Focal Celestee

Although I have no experience with your Focal headphones, I feel the issues you are having could be with the Rogue headphone amp and the Focal being a closed back design ( I prefer the open back headphones myself ). Don't give up as headphones can provide you with an excellent alternative to your main system and provide you with a great musical experience when done correctly. Seek out a way to play your Focals through a dedicated headphone amp and see how that turns out for you. Enjoy the music

Thanks, I agree with the open back design… something like the Focal Clear. As I understand it, open back provides a better sound stage, but not sure it would improve clarity, that probably lies with the HP amp. 
Is there a HP amp you would recommend?

It’s hard to say, but using the headphone output from an entry level preamp is not likely doing you any favors. That said, your Focals don’t seem to be voiced to be the last word when it comes to detail/air, so I’m guessing that’s a lot of what you’re missing. If possible you should try a pair of Hifiman open-backed planar headphones as you’ll likely get much more openness and detail, and I’d recommend their Ananda Nano ($499) as a good starting point but if you could stretch for the Arya Organic you’ll be at a higher level altogether and think you’d be floored by them. You might be able to buy and return through Amazon so that might be worth a look. Hope this helps, and best of luck.

I own a pair of celestees, along with a number of other headphones (including their utopia22s). I am reasonably satisfied with the celestees, for closed backs, although they are limited in a few ways because of the closed back nature of them.I would start with a decent headphone amp and see how it goes. Wiim, Schiit, Topping, JDS, and a few others make reasonably priced headphone amps. Check out of those and spend some time getting used to listening to your cans with them.

Headphones are great but a different experience than listening to speakers. 

@icanthear 

Thanks, I agree. Here’s my thoughts after much research. Return the Celestee’s & buy the original new stock Clear’s from headphones.com (only $91 more).
For my application, I don’t need closed backs, and didn’t properly research the downside of closed backs before buying the Celestee’s. I really like the Focal form factor. 
Then purchase one of the HP amps you recommended. Thoughts?

@soix 

Thank you for your recommendation. The Hifiman Arya is a great recommendation with great reviews. However my preference is to not buy Chinese products. I bought my Chord DAC vs a Denafrips for that reason, even though the latter may have been superior. Thanks!

I think you’ll be much happier with the Clears and look forward to your thoughts. I was going to recommend the Singxer SA1 amp that I drive my Arya Stealths with as I think it would deliver the sound characteristics you’re looking for without breaking the bank, but alas it is a ChiFi product as are many HP amps these days. So I’ll add these links more for fyi — one is a review that I think is spot on in terms of assessing the amp’s sonic characteristics and the other is a link where you can buy with a no risk, 30-day return policy (I did this and didn’t return it).
https://soundnews.net/amplifiers/headphone-amps/singxer-sa-1-class-a-headphone-amplifier-review/

https://www.amazon.com/Singxer-Balanced-Discrete-Single-Ended-Amplifier/dp/B08QMDM631

If the Singxer is a no go I’d look at the Burson Soloist 3X (also reviewed on the Soundnews.net site) as I don’t believe it’s made in China although it’s more expensive. Schiit may also be good but I’d read reviews to see if their models offer the sound characteristics you’re looking for. Hope this helps.

@soix 

Thank you for your thoughts and recommendations. Just processed the return of the Celestee’s and the order for the Clear’s. The Clear’s are on back order, but they assured me they will have them in August. I am sure I will enjoy them. Will let you know.  Thanks!

Personally, I use the open back Focal Elears with an Auralic Taurus Mk II headphone amp. Works for me.

@tony1954 

Thanks, the Elears were a predecessor to the Clears and have, per reviewers a very similar sound signature.
The Auralic is a very well regarded HP amp, albeit discontinued, but available on the used market at an attractive price point. Question: does it have a remote? Thanks 

@signaforce 

Sorry. No remote.

Personally, the last thing I need is another remote to lose.

I think I am going to buy the Schiit Lyr+.  USA built, good reviews (incl compared to SA-1), remote controlled, good power, price & form factor. Several user express great compatibility with Clear’s. Selectable SS & tube options, which allows for tube rolling (fun) or running straight SS.  
Thoughts? Thanks!

If it meets your sonic preferences I think that’s a great choice. 

Thanks, I am certainly not a bass head. My preference is clean, clear and neutral, especially in electronics. Solid state seems to be that. Tube performance seems to have somewhat warmer with slightly better sound stage. Should be perfect & the ability to switch modes & tubes is nice.

My only reluctance is I have not been happy with previous Shiit products (3). Two were returned, one was downgraded to my secondary stereo. However, those products were on a lower end of their scale. 
Always returnable. We shall see. Thanks again!