Focal Arche: Anyone compared to other options in its price range?

[rickydenim]

From the reading I've done this is meant to be up there DAC wise with the RME ADI-2 (SQ wise) and beat it from an amp POV with great synergy for Focal HP's obviously so at this price point I think it's finally a good buy!

 

[Guidostrunk]

I’m very happy with the Focal Arche. I downgraded from the Chord Dave/mscaler and don’t have any regrets. I’ll play back certain songs that I was blown away by on the Dave and I’m still blown away with the Arche. Feel like the soundstage is fairly close.

I do think the Arche benefits from a good streamer. Plugging usb direct into my Intel Nuc with roon core sound flatter and less engaging than Stack Audio Link II with linear power supply. Even Dave/mscaler had similar benefits even though there are claims source doesn’t matter.

For me, upgrading the headphone cable on the Focal Utopia to a Danacable Reference Lazuli has bigger impact on sound than between Focal Arche and the Chord setup.

If you’re willing to spend the money for the Dave/mscaler you get the benefit of more precise timing that may make a bigger difference if into classical music. But for everything else, the Arche is a fun headphone amp/dac that captures the energy and excitement of the music.

I’d probably pass on their next release if it’s just combining a streamer into it since I love the one if have already and have even been testing Spotify to get ready for their lossless tier.

Whoa what? Not trying to derail. Spotify Lossless?

 

[thecrow]

Whoa what? Not trying to derail. Spotify Lossless?

 

[ASIN]

Oh yes!

 

[Guidostrunk]

WOW! This is a no brainer for me! Thanks for the info Crow!

 

[NCUS]

Very tempted by this in the Elegia bundle, already own Clears and a budget amp/DAC. Is the Arche worth it at $999 USD?

Wow $999USD is cheap for the Arche. You can add a Bluesound Node 2i streamer, thereby not have to worry about the USB handshake issues, and still pay about what I paid for my Arche this past summer. I think it's a no brainer at that price.

 

[iamoneagain]

Whoa what? Not trying to derail. Spotify Lossless?

I’ve been a lifetime roon user for years but they still haven’t come out with a mobile solution. I mostly use roon to send Qobuz to my streamer into the Focal Arche. I have a Stack Audio Link II steamer that uses a RPi board as its base and commercial version RopieeeXL. That allows you to turn on Spotify Connect.

I’ve never really is used Spotify before since it’s lossy, so really didn’t know what all the talk about the user interface is about. I figured I’d try it now to test it out and if liked it, I’d fully switch over once the hifi tier started. Surprised to find the live lyrics even works for the iPhone. I’ve just been using their daily playlist while I workout since sound quality doesn’t matter and the mixes have been great. Haven’t wanted to skip a single song. So could use all their suggestions and playlists to discover more music than I could in roon. I love roon and will miss a few features but could see being completely happy with Spotify if the sound quality is truly lossless. Not having hires isn’t that big of deal. Very hard to hear the differences.

And as far as the other post about $999 Focal Arche, that seems like a great deal. Think if you ever sell it that would probably be around the asking price, so no money lost. The Arche is perfect if you are just looking for something as a headphone setup, especially for the Focals. And the included headphone stand is a nice touch.

 

[rickydenim]

Just picked up my Arche/Clear Pro bundle - time to listen to some tunes! Is it worth updating the FW? I am currently on 1.08.

 

[ctrlm]

Just picked up my Arche/Clear Pro bundle - time to listen to some tunes! Is it worth updating the FW? I am currently on 1.08.

Based on the handshake problems that have been widely reported and people having to roll back firmware etc.....I wouldn't unless you encounter any issues.

My bundle has also arrived and this will be my strategy once I set it up.

 

[rickydenim]

Ok great, thanks! I had about an hour or so at work listening with the Clear and had no issues at all with Tidal on exclusive mode.

Looking forward to spending some time with it tomorrow and doing some comparisons with the Topping DX3Pro!
Will also test the Elegia

 

[ctrlm]

Based on the handshake problems that have been widely reported and people having to roll back firmware etc.....I wouldn't unless you encounter any issues.

My bundle has also arrived and this will be my strategy once I set it up.

....and I woke up to the handshake problem - had to unplug the USB cable and plug in it again after waking the Arche up from sleep mode.

Cie la vie

 

[iamoneagain]

....and I woke up to the handshake problem - had to unplug the USB cable and plug in it again after waking the Arche up from sleep mode.

Cie la vie

Was there anything sent to the dac while it was in sleep mode? That’s only time I have an issue.

Also, has anyone tried to shut off sleep mode and just leave it on the whole time? I know there is talk that supposed to sound better warmed up and that some other amps, people leave always on. My worry is that it will get too hot and then you have the headphones sitting on the stand above it.

 

[ctrlm]

Was there anything sent to the dac while it was in sleep mode? That’s only time I have an issue.

Also, has anyone tried to shut off sleep mode and just leave it on the whole time? I know there is talk that supposed to sound better warmed up and that some other amps, people leave always on. My worry is that it will get too hot and then you have the headphones sitting on the stand above it.

There shouldn't have been anything sent to the DAC in sleep mode, I was very careful to wake up the Arche first before even starting Audirvana on my iMac. I'm toying with the idea of buying a Topping D10S as a USB to SPDIF converter to place in the chain to see if it makes any difference? Have you tried any firmware changes?

I might also try leaving Audirvana open all the time and see if that makes a difference.

I don't use the stand that came with it as I have a more elegant (IMO) solution that clamps to the side of my desk, so heat to the headphones isn't an issue.

 

[iamoneagain]

There shouldn't have been anything sent to the DAC in sleep mode, I was very careful to wake up the Arche first before even starting Audirvana on my iMac. I'm toying with the idea of buying a Topping D10S as a USB to SPDIF converter to place in the chain to see if it makes any difference? Have you tried any firmware changes?

I might also try leaving Audirvana open all the time and see if that makes a difference.

I don't use the stand that came with it as I have a more elegant (IMO) solution that clamps to the side of my desk, so heat to the headphones isn't an issue.

I’m using installed firmware of 01.01.08
I don’t have a pc that I can even change the firmware on. My connection is with streamer that uses commercial version of RopieeeXL. I believe it’s Linux based.

I might test how hot it gets when put headphones on my old stand. I heard it takes a few hours to hit hottest temp of around 100 Fahrenheit. Some say that still just warm to the touch.

 

[rickydenim]

Any tips on installing the stand with the screws? Had a few goes this morning but they kept just falling back out. I put the spacer in right to the back, slid the stand in and pushed down firm to get it to slide down - probably a small amount of the grip can still be seen, and then used the long end of the key to get the screws in. It just feels like they go quite deep in and then spin around. As soon as I sit it up they are back on the desk lol.