Amp reco to combine with Utopia+

[acemurdoch]

Recently did an in-store demo of Naim Uniti Atom HE with Focal Utopia 2022 - it was great, and I’ve assembled my ideal setup minus amp, where I could use some specific advice

I am going with the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition and the Utopia 2022, streaming with Bluesound node (qobuz / tidal / Apple Music)

Which amp would you say complements and completes this setup? (think I am a solid state guy)

Looking at:

• Topping A90 Discrete
• Pass Labs HPA-1
• Auris Audio Nirvana IV
• THX AAA
• no amp
• your best suggestion for best setup!

would love to hear your thoughts or suggestions

Edit: changed RME from ADI 2/4Pro SE DAC

 

[staticV3]

Hi @acemurdoch! Welcome to ASR.

Which amp would you say complements and completes this setup?

The RME ADI-2/4Pro SE Amp.
Anything else is a complete waste of money.

 

[Dunring]

I'm using an A90D Discrete now. It's great no issues with the latest 2.4 firmware. Thermals are good too, not even warm in low gain right now. The THX AA is notorious for going into protection mode and on Ebay you can find lots of them stuck with red light on and non functional. They're good if they work, but too risky for me to get one. I have an A70Pro and original A90, and would use any of them every day, really good. So many choices these days that hit 120+ SINAD at great prices. The Drop HO150X is excellent too. If it's got Amirm's approval here, hard to go wrong.

 

[Jimbob54]

Why on earth does the utopia need more amp than the rme 2/4? (and if you're not planning on using its headphone amp, why not just get the regular adi 2 Dac fs?)

 

[acemurdoch]

Hi @acemurdoch! Welcome to ASR.


The RME ADI-2/4Pro SE Amp.
Anything else is a complete waste of money.

Okay, thanks! In some other threads, people were highlighting that the amplification brought more out, but I am sensitive to costs and want to keep it contained to what is needed. I mis-entered the product information earlier, it’s the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition I’m getting. I don’t think that would change your answer but wanted to mention. Appreciate you welcoming me to the forum, I’ve read a bunch of your replies over the last few days.

 

[acemurdoch]

I'm using an A90D Discrete now. It's great no issues with the latest 2.4 firmware. Thermals are good too, not even warm in low gain right now. The THX AA is notorious for going into protection mode and on Ebay you can find lots of them stuck with red light on and non functional. They're good if they work, but too risky for me to get one. I have an A70Pro and original A90, and would use any of them every day, really good. So many choices these days that hit 120+ SINAD at great prices. The Drop HO150X is excellent too. If it's got Amirm's approval here, hard to go wrong.

Good insights here, thank you!

 

[acemurdoch]

Why on earth does the utopia need more amp than the rme 2/4? (and if you're not planning on using its headphone amp, why not just get the regular adi 2 Dac fs?)

I mis-entered the info, it’s the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition I am getting, and I do plan to use the headphone amplifier …

 

[Jimbob54]

I mis-entered the info, it’s the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition I am getting, and I do plan to use the headphone amplifier …

Question still stands then , why do you need a separate headphone amp at all ?

 

[acemurdoch]

Question still stands then , why do you need a separate headphone amp at all ?

I am accepting the feedback that I don’t! Seeing as it is something I could add later, I’m going to go without and see how it goes

 

[Blorg]