I’ve had the Valhalla 2 for about 2 years now. I’m using it with a Bimby Gen 5 and Senn HD700 and Focal Elear headphones. TBH, I really don’t go back to the Senns much anymore since getting the Elears. Anyway, my first affordable tube upgrade was to a pair of JJ E88CC Gold Pins from The Tube...

I purchased the Ultrasone NAOS through Moon Audio when it first became available last year. I was excited to try a sleek mobile Amp/DAC solution for my iPhone X and iPad Air 2 that did not require a Lightning-to-USB adapter to use like the DFB or DFR (the NAOS comes with multiple connection...

Well, that’s an impressive level to start at. I bought mine as an open-box pair online from Moon Audio for $549. They are the only outlet authorized by Focal to sell open- box, as new Elears. Definitely check and see if they still have any left in stock.

That’s an impossible question to answer in a thread filled with strangers, each with their own sonic priorities, biases, different ancillary equipment and, perhaps most significantly, financial means. All you can do is read the reviews from sources you trust and respect and, if possible, give...

I concur with Bill. I have a Schiit Audio Valhalla 2 with JJ ECC88 Gold Pins and I have no complaints about the sound coming through my Elears. Very seductive. In the near future I'm going to try some WE 396a tubes w/adapters, as there has been much praise about them in the Valhalla 2 thread...

The Rogue Audio RH5 is my current “aspirational” HPA, along with the more expensive Pass Labs HPA-1. The tube hybrid design is very appealing in the Rogue, as past integrated amps I’ve owned were of a hybrid design and I loved their sound. The RH5 has been very positively reviewed as well. I...

Great comments. Thanks for posting. I was wondering the exact same thing about Clear earpads on the Elear. You answered all of my questions. Looks like I’ll be saving for some Clear earpads in the future. Though I must say, aesthetically speaking, I’m not loving the look of the light grey Clear...

There have been several recommendations, as well as some criticisms, about Sonarworks "True-Fi" software. Here is a recently posted short review from John Darko at Digital Audio Review (DAR) about his brief experience with the software during CanJam Europe 2017.

OK, a bit of levity regarding the "crackling" controversy. I was listening to Red Lorry Yellow Lorry (80's post-punk/goth) through my rig via iTunes/Pure Music and a bonus track comes on and during playback I kept hearing this popping and crackling, primarily in my left ear cup and I start...

I couldn't agree with you more. The more the Elear headphones "break in" the better they are sounding. I never thought I would own a $1K pair of headphones and now I own 2 (Senn HD700 and Focal Elear), both I got for essentially half price, which made it even possible. I don't think they are...

The main reason I bought the new 2017 remaster, even though I own the 24/96 version from the Collection as well, is for the bonus tracks and the Live In Boston album included in the 3CD/DVD reissue. The DVD also has the album in 24/96 but you cannot rip them from the DVD, as far as I was able to...

JJ E88CC Gold Pins.

Like you, I am looking to eventually upgrade/replace the stock Focal leash for my Elears. Given the Elears voicing, I'm anxious to try a pure silver, or silver-clad copper-based cable to ideally tighten the bottom end a little and, especially, open up the top end. Yes, that's a lot to ask for...

That Tom Raybould "The Machine" OST album you turned me onto is very cool.