[iamoneagain]

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.

 

[ASIN]

After getting the Arche I upgraded every part of my system. I would agree that a good source is very important, and that is where I ended up investing my money. After that I tried several cables to get a sound signature that I felt did justice to how the rest of the system sounded. I was very happy with WireWorld Cables, but after hearing Danacable Nirvana Lazuli FC, well my ears say thank you, my work rate has increased and I have found myself frequently lost in the music.

I need help...

 

[Hoegaardener70]

What is the going rate for the Arche at the moment, now that the promo is over. I (unfortunately) want to sell, but any buyer would take the promo price as reference minus something. Is there a chance to sell for 1500-1600 what I'd see as a fair price? Even for that I think the Arche is worth more. Thanks guys.

 

[rickydenim]

I'm looking at adding the Arche into my studio. Currently running the Motu M4 interface into my Focal Shape 50 monitors and using it's headphone amp. Just checking, I could run the RCA line-out from my Motu M4 -> Arche Analog Input and then connect my studio monitors to the Arche XLR outputs and then use it for monitoring my mixes on headphones also. This method is bypassing the Arche DAC correct?
Actually, as the Shape 50's don't have a volume level, how would this work with the Arche?

 

[iamoneagain]

I'm looking at adding the Arche into my studio. Currently running the Motu M4 interface into my Focal Shape 50 monitors and using it's headphone amp. Just checking, I could run the RCA line-out from my Motu M4 -> Arche Analog Input and then connect my studio monitors to the Arche XLR outputs and then use it for monitoring my mixes on headphones also. This method is bypassing the Arche DAC correct?
Actually, as the Shape 50's don't have a volume level, how would this work with the Arche?

If you feed the Arche with the analog inputs, it’s only going work as an amp. Not sure how the XLR outputs would work.

 

[rickydenim]

If you feed the Arche with the analog inputs, it’s only going work as an amp. Not sure how the XLR outputs would work.

Hmm so I would be double amping. In looking at the manual, it says to set the Arche to 99 when using those outputs that's why I am a bit confused!

 

[iamoneagain]

I guess I was only saying that the dac is bypass hooking up thru the rca jacks. Don’t know how the rest of it works.

 

[ASIN]

Arche discontinued Credit for the link: @HeavenlyD

 

[rickydenim]

I'm so torn on this. I know there are some USB related issues etc but at the price it's now going for, I am tempted! Wonder if they'll have a replacement or just getting of it altogether.

 

[HeavenlyD]

Just to clarify, I have an Arche arriving this weekend.
A little disappointed to find this out, however I got a good deal on it so unless im seeing Focal release a new DAC/amp very quickly I guess I have no alternative other than to stick with it..
But trying to understand these USB issues, I am going directly from USB C port in MacBook to Usb-B in back of Arche.
Are we saying this is causing issues currently and doesn't work, just trying to get the gist of what's happening here.

 

[iamoneagain]

Just to clarify, I have an Arche arriving this weekend.
A little disappointed to find this out, however I got a good deal on it so unless im seeing Focal release a new DAC/amp very quickly I guess I have no alternative other than to stick with it..
But trying to understand these USB issues, I am going directly from USB C port in MacBook to Usb-B in back of Arche.
Are we saying this is causing issues currently and doesn't work, just trying to get the gist of what's happening here.

Let us know if you have any issues. The Mac and Linux connections don’t need usb drivers, so that might help. Only time I’ve had a issue is if the Arche is still in standby when I start playing music. Then when I take it out of standby, it won’t play. Just need to unplug and plug back usb cord. But as long as I take it out of standby first, I’ve never had any issues. This is with a RPi type streamer. I may have missed any posts of people using a Mac and having issues.

If it doesn’t work out, I’m sure you could still return it.

 

[supermj]

It doesn’t work on my Mac on first go, I have to put it into standby and on again in the sequence I have mentioned before.

 

[ASIN]

It can be a pain, but it is worth it for the sound quality.

 

[thecrow]

For those in Australia
https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/collections/focal-sale-02-03-21

 

[lacedup]

For those in Australia
https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/collections/focal-sale-02-03-21

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