Enjoying My New Focal Sopra No2's

Have had mine just over a month. They sound great and are opening up. I would estimate I have about 100 hours on them. I kept my old system for comparison and enjoyment in a smaller listening room., Hegel H160 mated with Joseph Audio RMXL 25's Mark 2. a very good sounding system with a wide and deep soundstage.

The Sopra's are already deeper and wider with my Hegel H300, its like seeing Pro Ball when are used to Triple A, more of everything on all levels, the sound is so thick, a detailed wall of sound that keeps expanding with volume! When I turn it up, you are enveloped in the sounds, yet still sounds great at a low volume. So pleased with the speakers. Look forward to more hours and the speakers opening up further.

Fun times to be getting new gear.

The same speaker will perform differently depending on the front end. My Hegel H300, has a very musical bottom, works great with the Sopra, which extends down to 28HZ. Not a lean speaker at all. As a matter of fact one my daughters Kanye CD's shakes the house.

I have learned blanket statements are never accurate especially with speakers.

I haven't demoed a Harbreth with my Hegel so I cannot comment on how it would compare. I did listen to a nice pair of Harbeth speakers at AXPONA, a very nice speaker indeed.

At this level one really needs to demo as much as possible to come to an accurate conclusion.

Stevizzy.... I am interested in the 700I, which I see you have mated with the Sopra's. A friend has the 600i, sounds great with his speakers, Vienna Acoustics, Baby Grands I think. I am going to try it with my Sopra's sometime soon I hope.

There is a 700i listed here for $6,700 seems like a good price.

Did you by chance try the 600i with the Sopra's?

Does the 700i have a DAC, does it have optical inputs, no phono stage I recall.

My Hegel does sound amazing with the Sopra's but would only consider another Integrated after the speakers hit the 500 Hour mark.

I would appreciate some more details on what you feel are the highlights of the SA 700i, reviews are great, but nice to hear from an owner that has the same speakers as me.

Thanks.