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Amp to drive Focal Kanta 3

Hi guys I am new to Hifi speakers and I recently paid a downpayment to the dealership. I am planning to get the Focal kanta 3 driven by devialet expert 200. I auditioned it with the ps audio m700, and honestly I didn’t hear much difference(maybe bcs of the room?), and was willing to go the cheaper route(m700), but my dad leaned towards the devialet due to “less clutter” not for the sound. Anyways I am not a 100% on the amps driving them, and I am open to suggestions. 

I have also listened to other speakers like the kef ls50w, bowers and wilkins 804, 803d3 driven by audiolab8300xp, revel ultima studio2 driven by mark levinson 532h(this was the best sounding to me and my dad) however they were a tiny bit more expensive than the focals. I couldnt push my dads budget any more since I have already more than doubled his intial budget. Anyways I might as well rant here, I asked for an audition on the kef reference 3 on the dealer and sadly they were not entertaining me so yeah I left. For the bowers on the other hand at first they were entertaining me but I guess they got tired and thought that my family didn’t have the dough HAHAHAHA and stopped entertaining my inquiries about prices. I wanted to try the 803 d3 with the michi s5 but yeah they didn’t bother talking to me anymore. The best of the bunch was the revel ultima studio 2 the “airiness” and imaging of that speaker was amazing, heck even my dad who was laughing at me when I was describing the sound that hi fi speaker makes were impressed and said it was like the singers were inside the room. Anyways I chosed the Kanta 3 for the wider soundstage, but damn I still miss the “airiness” and the bass of the revel.

Anyways I would really appreciate any suggestions just not Mcintosh amps pls since they don’t even bother answering my enquiries. My room is 13x4m thats why I wanted a wide soundstage. Would the devialet expert 200 be a good pair with those? My fear is that I haven’t listened to a lot of amps paired with kanta 3 yet to know it’s full potential. Also I can’t push the budget anymore, and I would not be able to upgrade anymore. Any amps that have good synergy with the kanta 3?


kulo
jamitloud
13 posts
 
I heard the Naim at the axpona convention hooked up to the Focal Grand Utopia’s. Though, I wish I had the remote to play the music I like at the volume I want to hear. 
However, I’m committed to saving up for The McIntosh mc462 or 611’s, just recently a mc302 is for sale next week that I could buy now.
Given the fact that if money was no object, where would we stop at amp power. If your speakers recommended amp power which mine is Focal Kanta 3 is 40-400 watts. If a speaker produces a level of 87dB when driven with 1 watt of power and measured 1 meter in front. How do you decide what amount of power you need. I think 50% more than 400 watts recommended would be 600 watts for headroom is ideal versus under power which clips your speakers when playing loud? Is an overwhelming amount of watts going to increase detail through speakers. Why would someone need a pair of MC2KW 2000 watt amps.I’m not saying buy 500k audio system. Just, where do we stop at amp watts that would be of no use to your speakers capability.
 
By the way, Happy New Year to All.
Jimb
cm071678's avatar
cm071678
6 posts
 
I paired the Focal Kanta’s 3 with:
Luxman 509
Luxman 590
Pass Labs INT250
Primaluna evo400 Int
Cayin 88t
Rogue Audio st100
And Gryphon Diablo 300 with dac.
i stayed with the Diablo 300. For me is has been the best Integrated I have 
jeffreyw's avatar
jeffreyw
236 posts
 
Do not rule out the Michi S5 amp & P5 preamp. Incredible bang for the buck. A dealer recommended this combo to me and states that it competes with the Luxman M900u C900U combo for 1/3 of the price. BTW, he sells both brands.

Also, look into the CODA products whether integrated or separates. All play well above their cost and are end-game products.
chrisryanhorner
12 posts
 
Glad to see all these potential amp pairings.  I just ordered my Kanta 3s and am excited to hear them with my Rogue Cronus Magnum 3, but it's fun to get all this free intel on other pairings you all have tried, especially if I ever decide to graduate to separates down the line.
michaeldunleavy
7 posts
 
There is an audio magazine that did a review on these. Said focal was disingenuous with the 8ohm rating and that these will work best with an amp comfortable with a 4 ohm load. 
Check out the impedance graph, is below 4ohms for most of bass region. I've got the kanta 2's on the 4ohm tap of the mcintosh mc611's, bass really cleans up vs the 8ohm taps. Just my opinion, these speakers need juice to sound good.
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