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Amps/Pre-amps for Sopra 3 or Salon 2

Hi everyone,


Looking to put a system together and have not settled on a speaker yet, however, I somewhat like what I am hearing from Focal Sopra 3's and Revel Ultima 2 Salon 2's. Sopra seems to have a silkier midrange and better tweeter while Salon's may have the edge in low frequency extension.  It may not be a fair comparison as I have only thus far been able to hear Focals downstream of Naim (and briefly McIntosh 452) gear whereas the Salon's were run with much more expensive Moon Evolution mono's / pre-amp / dac.  I was able to directly compare the Sopra 2 / Sopra 3 / and Scala V2 Utopia on the same Naim 300 / N272 streaming pre-amp combo.  Surprisingly I found the Sopra 3 more satisfying than the Scala V2 due to better low frequency extension.

  To get to the point, the Naim equipment sounds pretty good , however, I am not completely sold on the low wattage/higher current class B design at $19K. I am looking for other recommendations or experiences.

 For historical background purposes I am coming out of a Linn Majik cd, Threshold fet10, Threshold S-500, Mirage M-1 originals, combo from years ago.  I am currently (when possible because it is in the family room where the wife and kids frequent, lol) listening to an Oppo 105D streaming Tidal / Rogue Pharaoh integrated / Totem Forest Signature combo powered through a Torus RM-20 and connected with Transparent Ultra balanced ic's and Ultra speaker cable.  I have to be honest in that I have heard a lot of equipment combo's, within the price range I am currently shopping, that do not sound as satisfying as my "second system" that was put together for about $15K in total thanks to the pre-owned Transparent cables.

I want to start my new system with the electronics as I still possess the Mirage's and they have been sentimentally good to me. I have upgraded them throughout the years with re-foaming, new crossovers, Cardas binding posts, new internal wire, etc............well......they still make sound and prodigious bass!  I also really don't care too much how they sound with the new electronics pushing them as long as my future speakers blend well.


Thanks for any and all responses and I apologize in advance for any delayed answers as I will respond as my schedule allows.


Foreverworkin

foreverworkin
leeagc
66 posts
 
Give the new Devialet 220/440/1000 Pro line a listen - if you like the Focal virtues they're an excellent match.  You'll save a ton on cables and space too!
The older D200/400/800 are great value used and not so far behind.
foreverworkin OP
9 posts
 
Thanks leeagc! I will look at them.
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,607 posts
 
We are a Naim dealer and the equipment does have some wonderful qualities.

We took on the T+A gear out of Germany and their gear is absolutely amazing, they make a very powerful integrated 300 watts into 8 ohms 500 watts into 4 ohms.

Sound quality is neutral with a bit of warmth, great dynamics, warm punchy bass, superior resolution to the Naim gear.

Their $19k integrated amplifier was compared to a $120k worth of CH Precision gear and the reviewer was having difficulty telling the two apart. Absolutely world class stuff, stunning looking, fantastic build quality.

We are the Northeast dealer, so if you are in our neck of the woods we would welcome you to hear them. 

We would also recommend you check out the new Paradigm Persona line, similar treble to the Focals, with a Beryllium midrange so the speakers are very transparent and coherent. 

They make models starting at $10k for the floor standers to $35k for the flagship with self amplified bass with built in room correction.

In that uber speaker league just starting to get some press. Last issue of the Absolute Sound loved them!

Troy 
Audio Doctor
877 428 2873
jetter
2,961 posts
 
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