Integrated amp for Sopra No.3
 

Hi folks,

I've been using the Sopra no.3 for a few weeks and loving it. Now it's time to replace the Yamaha 2070 (:nail:) with some serious amplification. I've seen the thread about "driving focals with" but my question is very specific:

Which integrated amp do you recommend for Sopra 3?

Reason for going integrated is that I don't want the hassle of separated devices and also am using the Sopra 3's for home theater so I believe home theater bypass feature support is a must, unless someone has another idea/alternative.

Thanks in advance!

Integrated amp for Sopra No.3
 

McIntosh MA8000 or MA9000 would both work very well and have HT passthru. I have a friend with Sopra no. 3’s and McIntosh amplification and it sounds fantastic.
Tom

Having heard the Mark Levinson 585 integrated at both AXPONA and RMAF this year, I can highly recommend it. It sounded fabulous with a set of the new Revel F228be towers. It includes a DAC and home theater bypass.

I am a fan of the Moon by Simaudio 600i and 700i integrated amps. I replaced a McIntosh MA-6600 with a 700i and the difference was amazing. My 700i powers a pair of Rockport Technology Atrias.

If were me, would go with the big McIntosh, as suggested above. When I auditioned the Sopra they were be pushed by 600wpc monoblocks and think they responded very well. Think bigger (wpc) is better.

Gryphon Diablo 300

+1 on the Diablo.

I vote for the Simaudio Evolution 700i.
I have the 600i v2 and it’s :thumbsup:

+1 on the Gryphon Diablo, one of the better integrated amplifiers on the market. You'd probably have to perform a substantial upgrade with separates to better a piece like this. Here's a review from 6 moons on it:

https://6moons.com/audioreviews/gryphon4/1.html. Of course you'd probably have to get used to the look. It's not exactly your traditional component!

- Buck

https://www.soundstageultra.com/equi...hon_diablo.jpg

If I had a dog as ugly as the Gryphon I'd shave its butt and make it walk backwards. That said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

:D It's rather ugly isn't it? Maybe if you like more of an industrial design look maybe?

- Buck

You callin' my dog ugly??

+3 on the Gryphon Diablo

I've been a very happy owner of the McIntosh MA8000 for the past 4 years now. It's a superb integrated in every way. That said, if I had a do over on this I'd go with the Diablo. Warts and all. :yes:

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Really appreciate it.

Looks like the Gryphon is getting high praise so I looked at the prices and while the MA9000 and moon 600i are around the $10K mark, the Gryphon price is this (quoted):

Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated amplifier
Price: $24,295.
DAC module (USB, balanced AES, optical, 2 x S/PDIF): $8895.
MM/MC phono stage module: $3395.

Now, while I appreciate music I have zero tech knowledge in amps technology. I'm not even sure how to read the above, i.e whether the base price is $25K and the other modules are on top of that or the DAC and phono stage modules can be taken out to reduce the price.. ?

Last - noticed there was a "small brother" version of the Gryphon, the 120 one so would appreciate your views on it as well.

Thanks again, been a real help!

The base Diablo 300 is $16K US. The DAC and phono stages are extra and can be bought with the base or added later.

Don't forget the Hegel H590!
DAC and streamer onboard, and plenty of power.

https://www.lowbeats.de/site/wp-cont...le-660x330.jpg

(Please bear with me as I believe my questions are trivial and I'm a quite the beginner with audio tech)

As I mentioned in the original post HT is very important to me and i'd also like to utilize the Sopra 3's for stereo purposes so I plan to connect the receiver's pre-outs (front) to the integrated amp.

So.. as far as I understand it the amp will be getting analog signal from the receiver which means I won't be needing the DAC, correct?

Last - if going with the Gryphon 120, what will be the major losses?

Thanks!

anyone?

Hey kids, you forgot Accuphase.
A perfect match with Focal.
Take the 650 (class A) or the new 480 (class AB) and you will not regret.

What do you guys think about the Rotel 1590?*http://www.rotel.com/en-gb/product/rb-1590

Realize it's not integrated..



Thanks

Would say that Rotel is not consistent with a pair of Sopra No.3 speakers.

+1

Integrated amp for Sopra No.3
 

Try the Naim Uniti Nova. Or the latest Super Nait

Rotel *shivers*