IF you don't keep the FSP, take the FSClassic   ... Overally same sound but a bit less forward and a bit more relax. better built , same cups.  I can understand fit issues and crackling issue but for SQ alone one of the focal deserves its place in the leaderboard. period.  I Prefer the FSP but its a matter of tastes and there's nothing wrong to my ears with the Focal Spirit Classic.

pics of the Classic.. you can see the headband seems much more solid.

Make me a favor Marvey and put the Sonett too. Then I'll have a Full Pyrate approved Headphone rig   

I'd be OK with the Octave on the list, though I'm curious how other R2R NOS DACs in a similar price range might compare. Some of those might knock it down for me if I were to try them. It would need to be a conditional entry - very smooth, laid-back, good sense of musicality, but also isn't a super detailed DAC. I love the presentation myself and don't mind the lack of super detail retrieval most of the time (it is more disappointing in back-to-back tests), and it might be one of the best if you're easily fatigued (without being totally boring), but it's not for everyone.

TH900 again... as a conditional. I don't like that treble sharpness, but its clarity, lack of distortion, bass quality (and quantity) are unsurpassed for dynamics.

Has anyone tried to tame that treble sharpness? I like the sound other than that treble. Also have an issue with the price. At $2K the price was absurd. They lowered it to $1500 but I still think that is too much. At $1K I'd say its a pretty good buy considering the competition. I really liked the TH-900 with the Stratus.

Has anyone tried to tame that treble sharpness? I like the sound other than that treble. Also have an issue with the price. At $2K the price was absurd. They lowered it to $1500 but I still think that is too much. At $1K I'd say its a pretty good buy considering the competition. I really liked the TH-900 with the Stratus.

My guess is you could probably tame it with some TP, felts, foams, fabrics, etc. in front of the driver. I know the Denon predecessors had a nice spot in front of the driver where you could plop material.

Hmm, let me write a letter to MDHT.

I think you mentioned seeing if I could hit them up about a DAC to try, and while I am/was considering doing that, you'd probably be a better person to check with them than me.