(17-Jun-2025, 11:20)Bertie Wrote: 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.
