Hi all. I created an account to join in the fun here.
I’ve just picked up a second hand Arche, and of course immediately ran into USB issues. Honestly, it’s strange as hell. Sometimes it works fine for days and then won’t hold a USB connection at all.
The weirdest behaviour is that it tends to drop the usb connection after around 2 - 3 hours of listening. But… if I reconnect/reboot it will play files that are multiples of 48khz. E.g. 48, 96, 192. Any files that are multiples of 44khz (88, 176 etc) cause the connection to drop after a few seconds of playback.
What the hell Focal? Did you guys test this thing at all? If I’d paid full rrp I would be IRATE.
I’m using a Project Streambox DS2, so obviously I have to stay on the only firmware update or it won’t work at all.
My question is, do these dropouts extend to the optical, analogue and coax inputs as well, or are they more reliable?
I adore the sound of the unit itself, so am willing to stick with it and switch to a streamer that outputs coax or optical. But only if I can get it to be more reliable.
I’m assuming that Focal did cost/benefit analysis of properly fixing the Arche’s issues and decided to hang their customers out to dry. Not ideal.
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I was recently informed that the reason Focal dropped the Arche and isn’t able to fix the USB issue is because Focal partnered with Micromega on the Arche and then Micromega went out of business.
Oh dear. A shame they didn’t bother employing another party to help them fix it regardless.
I’m using mine Coax from the iFi Zen Stream.
It sounds superb this way.
I had tried several Linux based USB streamers (including the Zen Stream) but always ran into issues.
I had a lot more success with my Windows 10 laptop and the original firmware.
Note that, on (rare) occasion, the Arche won’t lock on the S/PDif. I have to stop and start playback for it to lock. Once it’s locked I never had issues.
I just bought an iFi Zen Stream this week, for this very reason! I haven’t had any issues with it over coax yet. Fingers crossed they are rare.
How does everyone else find the Arche’s handling of DSD?
It seems to me that Roon converts to PCM, regardless of what DSP settings I have dialed in.
Its no big deal, just a curiosity. Im on the latest firmware, the one that broke sample rates above 192khz.
But this firmware was never released!
I have an odd issue with the Arche: I updated to firmware V6CB to let it play roon off a Linux end-point.
But every few days, sporadically, the unit reverts back to V6CA on its own!
I then need to repeat the firmware process.
It is like there is a time bomb in the code. I do not understand this procedure.
My resolution was to switch to SPDIF, but I am not sure it is the best move.
I’m waiting for a Fiio k9 pro ess that is taking too long to arrive . They are out of stock… saw now in the used market a Focal Arche 1200€ it’s 400€ more than the K9 Pro ess , but I’m tried of waiting, it’s almost 3 months now…
What do you think Fiio k9 pro ess VS de Focal Arche ?
Headphones in the house are Focal radiance, Meze liric, Audeze Lcd-2c and harmonicdyne zeus. Also Audeze MM500 coming soon.
Thanks in advance for the help!
If you read through this thread, you will see that the Arche has been rife w/ problems. Focal appears to have given up on support for fixing those problems. Caveat Emptor.
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That’s an awful lot to pay for a troubled and orphaned device. I’d not be interested at half the price.
Do you both think then that is a bad investment ? Should I wait for the K9 Pro ESS?
I have no direct experience. However, as @senorx12562 says, this thread leaves a bad impression. No, I’d not buy it. Electronics are rarely ‘investments,’ as they routinely depreciate.
I don’t think you should buy the Arche, even though I am happy with mine. You’re comparing a used boutique DAC/amp to a new warrantied Chi-fi DAC/amp. It’s like comparing a used Ferrari to a Toyota Supra. Nothing wrong with either one. But if you’ve already decided that the Fiio is the one for you, I don’t think the Arche is a like-for-like substitute.
And then there is the two USB firmware bugs that you may have to deal with. IIRC connecting the Arche to a Linux box is a no-go and running it off of a Windows machine can be flaky. I haven’t had an issue with running mine from my Mac. YMMV.
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I can only say i would not buy it, especially at that price. If it was 3-400 and i was not going to use usb, maybe. But just maybe.
thanks for the feedback! i know that they are different products and understand that i could face some bugs with the Arche.
Still as you mencione Ferrari to Toyota, my main reason for choose one or the other is quality of sound… is the Arche better quality sound than the K9 pro Ess? I also know that the k9 pro ess will have more inputs/outs bells and whistles, the sound is whats more important to me… like better depth soundstage some flavour in the sound good bass… what i have seen in reviews for the k9 pro ess is very good for the money but sound more flat with THX i think then the Arche Class A…
I will use it connect directly to a PC with windows 10 also connect the arche dac to a Wooaudio WA6 tube amp.
I’d not put these devices so far apart in price/performance (Ferrari/Toyota). Also consider the infamous costs and headaches of often-broken exotic cars. I’m definitely a fan of Class A, but there are other Class A options.
Im negotiating the Arche, I asked for 1000€. And it’s now at 1080€ , let’s see .
I wouldn’t know as I haven’t heard the Fiio. But I can tell you the difference would be subtle at best.
Agreed. Analogies only go so far. I’m just saying that while they are both sports cars, you don’t typically cross shop those two.
I would agree. The Arche sounded fine, but the hiccups in the USB connection were constant and annoying. After waiting for a fix for months and months, I learned that they discontinued the Arche.
So I sold mine and purchased an Matrix Element X. Very happy with it.
Thank you all for the inputs!
The Arche is a really good amp for focal headphones.
The DAC - besides its quirks - sound good too. @Torq said it was on par with the RME ADI-2 DAC, which should be good enough for many.