Talk me out of a devialet 200....

Thanks Marcus.
A big part of the appeal of a D product for me is that it is an absolutely gorgeous and compact piece of industrial art. It can be almost invisible in my listening room whereas most alternatives tend to take over and dominate a room. Cable clutter is minimised. One's "cable budget" can stretch to more expensive cables if one is inclined and IME the D is quite responsive to cable quality.
 
jaxwired said:
Goodsounds just reviewed the devialet 120 and the reviewers reference amp happens to be the hegel 300. The reviewer clearly preferred the devialet to the hegel. He also preferred the devialet to the uber integrated musical fidelity m6500i.

Review here: SoundStage! Access | SoundStageAccess.com (GoodSound.com) | Devialet 120 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
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Don't forget to check out Used devialet for Sale | Hifi Shark, Second Hand Hifi Insight as there are some good deals on Devialet's

When I heard the Devialet at the Coral Cables Fl store it did sound pretty darn nice, but to me the trebles were a little on the dry side unlike what I would hear with tubes, or even good SS amps.. The Devialet can reduce desk clutter and is very wifey friendly and sometimes that's a good thing.
 
Let me weigh-in here, and add my .03.

In this hobby of ours...there is usually a consideration, other than just sound. Now don't have a knee-jerk reaction, and misconstrue that; I said usually...so I acknowledge there those of you out there, who are so hard-core...you'll put up with the ugliest of kit, because you think it sounds amazing. And I said other than just sound; so I'm not suggesting sound isn't important, or most-important. Just that there are some psycho-acoustics involved, in what we hear...and what we "like" (which is how I started "defending" my choices; where on other forums, people might challenge you. Rather than debate sound, which is nearly impossible; I would just simply say "I liked A better than B"...and there is no way, for someone to contradict my preference...lol.)

The reasons are complex...and I don't purport to understand them all; only to acknowledge that they exist...and to be somewhat in touch with my own. I mean...IMO...we start judging gear, right out of the box. How's the weight...how's the build-quality; yes, do we like the look...does it just feel good. Now...again; do these things take precedence over sound; of course, I sure hope not. But...does it put us in a predisposition, positive or negative; I think so.

And often...again, IMO...we can be drawn to a change-of-pace. For example...I told Jax, the Devialet is an audiophile darling right now; because of it's simplicity. As soon as I wrote it, I realized that wasn't quite right; and Jax called me on it. He was like "what are you talking about; audiophiles don't like simple. They like to futz". Yes...he's absolutely right; but that's what I mean by a change-of-pace. Guys who are futz-y...might take solace in the simplicity of "wow; you turn this thing on, and off you go. Music".

And not to say, that might not have it's appeal. After all...part of how we do, also, judge "sound"; is how much does this kit, get between me and the music. That's not really sonics...but I think it does factor in, and probably should; to how much do we "like" a piece, or not. Another change-of-pace example; sometimes, 'philes...and especially reviewers...love cheap stuff, lol. It's a palette-cleanser; after spending thousands, if not tens-of-thousands, on an amp...how refreshing is it, to try a $900 Rega Brio-R, and actually wring good sound from it?

But in the end...when our fling is over; we'll all go back, to what really drives us. We like kit, we like systems; we like to tweak and futz a bit. And...it's gotta have the best sound. Not everyone will agree, what is "best"; but it's gotta grab us, and really stir us. The Devialet eco-system, as someone put it; has no appeal to me whatsoever (and I am all digital and discless, for over 10 years now!). The reviews don't make me curious, because again; I think it's just change of pace. Same for the 'philes who dig it; to each their own.

Now...if Jax, who I've known for some time; and think has damn good taste, and audio sensibilities that closely match my own (we "met", when he and I both chased Dyn Contour 1.4s, with Special 25s; and then chased them, out of the house ;)). If Jax were to say "OMG; game changer!"...I'd have no choice but to take notice. But I'd still have to hear for myself, before I plunked down anywhere near this thing's asking price.

That being said...I hope his D200, delivers everything he is hoping for. When's she due Jax?
 
Really well said CD. I enjoyed reading that.

Should be about 3 weeks getting to me.

To be honest I'm not expecting a game changer but I am expecting it to be excellent. But I also worry that it will not surpass my existing gear which although modest sounds killer to me. We will see. If I don't get on with it I will sell quickly and hopefully not take a bath. I do believe I am buying the most popular unit in the line up which will help if I need to sell.

Of course Im hoping it's as amazing as many have said in which case I just focus on next years speaker upgrade which at this point is looking like either PMC fact 12s or the new KEF reference 5. Possibly would consider the blade 2 also.
 
CDLehner said:
Let me weigh-in here, and add my .03.

In this hobby of ours...there is usually a consideration, other than just sound. Now don't have a knee-jerk reaction, and misconstrue that; I said usually...so I acknowledge there those of you out there, who are so hard-core...you'll put up with the ugliest of kit, because you think it sounds amazing...
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when i see pretty boxes i wonder how many compromises were made to suit that form factor. did they come up with a slim (sublime?) chassis first, looking for a circuit to stuff into it or was it the other way around. I used to put way more emphasis in looks realizing with time it really had nothing to do with it [music] and is there to stoke the consumers metrosexual side.
 
puroagave said:
when i see pretty boxes i wonder how many compromises were made to suit that form factor. did they come up with a slim (sublime?) chassis first, looking for a circuit to stuff into it or was it the other way around. I used to put way more emphasis in looks realizing with time it really had nothing to do with it [music] and is there to stoke the consumers metrosexual side.
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I see your point...but I have a different take. Especially these days...I question what's really engineering design, and what's to fulfill some old-school notion, of what kit should be.

I've seen 400wpc class-D amps...that weigh 10 lbs, and are the size of a shoe-box; and then I've seen some...that still clock in a 50, 60, 70 lbs. Who's "right"? I mean, isn't one of the advantages of class-D...is that it doesn't need a 30-lb toroidal? Don't get me wrong; I admit...I'm still of a mind, that heavy = good. But I do wonder.

I've seen some awful big cases...that are half-empty; why...because the fear is, audiophiles won't take small and/or light kit seriously?

I mean, while we're at it...and I got shot down on this one before; so maybe I am in the minority. But who's got like 5 sources anymore? I think we're at a bit of cross-roads, when it comes to gear. If this Devialet takes some kind of foothold; there are plenty of other companies, poised to go in the same direction.

One of the things, that just makes me cautious about Devialet...just for example; is I never heard of 'em :) Which is often, what puts me off most all-in-ones. For example...I love amps by David Belles; and he's been doing it forever, and offers great bang for the buck IMO. But if he were to market a DAC, or speakers; what makes me think he's an expert in that area?

OTOH...I think a company like Wyred; who already has a reputation for good amps, and good DACs. They could...and probably will, very soon...do a very good all-in-one. Could be the beginning, of a real shift in the hi-end. Of course...now that Vinyl is in the midst of a comeback; we also have what's old is new again.
 
There's been many pretty lifestyle system that preceded the devialet and I can't remember a single one that was seriously considered a replacement for high end separates until now. What's different here? Got to be sound quality.
 
After that great review from Soundstage.....maybe I should give the Devielet another audition? When I first heard the D170....the SAM technology didn't come out yet and my present speakers, the Cremona Auditors M is available for SAM now.

Looking forward to your review jax....especially with your PMC Fact 8's.....I've always enjoy my time with my departed GB1i's....I should have tried the newer PMC's. :|
 
CDLehner said:
Let me weigh-in here, and add my .03.

For example...I told Jax, the Devialet is an audiophile darling right now; because of it's simplicity.


The Devialet is an audiophile darling right now and has been for over 4 years but some will still refer to D as being "flavor of the month".

It is a simple device to operate but under the bonnet it is extremely complex.
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puroagave said:
when i see pretty boxes i wonder how many compromises were made to suit that form factor. did they come up with a slim (sublime?) chassis first, looking for a circuit to stuff into it or was it the other way around. I used to put way more emphasis in looks realizing with time it really had nothing to do with it [music] and is there to stoke the consumers metrosexual side.
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She sure is purty !!! but not just a pretty face.
The "pretty box" of the Devialet is an integral part of the design.
They say that the 200 and the 250 use identical components internally. It is the casework that is different. The 200 case being very much cheaper.
The extra power that the 250 can deliver is due to the case. Apparently the 200 is near it's thermal limit but not so the 250. This allows the 250 to be configured/mapped for more power.

Dual mono 200's give the D400, but dual mono 250's are the D800 which actually don't deliver 800w into 6ohm but closer to 650w.
 
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