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Amp For Sopras

I’ve been running a Bryston Cubed amp with my Sopra 1s for a while, but it’s time to move to an amp that downplays the occasional Sopra brightness. Preamp is a Spatial Audio Raven. Audience speaker cables. Budget up to about $10k. Solid state preferred but I might consider something mildly-tubed if there’s such a thing. Pass Labs and the new AR S-100 come to mind. Mac and big heavy amps do not. I prefer a decent amount of resolution. New over used in most cases. What else works well with these speakers?

jaybe
mashif
472 posts
 

Parasound amps are pretty warm sounding. The JC5 might suit your needs. 

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
1,063 posts
 

@OP The Sopra is efficient but it is has a difficult modulus of impedance and the combination of that and its tendency to brightness does not make it well suited to tube amps. Passlabs Class A amps would be a good match in terms of their ability to drive difficult loads.

bartsw's avatar
bartsw
233 posts
 

I guess we have different ideas about what qualifies as good sound.

LOL

j-wall's avatar
j-wall
395 posts
 

I run Atmasphere Class D's with my Sopra 2's and can't see myself using any other amps. Cool to touch, smooth, silent when left on and detailed as. Never understood the brightness people claim Sopra's exhibit because I don't hear it and I'm in a 9x13 tiny room. 

jaybe OP
863 posts
 

Thanks all.

To my knowledge and based on reviews the Hegels are reported as bright. Even dealers have told me that.

Talked to a Coda dealer today.

I’ve heard the AtmaSphere class Ds at the NY audio show. Nice but not sure I’m ready to go D. I’ve had a few and sold them pretty quick.

A friend runs the 600 watt Macs with the Sopras. But even the 150 watt model is deeper than my rack shelf.

Interesting that Focal users replying say they don't find them bright. But, beryllium tweeter.

We all have different tastes and tolerances.

I was running Pass until right before I got the Focals. Sort of wish now I held onto it. As much as I don’t want another 80 lb amp, I’m not excluding it.

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