The Proverbial "best amp" for Focal Sopra No. 1

lejonklou boazu New $4.4k

Thank you @chorus for your answer. I didn't know this brand... yet another one.

Looking forward for others hints, although my spider senses tell me that, for reason I don't quite understand, the question does not generate the usual traction...

I any cases, I added the McIntosh MA8900 to my short list.

MA8900 is a solid choice. 
Add Pass Labs Int-250 to the list as well. Used it may be within your budget. 

I've enjoyed a pair of Sopra No2's driven by McIntosh with "autoformers", so I'd recommend the MA7200 or MAC7200.  The "warm" sound of those amps seem to pair really well with the Focal tweeters.

I was checking out the 5300 a few weeks ago....  nice unit , but if you can swing the 8900.....    "buy once, cry once" I always say.   Holds true for most everything but audio gear !

@ejr1953 - Thanks for this input, this is the hands-on experience I was looking for. The autoformers are also present on the MA8900 and it'S currenly my top. The 7200 is only availavble in it's MAC version in Canada -> It has a tuner and I don't want this, this is why I skip a model (but 7200 and 8900 is the same amp).

@oddiofyl - I'm all for the "cry once" strategy. This is why I when with the Focal even is there are other very good speakers at a significant lower price tag ;-)

@audphile1 The Int-250 has excellent review and I love the fact it is as simple as an amp can be but.... 25 wpc? Focal suggest an amp between 25 and 150 wpc @ 8 ohm. I fell this on is on the lower end of the spectrum. And It seems common knowledge that you can only hurt speakers when under powered, not over powered. Are the Pass Labs watt bigger/better that McIntosh?

@papyneau 

Int-250 that I recommended is 250w/ch into 8ohms. You must have checked out the specs on Int-25 by mistake. 
 

Thanks @audphile1, I see it now. Sooo good reviews ans soooo expensive! I will keep a watch on it!

Naim and Focal are said to be natural partners but some say the merge is purely on business and profits. Having said that, there are a handful of owners who use Naim on Sopra No. 1 and 2 speakers. Check out the Naim forum and you would notice.

In the end, it’s listening preferences that matter. If you like McIntosh, perhaps investigate the line. Pass Labs Int250 is a beast, might be one of the best if not the best to drive your Sopras.

I really like McIntosh and focal. It is a safe match with longterm enjoyment. There are many other but stick with what you like, don’t let people send you down the rabbit hole. Are there better amps? Sure, but long term I have settled into Mac and I am happy with it on a number of different speakers. It is always good but never amazing.

I really like the high power Mac amps. Don’t over look power specifically capacitance or what mac call dynamic headroom. It makes a difference I think. On the MC462 I use they spec 3db of dynamic headroom and to me this means it can double the power almost instantly for short burst.

Naim.  Those speakers are voiced using Naim amps and Naim is owned by the same parent company.  Naim and Focal go together like peanut butter and  jelly.  

Well... i own both the Aria 906 and the 936 for the LR.  

I think the pre-amp is the bigger factor, and generally has an outsize impact on sound quality vs a power amp.  

I have found Anthem amps to be an excellent pairing with the Aria series. 

for Pre-amps i have both anthems and the wonderful Proceed AVP.   I do prefer the Proceed as it has a warmer sound and the detail and range are astonishing - as a pre-amp.   i am curious about McIntosh - i have heard some retro amps of theirs make homemade plywood boxes sound like pro monitors. 

for the money, Proceed+ Anthem here.  If money is no object, then I suppose the McIntosh is worth a listen.