[akb48jue]

Hey All
Now i am looking for a headphone amp. My headphone is Utopia. My budget is around 4000. I like a warm sound.
Currently, on my shopping list is simaudio 430 HA, GS-X MK2, woo audio W5, etc(if you think some other options) Which one will be the best?

Thanks

 

[robert766]

Look into a ECP Audio DSHA3F Ravenswood 3F. Hopefully there's one available but that fits your budget quite nicely and was developed/tuned with Utopia in mind. Never heard Utopia or amp though.

Probably best to search for answer in the dedicated Utopia threads here and other forums. Most people checking out this part of the forum can only dream of owning a 4000 dollar headphone.

 

[akb48jue]

Thank you for replying, i think this is a DIY amp right? If i want to use ECP amp,do i also need to change the cable?

 

[robert766]

As far as I know it is not a DIY amp. What cable would you need to change? I think it's XLR only in and out so yes you might need a different cable.

Don't worry my bad I just checked their website and the order period for this amp is closed.

 

[akb48jue]

Yes this is the reason why i think they are DIY products. Thank you again fro your reply.

 

[buke9]

The WA5 is one of my all time favorite amp just so nice sounding and definitely would pick it over the other two you mentioned they all very good but I think the Woo is just better to me. Another to look at is the Linear Tube Audio MZ3 another tube amp but also really nice.

 

[akb48jue]

Thank you for your replay. I only have the chance to hear the 430HA, the sound for me like you drink water. However, i prefer warm sound. From your view which is the warmest one?

 

[HBen]

Hey All
Now i am looking for a headphone amp. My headphone is Utopia. My budget is around 4000. I like a warm sound.
Currently, on my shopping list is simaudio 430 HA, GS-X MK2, woo audio W5, etc(if you think some other options) Which one will be the best?
Thanks

Seeing you type the words "My headphone is Utopia" and "I like a warm sound" right next to each other kind of surprised me.
The Utopia ist not a "warm" headphone by any means. If you like a warm sound pretty much any other TOTL headphone does the job better.

As somebody who is owning the 430HA, the GS-X MK2 and the Utopia as well a a bunch of other stuff I can claim the following:
Both of those amps are great - if you like a warm sound you probably enjoy the 430HA better among the two. It's still not warm though, just a bit less treble energy. You can of course try to warm up the sound of the utopia by using a good tube amp, using some R2R DAC and playing around with cables, EQ etc., but honestly if you like a warm sound you might be better off just switching your headphones. The best "warm" headphones imo are the Stax 007 and the Audeze LCD4(Z). If you get the chance give them a try

Cheers and all the best on your headphone journey

 

[akb48jue]

Thank you Hben, very useful information. I will try the one you mentioned. Thank you again.

 

[aqsw]

Have you considered the Feliks Audio Euphoria. Focal pairs this amp with their headphones at meets. Within your budget, and you can roll tubes for the sound you want. I own one and love it. I use Elears and wish I could afford the Utopia. It would be the first amp on my list with those phones.