Amp for focal 1038be?

Rotel should not be dismissed.
Rotel amplifiers and Focal speakers  go along well.

Parasound and you probably should consider a number of class D amps out there.

If you are looking for 3D / Holographic detail, assuming a good implementation, you will find 845 based tubes deliver the best on what you are looking for.  I am soundstage obsessed personally and it is my favorite tube.  

Even in Push Pull, an 845 will tend to deliver the widest and deepest soundstage compared to other tube types.  

Secondarily, why so much power?  With a 93dB SPL, assuming you are sitting 10’ from the speakers, you need 37w to hit 105dB in output.  That is the THX guideline for headroom for home theater.  For music you need 12w to deliver 100dB in output.  More power never hurts but you definitely don’t need two MC275s.

I do not offer an 845 based amp in your price range from Art Audio (my 18w unit is like $8500) but you might find a used Cary or even a new Line Magnetic in your price range.  Buying an 845 from a company that has a good reputation for producing them is critical as the amount of current required to drive the tubes is massive.  

Of the ones ones you mention above, I would say the MC275 will probably give you the best soundstage.  I have heard it with multiple Focal products (Electra, Kanta and Sopra) and it was lovely.  It was with a Mac tube preamp and phono stage though.  I am not sure how much was the preamp and how much was the amp.  I still found them a little forward but if you have a well damped room that might be moot.  Better would be a pair of MC75 mono-blocks.  

I’ve had 1038 BE2’s for approx. three years.  I began by powering them with Odyssey Audio 160w per channel Cyclops, moved on to Pass Labs x250.5 paired with Pass XP-10.  Within three months both were traded in for x250.8 amp and XP-20 Pre.  Marked improvement with each upgrade (especially from the Odyssey to the Pass brand) I highly recommended the x250.  If you can’t afford the .8 go with the 5.  Cables matter!  The 1038BE2’s benefit from high quality cables.  In my case Acoustic Zen Hologram 2’s.  With my current set up they image wonderfully.  You will hear instruments playing far outside of the speakers which at times, you may be startled by it.   Oh and pick up some Gaia isolation feet to further enhance the imaging and sound quality.  They are wonderful speakers, classics in fact, currently selling for a song.  Enjoy!

I forgot to mention AZ Gargantuan 2’s power cables on the amps.

 Im using a Simaudio Moon W5.3SE with mine and am quite happy. Bass is fast and tuneful,and their is some nice wallop to these when you crank them up a bit. The highs are the best Ive heard in my room. They can dip down to 3 ohms so make sure you get an amp that has some current.

their s/b there

Thank you for all the information and verdantaudio for power and distance calculations.

With that said I have heard others mention luxman 590 a2 integrated  30w class A as a good combination with the 1038be.   Anyone have an opinion?

thanks
david

You listed the Prima luna’s being considered.

If you’re thinking the amps AND the pre with the 1038’s, I’ve heard that combination many times. Very nice and you could have many choices of tubes to fine tune to your ears. I’ve heard the Mac also, which was nice also, but it doesn’t have the features/flexibility of the PL. I would go PL for the value, over the Mac, if sound/build value is paramount. The green lights are a little much for my tastes.

The Dialogue 6/7 is 2 iterations old. You must mean the Dialogue Premium, which is the previous before the EVO series.

You’re aware it’s subjective, so probably all the suggestions will work with the Focals, and your ears are the only judge.

Agree with Verdantaudio

If you're looking for 3d holographic sound you must go with a tube amp. 
It doesn't have to be an 845 tube. For ultimate realism a SET would be best, but prices increase exponentially with increased power. Of all the amps listed you'll probably get the best sound from MC275. Mac will also hold its value better than primaluna.  

dlr944
Amp for focal 1038be?

These speakers have a difficult load for an amp, they don’t need a lot of watts as they are 90db, 80w will do, but they do need an amp with decent b***s (current) into low impedances.

The combination of nearly 50 degrees -phase angle, and being down to 3ohms in the bass area, really means you should look for amps that are totally stable and won’t break a sweat to see 2ohm loads.

Look at Stereophile’s bench tests on hundreds of amps to see which ones in the measurement bench tests are able to take the two ohms loads with having a hissy fit.
https://www.stereophile.com/images/archivesart/707FOCFIG1.jpg

I’ve had 1038 BE2’s for approx. three years.  I began by powering them with Odyssey Audio 160w per channel Cyclops, moved on to Pass Labs x250.5 paired with Pass XP-10.  Within three months both were traded in for x250.8 amp and XP-20 Pre.  Marked improvement with each upgrade (especially from the Odyssey to the Pass brand) I highly recommended the x250.  If you can’t afford the .8 go with the 5.

👍 This is the way the OP should be looking.


Cheers George

For the Focal, I would recommend avoiding fast high resolution type amps.  This includes your emotiva and other amps such as the suggested Luxman and the suggested Rotel.  While the Luxman and Rotel are excellent for their price, they are not going to be a good match for Focal.  Avoid Bryston and Classe amplifiers as well.

Parasound might be a good match.  Pass Labs might be very good as well, but I would probably try pairing with their XA series amps instead.  The Class A of the XA series gives you more body (which is really needed for these Focal).

I have heard Prima Luna tube amps and they are very nice for tubes, but I don't know enough about them to try to predict how they will pair with the ultra-fast sounding Focal (which can easily sound thin).

On a budget, maybe the Vincent Audio amps with tube input stage?

@georgehifi is right. My experience is that no Focal speaker is as sensitive as they claim. Also they are typically more of a 4ohm load than 8ohm. They need heavy current to bring out their best.

I’d go tubed preamp with beeeeefy solid state amp. 

I thought I would update the thread and let you all know I selected the Luxman 590axii integrated amp.  It’s class A 30w per channel:

https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2018/11/25/hi-fi-review-luxman-590-axii-integrated-amplifier-review-b...

Wasn’t a cheap purchase but pairs very well with 1038be focal speakers.  Still going throw the break in stage but happy to report back if anyone is interested.

thanks

  Yes, keep us posted please!

Bumping this up. @dlr944, how are you liking things after a couple months?

FWIW: I use the Parasound A21 with the 1038Be and it sounds fantastic.

I have the same combination of 1038Be and Parasound A21. Wondering what preamp you are using or recommend. I have been looking at Musical Fidelity M6s PRE and the Parasound P6.Thx.

Cherry amp, class D & delish.