2. amps-preamps
  3. 191930-2444

Amp for Sopra No. 1

I have a pair of Sopra 1s coming from Focal in France. I'm familiar with their sound from hearing in local shops and on a buddy's system where he runs them with Mac monoblocks. I'm looking for a good solid-state match for these. Current amp is a Pass Labs which sounds fine, but I've been looking to move on to something a bit more oriented to rock, meaning a more solid low-end for one thing, some female vocals, along with almost anything else in lesser amounts except classical/opera. What have other Sopra owners found? Thanks.

jaybe
tee_dee
38 posts
 

Very timely post. I’m in the process of assessing a new amplifier. Currently have the Sopra 1 and a a21+.  I’m considering a Pass amp to pair with my XP-22. I don’t turn the dial > 62 to play at 85 db from my chair about 7 away. It seems I might be able to insert a lower powered xa30.8. Look forward to other suggestions.  

jimmy2615
440 posts
 

I own Kantas, and kept hearing all the hoopla about synergy with Naim.  I’ve never owned or heard anything from Naim.  I tried a demo Supernait 3 from TMR, and liked it so much I sent it back in and got a NAP250.  What I like about the combo is that while it is refined and having all the sonic attributes you’d want (great bass, highs, soundstaging, etc.), it is also musical and has a certain color to it that rounds out some of the inherent dryness in the Kantas.  In some ways it gives me a sound I was hoping to get from tubes, that I didn’t get.   Definitely worth looking into.  Unfortunately new separates are quite pricey, and if you get a Naim amp you probably want a Naim preamp.  All that said, for years the Alpha Audio in the Netherlands (check out their videos on YouTube) had Sopra 1s and went through several amps, may be a good source to see what they thought, although I think they settled on a Bryston as their reference.  Most of their equipment reviews though went through this system in recent years, including some amplifiers.  

robshaw
250 posts
 

I am a HUGE rock and roller from the 60's and 70's 6 months old Tekton, SPECIALTY Encors.   Bricasti M1 SE DAC with network card,  Pass 250.8   which , due to the efficiency of the Encors, The Pass runs in Class A only. RS2T transport and Linear power supply. Large room, Simply sounds GREAT!!!!!    Pass  does everything I could want. My 2cents

fplopes
4 posts
 

I think Mc amps are a great match.  Someone above mentioned MC462 and I agree with that.  It will let you take all out of the sopras. I currently use monoblocks MC601 on sopras 2, which used to drive Sopra 1s before. Also a great match.  Looking into the future, are the sopra 1s still there or see yourself upgrading them? the less swaps you do, the more money you save. aim for something you will want to hold for a long time if not foreever. good luck

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