Additional 220 or additional sub?

[Bertie]

My setup comprises a 220 pro, Focal Sopra 2s and a single REL S/812 sub. Been considering a 2nd REL or buying another 220 but have to choose either/or for the next couple of years. What’s most likely to improve the sound most - a second amp or a second sub?

[audio_engr]

My setup comprises a 220 pro, Focal Sopra 2s and a single REL S/812 sub. Been considering a 2nd REL or buying another 220 but have to choose either/or for the next couple of years. What’s most likely to improve the sound most - a second amp or a second sub?

From my signature you'll see that I use both; i.e. a 2nd 220-Pro & also a Pair of RELs. And both are necessary to fully complete the picture in totality. But if you're really hard-pressed to choose only one, I would get the 2nd REL as this will not only complete the picture but also acoustically work well with your room to offer you a balanced, evened-out freq response with a big soundstage and also help in projecting better low-level sonic info. Its amazing to note what a pair of great subs, setup well can do to your sound. REL calls in "dimensioning".

[Fairvsfree]

My setup comprises a 220 pro, Focal Sopra 2s and a single REL S/812 sub. Been considering a 2nd REL or buying another 220 but have to choose either/or for the next couple of years. What’s most likely to improve the sound most - a second amp or a second sub?

Hoi Bertie, as suggested above: both options will be very sweet. In my humble opinion, I'd get a second 220 pro. The Focal Sopra 2s deserve the best amplification you can get and with a 440 they will open up much more in the whole musical spectrum. If funds allow it, you can always place a sub next to them in the future. Chances are that this won't be necessary with the beefed up amplification. Full disclosure: I also went from 220 and 440 and was totally baffled with how much more power and control it delivered. For me, going to the 440 pro system ended many, many years of audio-nervosa. Enjoy the music my friend!

[Bertie]

Well, I made my choice and got a second 220 which arrived Tuesday but is still in the box. Been waiting for a full day to attend to the install and I can’t think of any better way to spend Father’s Day than watching the F1 qualies on catch up followed by the install and launching of my 440, without shaving and still in my pants (definitely not a spectator sport).

[Bertie]

My setup comprises a 220 pro, Focal Sopra 2s and a single REL S/812 sub. Been considering a 2nd REL or buying another 220 but have to choose either/or for the next couple of years. What’s most likely to improve the sound most - a second amp or a second sub?

Hoi Bertie, as suggested above: both options will be very sweet. In my humble opinion, I'd get a second 220 pro. The Focal Sopra 2s deserve the best amplification you can get and with a 440 they will open up much more in the whole musical spectrum. If funds allow it, you can always place a sub next to them in the future. Chances are that this won't be necessary with the beefed up amplification. Full disclosure: I also went from 220 and 440 and was totally baffled with how much more power and control it delivered. For me, going to the 440 pro system ended many, many years of audio-nervosa. Enjoy the music my friend!

Well, I’ve just forced myself to multitask: type this and listen to the mighty 440. My god the improvement is astounding. I was convinced this would be a stop gap decision but I’ll be really struggling to find fault with this kit. I am extremely pleased with the 440. Many have said you’ll never go back to a 220 and that’s so true, but I’m not sure I’ll be going anywhere now. This is the real deal. A keeper for sure and one happy Double Devialet owner!

[ada]

After moving to 440 my reaction was: Devialet should have never sold single units under the name of high-end. Congrats on your new unit!

[ray1234]

After moving to 440 my reaction was: Devialet should have never sold single units under the name of high-end. Congrats on your new unit!

That is a bit extreme ....  

It depends on your speakers. For difficult to drive speakers, the upgrade to 440 will show huge improvements. For easier to drive speakers, the gap may be a lot smaller. The basic sound of 220 is about the same as 440, it is just that after using 440, the soundstage size, details, air and bass control all move up a grade.

[Bertie]

After moving to 440 my reaction was: Devialet should have never sold single units under the name of high-end. Congrats on your new unit!

That is a bit extreme ....  

It depends on your speakers. For difficult to drive speakers, the upgrade to 440 will show huge improvements. For easier to drive speakers, the gap may be a lot smaller. The basic sound of 220 is about the same as 440, it is just that after using 440, the soundstage size, details, air and bass control all move up a grade.

I’m with Ada on this. I know Sopra 2s are meant to be a tricky load in some respects but I’ve been driving them with 100w of Cambridge Edge without complaint so don’t think they qualify as difficult’. 
No, what the introduction of a second 220 does is mess with what you thought your Devialet was and now realise it was always meant to be a 440. I really do feel the improvement is that significant.
Put it another way - when I first got my 220, I was happy with many sonic gains over the Cambridge it replaced, but I’d already resigned myself to saving up for a Gryphon Diablo 300 in the not too distant. Reading about other folk’s experience here, I decided to scratch the itch and jump in with the 440 option. I now have zero compunction to abandon ship for the Gryphon. This 440 extracts so much detail; exerts so much control; expands the soundstage and anchors every instrument exactly where it should be. 
I’m properly into the production value of my tunes and perhaps the most significant improvement is the way it takes the bootleg chorus and throws it in your face and all around the room at the same time. To say I’m impressed is a massive understatement. Massive.
BTW, not sure how this’ll affect my cred but I’m using an Amazon basics rca-rca coaxial. Thoughts on upgrading the cable? Oh and my speaker cable’s 20+ year old QED Silver Anniversary. Is that worth replacing?

[ray1234]

I’m with Ada on this. I know Sopra 2s are meant to be a tricky load in some respects but I’ve been driving them with 100w of Cambridge Edge without complaint so don’t think they qualify as difficult’. 
No, what the introduction of a second 220 does is mess with what you thought your Devialet was and now realise it was always meant to be a 440. I really do feel the improvement is that significant.
Put it another way - when I first got my 220, I was happy with many sonic gains over the Cambridge it replaced, but I’d already resigned myself to saving up for a Gryphon Diablo 300 in the not too distant. Reading about other folk’s experience here, I decided to scratch the itch and jump in with the 440 option. I now have zero compunction to abandon ship for the Gryphon. This 440 extracts so much detail; exerts so much control; expands the soundstage and anchors every instrument exactly where it should be. 
I’m properly into the production value of my tunes and perhaps the most significant improvement is the way it takes the bootleg chorus and throws it in your face and all around the room at the same time. To say I’m impressed is a massive understatement. Massive.
BTW, not sure how this’ll affect my cred but I’m using an Amazon basics rca-rca coaxial. Thoughts on upgrading the cable? Oh and my speaker cable’s 20+ year old QED Silver Anniversary. Is that worth replacing?

Sopra, and to a lesser degree my Kanta, is not really a difficult to drive speaker if you just want 'good' sound, my Kanta sounds quite good even with just a Naim Atom. However, if you want excellent sound, a good amplifier brings the sound to next level far above good. For my Kanta 2, the impedance of the speakers drop to 2.97ohm at 105hz, and it is below 4ohm throughout 80Hz to 180Hz. I believe Sopra 2/3 is similar. If one wants good bass out of these Focals, an amplifier with good capabilities to drive speakers at those lower impedance is necessary. Once the bass is fixed for these speakers, the soundstage/details and everything else just gels together to provide an excellent musical experience.

BTW, I don't think you will regret choosing Devialet over Diablo 300. Diablo 300 is rough sounding, not refined enough. If one wants to go the Diablo route, at least go for the 333, the 333 sounds a lot more refined than the 300.

As for the connection, do try other cables, the benefit is proportional to the quality of the connection cable. I use Audioquest WEL Signature XLR, believe me if it is not necessary I will not spend those type of money on the cable, as I have tried dozens. I am not sure if it works the same for 440, on my 400 RCA to XLR sounds better, and that's why I use XLR cable with XLR/RCA convertor on one end. Also, place a ground lift XLR convertor on the XLR end, you will be surprised how a cheap ground lift convertor will elevate the sound quality.

[audio_engr]

I use Audioquest WEL Signature XLR, believe me if it is not necessary I will not spend those type of money on the cable, as I have tried dozens. I am not sure if it works the same for 440, on my 400 RCA to XLR sounds better, and that's why I use XLR cable with XLR/RCA convertor on one end. Also, place a ground lift XLR convertor on the XLR end, you will be surprised how a cheap ground lift convertor will elevate the sound quality.

AQ WEL Sig & WILD are on another league from the rest of the AQ lineup ... am glad to meet another user with the Devialets.