Focal Maestro Utopia AMP recommendation

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pelo911

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Dec 29, 2013
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Hi
i Bought Recently Maestro in White Color (black and white) Those speakers drop down to 1.7 Ohms!
They need High Speed ​​and Power amp but Dynamic Also do you know what Brand and Model can be a good match?
Also DAC (and Cables)Thanks
 
Do you have a budget in mind? I loved the Aesthetix/Focal combo at RMAF. D'Agostino stereo amp would be a good choice for solid state. The slight roll off on the top end helps with a lively tweeter like the Focal.


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Welcome to AS, pelo!:hi:

+1 on the Dag. Great versatile amp.

Boulder may be another option - fast and doubles down into any load. All depends on budget and taste.

Good luck!
 
i'm kind of new to High-End
my previous speakers: Focal Electra 1038 BE

i tried to find Focal owners to ask what they using , can't find almost anybody
few Maestro pictures online that i found using those Amp:
Karan Acoustics
Krell
Accuphase
Soulotion
MBL

not sure what models

for Accuphase i thought about A-200 or M-6000 , they cost around 10K each in Japan
i know many people buying in Japan and somehow convert the power supply to work in the US (some kind of tweak) - i have not idea how and where they do that.

for Cables i saw kubala sosna Emotion , Tara Labs 0.8 or the One , Nordost Valhalla or Frey

DAC , i saw: Hegel , DCS , EMM , TotalDac , Luxman DA-06

here some measurements of the Maestro , they are very hard to drive even they look efficient "on paper" :
stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/focal_maestro_utopia_iii_loudspeaker
 
Maestro , product of the year 2013 of Tone Audio: (good to know i bought a nice speakers :rolleyes:)
tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_060.pdf
 
I liked both Pass and Accuphase on the Focals when I was seriously considering them. I think they both pair well with the tweeter and warrant a look.

I really didn't care for Kubala cables while auditioning Alexias, dCS and VTL. The music sounded, to my ears, more relaxed and much better when we swapped them out.

As for DACs, I would try and settle on pairing your speakers with amps (and a pre) before you make any firm decisions on one.

All of this is, of course, just my subjective opinion(s) and, as Mike said, you should audition as much gear possible.
 
Mike said:
You bought very nice speakers! Now is the time to carefully audition amps.
Click to expand...

there is so many Amps / Pre / DAC on the market
it's very very hard to get demo for each one to test and also take forever
i thought the best way for me is to get a short list of models that might be a good match
not many Amps can handle under 2 Ohms load (stable)
and also to drive the speakers dynamically (speed).
for newbie like me it's very hard ;)

can you help me trying to close this short list?

Thanks for your help
 
The sub 2ohm load occurs at what frequency? It's not uncommon for speakers the dip to lower ohm ratings under 100hz.

Ok...some questions:

1. What's your budget?
2. Where do you live? This is important for voltage as well as product costs in your country.
3. Do you have a bias against tubes for any reason (young children, need to mount the amp(s) in a rack, etc.)?
4. What sound do you like - warm and rich or fast, neutral and detailed?

This is a start....I will have other questions....
 
Mike said:
The sub 2ohm load occurs at what frequency? It's not uncommon for speakers the dip to lower ohm ratings under 100hz.

Ok...some questions:

1. What's your budget?
2. Where do you live? This is important for voltage as well as product costs in your country.
3. Do you have a bias against tubes for any reason (young children, need to mount the amp(s) in a rack, etc.)?
4. What sound do you like - warm and rich or fast, neutral and detailed?

This is a start....I will have other questions....
Click to expand...

don't have budget in mind (but XS300 is way beyond)
i'm from Houston this is why i asked about Accuphase voltage:
"for Accuphase i thought about A-200 or M-6000 , they cost around 10K each in Japan
i know many people buying in Japan and somehow convert the power supply to work in the US (some kind of tweak) - i have not idea how and where they do that."

3. Do you have a bias against tubes for any reason (young children, need to mount the amp(s) in a rack, etc.)?
what is the disadvantage of Tubes? i'm not sure - never tried.

4. What sound do you like - warm and rich or fast, neutral and detailed?
 i think i like Fast and detailed but not too analytic (with touch of rich and warm sound)
 
forgot to mention , 99% of the time i play music from my computer plug with USB to Oppo 105 - i also use the system for Movies
stock AC cables , no AC conditioner , 5$ simple power strip :happy:

this is the gear i have left from my previous speakers:

Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II XLR interconnect
Cardas Clear speaker cable
wireworld platinum usb cable
Pass labs X350.5
Pass labs Xp10 pre
Oppo BDP-105
Gaming PC computer (intel i7 , 500GB SSD , Corsair 760w)
 
One of our forum dealers is not too far from you. DAV carries Accuphase.Pass Labs,and others.
He is located near Tyler,Tx. He is a Focal dealer also and has experience with your speakers.
 
There is a dealer in Tyler, Texas named David Baskin (Design Audio Video). He sells Accuphase among many other products - including Focal. Since you are in Texas, I recommend you call him. He has an incredible Accuphase setup that you can hear (if you're willing to make the drive).

As for tubes, there is nothing wrong with tubes (quite the opposite), but they do require a little more work than solid state with things like tube biasing, etc. and they do get hot, so pets and small children and tubes are not a good mix. Tubes also need changing every few thousand hours or so. You also wouldn't put a tube amp in an enclosed cabinet. All that being said, depending on your sonic preference, they can sound much more pleasing than solid state.

As I mentioned, you really want to listen as much as you can. Listen for bass control, sweetness on top and presentation of mids, in addition to many other things like PRAT, soundstage, dynamics, etc.

If it was me, I would start with the following on your audition list:

1. Mcintosh 601/C500T
2. Accuphase A200's or 6100/2850
3. Aesthetix Atlas Monos Sig/Calypso Sig
4. D'Agostino Stereo amp/D'Agostino preamp (or Pass XP30 preamp).
5. VAC phi200's (monos)/Sig IIa preamp

As for a DAC, the EAR DACute 4 is one to listen to (the dealer in Tyler can show you his EAR CD player to give you an idea of the sound).

I've just finished reviewing the Lumin network music player and was very impressed with it (I ended up buying it). But that requires a NAS and a Ethernet connection to your router.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
With Pass X350.5 and XP10, you certainly don't need to rush into anything. That's good stuff. Take your time. Talk to David. Go see him if you can and audition. Keep a notepad with your thoughts from your listening sessions.

Use what you read on the internet only as a guide, but ultimately, make your own decision.

Take your time. Don't worry, we're not going anywhere.

...oh, and keep an eye out for what's coming out next week at CES.
 
Hi Pelo911,

You've got yourself a pair of the finest sounding speakers around! Congratulations.
Even though the impedance is not too difficult I know from experience that big Focal speakers really improve by the correct amplification.
Here are a few reasonably priced power amps that will drive the Maestro's:
- AVM SA8
avm_sa8.jpg

- Audionet MAX
audionet_max_liste_01.png


- Symphonic Line RG7 Reference
rg7_mk4.jpg


- Audionet AMP
audionet-amp-front.jpg


- Electrocompaniet AW 400
New_Music_7_151008.jpg


- Musical Fidelity M8 700
Musical%20Fidelity%20M8700m.jpg


- Mark Levinson N0. 432
file.php


- Krell Evo 302
1299449720.jpg
 
Glareskin said:
Hi Pelo911,

You've got yourself a pair of the finest sounding speakers around! Congratulations.
Even though the impedance is not too difficult I know from experience that big Focal speakers really improve by the correct amplification.
Here are a few reasonably priced power amps that will drive the Maestro's:
- AVM SA8

- Audionet MAX


- Symphonic Line RG7 Reference


- Audionet AMP


- Electrocompaniet AW 400


- Musical Fidelity M8 700


- Mark Levinson N0. 432


- Krell Evo 302

​
Grareskin , thanks for your reply
i saw online owners of Maestro using Audionet MAX and AVM SA8 - i need to check if they sell those brand in the USA.
you heard about Karan Accustics? few Focal owners told me they are superb Amps (KAS600 and KAM900)
Click to expand...
 
pelo911 said:
Glareskin said:
Grareskin , thanks for your reply
i saw online owners of Maestro using Audionet MAX and AVM SA8 - i need to check if they sell those brand in the USA.
you heard about Karan Accustics? few Focal owners told me they are superb Amps (KAS600 and KAM900)
Click to expand...
No, I have never heard of it. But they sure look good!
2006-09-KARAN.jpg

Of course you cannot buy such important piece just by the looks. Where are you located? Just try to audition the amplifiers in your own place.G
Audionet is in the US. I know Mike was talking to them.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
Pelo911

I am a Focal and Accuphase dealer. The Accuohase gear with Focal has won several best in show awards. I'm only 3 1/2 hours away and have Maestro's and Accuphase gear you could audition.
 
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