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Power Amp for Focal Scala Utopia Evo (Pass, Luxman, Moon, Mc, or Audia Flight?)Hi everyone

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some guidance on choosing a solid-state power amplifier to pair with my Focal Scala Utopia Evos. Unfortunately, I am unable to demo these options in my home environment, so I am relying heavily on your experiences and impressions.

The Contenders: All of the following are in a similar price bracket in my region ($20k):

  • Pass Labs: X350.8

  • Luxman: M-10x

  • Simaudio Moon: 861

  • McIntosh: MC462

  • Audia Flight: Strumento No.4 MkII

My Current System Chain:

  • Source: Hifi Rose RS130

  • DAC: Gustard R30

  • Preamp: Octave HP700SE (Tube)

  • Cabling: Full Neotech UP-OCC loom (Power, Interconnects, Speaker cables)

Listening Preferences: I listen to a wide variety of genres. You can view my reference playlist here for a better idea of my taste: The Palette of Resonare - Apple Music

Given that I am running a Tube preamp (Octave), I am looking for the power amp that offers the best synergy with the Scalas. I would appreciate any thoughts on the tonal characteristics of these matches.

 

darkknight8586
bigkidz
3,506 posts
 

In my opinion, call the manufacturer and see what they use to demo their speakers and also their dealers.  The demands of an individual speaker needs to match up with the amplifier.  Hopefully they will provide you with various amplifiers they have tried and how they sounded.

Happy Listening.

ronboco
1,117 posts
 

@darkknight8586 

The Boulder 1162 would be worth an audition. Good luck ! 

rauliruegas
13,376 posts
 

Dear @darkknight8586 : With ou single dude/doubt SimAudio and you never look back/forward.

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS.

 

R.

12many
356 posts
 

I have these speakers and power them with 2 vertically bi-amped BHK 250 stereo amps.  These amps have a tube input stage which helps bring a bit of warmth and it allows me to tailor the sound, just for the tweeter and mid or separately the woofer.  I did some tube rolling with a set of NOS tubes and it really opened up the sound stage.  As you know the Be tweeters require the right electronics.  I have listened to your speakers with a Luxman and would not recommend it.  From your list, I would lean towards the Pass amps.  I would not go less than 200 watts.  True these are not hard to drive, but you need power (current and voltage) to drive the large woofer.  I tried these speakers with a 100 watt benchmark amp and there is an improvement with more wattage - went from hearing the bass to feeling the bass.   If I was going to upgrade someday, which is not on my radar for an amp, it would likely be Pass monoblocks or two stereo Pass amps biamped.  I am not a MC expert, but when I listened to their amps they were a bit soft.  Nice relaxed pleasant sound, but with a speaker as accurate and detailed as your Focals, seems to me a bit of a mismatch.  I can't comment on the other two brands having not heard them personally.  As others mentioned, what are you trying to improve and how to your prefer you music?  Crisp, warm, bright, mellow, bassy, not bassy.  Everything will drive the speakers so pick the amp that tailors the sound the your preferred sound profile.  

kofibaffour
718 posts
 

@darkknight8586 get the pair of MC611s. Perfect costing

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