Help with possible integrated amp change for better match with my speakers.

A new amp won't add details I'm afraid

@kofibaffour 

yep …., well said, sir!  ..,,.+1.…

To OP: think instead about improving / upgrading your source first.

There is an old very exaggerated metaphor in this hobby that tells the tale in dissecting audio performance : “ ,,, garbage in = garbage out”.

I’ve had Focals and I own a Luxman 507ux, but not at the same time. 

The Luxmans are excellent and very smooth performers so I’d highly recommend them with Focals.

As for detail retrieval you may want to look at your room.  A good mix of diffusion and absorption around the speaker may help you more than a hardware change.

Diffusion between and to the sides of your speakers can bring out a lot of hall ambiance as well as improve imagery much more than a lot of hardware upgrades can. 

Also, be careful not to fall into the "more details" trap.  Audiophiles may chase these and end up with gear that has exaggerated treble or very ragged treble.  The ear gets fooled by ragged frequency responses into thinking "I've never heard this before" Well, if you keep getting gear with ragged, but different responses you'll keep feeling like the next piece of gear has given you "more" but it's not "more" it's just different.

Thanks for the responses. I have been pondering a different disc player, I'm currently using an oppo 205 for all disc playback. I recently read about the Teac VRDS-701 and it sounds like a fine machine.

Do you all think my oppo may be a glossing over some of the micro details I feel are missing? It does seem that CD playback is where I'm least happy with my systems sound. 

I have three sources, turntable, FM radio tuner, and CD-disc player. The thing is many of my CD's that I've owned for a long time and played on long gone equipment I remember things that are either missing or quite subdued. Yes my old systems tended to be rather bright and I don't miss that, but I still miss what I know I used to hear. 

Although I haven't really worked with my room as far as adding panels for diffusion or absorption, I do think it's actually not bad with the way it's setup, carpet flooring, fabric blinds, and a number of different types/shapes of furnishings. And of course, at 69 my old ears are surly not what they used to be.

First of all, how do you know you're missing "micro details" (whatever those are)? Have you heard them on different systems with the exact same recordings? Second of all, no amp is going to change what you perceive to be not hearing. 

I have a great Accuphase E-800 with the optional phono pre-amp (AD-60) that matched really well with my Harbeth SHL5XDs and 40.3XDs.  I am considering selling it since I made a big leap up to Accuphase separates. Located in Pennsylvania.   PM me if interested. 

@roadcykler 

I may not be using the correct terminology in "micro details", but i did explain it in the third paragraph of my post just before yours. 

I get the message that probably an amp change won't solve my issue. I'm going to entertain the idea of trying a different disc player. 

I was just setting here when I suddenly recalled something that I had forgotten about. Many years ago, I found a local small retailer who was closing his store and had a (Parasound I believe, don't remember the model) power amplifier he was liquidating. After confirming that I could return it if I wasn't satisfied, I bought it. 

I don't remember what I was using for preamplifier, possibly Adcom. After getting it home and setup in my system I discovered that the treble frequencies were not well represented. This was a very warm amp with great bass grip but missing much of the treble. I ran it for a week or so then returned it. 

This experience would seem to indicate that an amp can make a difference in what is and isn't heard.  

I would guess that you should start with your source (CD player).  I recently changed my player (Modified Marantz) with an Esoteric player.  It allows the details, depth and soundstage to expand.  It is like a veil has been removed and also improving the bass and definition.  If you can demo another player, that would be telling if it is the source or another area.

no what that experience indicates to me is that the retailer's space isn't identical to yours so you're gonna hear different things.

Why do we ascribe these changes to an amp when the actual culprit is the room? When will we start taking room speaker placement, speaker/room coupling and room treatment seriously in this space outside of the buy, buy, buy.

Is it not exhausting to y'all?

@kofibaffour 

If you're refiring to my most recent post about the Parasound amp, you didn't read it very well. I brought it home and was used in the same system/room. 

As far as equipment goes, I spent many years with a Fosgate Signature phono stage. Tried tube rolling, various cables, and three different cartridges. Finally after years of frustration I decided to try a solid state unit and about a year ago  purchased a whest Three Signature phono stage. Well I'll just say night and day difference! Should have made the change years prior.

Maybe a different CD player would provide similar results? 

As @goose said, his change to the Esoteric player was very positive. I've read nothing but good about that brand, unfortunately it's out of my financial ability.

gakman

Simaudio Moon builds excellent gear. If you enjoy its sound, consider moving up to the 700i model. Are you using a Simaudio Moon CD Player? What other gear is in your System?

 

Happy Listening!

@jafant 

The 700i has crossed my mind, although I question how much an improvement vs a more lateral move it would really be. 

I'm using an oppo 205-disc player for all my silver disc playback. I also have a Fanfare FM tuner, and Lyra Lydian Beta cartridge/Ortofon TA-110 tonearm on Merrill Williams 101 table. That into the whest three signature phono stage.

I have different speaker cables on the way here, so will find out soon if that could be a positive influence. 

to paraphrase a saying, there are details you know you are missing and there are details you don't know you are. At your very high fidelity level, if you don't hear a detail, it may be by design. I can only imagine very minute details to not be there. 

A.I. is extremely intriguing. At least to me. The available information will only grow over time.

Don’t be afraid to call B.S. I have found the algorithm to not always be correct. 

 

The Focal Utopia Be (Beryllium) speakers—such as the Utopia Micro Be, Alto Be, or Scala Utopia—are high-resolution, revealing speakers with low distortion and excellent dynamics. They’re known to be both demanding and revealing of the electronics upstream. Matching them with the right integrated amplifier is crucial for getting the most out of them without sounding clinical or fatiguing.

 

 

Ideal Traits for an Integrated Amp Match:

 

 

• High current delivery: They benefit from amplifiers with good grip and current, especially with the beryllium tweeter and sometimes complex impedance curves.
• Neutral to slightly warm voicing: To balance the resolution and potential brightness of the tweeter.
• High resolution and low noise floor: These speakers will expose any harshness or grain.

 

 

 

 

 

Recommended Integrated Amp Matches:

 

 

 

1.

Vitus Audio RI-101 MkII

 

 

• Why: Gorgeous class AB sound with a touch of warmth, fantastic resolution, and current delivery.
• Sound Signature: Smooth, authoritative, and rich.
• Cons: Large and expensive.

 

 

 

2.

Luxman L-590AXII or L-509X

 

 

• Why: Delivers refined, holographic sound with excellent tonal richness and control.
• Class A (590AXII) or AB (509X).
• Sound Signature: Smooth, dynamic, slightly warm.
• Cons: May run warm; not cheap.

 

 

 

3.

Gryphon Diablo 120 or Diablo 300

 

 

• Why: Extremely high-current and neutral with deep control and massive headroom.
• Sound Signature: Precise, bold, ultra-dynamic.
• Cons: Price and physical size.

 

 

 

4.

Pass Labs INT-60 or INT-250

 

 

• Why: Pure class A (INT-60) or high-powered AB (INT-250), known for musicality and grip.
• Sound Signature: Rich, engaging, powerful.
• Cons: Heavy and power-hungry.

 

 

 

5.

Hegel H390 or H600

 

 

• Why: Very high damping factor and control, smooth top end, great synergy with Focal tweeters.
• Sound Signature: Transparent, neutral-smooth, slightly dry.
• Cons: Less romantic than others.

 

 

 

6.

Aesthetix Mimas (hybrid)

 

 

• Why: Tube/solid-state hybrid that brings texture and warmth without sacrificing control.
• Sound Signature: Lush midrange with good bass authority.
• Cons: Less known but excellent synergy.