# Focal Clear Open-back Headphones - Official Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Official Headphone Model Discussion\ **Tags:** focal\ **Created:** [April 25, 2018, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-clear-open-back-headphones-official-thread/33 "2018-04-25T22:29:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 145
**Author:** ![Torq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/torq/32/16384_2.png) [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-clear-open-back-headphones-official-thread/33/145 "2019-10-25T16:48:30Z")
> [@moosehead](#): > > Unfortunately, the Arche open box must have gone fast as I looked soon after Torq’s post and it was not there. It’s currently sitting in my office, in its box, awaiting return to [headphones.com](http://headphones.com). At least, I _believe_ this is the unit that’s available as an open-box option (I’ll need to confirm with Taron, who’s traveling at present). It’s possible there was another such unit. But, due to a former situation where an open-box unit I had for review wasn’t removed from the “available” list, and someone actually purchased it via the [headphones.com](http://headphones.com) store, making for a fiddly situation and misunderstanding, they now get removed from the listings when they’re out for evaluation/[Community Preview Program](https://forum.headphones.com/t/announcing-the-new-headphone-community-preview-program/1319). > [@moosehead](#): > > Q1 - Any thoughts on how would the THX 789/SDAC Grace compare with the Schiit Jotunheim? Competitive but different. The THX AAA 789 will post better numbers. I preferred _listening_ to the Jotunheim, however (I’ve owned both). Both are highly enjoyable and pair well with the Clear. The Schiit unit is _much_ easier to come by, of course. > [@moosehead](#): > > Q2 - Ordering the Jotunheim, would you go with the standard DAC or the Multibit? — I may go external with a Modi so I have more flexibility in the future which leads me to Q3. If I had to choose one, I’d go with the multi-bit. But based on your question 3, I’d go with an external DAC instead and use the internal slot for the phono card. > [@moosehead](#): > > Q3 - I can call Schitts but is the optional phono card for the Jotunheim a phono preamp? or would I need to purchase one even if I get the photo card. Assume my old B&O phono player does not have a built in phono amp. The card states passive but I still do not know what that means. The phono card is a proper, balanced, phono pre-amp. You can plug any proper turntable directly into it, provided you’re using a **moving-magnet** cartridge. You don’t need an additional box. I used it this way with the Rega Planar 3 I had at work. The “passive” part refers to how the RIAA EQ network is implemented. Which is part of what makes it a proper phono pre-amp. _The reason I say to go with the phono card internally and an external DAC, is that I think the phono card is closer to the performance of similarly priced external phono pre-amps than the internal DAC card options are to similarly priced external DACs._ My path here would likely be, Jotunheim + internal Phono Card w/ Modi 3 - followed by an upgrade to Bifrost 2 (which will let you take advantage of the Jotunheim’s balanced input too) when you’re ready to move up. > [@moosehead](#): > > Q4 - A transportable unit has some advantages as I could take it on trips and also easily take it from room to room in the house. I am looking for the best sound for the money however. Is this in addition to a desktop DAC/amp or instead of? Ahead of an answer there, I’ll just rank the items you list in what _I_ think is the appropriate order, from best-to-worst based purely on sound (bearing in mind the desire to pair with the Clear): 1. iFi Micro iDSD Black Label 2. Chord Mojo 3. iFi xDSD (wired) 4. iFi Nano iDSD Black Label. Mojo can be finicky with a phone as the source (EMI issues with some phones). Sony and FiiO have lots of options. Can’t really comment on the recent FiiO stuff, and hard firmware issues with the older X-series (which may well have been fixed as that was 2 years or so ago now). I’ve liked all the Sony players I’ve tried (ZX2, ZX300, WM1A, WM1Z), and they’ll do a nice job with the Clear. > [@moosehead](#): > > Q5 - Would the THX 789 (with the SDAC Grace) or the Jotunheim be a stop up from say the iFi Audio xDSD or the iFi Micro iDSD Black? or any transportable around the same money? Well, the transportable options there have better DAC sections, but aren’t as good on the amplification side of things. Though they’re both very flexible (other options such as bass-boost and 3D+ if you like those sorts of things). * * * An option to consider might be the Jotunheim w/ Phono Card + iFi Micro iDSD Black Label (it has proper RCA DAC outputs). That’d get you both portable and desktop options with the better amp, balanced headphone drive, a better external DAC, more features, etc. If you want both sources (phono and DAC) with the THX AAA 789 you’ll have two external boxes. Though if it was me, I’d still likely pair the Jotunheim + Phono Card w/ a Bifrost 2, and if I still wanted something portable, go with a dedicated unit (I hate have to connect/disconnect stuff frequently). --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-clear-open-back-headphones-official-thread/33)._