Hi Guys, I'm currently using a pair of Focal Electra 1007Bes driven by an Almarro A318B 18w SET integrated amplifier. Source is a Monrio Top Loader Type 2.
I'm thinking of upgrading my setup and need your advice.
I listen to a wide variety of music:
Female vocals, mostly asian flavours like Olivia Ong, Corrine May etc.
Male vocals, mostly Belafonte and Michael Buble.
Occasionally modern jazz arrangements like 'Angels of Shanghai' by Bob James.
Big fan of old rock greats like The Eagles, Journey, Aerosmith, Guns 'N' Roses.
Even bigger fan of modern indie music like The XX, Florence and the Machine, Stars which have very intricate musical arrangements often with an expansive sound.
But my main diet of music is contemporary/current top 40 hits (I'm 20 years old), like Lady GaGa, Maroon 5, Kings of Leon, Taylor Swift and the list goes on.
Thinking of replacing the Almarro with a Pre/Power combo. I am about to purchase a used Red Wine Audio Isabella. But haven't decided on the power amp yet, but am seriously considering a First Watt J2. My worry is that it does not have enough power to drive the focals as it goes down to only 13w into 4 ohms.
I was hoping that this pairing with the First Watt J2 will allow much more control during complex passages while only sacrificing a little of the tube SET magic when it comes to vocals. My current 18w sounds glorious on simple to moderately complex tracks but gets breathless on say, Kings of Leon albums.
Can anyone weigh in on amps that have had terrific synergy with the Focals? My budget for the power amp is around $2500, prefer to buy used/demo.
Thanks in advance!