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

[ctrlm]

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.

Ahhh....I believe that the firmware updates were only for Linux & Android applications, so it might be worthwhile for you to find a way to do it. From what I've read, the recommendation is not to update unless you need Linux support.

 

[iamoneagain]

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.

I didn’t even know about the spacer when I got it. I just used the phone’s flashlight and tried a few times and got that middle screw to fall into place and then the 2 others screws tightened without issue.

 

[iamoneagain]

Ahhh....I believe that the firmware updates were only for Linux & Android applications, so it might be worthwhile for you to find a way to do it. From what I've read, the recommendation is not to update unless you need Linux support.

Well for me, I believe my streamer is Linux based so best to stay with the latest firmware. I don’t do any upsampling and Qobuz maxes out at 192k. I am more worried how I’ll update if they ever come out with another update. Would honk the newest Focal headphones would be added to the menu. But if that’s the only changed, I’d skip it. They haven’t released Mac download for the firmware yet.

 

[ctrlm]

It seems that I might have discovered a turn on sequence to mitigate any handshake issues......the Arche has to be the last item woken up. I've tested this a few times and so far so good.

 

[iamoneagain]

It seems that I might have discovered a turn on sequence to mitigate any handshake issues......the Arche has to be the last item woken up. I've tested this a few times and so far so good.

That might explain why have no issues with the streamer, it’s always on.

I decided against leaving the Arche always on. It does get warm after an hour or two and thought it might be bad for headphones on the stand. I don’t want to give up the stand.

 

[rickydenim]

Has anyone done any testing on the XLR balanced input vs 6.5mm? Thinking if I should get a new cable. Want to get the most out of the Arche!

 

[ctrlm]

Has anyone done any testing on the XLR balanced input vs 6.5mm? Thinking if I should get a new cable. Want to get the most out of the Arche!

I had the same idea.

I have a balanced cable on the way from here but it probably won't arrive for a week or so.

 

[ctrlm]

I'm also going to test the Arche purely as an amplifier today with my unemployed Chord Qutest DAC in my desktop setup. It's small enough to hide away behind my iMac so it doesn't add clutter to my desk.

If you put a gun to my head - I prefer the Qutest to the DAC in the RME ADI-2 with AKM 4493 that runs my main living room setup (90% speaker duty), with slightly cleaner mid & upper bass and is bit more relaxed to my ears. Out of convenience though, I just run with the wonderfully versatile RME.

 

[supermj]

Can anyone tell me if the previous firmware fixes the handshake issue ?

 

[iamoneagain]

For the Focal Arche, I ended up disabling sleep mode and setting display to auto. The amp never got past warm to touch and headphones has no issues being on the stand. In fact, the headphones were cool to the touch. I think this may solve a lot of people’s handshake problem. It’s also supposed to sound better when warmed up.

I don’t know how much energy is wasted but I’d imagine a lot less the a speaker class A amp.

 

[HeavenlyD]

I’ve got the Utopias and Arche and the pairing is sublime.
I’ve just ordered a Hugo2.
I’m fairly new to this so what would your thoughts be on using the Hugo2 as the Dac and the Arche as the Amp? Worth a shot or do you think it may not be as effective as the Arche on its own?

 

[NCUS]

For the Focal Arche, I ended up disabling sleep mode and setting display to auto. The amp never got past warm to touch and headphones has no issues being on the stand. In fact, the headphones were cool to the touch. I think this may solve a lot of people’s handshake problem. It’s also supposed to sound better when warmed up.

I don’t know how much energy is wasted but I’d imagine a lot less the a speaker class A amp.

The Focal manual says it's 2x1W, which is minimal power consumption. Even a LED light bulb uses more power.

 

[iamoneagain]

The Focal manual says it's 2x1W, which is minimal power consumption. Even a LED light bulb uses more power.

Oh good, so think people should just shut off sleep mode if having handshake issues.

Just thinking the energy you listed is the headphone output level, which not the same as how much energy is used by the amp. They say class A amps only around 25% efficient and the rest gets wasted on heat. So maybe figure using 8-10 watts or more which is still like leaving on modern led bulb on all the time.

 

[rickydenim]

I had the same idea.

I have a balanced cable on the way from here but it probably won't arrive for a week or so.

Nice! Let me know how you get on with it, that cable looks nice! Great price too.

With your testing, how you would compare the DAC's between the Arche & ADI-2/Qutest?

 

[iamoneagain]

I’ve got the Utopias and Arche and the pairing is sublime.
I’ve just ordered a Hugo2.
I’m fairly new to this so what would your thoughts be on using the Hugo2 as the Dac and the Arche as the Amp? Worth a shot or do you think it may not be as effective as the Arche on its own?

I’m curious about this. I definitely prefer the Focal Arche to the Hugo2 with the Utopia’s. Feels more powerful and fuller, warmer sound. Felt just slightly bass shy with the Hugo2. So wondering how using a Chord Dave with Focal Arche would sound. I don’t really find the Arche’s dac lacking, and I came from the Dave/mscaler. But I’m sure with side by side comparisons, just hear Chord’s improvement.