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Focal Utopia .. which tube amp with remote control and balanced output ?

M

maro73

pfm Member
Hello folks
It’s been ages since I’ve been active
Time dedicated to work and enjoying my system
I have a Focal Utopia for some years now , they do sound good with the Violectric V281 (which is a stunning pre amp on its own) , linked to Chord DAVE via XLR
I just wanted to try a tube headphone amp .. seems that Feliks audio is good ..

Any ideas for a tube headphone amp ?
Cheers
 
If you head over to Head-Fi there are a number of threads/posts on this very subject. Never used tubes with my Utopias but got some good sounds with HeadAmps FWIW.
 
I run a Cayin 300b, I’ve been lucky and had a number of different amps (Mcintosh etc) and this is in a totally different league. I can wholeheartedly recommend. You would need some flexibility on your budget though.
 
I looked at valved can amps some years ago and found them either limited in versatility (only one can outlet or1/2 inputs only). Eventually chose a class A Myryad with all the bells and a good sound, though at the price I paid it was a steal regardless, so findings were well ahead of expectations (HD650 + Elears).

The ones I narrowed down were a Jap. one (HA 501?????) and an eastern European one, both in the 450 to 600 pound bracket then.
 
Hello Guys
To be honest , I’m really happy with the Violectric V281 (Which is by the way a superb pre amp on its own) .. but I really think that tube head amp is the way to go
I read Headfi .. so much information , and not convincing
Right now , limitations are the Remote and XLR input (my DAC is far from office)
Next visit to UK : I’ll search for the Ear HP 4 , the Cayin 300b
The looks of the Mcintosh appeals a lot to me ..
The search is on

I’ll take any recommendation
Cheers
 
Just posted in the specialised forum
Seems that PATHOS is the way to go : INPOL ear headphone amp
Loks good
 
I’m currently using a Pathos Aurium with my Utopias, way under the budget being spoken to here obviously, but I think it’s more suited to my HD800’s than the Utopias. Pondering whether a Focal Arche would be an upgrade, I’ve seen those for £1500, or if a more expensive tube amp would suit.
 
Hello
I've listened to the Viva .. fantastic but budget is over the top
ARCHE : too expensive for the price : just a marketing stuff
For the Utopia : I 'm using : Chord Dave alone , Violectric v281 with the DAVE in XLR , Exams DAC DP1 , and the new arrival : Pathos Input Ear ...
Difficult to say : but the Pathos rivals the Dave + V281
Will post soon
Cheers
 
Pathos Inpol at £4.5k is way above my budget :confused:
As for the Dave…

I’m looking to spend around 2-2.5k at most. Any thoughts?
 
Honestly , I think that the Utopies need tubes
Just check for Icon Audio : Mr Shaw is great talking to ..
I'll definitely try
I didn't buy them because I needed remote and XLR
I don't think that Arche will better the Aurium
Hope that helps
Cheers
 
Ah , just to say that the Pathos Input ear without Dac is not the way to go IMHO
Unfortunately rare to find second hand
Cheers
 
maro73 said:
Honestly , I think that the Utopies need tubes
Just check for Icon Audio : Mr Shaw is great talking to ..
I'll definitely try
I didn't buy them because I needed remote and XLR
I don't think that Arche will better the Aurium
Hope that helps
Cheers
Click to expand...

thanks very much, will take a look
 
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