Focal Arche | Headphone DAC, Amp, and Preamp
From Focal
Manufactured in France, Arche is a unique electronic solution which combines a digital-analog converter as well as two pure class A amplification modes designed especially for headphones. Ideal to sit between the digital sources and your audiophile headphones, Arche is the perfect solution to fully enjoy your headphones, whilst benefiting from the performance delivered by the converter to drive high-fidelity loudspeakers!
So Arche is an all-in-one solution, which also offers presets for every set of Focal High-Fidelity headphones (Utopia, Stellia, Clear, and Elegia) to make sure you get the absolute best from this ultimate combination: owners of Focal headphones can therefore be sure they are enjoying a combination of electronics and acoustics that is carefully thought out and specially developed from the very outset. Arche will be updated by using a USB stick.
Power and Precision
The two premium AK4490 balanced digital-analog converters can process formats in PCM format up to 384kHz, as well as DSD 256. The analog signal is then routed towards 2 pure class A amplification modes designed especially for headphones (voltage, hybrid) for an uncompromising solution. The original audio signal is totally respected, so as to reproduce the tiniest details of the recording.
Choose Your Amplification
Upon entry of the digital signal, Arche offers a resolutely audiophile design through its uncompromising dual mono construction, from signal processing to amplification. And thanks to the presets integrated, every user of Focal headphones gets amplification to suit their product and their favorite tonal balance.
Use and Design
Arche comes with a solid aluminum headphones mount inspired by the brand’s logo: accessing and storing the headphones is therefore quick and easy, as well as looking incredible and saving on space!
Key points:
- Digital-analog converter compatible with high-resolution formats (384kHz - 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-analog converter for high-fidelity home systems.
Specs
Max. power: 2 x 1W @ 1kHz under 32 Ω
Frequency response: 10Hz to 100kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0,001%
Signal-to-noise ratio: > 116dB @ 32 Ω (Class A)
Power supply: 85 to 265 Vac / 47 – 63Hz
Dimensions (H x L x D): 321 x 200 x 297mm
Weight: 10.25 lbs (4.65kg)
Audio inputs:
Unbalanced analog 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 analog 3-point XLR / Unbalanced analog RCA
Firmware update: via USB port (USB-A)
In the Box
- Arche DAC/Amplifier
- Aluminum Headphone Mount
