Focal Arch

Name: Arch
Brand: Focal
SKU: 3544054725061
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

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Overview

The Arche is a high-end headphone preamplifier designed and manufactured in France by Focal, a brand renowned for its speakers and audiophile headphones. This all-in-one device integrates a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) as well as two Class A amplifiers specially optimized for headphones.

A Versatile High-Resolution DAC

The digital heart of the Arche is based on two AKM AK4490 DACs operating in balanced mode. This full dual mono configuration, from signal processing to amplification, ensures high-precision sound reproduction. The DACs accept PCM signals up to 384 kHz and 24 bits as well as DSD streams up to DSD256 (11.2 MHz).

In terms of connectivity, the Arche features coaxial and optical S/PDIF inputs (up to 192 kHz / 24 bits), USB-B (up to 384 kHz / 24 bits and DSD256), as well as an unbalanced analog input on RCA. A USB-A input is dedicated to software updates.

Configurable Class A Amplification

The amplification section of the Arche stands out with its two operating modes:

The “voltage” mode delivers up to 2x1 W under 32 ohms, with a frequency response of 10 Hz to 100 kHz.
The “hybrid” mode, which combines voltage and current, is optimized for high-impedance headphones.

A gain selector (low/high) and a phase inversion function complete the settings. The harmonic distortion rate remains below 0.001% and the signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 116 dB (Class A, 32 ohms).

The available power allows optimal driving of most hi-fi headphones on the market, including the most demanding models. The unbalanced headphone output on a 6.35 mm jack is complemented by a balanced output on a 4-pin XLR.

Custom Presets for Focal Headphones

The Arche offers specific profiles for the entire range of Focal hi-fi headphones (Utopia, Stellia, Clear, Elegia, and Elear). These presets finely adjust the amplifier parameters according to the characteristics of each model. The user thus benefits from optimal synergy between electronics and transducers, the result of joint development.

A Versatile Preamplifier for Hi-Fi Systems

Beyond its role as a DAC/headphone amplifier, the Arche easily integrates into a traditional hi-fi system thanks to its balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analog outputs. It can thus serve as a preamplifier and digital-to-analog converter with active speakers or a power amplifier.

Premium Construction, Functional Design

Focal has paid particular attention to the design and manufacture of the Arche. The device adopts a sleek and elegant rectangular format. The black brushed aluminum front panel houses the screen, multifunction encoder, headphone outputs (6.35 mm jack and 4-pin XLR), as well as the radiator ventilation slots.

The fully metal chassis ensures excellent rigidity and contributes to optimal heat dissipation. A headphone stand inspired by the Focal logo ingeniously attaches to the top. The conical feet ensure good decoupling.

The backlit central display indicates the volume, selected source, sampling rate, and operating mode. Navigation through the menus is intuitive via the multifunction notched wheel.

Key Features

High-resolution double mono DAC (PCM 384 kHz / DSD256)
Configurable Class A amplification (voltage / hybrid)
Presets for Focal headphones
XLR and jack headphone outputs, XLR and RCA line outputs
S/PDIF inputs (coaxial and optical), USB and RCA
Gain selector and phase inverter
Premium construction and functional design
Made in France, updates via USB

What the press says

Focal has announced the release of the Stellia, a very high-end closed-back portable headphone. Its dedicated headphone amplifier, called the Arche, was developed by another French audio champion, Micromega. The device features a pure class A amplification stage and a high-end Hi-Res/DSD converter.

Automatically translated — Show original (French)

Focal a annoncé la sortie d’un casque nomade clos Stellia, très haut de gamme. Son ampli casque dédié, nommé Arche, a été élaboré par un autre champion de l’audio français, Micromega. L'appareil embarque un étage d’amplification qui travaille en pure classe A et un convertisseur Hi-Res/DSD haut de gamme.

FOCAL & MICROMEGA have also succeeded in the sound aspect of the ARCHE, as its performance is on par with the high-end headphones from the French brand, whose performance it enhances. This was certainly the case with the UTOPIA. The physical sobriety of the ARCHE is not at all reflective of the sonic richness and dynamics that it deploys with great naturalness and accuracy in reproducing the timbres of instruments and voices, while still preserving their proper dimensions.

Automatically translated — Show original (French)

FOCAL & MICROMEGA ont également réussi le volet sonore du ARCHE puisque ses performances sont à la hauteur des casques haut de gamme de la marque française dont il magnifie la performance. Ce fut en tout cas ce qu’il s’est produit avec l’UTOPIA. La sobriété physique du ARCHE n’est pas du tout à l’image de la richesse sonore, de la dynamique, qu’il déploie avec beaucoup de naturel et de justesse dans la reproduction des timbres des instruments et des voix auxquels il conserve cependant les justes dimensions.