FWIW The Utopia’s are really special sounding on the DNA Stratus and I assume Stellaris.
It really opens up the stage, and relaxes them just a little bit.
It very much surprised me how much I like that combo, move the Utopia up to number 2 for me behind 1a and 1b Susvara and MySphere 3.1.
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The DNA stuff is beautiful but tricky because there’s no way to audition unless you know someone who has one. Everything I’ve read suggests the gear is fantastic, but after demo-ing similarly lauded Feliks Euforia and being totally underwhelmed, I’m reluctant to lay out too much cash without hearing. Hence, the $170 tube hybrid.
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Fun fact: Donald (the designer and maker) has historically been willing to send out a demo unit (up to a Stratus) for you to try for a couple of weeks. You will be responsible for shipping it back to him or to the next demoer (fully insured), which is definitely not free, but absolutely worth it if you’re considering shelling out that kind of money.
It’s all personal taste for these amps. The Feliks Euforia is very different in character to the Stratus, and in my own personal opinion/preference, the Stratus runs rings around it. The tubes you use also matter (more for some amps than others).
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Ooooooh, that’s good intel. Thanks for that.
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Focal Clear og with Topping DX3 Pro+ for home and B2Dusk with Apple Lighting dongle for the road. Don’t need or want anything else. Anyone else content with just listening to music?
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Please excuse the crappy cell phone pic but I have done a little swap.
If only my old self knew where I would be today!
R2R + Tubes + Planars…
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My trio of headphones. A Dunu SA6 will be joining the family soon for office and work outs. Sundara’s with the wife in another room.
And my PC!
Bonus: Why do I have acoustic treatment? Well if I turn around…
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Very nice setup(s). Is your videocard mounted outside of the case? I’ve never seen that before - pretty cool.
The SA6 is such a solid IEM, even without considering the cost. I hope you enjoy it!
BTW, a list of what the headphones, speakers and gear are would be appreciated!
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Yep. It’s what is called an open frame case, so the motherboard and all components, including the video card, are exposed.
Sure:
Headphone stuff
- HIFIMAN HE6se V2
- Focal Elex
- Drop x Sennheiser HD6XX
- Topping D50s DAC
- Arcam rHead headphone amplifier
Desktop Speakers
- Audioengine HD3 powered desktop speakers
- SVS SB-1000 12" subwoofer (not pictured)
A real international gamut here: Chinese (Hifiman, Topping), French (Focal), German (Sennheiser), UK (Arcam), and American (Audioengine, SVS).
Home Theatre
- x4 Monoprice Monolith THX-365T THX Ultra certified speakers with upfiring Atmos speakers
- x1 Monoprice Monolith THX-365C THX Ultra certified center speaker
- x1 Monoprice Monolith M-12 V1 THX Ultra certified 12" subwoofer
- Denon AVR-X3600H receiver
I feel a compelled to gush a little here. These THX Ultra certified speaker and subwoofer products from Monoprice are kind of insane. To my ears (and body), they handedly punch way above their price points. I used to have more SVS woofers, but I got rid them because these THX Ultra certified subs embarrass their SVS counterparts at every price point.
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That’s a very interesting combination. We’re basically seeing two amps and two dacs, how do you use each?
RME is mostly used for the “dancing frequencies” but is also a good reference amp, but it does sound amazing with HQplayer too (PCM → DoP). Use the RME on electronic music when EQ and bass boost is used with the HE6.
Border Patrol DAC has really opened up since I bought it 3 days ago. Analog, beautiful and clean, great soundstage. Susvara sound especially amazing from this combination, same with ES-R10.
Also, use the RME as a DAC from my TV through optical.
And if it was unclear, Bakoon stands for ALL the amplification
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Very Nice! What’s the make and model of the case? That’s a really tidy water cooling system! Did the case make that easier to accomplish?
I don’t remember the exact model name, but this style of open frame case is a popular line in Thermaltake’s line of cases. I think my exact model is no longer around, but they have multiple current models that look pretty much the same.
I just have the CPU water cooled using an AIO. The GPU is air cooled. You can use an AIO product for most modern cases, and they’re just as easy to install as a regular heatsink.
Thank you! *goes hunting on NewEgg
Check out the AIOs from Corsair, NZXT, EK and Arctic Liquid Freezer.
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The Monolith stuff punches well above its price point compared head-to-head w/ it’s counterparts. For HT use, unless you jump way up in price, complexity and installation costs i found several Monoprice, Monolith components to be a great value to quality and performance ratio too.
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Ha! I use an RME and Border Patrol on my desk in a similar fashion as you. Interesting, we both have similar views i think on how we enjoy our music. RME i prefer for “modern” music, Border Patrol for my more relaxing genre’s…
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