[audiophile82]

I have a pair of 1007`s from Focal, and I`m trying to figure out what kind of amplification that would be a really good match for my 1007`s... Which brands are the best, how much power do I need, what source?


Preferably not any amp costing more than 3500$

Hopefully you can share your experiences!

 

[Denophile]

I have a pair of 1027's powered by a sunfire amp, which initially sounded bright--since they have broken in they sound MUCH better--the current source vs voltage source output taps on the sunfire change the imaging and sound fairly dramatically--I think the voltage are the more accurate--I have resorted to putting a musical fidelity tube buffer in between my denon 5910 and parasound c1 in order to make everything sound more neutral (which greatly enhanced the imaging and warmed it up a bit but cut off some of the amazing high-end detail of these speakers)...the benefit of the focal 1000 line seems to be the accuracy and detail as well as imaging--frankly if I had to do it over again I would go with tubes--given the budget of 3500 I would consider going for a BAT vk-55 or VK 60 on audiogon (in the 2K range used--you could probably score a new vk-55 for about 3500--that would be my first choice) or consider a the primaluna prologue 7's ((sixes got a great review in TAS but 7's got a medicore review in stereophile recently), perhaps even a pair of aes sixpac tube monoblocks. Tubes seem to really bring out the magic of the beryllium tweeter and the imaging abilities of these babies.


If you insist on solid state--I would consider a tube preamp or buffer and going with something on the vanilla side of neutral to neutral--definitely nothing harsh or grainy--a coda s5 would be sweet and is at about the top of your range. I am not sure a parasound a21 would give you enough definition for that speaker but is a pulchritudinous choice. Actually I saw vincent recently came out with a hybrid amp in the 1 k range (that I have not heard) that looks interesting but is too new to endorse sans audition. If you were going solid and can swing the cash, I would probably opt for the coda.


Stereophile's semiannual recommended component list provides some good ideas--TAS has one too but it is only ranked by recommended or not, not by how much they recommend it--it is a place to start and begin the audition process--you have got one nice pair of speakers--it probably makes sense to try out a few nice amps if you have a good local dealer.


Just my thoughts,

Congrats on the purchase!!!

p.s. If you are a fan of female vocals/jazz try out patricia barber and dianna krall on SACD (or better yet vinyl)--OUTSTANDING!!! vocal textures and imaging will send shivers down your spine...


I am going to be upgrading my preamp/amp for isolated 2-channel with the 1027's(to tubes--listened to and drooling over the slightly expensive mcintosh 2102 which is magical--may also consider the BAT vk-75) at some point in the next months so let me know if you find something that really works well via pm.

 

[Denophile]

sorry-missed the power part--they are fairly efficient and not rated for a huge amount of power but from the reviews I have read of the 1027's they may not be as easy to drive as they seem--as you could see my recommendations weren't kilowatt powerhouses--I assume you were looking more for quality than quantity--would recommend as much power as you can afford as a general rule and would probably avoid a flea-watt wonder in the 3-20 watt range (unless you have a REAL small space) because you would hate to burn that delicious tweeter (don't eat it, as you probably know it is poisonous). I am guessing you could get away with 50-60 watts if you find an amp with the right voicing (or hopefully lack thereof) and are in a reasonably sized room listening to moderately dynamic music at reasonable levels.


If you want it for HT more than straight 2-channel audio I would probably go with parasound (preferably the jc-1 mono's but they are much more expensive (but do 30 watts in pure class a) but can be had for about what you want to spend on audiogon sometimes).


Hope this helps...


oh yes (your purchase has excited me clearly) CHECK OUT THE PATHOS CLASSIC ONE integrated--this may be THE perfect match for your speakers and a real conversation piece for guests and sounds sweet too--see the recent review by sam tellig in stereophile...

 

[AudioArchitect]



Quote:
Originally Posted by audiophile82 /forum/post/0


I have a pair of 1007`s from Focal, and I`m trying to figure out what kind of amplification that would be a really good match for my 1007`s... Which brands are the best, how much power do I need, what source?


Preferably not any amp costing more than 3500$

Hopefully you can share your experiences!

The Focals sound best with solid state amps in my experience. Consider:


Simaudio W-3

Bryston 4BSST

Parasound A21


Any of these amps will drive your 1007Be's into submission.

 

[audiophile82]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Denophile /forum/post/0


I have a pair of 1027's powered by a sunfire amp, which initially sounded bright--since they have broken in they sound MUCH better--the current source vs voltage source output taps on the sunfire change the imaging and sound fairly dramatically--I think the voltage are the more accurate--I have resorted to putting a musical fidelity tube buffer in between my de ...left out... -channel with the 1027's(to tubes--listened to and drooling over the slightly expensive mcintosh 2102 which is magical--may also consider the BAT vk-75) at some point in the next months so let me know if you find something that really works well via pm.

Well, I currently have an Atoll Electronique IN100 fed by a Jungson CD player, and it is by fair my best setup ever, but I feel there is more to gain by using better electronics.


And, Yes, 1007`s are insane on music with acoustic music with strongs female voices. But also on ACDC on high volume. Love`em. They will stay here for a long time. I have recently added an SVS SB12+ sub to them, and they sound pretty much fullrange now.


Eva Cassidys "Time`s a healer" on the Focals is a pure nirvana

 

[Denophile]



Quote:
Originally Posted by audiophile82 /forum/post/0


Eva Cassidys "Time`s a healer" on the Focals is a pure nirvana

I'll have to check that one out!

 

[pelo911]

i bought the Electra 1038 BE II


can you give me some amp models that will be best match for them?


thanks

 

[tiomiguel]

I have a pair of FOCAL ELECTRA 1027S (Al/Mg) conectoed to a HARMAN KARDON HD990+HK990

Sound is good but sometimes trebble is sharp, with some female vocals con be abresive. SSSSSSSSSHHHHHHH speach sometimes is very hard.

Please tell me what to do for soften this, if posiible. Perhaps HK990 is not the best choice for thes FOCALS?

 

[LydMekk]

HK is bright sounding, not a good match to Focal.
Marantz would be my choice.