Integrated amplifier for Focal Chorus 816 V

[vinodkumarpr]

Hi,

I am checking Focal Chorus 816 V speakers that is available for sale.
Focal 816 V: https://www.focal.com/sites/www.foc.../document/chorus_816v-specification_sheet.pdf

I was suggested NAD C 356 BEE Amplifier.

https://nadelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Data-Sheet-C-356BEE-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier.pdf

Does the amplifier good enough for these speakers? Any other suggestions?
Any showroom in Bangalore to check the amplifier?

An additional question, the speakers are unused and kept packed for a few years. Is there an issue with this?

Regards,
Vinod

 

[vinodkumarpr]

Hi,

More specifically:-
Focal Chorus 816 V gives Power RMS : 130Watts (8 Ω )
NAD C 356BEE : 80W (8 Ω )
1) When it is mentioned as 130 Watts : is it total Power (including two speakers) or just one speaker?
2) Do these amplifier and speakers match in terms of power requirements?

Is there any other amplifier that goes well with these speakers?

Regards,
Vinod

 

[aeroash]

1) When it is mentioned as 130 Watts : is it total Power (including two speakers) or just one speaker?

One speaker

2) Do these amplifier and speakers match in terms of power requirements?

This seems to be 40W per channel at 8 Ohms. Good enough to begin with.

 

[Smadhu]

Hi,

I am checking Focal Chorus 816 V speakers that is available for sale.
Focal 816 V: https://www.focal.com/sites/www.foc.../document/chorus_816v-specification_sheet.pdf

I was suggested NAD C 356 BEE Amplifier.

https://nadelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Data-Sheet-C-356BEE-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier.pdf

Does the amplifier good enough for these speakers? Any other suggestions?
Any showroom in Bangalore to check the amplifier?

An additional question, the speakers are unused and kept packed for a few years. Is there an issue with this?

Regards,
Vinod

NAD 356BEE is a decent amplifier which is warm sounding. It goes well with Focals which some may find seem a bit bright/revealing . 356BEE will drive the speakers reasonably well. A bit muddy in the bass. Nonetheless a musical and an enjoyable combination.

These are good for the budget and should keep you satisfied till such time you compare them to better amplifiers which will reveal its shortcomings. Yamaha RN 803 at similar budget should be fine as well.

However, if you are interested in amplifiers which are compatible and a bit on the higher side of the budget, you should try Rega Elex/Elicit, Roksan K3, Exposure 2510 to name a few.

An unused speaker should be fine however it would better if you can test/check the working condition.

 

[magma]

The 356 is an excellent amp

The 375 is even better ( everything. From the silverkine series )

Good recommendation

You might have to prebook if you want a fresh piece
New stock
Landing is 30 June

 

[vinodkumarpr]

The 356 is an excellent amp

The 375 is even better ( everything. From the silverkine series )

Good recommendation

You might have to prebook if you want a fresh piece
New stock
Landing is 30 June

Any dealers in Bangalore?

 

[magma]

Yes
Some are holding NAD stock

However the new dealers will get their fresh pieces
By 1st week July

Will update dealer list

Yes
Some are holding NAD stock

However the new dealers will get their fresh pieces
By 1st week July

Will update dealer list

 

[arj]

Hi,

More specifically:-
Focal Chorus 816 V gives Power RMS : 130Watts (8 Ω )
NAD C 356BEE : 80W (8 Ω )
1) When it is mentioned as 130 Watts : is it total Power (including two speakers) or just one speaker?
2) Do these amplifier and speakers match in terms of power requirements?

Is there any other amplifier that goes well with these speakers?

Regards,
Vinod

Speakers power requirement is not really the right way unless they have mentioned a min power requirement

The sensitivity is more important so in an average room upto 250 sqft...as the room becomes bigger the power needed will be more.
For 91dB and impedance not dipping below 4.3 ohms. any amp 30 W and above can power it easily as long as the amp can handle 4 ohms with no drop in power and almost any SS amp will be able to do that.

If you have the budget any naim amp will absolutely rock it . For the price the acoustic portrait amp will be far better than the NAD..I do believe the speaker deserves far more than a NAD , Another brand you can consider is Exposure which again, to my belief has better sound quality,

 

[vinodkumarpr]

Hi All,

Thanks for the suggestions.

Update:-

Took the speakers to a store ("Focal powered by Naim") in Bangalore.
The intended model - Naim Nait 5si - was not available.

Tested the following combination:
iPad (iTunes) => AirPlay => Naim NDX 2 (Network Player) => Naim Supernait 3 (Amplifier) => Focal Chorus 816 V

The experience was excellent.
A bit of concern on bass, maybe due to poor quality of audio source (iTunes). The amplifier (Naim Supernait 3) has a "Sub" RCA output to use with active subwoofer. Also, the amplifier itself is well out of budget.

Any models for warmer response - Arcam SA20, NAD?

PS: The store is good with multiple Home Theatre experiences and friendly staff.

Thanks,
Vinod

 

[vinodkumarpr]

Hi,

Update:-
Arcam SA20 Amplifier was procured from All Home Living. The chain is:-
iPhone (iTunes) -> Hifiberry DAC (on Raspberry Pi) -> Arcam SA20 -> Focal Chorus 816v

The experience is extremely good and completely satisfied with the amplifier and the speakers.

Thanks for giving all valuable advice and time.