Focal Arche DAC/Headphone Amplifier – Black

Here we have a well regarded digital to analogue converter/headphone amplifier from French company Focal, direct to us from a Focal Uk dealer having been their demo unit. Designed to get the best sound quality from headphones it also features specific presets for Focal’s own range. It is in excellent condition and comes in original factory packaging along with manual, mains cable plus 12 months warranty.
Focal Say…..
Arche is a unique audiophile solution. It combines a digital-analogue converter with two pure class A amplification modes (voltage, hybrid), designed especially for headphones. Arche also offers presets for every set of Focal headphones to make sure you get the absolute best from this ultimate combination. Its dual mono ultra-high performance construction makes it possible to separate management of the left and right channels, from the powering stage. The two balanced digital-analogue converters can process formats in PCM format, 384 kHz, as well as DSD 256. The analogue signal is then routed towards 2 pure class A amplification channels for an uncompromising solution. The original audio signal is thereby totally respected, so as to reproduce the tiniest details of the recording.
Features:
Digital-analogue converter compatible with high-resolution formats (384 kHz – DSD 256).
2 integrated amplifiers (voltage and hybrid): choose the amplifier type best suited to your headphones.
Presets for every set of Focal headphones: get the best from Focal’s combination of electronics and acoustics.
Dual mono audiophile construction from input of the digital signal to output of the self-powered signal.
Can also be used as a digital-analogue converter for high-fidelity home systems.
Specifications:
Audio Inputs: Unbalanced analogue RCA; Digital S/PDIF coaxial (RCA): Max. sampling frequency 192kHz (AES3-compatible) Max. resolution 24-bit; Optical digital (TOSlink) Max. sampling frequency 192kHz (AES3-compatible) Max. resolution 24-bit; Digital USB (USB-B): standard USB: USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 – USB audio class
Audio Outputs: Balanced analogue 3-point XLR; Unbalanced analogue RCA
Type: DAC and headphones amplifier
Maximum Power: 2 x 1 W @ 1 kHz under 32 Ω
Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 100 kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0,001%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 116 dB @ 32 Ω (Class A)
Power Supply: 85 to 265 Vac / 47 – 63 Hz
Dimensions: 200 (W) x 297 (D) x 60 (H) mm
Weight: 4.65 kg

To read a review from Hi-Fi+ magazine please click here