yeah, room is one of a kind ;) speakers have their backs to the shorter 15' wall set about 10ft apart. Sitting area is 10-12 ft from each speaker. So most of the back 20ft of the room is empty.
Integrated amp + dac for Focal
Hello!
Looking for recommendations for an integrated amp with built-in DAC. Main inputs will be mac mini usb + optical for mostly 2ch music and some HT use. Will be used with Focal Aria 948 in 8 X 15 x 38 ft room. The NAD C372 with a Cambridge DacMagic 100 is what I'm looking to replace with the new unit.
I'd prefer to buy used and like:
Pass X250 (keeping the dacmagic dac)
Parasound Halo Integrated "HINT 6" 160 W
Cary si-300.2d
What do you think?
Thank you!
Looking for recommendations for an integrated amp with built-in DAC. Main inputs will be mac mini usb + optical for mostly 2ch music and some HT use. Will be used with Focal Aria 948 in 8 X 15 x 38 ft room. The NAD C372 with a Cambridge DacMagic 100 is what I'm looking to replace with the new unit.
I'd prefer to buy used and like:
Pass X250 (keeping the dacmagic dac)
Parasound Halo Integrated "HINT 6" 160 W
Cary si-300.2d
What do you think?
Thank you!
26 responses Add your response
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I was fortunate enough to snag one of the first pair of Focal Sopra No2's that came into the U.S., about 2 1/2 years ago. To select them, I listened to a LOT of speakers, I was upgrading from a pair of Totem Fire monitors, moving my system to a much larger room as well. I find the Sopra tweeter does much better with a smooth sounding amp. I have heard them driven by "fast" sounding amps, and I found listener fatigue to set in fairly quickly. I'll probably get slapped around for recommending this...but, I'd recommend you look into a McIntosh integrated, especially one with autoformers in the output stage. I have heard Focal's driven by an MA6700, and mine are being driven by an MC452 power amp, and to my ears they both pair well with the tweeter. Happy Listening! |
ejr1953 - interesting. I too hear focal is considered bright and pairs with smoother/warmer amps (like mcintosh) . I've only heard with my nad so don't have any other reference, and find treble is harsh and fatiguing at times. I will look at mcintosh but I'm always overwhelmed by Mc options, so appreciate the recommendation to look at autoformers. kalali - ideally used and $4k or less |
As an owner of Focal speakers I can attest to their tendency towards the analytic and bright sound. It took me some time to discover that I needed tube power amps for them to live up to their potential. I don't know which integrated to recommend but tube output is necessary IMHO. The amps I found to work beautifully are Opera Consonance Cyber 800s. They are tube monoblocks, their price even new, is far from prohibitive. They do require a pre amp so ultimately they may be more than you want to spend, or trouble with, although easy to use. |
Hegel looks interesting too. thank you. any takes on the cary SI-300.2d? I actually have a NAD C370, not C372 as op'ed. |
If you can find one used I suggest the Pass Labs INT-250. I have one connected to a ModWright OPPO and B and W 802 D3s. The sound is simply extraordinary. The Pass can deliver amazing dynamics and all the power you will every need. I have not heard a tube amp that can do what the Pass does in the bass/lower base while producing excellent mid and highs. |
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I have Pass x250.8 and xp10 with Bluesound Node as my source running into Focal 1028BE 's in a dedicated purpose built sound room, 13 x20 on a concrete slab, insulated walls and some sound treatment. The system sounds great, Pass is class A to about 30 watts, wand rarely crosses into AB, the Focals are the best speakers I've owned and are musical, tight, fast and have incredible detailed and deep bass - when it's supposed to be there. They like and handle power and current so I'd go the route of a Pass powered system to get the most current and musicality, no tube set up will have enough current and control in my opinion. |
The parasound Halo integrated is very smooth and i would consider a good choice and level with the Aria. I currently own the focal kanta 2 with it. I'm searching for an upgrade now(separates) might sale mine;) From all the suggestions I saw, if you are looking for a one box do it all and good synergy with focal then I would recommend a listen to the hint or hegel h160. Good luck! |
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I heard a pair of focal sopra’s with a Naim uniti star and thought it was too much detail. Bright is another way to say it. I can understand why some like their music that way. So much detail. , But, maybe use caution there. I haven’t seen any recommendation for Peachtree. Used to be made in Canada then went to China now made again in Canada. Some, but not all models have a tube pre-amp stage to add some sweetness to the mix. I would think that could be a good combo of some of the great suggestions above. All come with DACs so at least I’m ticking the boxes to meet your criteria. |
I have 1007be, tried few amps: Rega elexr - no, too harsh Naim - no, sounds like b&w, I hate this combination (often presented at hifi shows since its the same mother-company) Pass (few models with few different tube preamps) - really good Hegel h160 - ok match for jazz, not for rock/electronic, too laid back for my taste Accuphase (owned E213) - good match Audio Analogue Puccini Anniversery (my current amp) - accuphase-like sound, smooth, musical, but with little bit more control (accuphase is 80/120 on 8/4 ohm, where AA Puccini is 80/160 at 8/4ohm, so that maybe explains better control) |
Lot's of good suggestions. I have vintage Whatmough 202 Leadline monitors which use (modded) Focal drivers. After trying a lot of amps, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they paired with bel canto dac3.7 and amps. That smooth their bright nature thing and gives them more dynamics and solidity of the images. Best of luck. |