I own the 1038be speakers and purchased them new 1.5 years ago. I also listen to the sopra 2. I choose the 1038be because a) they sounded close enough to the sopra and b) were less than half the cost of the sopras. The value equation was stronger for me.
The 1038be with the Luxman class A intergrated L-590AXII sounds absolutely superb!!! You may find both the 1038 and the luxman for same price as one new pair of sopras.