Headphone amp suggestions - Focal Clear

[Entrigo]

Hello wise headfi fok...

So - just bought a pair of Focal Clear, and currently using them with a Topping DX7 Pro.

I like the Topping well enough, but need analogue line in so can connect to my amp and listen to records through headphones.

I need suggestions for:

A: DAC + amp combo with RCA line in to replace the Topping

Or

B: just a headphone - and can keep the Topping as DAC (also as it is on for sale and no bites)

Budget around £300 max (used very much my go-to).

Neutral sound and "drive".

I was thinking about Fiio K7 but I also read the Focal don't do too well with THX amps - the Clear sound good to me with the Topping but I am new to "head-fi" so have no yardstick...

Was also looking at Arcam rHead but I read it could be a bit "soft".

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Jasonovich]

Hello wise headfi fok...

So - just bought a pair of Focal Clear, and currently using them with a Topping DX7 Pro.

I like the Topping well enough, but need analogue line in so can connect to my amp and listen to records through headphones.

I need suggestions for:

A: DAC + amp combo with RCA line in to replace the Topping

Or

B: just a headphone - and can keep the Topping as DAC (also as it is on for sale and no bites)

Budget around £300 max (used very much my go-to).

Neutral sound and "drive".

I was thinking about Fiio K7 but I also read the Focal don't do too well with THX amps - the Clear sound good to me with the Topping but I am new to "head-fi" so have no yardstick...

Was also looking at Arcam rHead but I read it could be a bit "soft".

Any suggestions welcome.

I would say keep your Topping (as DAC only) and get a good quality headamp like the Audalytic HP70 (Gustard sister brand)

It has all the RCA inputs you need, also balanced XLRs, operates in Class A and fits your budget.... see Amazon link below

LEAUDIO Gustard/Audalytic HP70 Fully Balanced Discrete Headphone Amplifier LME49720 Double op-amp (Black): Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy LEAUDIO Gustard/Audalytic HP70 Fully Balanced Discrete Headphone Amplifier LME49720 Double op-amp (Black) at Amazon UK.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Entrigo]

I would say keep your Topping (as DAC only) and get a good quality headamp like the Audalytic HP70 (Gustard sister brand)

It has all the RCA inputs you need, also balanced XLRs, operates in Class A and fits your budget.... see Amazon link below


View attachment 11354
View attachment 11355

LEAUDIO Gustard/Audalytic HP70 Fully Balanced Discrete Headphone Amplifier LME49720 Double op-amp (Black): Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy LEAUDIO Gustard/Audalytic HP70 Fully Balanced Discrete Headphone Amplifier LME49720 Double op-amp (Black) at Amazon UK.

www.amazon.co.uk

This looks really good - BUT.

It's a bit big... The Topping sits on top (semi-pun not intended) of my CV player, sharing the space with the Wiim Pro Plus.

No other shelves available sadly - when I had the made to measure shelves built, back in 2018ish, I thought I'd only need the 3 - turntable, amp and CD player...

Which is why I was looking at tiny boxes like the Fiio, Arcam, Topping L50 and the like.

 

[Entrigo]

Now if just someone bought the Topping, issue would be resolved. I could even push the boat out towards the Fiio K15 (not sure if it's worth the extra £££ on specs and performance alone but I love the looks haha)

 

[Entrigo]

I would say keep your Topping (as DAC only) and get a good quality headamp like the Audalytic HP70 (Gustard sister brand)

It has all the RCA inputs you need, also balanced XLRs, operates in Class A and fits your budget.... see Amazon link below


View attachment 11354
View attachment 11355

LEAUDIO Gustard/Audalytic HP70 Fully Balanced Discrete Headphone Amplifier LME49720 Double op-amp (Black): Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy LEAUDIO Gustard/Audalytic HP70 Fully Balanced Discrete Headphone Amplifier LME49720 Double op-amp (Black) at Amazon UK.

www.amazon.co.uk

Yeah no. Even trying to make space, wouldn't work.

https://flic.kr/p/2s4YaZ4

View: https://flic.kr/p/2s4YaZ4

 

[Jasonovich]

This looks really good - BUT.

It's a bit big... The Topping sits on top (semi-pun not intended) of my CV player, sharing the space with the Wiim Pro Plus.

No other shelves available sadly - when I had the made to measure shelves built, back in 2018ish, I thought I'd only need the 3 - turntable, amp and CD player...

Which is why I was looking at tiny boxes like the Fiio, Arcam, Topping L50 and the like.

Ah that's a bummer. I can see from photo it's pretty tight. The dimensions on the Audalytic are 220mm × 170 mm × 50 mm (W×D×H).
A smaller headamp or replace Topping with something better? 🙂

 

[Entrigo]

Ah that's a bummer. I can see from photo it's pretty tight. The dimensions on the Audalytic are 220mm × 170 mm × 50 mm (W×D×H).
A smaller headamp or replace Topping with something better? 🙂

Yeah my initial plan was to replace the Topping, in fact is listed for sale in a few places. But ofc things don't always sell overnight.

Well, I have anyway now returned one pair of Clear (ex-demo - realised used headphones, especially with cloth pads /headband - are not for me) and new ones it seems haven't left the States yet, so there is time.

I was reading some opinions on the Audalytic and it sounds like a great amp. Who knows, might reconfigure the shelving situation.

 

[Entrigo]

Have recently added this to house my phono preamp. Might look for something similar but wilth two shelves 😃

https://flic.kr/p/2s56Ky2

View: https://flic.kr/p/2s56Ky2

 

[Jasonovich]

Yeah my initial plan was to replace the Topping, in fact is listed for sale in a few places. But ofc things don't always sell overnight.

Well, I have anyway now returned one pair of Clear (ex-demo - realised used headphones, especially with cloth pads /headband - are not for me) and new ones it seems haven't left the States yet, so there is time.

I was reading some opinions on the Audalytic and it sounds like a great amp. Who knows, might reconfigure the shelving situation.

Are you able to sit it on top of the Rega amps on top shelf?

 

[Entrigo]

Are you able to sit it on top of the Rega amps on top shelf?

I could but it does get a bit warm, so I would rather avoid it.

Although the Marantz CD player does as well...

 

[Jasonovich]

I could but it does get a bit warm, so I would rather avoid it.

Although the Marantz CD player does as well...

Yeah good point.
Take a look at my rack system, actually it's printer trolley with the wheels taken off.
Maybe something like that, will work on your shelf? 😄

 

[Entrigo]

Yeah good point.
Take a look at my rack system, actually it's printer trolley with the wheels taken off.
Maybe something like that, will work on your shelf? 😄View attachment 11357View attachment 11358

Like that. Will submit the business case to the Chief Furniture Officer 😂

 

[Jasonovich]

Like that. Will submit the business case to the Chief Furniture Officer 😂

I just noticed from the photo, the tube is wonky on my Xduoo headamp.
I was dusting earlier, I must have nudge it.
Nice and straight now, thing with tubes you'll get the humming if they're not sitting properly in their sockets.

 

[Entrigo]

Did a bit more researching, landed on Schiit Asgard 3 for a bit but it's the same size and possibly a bit too warm /rich.

The Lyr sounds better - again, size concerns. Which means I will need to find space. Then decide between the Audalytic or the Schhit. Have you heard the Lyr? It seems to be just a touch richer than the Audalytic but not smooth.

Now it's a question of philosophy.

I plan to use headphones for more "analytical" listening compared to through speakers, but still want engagement, not a studio analytical experience. I think both the above would suit, the HP70 possibly being more Hi-Fi oriented.

Does that sound right?

 

[Entrigo]

I just noticed from the photo, the tube is wonky on my Xduoo headamp.
I was dusting earlier, I must have nudge it.
Nice and straight now, thing with tubes you'll get the humming if they're not sitting properly in their sockets.

Haha I bet.. Must be quite fun tubes. Do you play with different tubes based on the mood?

 

[Entrigo]

I just noticed from the photo, the tube is wonky on my Xduoo headamp.
I was dusting earlier, I must have nudge it.
Nice and straight now, thing with tubes you'll get the humming if they're not sitting properly in their sockets.

Had to look it up...I'm superficial, I know but it's a very attractive bit of machinery..

 

[Jasonovich]

Haha I bet.. Must be quite fun tubes. Do you play with different tubes based on the mood?

Tube rolling is a little hit and miss. The original tubes that came with the TA-66 were very good but listening to other people on the Head-Fi forums, `What if` was the inevitable question.

I have an old soviet tube dating back to the last century, this replaced the original Chinese buffer tube and preamp tube Patane requiring pin adapter, costing me some serious dough replaced the little generic one.

This combination, less noise, better definition and fuller sound but it was quess work, there was every chance I could have made the wrong choice.
I love that, you can experiment with tubes, that's the fun part.

These are high ohms, the Byerdynamic Amiron 250 ohms are better suited. I use my planars for the Gustard.
If you're into jazz and vocals, tubes make perfect sense but Gustard's are top notch.

 

[Jasonovich]

Had to look it up...I'm superficial, I know but it's a very attractive bit of machinery..

Always good to have a tube amp, in addition to solid state.
It's like having both CD and vinyl, it gives you a different interpretation of the music. 🙂