAC-V1 and Uniti Atom were all shown in their marketing photos before the advent of the Arche (see photo here).Thanks to all those that responded to my recent inquiry re: solid state amplifier pairings for the Focal Utopia. The following amps were recommended, in alphabetical order.
Solid state headphone amplifier Current MSRP (or last MSRP if discontinued) - USD Recommenders Benchmark HPA4 $3,299 @SalR406 Chord DAVE $14,000 @GryphonGuy ECP DSHA-3F $2,800 @puppypatrol, @helljudgement Enleum [AMP-23R] $6,250 @vonBaron Fiio M17 $1,799 @Hoegaardener70 Headamp GS-X Mini $1,995 @acguitar84, @SalR406 (vote for best value) Kevin Gilmore CFA3 Unclear; DIY or pay commercial DIYer @paradoxper Luxman P-750u $4,995 @puppypatrol (preferred over DSHA-3F, Simaudio 430HA, Headamp GS-X Mini, Bryston [BHA-1], Focal Arche, and amps from Ray Samuels Audio, Audio GD, etc.) Naim Uniti Atom HE (headphone edition) $3,799 @Musicophilesblog Niimbus US 5 Pro $6,600 @vonBaron, @SalR406, @acguitar84 Wells Audio Headtrip II $7,000 (monoblock version is $30,000) @GryphonGuy
Notes:
Initial Conclusions:
- Amps that received multiple recommendations were the ECP DSHA-3F (2), Headamp GS-X Mini (2), and Niimbus US 5 Pro (3).
- Nitsch Audio is releasing the DSHA-3FN sometime in 2023, as noted by @helljudgement. Anticipated pricing of $2,600.
- I had not heard of the units from Niimbus or Enleum before. Without being able to demo, I'm nervous to try given the price.
- I had not heard of the Wells Audio Headtrip II before. It looks like a mini-speaker amp, similar to a Pass Labs or Coda amp. Crazy-high power output (25W at 32 ohms and 1.8W at 600 ohms!), crazy-high gain (30 dB), and crazy-low input sensitivity (85 mV), so coupled with Yggdrasil Analog 2 may not have any play whatsoever on the volume knob. Looks like it was originally designed for hard to drive headphones like the Abyss, which makes sense given the specs. (I'm a Magnepan owner that uses a beefy Coda stereo amplifier.) Intrigued, but seems like complete overkill for the Utopia.
More info about where I'm coming from in this search:
- Seems like the best values for those who already have a source/DAC are the Headamp GS-X Mini and the ECP DSHA-3F. The latter being designed specifically for Focals is certainly persuasive.
- The FiiO M17 and Naim Uniti Atom HE look like good options for those who want an all-in one source, DAC, and amp. I've considered the Naim unit before for a potential bedside rig, maybe with a Focal Stellia. No need for such functionality now in the living room system.
I'm looking for an amp that will do the same thing with the Utopia that my Coda separates did for my Magnepan speakers in my living room system. That system is the Yggdrasil Analog 2 --> Coda 07x preamplifier --> Coda 16.0 amplifier. The 16.0 is a Class A/B design, but with 100W Class A bias and a total 150/300W at 8/4 ohms, respectively, power rating. I want a solid state amplifier with tube characteristics. I don't want to kill the Utopia's strengths by using a warmpoo amp, but I do want to have a smooth, inviting, musical experience that doesn't make me want to take the headphones off after an album like I have had with many of the amps I listed in my original inquiry post. When I moved from my Ragnarok 1.5 to the Coda separates in the speaker chain, I was blown away. The Coda gear was more resolving; provided warmth in the midrange; bass punch, kick and control at lower volumes even; and I found myself listening to music more and more.
From what I've read, the GS-X Mini may have a similar sound signature. Perhaps the DSHA-3F less so with a cleaner sound, but not edgy or irritating and some tube-like characteristics. I think Luxman could work as well, but are expensive and tougher to get used versions with the correct transformer voltage it looks like (many come with Japanese 100v transformers given the popularity of Luxman in Japan).
The Wells Audio Headtrip II honestly looks like a small speaker amp (picture below). However, it is rather expensive and considering how little I plan to listen to headphones in the living room system probably not the best use of resources, even if purchased used.
Curious as to any other thoughts, but seems like for now it probably makes the most sense to try and hear the GS-X Mini and Pass Labs HPA-1 while I wait for the DSHA-3FN to be released. Even the Pass is pushing what I'd really want to spend on a headphone amp. I also have a Magni Piety I bought on a whim that I'll be trying soon and may just settle on that and repurpose the money I've been saving up for a more expensive headphone amp.
Nice researchThanks to all those that responded to my recent inquiry re: solid state amplifier pairings for the Focal Utopia. The following amps were recommended, in alphabetical order.
Solid state headphone amplifier Current MSRP (or last MSRP if discontinued) - USD Recommenders Benchmark HPA4 $3,299 @SalR406 Chord DAVE $14,000 @GryphonGuy ECP DSHA-3F $2,800 @puppypatrol, @helljudgement Enleum [AMP-23R] $6,250 @vonBaron Fiio M17 $1,799 @Hoegaardener70 Headamp GS-X Mini $1,995 @acguitar84, @SalR406 (vote for best value) Kevin Gilmore CFA3 Unclear; DIY or pay commercial DIYer @paradoxper Luxman P-750u $4,995 @puppypatrol (preferred over DSHA-3F, Simaudio 430HA, Headamp GS-X Mini, Bryston [BHA-1], Focal Arche, and amps from Ray Samuels Audio, Audio GD, etc.) Naim Uniti Atom HE (headphone edition) $3,799 @Musicophilesblog Niimbus US 5 Pro $6,600 @vonBaron, @SalR406, @acguitar84 Wells Audio Headtrip II $7,000 (monoblock version is $30,000) @GryphonGuy
Notes:
Initial Conclusions:
- Amps that received multiple recommendations were the ECP DSHA-3F (2), Headamp GS-X Mini (2), and Niimbus US 5 Pro (3).
- Nitsch Audio is releasing the DSHA-3FN sometime in 2023, as noted by @helljudgement. Anticipated pricing of $2,600.
- I had not heard of the units from Niimbus or Enleum before. Without being able to demo, I'm nervous to try given the price.
- I had not heard of the Wells Audio Headtrip II before. It looks like a mini-speaker amp, similar to a Pass Labs or Coda amp. Crazy-high power output (25W at 32 ohms and 1.8W at 600 ohms!), crazy-high gain (30 dB), and crazy-low input sensitivity (85 mV), so coupled with Yggdrasil Analog 2 may not have any play whatsoever on the volume knob. Looks like it was originally designed for hard to drive headphones like the Abyss, which makes sense given the specs. (I'm a Magnepan owner that uses a beefy Coda stereo amplifier.) Intrigued, but seems like complete overkill for the Utopia.
More info about where I'm coming from in this search:
- Seems like the best values for those who already have a source/DAC are the Headamp GS-X Mini and the ECP DSHA-3F. The latter being designed specifically for Focals is certainly persuasive.
- The FiiO M17 and Naim Uniti Atom HE look like good options for those who want an all-in one source, DAC, and amp. I've considered the Naim unit before for a potential bedside rig, maybe with a Focal Stellia. No need for such functionality now in the living room system.
I'm looking for an amp that will do the same thing with the Utopia that my Coda separates did for my Magnepan speakers in my living room system. That system is the Yggdrasil Analog 2 --> Coda 07x preamplifier --> Coda 16.0 amplifier. The 16.0 is a Class A/B design, but with 100W Class A bias and a total 150/300W at 8/4 ohms, respectively, power rating. I want a solid state amplifier with tube characteristics. I don't want to kill the Utopia's strengths by using a warmpoo amp, but I do want to have a smooth, inviting, musical experience that doesn't make me want to take the headphones off after an album like I have had with many of the amps I listed in my original inquiry post. When I moved from my Ragnarok 1.5 to the Coda separates in the speaker chain, I was blown away. The Coda gear was more resolving; provided warmth in the midrange; bass punch, kick and control at lower volumes even; and I found myself listening to music more and more.
From what I've read, the GS-X Mini may have a similar sound signature. Perhaps the DSHA-3F less so with a cleaner sound, but not edgy or irritating and some tube-like characteristics. I think Luxman could work as well, but are expensive and tougher to get used versions with the correct transformer voltage it looks like (many come with Japanese 100v transformers given the popularity of Luxman in Japan).
The Wells Audio Headtrip II honestly looks like a small speaker amp (picture below). However, it is rather expensive and considering how little I plan to listen to headphones in the living room system probably not the best use of resources, even if purchased used.
Curious as to any other thoughts, but seems like for now it probably makes the most sense to try and hear the GS-X Mini and Pass Labs HPA-1 while I wait for the DSHA-3FN to be released. Even the Pass is pushing what I'd really want to spend on a headphone amp. I also have a Magni Piety I bought on a whim that I'll be trying soon and may just settle on that and repurpose the money I've been saving up for a more expensive headphone amp.
