​Hey everyonre

I could use some honest input from people who’ve been down this road because I feel like I'm gaslighting myself into liking a very expensive purchase. ​I’m deep into this hobby ,probably too deep and over the last few months, I’ve built a pretty stacked setup. Here’s my current gear context so you understand my reference points:

• ​Home (Endgame): Focal Utopia 2022 + Chord DAVE. (Note: My Chord M Scaler is arriving this Friday to complete the stack). • ​Portable (Serious Listening): iFi Go Bar Kensei driving my Campfire Audio Astrolith / Aerolith. • ​Gym / Ambient awareness: Technics TWS (when I need to hear surroundings or just sweat).

​The Situation: I finally pulled the trigger on the 64 Audio U12t during the Black Friday sale, importing them directly from the US to the UK. Everyone says it’s the “safe endgame,” the “no-brainer,” the “technical king.” You know the drill. ​But now that they are here, I'm facing three major issues:

​1. The Sound didn’t “wow” me. Maybe my ears are broken from listening to the Utopia + DAVE daily, or maybe I'm too used to the "fun/holographic" tuning of my Campfire IEMs, but the U12t feels... safe? I listen to a lot of classic rock, blues, and jazz fusion (Pink Floyd, SRV, Paul Simon). I value detail and separation which the U12t definitely has but it is just not overwhelming compared to my astrolith. Does this change with brain burn-in?

​2. Physical Pain (The Dealbreaker?). In my left ear, the shell creates a sharp pressure point on the concha cartilage. I can wear them for maybe an hour before it gets sore. It’s frustrating when a $2,000 IEM hurts, while my massive Campfire shells fit perfectly. I've tried SpinFit W1 tips, which helped a bit, but the metal shell is unforgiving.

​3. The Financial Trap (Why I haven't just returned them yet). This is where I messed up. Since I imported them to the UK, I’ve already paid about £250 (~$320) in import duties and FedEx fees. That money is sunk cost gone forever. • ​Returning them: I lose the import fees + have to pay for insured return shipping to the US. It's a guaranteed ~$400 loss total. • ​Selling them: I tried listing them locally. My eBay account got randomly restricted (long story, zero sales made), Head-Fi requires older accounts to post classifieds, and the UK market on FB/Forums seems dead quiet. ​So, I’m stuck. I’m sitting here with a brand-new unit, virtually unused, trying to force myself to love them just to avoid the hassle and financial hit of returning them.

​My Questions to you: • ​To U12t owners: Did anyone else NOT fall in love immediately? Did it click later? • ​Comfort: Does ear cartilage ever "toughen up" or adapt to a metal shell? Or am I just asking for long-term injury?

​(Side note: If any Londoners are reading this and looking for deal on a basically new U12t without the import hassle, feel free to save me from dealing with international return shipping).