Amp for Focal Diablo Utopia Colour Evo


Good morning all.  I have recently acquired a pair of Focal Diablo Utopia stand mounts and thinking it's about time to upgrade the system and would like to seek some advice from everyone here as I'm quite new to hi fi.
After doing a ton of research online, I'm considering:
1. PS Audio BHK pre and either 250 stereo or 300 mono
2. Benchmark LA4 and AHB2
3. Jeff Rowland Capri and 535
Do you think these would work with the speakers?  Which one would be best?  Any other suggestions?
Thank you for your help!

anthony2673
I use PASS XA100.5 with my Focals the class A amplification really smooths out that Beryllium Tweeter.

Enjoy the Focals they are a fantastic speaker when driven with the right electronics but can be ruthlessly revealing when they are not. 

Chuck 
Chuck is absolutely correct in that the Focal tweeters can be ruthlessly revealing with the wrong equipment.
I use an Octave Audio HP700 pre/RE320 amp with super black box with my Focal Scala Utopia Evos. In my opinion tube amps sound great with focal and I’ve tried various SS amps including the Gryphon Diablo. I’ve heard VAC amps sound great as well so that may be another option.
If you can, try a few amps out and see what you like. Good luck!
Thanks for your reply guys.  I'm currently driving the focals with a Primaluna Evo 400 power and a premare pre amp.  While I like the sound of the current setup, I do feel that the accuracy can be improved.  That's why I was thinking about the 3 amps that I mentioned.  You think these amps will be too revealing to the tweeter?  Many thanks 
The PS Audio would probably be better than the other two.  I can think of a few other options that would do a good to incredible job depending on budget.  

- the Naim NAP 300 DR.  Naim and Focal go together like peanut butter and jelly.  Focal speakers are voiced using Naim amps.  The NAP 200DR or 250 DR will do the job but the 300 is best with external power supply.  

- the Bricasti M15 would be brilliant.  Bricasti amps just are exceptional

- AVM SA 6.3 is incredible.  Very refined with a warm, smooth yet detailed presentation.  The MA30.3s will do the job well at a lower price but won't be quite as refined.

- Hegel H20 is warm and refined.  I find the sound somewhat analytic yet not cold.  it is a very unique presentation that would do a really nice job with those Focals

I am a Focal dealer and a dealer of all of these amps.  All are pure SS without tube input stages.  None require a fully balanced connection to get great performance so they will work with you preamp.  They range from $5300 up to about $13.5K so in the same range as to what you are looking at.  

if you want an integrated, Hegel and AVM have excellent options.


Agreed that tube amps do well with Focal as do many class A ss amps. My limited experience with ss A/B amps has not been good meaning the tweeter is harsh and I find myself looking for ways to pull back the tweeter. This is not good because when you find the right amplification (personnel preference) that tweeter is marvelous. 

You might want to try RENO Hi-Fi as Mark offers a demo period and if you don't like the amp you can always return it. Pass also makes a couple of very nice class A integrated(s) if you are inclined to go that route. 

I am curious as to how you like you Diablos and what your previous speakers were.

Chuck