Thread: Devialet 400 review by Soundstage Magazine

Those graphs are certainly intriguing. The S1 looks both more accurate and extended than the S3 for example.


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Originally Posted by jaxwired

No argument that people may prefer other high end systems to a devialet system. But the idea that a more accurate cleaner audio signal is removing something that should be present like natural harmonics makes little sense. The devialet might well produce a cleaner and truer signal that eliminates something that people are used to hearing in other high end system. It is also true that some people might like the devialet system less because of this. However what is clearly not true is that whatever it is that has been lost from the signal is something that more closely reflects fidelty to the original music performance.

Well, considering amps that use lots of negative feedback show a plethora of higher harmonic distortion, despite low THD- Meps point makes sense to me.

Originally Posted by Mike

Let's ask it another way: for $9500 minus speakers and speaker cables, what could we buy that sounds better?

I once thought the same way, but hell, I gave up trying to put together a system for less or the same that would sound better. I couldn't come close.


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For SS, I'd buy the Ayre AX-5. I'm sure I can find a good, cheap used DAC to go with it. As for analog, I wouldn't want to change analog signals to digital anyways.

Originally Posted by KeithR

For SS, I'd buy the Ayre AX-5. I'm sure I can find a good, cheap used DAC to go with it. As for analog, I wouldn't want to change analog signals to digital anyways.

In principal, I agree. In reality, the Devialet Phonostage is outstanding. IMHO, sonically as good as many $10k standalone phonostages and more configurable than most.

As for the ax-5, again, you need a good DAC, cables, phonostage, etc. and none of that can do the things the Devialet can.

Originally Posted by nile49

Those graphs are certainly intriguing. The S1 looks both more accurate and extended than the S3 for example.


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Just to clarify, this is when comparing the pre-SAM data.



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Originally Posted by mauidan

Mike,
I'm looking forward to your comments on the D400 in your system.

I respect everyone opinion, but I really dislike people who feel the need to comment on something they've never heard in their system.

Can anyone direct me to any measurements done on the Zu Definition MKIV?

The measurements I’ve seen of some their other speakers look pretty nasty.

That seems to be the dominion of another website. I'm on your page. I don't care if you disagree; but at least have heard what is being discussed. No wanna, coulda, shoulda.

I've heard the Devialet driving a pair of Giya G2. It was nice, but I wasn't captivated to stick around. Maybe it was the speakers and SAM wasn't do its fixing thing. Maybe I'm a HiFi bigot and I was racially discriminating because tubes rule. Maybe it was the room and the Ruby Rhod company I was with, prancing a fashionably gay pitch to prospective apartment dwellers looking for form.

Would I consider this for an office system? Probably some later generation is the future and I think HiFi will gravitate this way and be driven by lifestyle demand.

Would I want to have a digital phono stage with a choice of AD sampling and RIAA de-emphasis in the digital domain and DAC (reconstitution)? Naaaahhh, but if it created a digital DSD file for me to archive into my digitial collection then I would buy one tomorrow!

I've heard the Devialet driving a pair of Giya G2. It was nice, but I wasn't captivated to stick around. Maybe it was the alien looking speakers and SAM had the day off. Maybe I'm a HiFi bigot and I was racially discriminating because Class A and tubes rule. Maybe it was the room and the Ruby Rhod company I was with, prancing a fashionably gay pitch to prospective apartment dwellers looking for form.

Would I consider this for an office system? Probably some later generation is a future buy when squares and curves will be a recognised marriage. I think HiFi will gravitate this way progressively, driven by lifestyle demand. For now, my wife has been meticulously groomed to appreciate boxes (plural) and cables (make a difference).

Would I want to have a digital phono stage with a choice of AD sampling and RIAA de-emphasis in the digital domain and DAC (reconstitution)? Naaaahhh, but if it created a digital DSD file for me to archive into my digitial collection then I would buy one all night long!

Apparently, its a dream setup to rip vinyl to 24/96 PCM....Or so I read. Not sure how/where the digital stream is captured and recorded to disk.

Originally Posted by wisnon

Apparently, its a dream setup to rip vinyl to 24/96 PCM....Or so I read. Not sure how/where the digital stream is captured and recorded to disk.

Norman...Someone needs to write about that end to end solution proposition and then this ADHype will have my attention.

When it can do vinyl rips to DSD128, I am sure we will all hear about it.

The Devialet is tough to swallow for many audiophiles. I get it. I totally get it. But the same audiophiles who bark about the importance of measurements, choose to ignore the excellent specs of the Devialet. Can you name another product with a 133db SN ratio? That's some bad ass black backgrounds.

I had one audiophile tell me, "I look at it, and just visually can't accept it." Yes, there aren't any big blue meters or humungous fins sticking out. I get it.

Then there is the "but it's class D and class D sucks" argument. Well, yes, to some extent....but the Devialet isn't pure class D. It's a Class AD hybrid and you can definitely hear the good characteristics of both.

I've had the privilege of demoing the D-Premier, D170/D200, and a D800 in my home, in my system. I loved them all, and tested everything I could on all of them to the greatest extent. The Devialet isn't perfect, but what product is? What didn't I like? Well, the analog inputs of the Devialet, with the exception of the phono, take the SQ down a notch or two when compared to the excellent digital inputs. This isn't the case with the phono because the folks at Devialet spent a painstaking amount of time and money getting the phono section just right - and it is! I put it up against some of my other phonostages, and left shaking my head. The phonostage is no afterthought that's for sure. If some people just can't get around ADA'ing your Vinyl, I get it. But don't knock it until you've tried it in your system and the flexibility and adjustability of that phonostage is a vinyl perfectionists dream come true.

I think the over exuberance by some in the media, just gets the backs up of many audiophiles. I mean, who likes reading the $6495 Devialet 120 beats everything a particular scribe has heard on his Magico's, including much much much more expensive gear (maybe gear you even own!). I get that. But I for one wouldn't be pitting the Devialet 120 against a pair of Soulution 701 monoblocks and a 725 preamp.

I had one dealer tell me he would put the Devialet 400 combo against any amp/preamp/dac/phonostage combo costing up to $70,000 in his store. I don't agree nor disagree because I look at each Devialet product within its price point, and within its price point and even beyond, it's a champ.

Oh...and don't try the Devialet remote. You will never be able to go back to that cheap piece of plastic you've been using again.

Originally Posted by mauidan

Have you heard any of the Devialets in your system?

Dan- No. I've heard the Devialet 3x at THE Show on a variety of speakers and it hasn't sounded good in any of those settings, but perhaps it would sound better elsewhere. I will search out the new Devialet products this year and hear them again- perhaps with SAM etc, they will improve. To be honest, bass wasn't my issue with the amplifier.

I wanted to like this amplifier as I'd like to simplify my rig. The demos I had weren't encouraging for me to search out a demo.

Originally Posted by mauidan

Mike,
I'm looking forward to your comments on the D400 in your system.

I respect everyone opinion, but I really dislike people who feel the need to comment on something they've never heard in their system.

Can anyone direct me to any measurements done on the Zu Definition MKIV?

The measurements I’ve seen of some their other speakers look pretty nasty.

So Dan, why did you have yours up for sale?

There aren't a good set of measurement for the IVs. The Essence in Stereophile doesn't compare design-wise (its near impossible to match a ribbon with the FRD), and the NRC Druid from years ago (2002) was done incorrectly and was Zus first speaker. There is a frequency/impedance chart in the back of the manual here:

Downloads | Zu Audio

I would love to see a full set of measurements, but its not coming.

Originally Posted by Mike

The Devialet is tough to swallow for many audiophiles. I get it. I totally get it. But the same audiophiles who bark about the importance of measurements, choose to ignore the excellent specs of the Devialet. Can you name another product with a 133db SN ratio? That's some bad ass black backgrounds.

Deleted.

Originally Posted by mauidan

Because I had a 200 and 400. Sold the 200 and kept the 400.

Great. I'm glad you like the Devialet/Wilson combo- I'd like to hear it. On Focals, MLs, etc it didn't work for me.

Originally Posted by Steve

Would I want to have a digital phono stage with a choice of AD sampling and RIAA de-emphasis in the digital domain and DAC (reconstitution)? Naaaahhh, but if it created a digital DSD file for me to archive into my digitial collection then I would buy one all night long!

Not DSD (yet), but you may find this interesting:

https://fr.devialet.com/assets/pdf/bi-dir-tutorial.pdf


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Oh, and they told me their goal is to have the firmware upgrade to allow for DSD by the summer.


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Well I'm officially playing with a D200. Last night I did a 3 hours listen. The D200 has about 10 hours on the unit. First impression, dead quiet, fit and finish A-1, sleek, cool looking, has a lot of potential. Power wise seem to be ok so far, time will tell also no heat issues at all. I have the Devialet sitting on Symposium Roller block 2’s due to size of my Argento power cord and speaker cables (spades). I'm letting it run all day, tonight I will see how good it holds up at higher decibels.

Some dumb questions why are all the units based on 6 ohms? Is there a dampen factor with type of unit? Any advantage of not ordering a unit with the wifi? Why is the D250 cost so much more than the D200?

IMG_1440.JPGIMG_1439.JPG

John, the D250 is the original D-Premier. The D200 is part of the newer Devialet family, and reportedly takes quite a jump when you add the "slave" unit and turn it into the D400 monos.


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Originally Posted by mauidan

Don't know if you D120, D200 and D400 owners are aware of this (it's not in the manual), if you want the rear cover to fit properly and snap into place, you need to gently spread the rear arms and snap them into position.

Good tip for new owners. This took me awhile to figure out. Before that I was annoyed by the loose fit.

Originally Posted by Bobolaclune

Mike , my slave 200 unit arrives tomorrow (after a long wait) so I'll let you know how that goes....

Shodhan

I'm looking forward to your comments.

My new stuff arrived today (Focal Scala V2's and D400) and I'm not home.




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OMG!

Awesome!

Nice Mike! Let us know how you like them together. I heard them together at the Audioshow they were made for each other

Very cool Mike, looks like you will be having a fun weekend.

And yes, Shodhan let us know what you think of the 400 vs the 200.

Looks good Mike ! Can't wait to hear what you think.

Originally Posted by Mike

I'm looking forward to your comments.

My new stuff arrived today (Focal Scala V2's and D400) and I'm not home.


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Vive la France!

HifiCritic to review it soon:
Devialet Review in HIFICRITIC - General HIFI Discussion - HIFICRITIC FORUM - HIFICRITIC FORUM : hi fi audio systems forum

and

http://forum.hificritic.com/yaf_post...aspx#post25032

Looking forward to it Norman. I'm glad he opened up the Devialet to see the "Class A" part to satisfy his curiosity.

Wondering how much class A before class D kicks in. I'm assuming not a lot since the unit I have doesn't heat up that much. Anybody stacking? How's that effect the unit? 3 days into playing with a D200. Very good bass control, clean and authoritative. I'm betting monos would be awesome.


John

Originally Posted by johnthomas

Wondering how much class A before class D kicks in. I'm assuming not a lot since the unit I have doesn't heat up that much. Anybody stacking? How's that effect the unit? 3 days into playing with a D200. Very good bass control, clean and authoritative. I'm betting monos would be awesome.


John

My understanding is that the Class A section is always working in tandem with the Class D. At CES, one of the reps explained that the Class A section gives the essential sound of the amp while the Class D produces the grunt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k83FHGHgUpU

In any subjective endeavour, there will always be different opinions. Objectively, Mike and others have pointed out the benefits. Show demos are just not a great way to decide if the sound is to your liking. Borrow a unit and bring it home. At least this way you will know if the features and sound work for you under your ideal circumstance.

Our own experience has been very positive. We've had tube amplifiers (ARC REF 150, KR mono) traded in for the D200, as well as a number of ss amps. All are long time audiophiles. Speakers range from Wilson Sophia to Magico. However, I also know of a client who had borrowed a D200 from another dealer, and did not like it as much.

In my showroom, the D200 compares remarkably well with the D'Agostino monos and pre. Both are different, both will cater to different clients, but the fact that a $10,000 all-in-one product is even comparable is remarkable. And the Devialet has features the mighty Dag doesn't! For years I've bemoaned the constantly rising cost of High End. Like Jeff Fritz, I'm truly glad to see products like Devialet.

As always, YMMV

Well said Adrian!









Stay tuned.


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Mike are you hooking up the monos right away or you going to do a stereo mode first.

Originally Posted by johnthomas

Mike are you hooking up the monos right away or you going to do a stereo mode first.

Monos. I've had the 200 in before.

Ok just finish reading the manual. Not whole lot of info. I have a dac question does the Devialet automatically upsample cds? If so can it be turned off.

Originally Posted by johnthomas

Ok just finish reading the manual. Not whole lot of info. I have a dac question does the Devialet automatically upsample cds? If so can it be turned off.

I think this is more dependent on what software you use. As for pure CD's from a transport, I don't think so.


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Originally Posted by mauidan

From the Soundstage Magazine review:

"All signals accepted by the Devialet 400 are processed in the digital domain. The digital inputs are capable of accepting all resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz, which are then upsampled to 384kHz."

I don't see anything in configurator to turn it off.

Thanks for clarifying.


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Well I hooked up ethernet cable today and downloaded Devialet iPhone app. Well that solved the problem of knowing the volume level without getting up as well as changing inputs. Right now when I play music thru the mac mini via USB I'm using itunes, pure music and remote app. I read somewhere that it's possible to bypass using pure music and use iTunes directly into the Devialet and pressing on the power button for a few seconds to see the sample rate playing. I don't see this in the manual. Has anyone read this or actually doing this? Is it even worth doing?

John

Originally Posted by Mike

Well said Adrian!









Stay tuned.


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No doubt an evolutionary product. I would like to see a turning point where the technological leap is revolutionary. This is despite the expected fallout of the multi-box rig, pound for pound, eventually being relegated into vintage audiophile history.

Originally Posted by Steve

No doubt an evolutionary product. I would like to see a turning point where the technological leap is revolutionary. This is despite the expected fallout of the multi-box rig, pound for pound, eventually being relegated into vintage audiophile history.

huh? Don't understand the second sentence. As for the first sentence, you don't consider inventing a new hybrid class A/D amp revolutionary? You don't consider harnessing high powered class A goodness into a box a fraction of the size previously required revolutionary? How many patents are on this thing? I'm betting many. How about reimagining the remote control? The Devialet remote is totally revolutionary compared to every other high end remote I've seen. And let's not forget how all the inputs and outputs can be dynamically reconfigured on the fly, that's revolutionary in my book. I don't see any other amps that can do it. Pretty much everything about the devialet is revolutionary from the record breaking specs to the appearance to the circuit design to the technology. The thing can be hung on the wall for Pete sake. You can turn a single unit into mono blocks without using an analog connection. That's revolutionary as hell. Compare this to PASS or Bryston or McIntosh or Krell, how have their amps changed in the last decade? Tiny tweaks and a new face plate. Now that's evolutionary.