Dynaudio Focus 110 + amp v Focus 110A

[Diamond Joe]

This might be an impossible question, but does anyone have an idea at what price point the passive 110s + an amp out perform the active 110s?

I can't help thinking that the active 110s are a bit of a bargain, at only £500 more than the passive version you're not going to get near their performance with the passive plus a £500 amp.

I'd never even considered active speakers until all the recent discussions on this forum. Shame PMC dropped the active DB1s.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Agreed. I've not heard the active ones, but can't help thinking that even the best £500 amps aren't going to match up. Even if you bought second hand, you'd probably be looking at an Audiolab pre/power, which won't be short on power, but the active side of it will have an advantage. Plus you'd probably need some decent cable, which will add more to the cost.

 

[Craig M.]

the passive 110s need a very gutsy amp, which isn't cheap. a 2nd hand avi lsi would do the job for about £750, as would a primare i30 for about the same money, both work very well with them. gives you an idea of the sort of amp they need.

 

[Anonymous]

If you comparing prices then do not forget that you still need a preamp with active speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

..not if you are using an outboard DAC or a music streamer.

 

[Diamond Joe]

Craig M.:the passive 110s need a very gutsy amp, which isn't cheap. a 2nd hand avi lsi would do the job for about £750, as would a primare i30 for about the same money, both work very well with them. gives you an idea of the sort of amp they need.
That's pretty much what I was thinking, which makes the 110As very tempting indeed. I saw a Primare i30 go for £900 a couple of days ago, I was tempted to bid as it was only 10 miles away.

As for needing a pre amp, that's not a problem (in the short term) with a little alteration I can use my integrated amp for that job.

Cheers for the comments guys.

 

[Anonymous]

I find that the Roksan Kandy K2 works well with my Dynaudio Focus 140.

They sell for £800 so its £300 more than you'd like to spend, then again, give it a demo and you probably may want to change and increase your budget just like I did.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Whoizhe, just out of curiosity, how would you describe the sound of your Focus 110 + Roksan Kandy K2?

 

[Anonymous]

upsidesunny:
Hi Whoizhe, just out of curiosity, how would you describe the sound of your Focus 110 + Roksan Kandy K2?

Focus 140.

The Roksans:

*musically involving

*extremely dynamic

*bass is strong and tight but not overwhelming

*delivers the amount of current that the Dynaudios demand

Dynaudios:

*fills a medium sized room with ease without sounding thin and doesn't lose as much detail over distance compared to others that I've heard

*produces a wide soundstage when you have them properly distanced from each other and toed in at the right amount for the best overall sound quality

*vocals sound lifelike