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Integrated amp with HT bypass for Focal Electra 1008 Be

Hi!

This is my first post here, so,, hello everyone ! :D

I recently acquired a pair of Focal Electra 1008 be bookshelf speakers. These are going to be used as Fronts of a 5.1 surround setup. I currently have them hooked up to a NAD 326bee. NAD's power amp input is connected to Denon X3400H AVR's pre outputs. AVR is driving the center and surround channels, sub is active (Dali IKON sub MK2). This setup is not very optimal, since I cannot take AVR out of equation, and I really don't trust AVR's DAC or pre amp section very much. I want to be able to use my home theater via AVR easily, while being able to use the Focal Electras for a good stereo music experience.

I read about integrated amps or preamps with HT Bypass feature, I believe one of those would fit my requirements very well. Current models I have in mind are:

1- Hegel H360, H300 or H160
2- Parasound Halo Integrated
3- Atoll IN300 or Atoll IN200SE
4- Cambridge Audio 851A or 840A
5- Marantz PM8005 or PM14S1

Cheapest items in that list are Marantz PM8005 and Atoll IN200SE. I was wondering if one of those would just work for me, or if I should go for Hegel H360? Any opinions of these amplifiers and how they would match with Focal Electra line, especially given that it has the beryllium tweeter units, would be highly appreciated! :D

I was initially quite excited about the Atoll IN200SE, since it has a true dual mono architecture. However, then I got to know that only way to shut it down is to flip the on/off switch on it's back. Turns out when device is on stand by, it is still using around 19 watts of power.

Parasound's sub management features are quite attractive as well. I guess I can have the same with others integrated amps that have pre out (my sub has separate LFE and L/R inputs).

Any suggestions or thoughts would be highly appreciated!
denizpiri
denizpiri OP
43 posts
 
@mdelrossi1 What speaker cables are you using ? And what genre you listen to mostly with them ? The amp should be easy to turn on/off by my girlfriend as well, not sure if I can convince her for the idea of power on, wait for warm up, take it out of standby,, and same in reverse for powering it down everytime she would like to watch netflix :D

Connected Kemper KPA via spdif to Hegel H360. My guitar sounded as if there was chorus effect on it. I made sure that Kemper KPA was only running amp sim and cab sim and no reverb/delay/space sim was applied, pure digital output afterwards. Then tried to play the same thing via Kemper connected to my guitar amp, no chorus feel, everything feels sharp and not blurred and edgy..

Will be listening to some Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Guthrie Govan etc... To understand if there is something that makes distorted guitar sounds sound unnatural. Or I should say, makes it sound too natural where as it should sound unnatural :D
denizpiri OP
43 posts
 
Found a review that somewhat verifies my thoughts of the Hegel sound. http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0915/Hegel_H160_Review.htm
It is a review of Hegel H160. But overall it mentions how hegel is soft. I guess I just don't like the fact that amp is too easy to listen to. I actually love it for jazz music etc,, but not when I want to listen to "Welcome to the Jungle".
denizpiri OP
43 posts
 
Returned the Hegel H360 to dealer. Told him my views of it, he agrees mostly. I wanted to take Atoll IN300 for demo, he heavily recommended Audio Analogue Puccini Anniversary. Love it's looks. So, took it home. Listening to them right now.

After listening to Audio Analogue, I know for a fact that I will not be having Hegel. Not my cup of tea. I don't want any device in the chain smoothing the music out. Smooth sounds should come out smooth, but sound of glass shattering should give me goose bumps. Audio Analogue seems to be doing it so far, without sounding bright.

Also in terms of usability, it is amazing. I can remotely turn it on/off. No more having to place your hand under the device to turn it on. Visually it looks superb, never seen any better and more classy looking amp before. No crappy blue LED like in Hegel.

Anyway, I can understand that some people like Hegel. Night time jazz listening was great with it. However, definitely was blurring out every other genre of music. Just not for me.

I will keep Audio Analogue until Wednesday. Will write my views of it here.
1graber2's avatar
1graber2
303 posts
 
PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium High Powered Integrated Tube Amp ....
.... would be a popular choice if you are OK with spectacular sounding and very powerful tube amps that will drive sh*t down to 2 ohms. 
denizpiri OP
43 posts
 
Demoed Atoll IN300 and Puccini Anniversary.

Atoll IN300 just doesn't sound right. Sounded super weak. Bass is close to nonexistent basically. However, it pulls treble details that I have never heard before. Also it's midrange doesn't sound good. High pitched instruments sounds very nice though and sound stage is good. But lack of bass makes it unacceptable for me. It's capability of exposing treble details could be related to me focusing on upper sound range in lack of bass and midrange.

Puccini Anniversary so far was the best option. Highs, mids, lows, it was all there. Everything overall was great about this amp. In some regards it wasn't really perfect. It could do with tiny bit more weight in bass, tiny bit more upper range sparkle. However, I can totally live with it and be very very happy with it. Visually it looks superb. Dealer told me that if I will buy one, I will get the new updated version, which has a new firmware with HT Bypass capability and also comes with the new and super awesome (dealer showed it) machined metal remote control. https://www.hifidiprinzio.it/photos/2017/10/201710161637041/1200x900_0_0_75/audio-analogue-maestro-a...
I also love the fact that Puccini doesn't have any display (Hegel's display was insanely ugly for example).

So currently I have Puccini Anniversary on the top of my shopping list :D I will try to demo Parasound Halo Integrated this week or next week. Also I will try to arrange demo of Puccini Anniversary A/B'ed with Maestro Anniversary (twice the price of Puccini).

Started developing an interest for PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium as well. However, still don't know how or where to demo it :(
Interested in Anthem STR as well, but that won't be available to demo until mid April.
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