Thread: Talk me out of a devialet 200....

I'm about to pull the trigger on one. Anybody think it's a bad idea?

No, I've thought about it many times. I'd love your feedback and I'm still thinking about one.

I think the 800 would be killer!

Originally Posted by jaxwired

I'm about to pull the trigger on one. Anybody think it's a bad idea?

Tom I think you should get it and give feedback how it sounds. I'm also kind of considering one too. The Octave V110 makes my A/C go on more when it's playing music. The Octave is great in the winter but I've been considering SS for the summer months. Like the Nike slogan -- Just do it

Jax - I've had the 200 and 800 in for review/demo. If you have relatively efficient speakers with easy ohm loads and you are willing to live within the Devialet ecosystem, then the 200 is great. BUT - don't think about using the analog inputs on the Devialet - they suck.....with the exception of the phono input.


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I've had the 800 for demo and it's excellent. Feed it a digital signal and it will sound like hundred thousand dollars separate. Not quite strong enough to drive Raidho at extreme volumes but is plenty capable of playing in the mid 90s for sure. I have on the small one all the way up to the big one and they all pretty much sound identical. Devialet also stays on top of things with constant improvements with firmware update. It does not sound like an integrated to me. The flexibility of the unit is incredible. Probably the best sounding integrated and I have ever heard. It's extremely quiet and dynamic. But I am waiting on the musical Fidelity nuVista 800 before I make that call. For a one box solution I cannot think of anything that would compare to it.

Originally Posted by Mike

Jax - I've had the 200 and 800 in for review/demo. If you have relatively efficient speakers with easy ohm loads and you are willing to live within the Devialet ecosystem, then the 200 is great. BUT - don't think about using the analog inputs on the Devialet - they suck.....with the exception of the phono input.


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Thanks.

And I'm an all digital guy.

my speakers are 8ohms at 88db.

Originally Posted by astrotoy

Do any of your kids need money for college? :-)

Larry

Nope. All paid up....Florida College Savings Plan + Florida College Investment Plan.

I drive a crappy car if it makes you feel better.

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Originally Posted by jaxwired

Thanks.

And I'm an all digital guy.

my speakers are 8ohms at 88db.

Perfection! You will love it. Sweet sounding.


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Thanks everyone. My fever broke. Holding off for just a bit. Still might do it, just going to mull it over a little more first. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by jaxwired

Thanks everyone. My fever broke. Holding off for just a bit. Still might do it, just going to mull it over a little more first. Thanks again.

Good man.

would be a huge benefit if your speakers were supported by their SAM program to take full value of their product.

Nick

Originally Posted by jaxwired

Thanks everyone. My fever broke. Holding off for just a bit. Still might do it, just going to mull it over a little more first. Thanks again.

lmao!!! i get the same way when i want something. but for the record this is not the place to get talked out of buying something.lol. its the opposite. good luck let us know how it works out!!

Originally Posted by jap

A speaker needs a hundred votes to get into the SAM program.

Vote for Sam

Can you stuff the ballot-box?

Originally Posted by puroagave

I'm interested in hearing the Devialet make real music, I have to believe so many people cant be wrong. unfortunately, the two systems I heard at the same show using devialet were uninspiring. the sound being flat and one dimensional, in short, amusical. One was using the d-premier driving focal utopia scalas and the other the Martin Logan Montis. Jax, whatever you do try before you buy, YMMV.

Heard the same demos and had the same conclusion. The antithesis of live music.

As long as you have valid email addresses. I voted 5 times for Strads

Originally Posted by CDLehner

Can you stuff the ballot-box?

Talk me out....

Tough to do, it is supposed to be an exceptional product especially being used in an all digital system.

Originally Posted by briweed

[...] From what I have heard/seen many people are not 100% happy with the sound. I know 3 people that have found it really different and just never got used to it... two of them have dumped theirs.

B

+1, also know a number of folks who purchased a Devialet but sold them on a short time later. I guess we can say that about other audio solutions too - but the short tenure was an alarm for me.

Longer term ownership is not something captured by audio reviews. It is easy to be caught up in Devialets beauty, ease of use, flexibility, wonderful volume control and its clean cut crystalline HiFi sound - only later to discover its not right for you.

Better stop trying.

Chris C of computer audiophile will be doing formal Review of 200/400 amp very soon
Nick

Mauidan - welcome and looking forward to your impressions.

Ralph (Kiwi) - having had the 200 and 800 in my system, I think the main reason people would move on from the Devialet is the ecosystem mentality. The Devialet works very well if you use its DAC and phonostage and digital inputs only. The A-D-A conversion is bad - at best. So go digital out into the Devialet's digital in and you're fine (with the exception of the phonostage which is actually quite good). But, if you want to try out the latest and greatest DAC, forget about it. It will sound poor. Want to use the DSD DAC in your Esoteric K-01? Forget about it. It will sound poor.

Prior to my review, I remember reading how much effort Devialet put into their phonostage. The ability to use different RIAA curves was also nice - especially for older LP's.

On both units I had, they ran out of steam way way to fast. It could have been the difficult load from the Raidho's....not sure. But even the 800 started sputtering and hissing at about 93db. Devialet said there was something wrong with that unit. They said the same about the 200 as well. Hmmm....

If either unit performed to spec, I would have probably bought it. Because when it worked - it sounded terrific. And the remote is fantastic as well.


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Originally Posted by Arcade

I would suggest a demo before making a purchase with the Devialet. I did this, and found that the amp was quite nice but the dac was not much chop. My Esoteric K-03 killed it. I'm surprised they use the same dac stage in all their models, rather than give you improvements as you go to the higher models.

maybe, although plenty of people think it's a first class DAC. BUT, one of the things that's really attractive about a devialet is that much of it is software based. This means firmware upgrades can technically replace what would normally be a full component upgrade. Instead of buying next years model, just install the new firmware. That's pretty appealing from my perspective.

Originally Posted by CDLehner

Better stop trying.

True dat. 200 on the way.

Originally Posted by sharkmouth

Can you get the 800, I always wanted to try one in my system at an opportune moment

No problem. Let me just gen up my kick starter donation campaign and should be good to go in a few weeks. What can I put you down for?

Hey Cisco. Thanks. Definitely will be posting a video. And will be posting my written impressions here.

I have to say that I found the recent, rather extreme buzz for Devialet somehow exaggerated - especially the review/post from Soundstage Ultra.

The following is my perspective as a dealer of Devialet amongst other brands.

The Devialet's are remarkable machines - no doubt, incorporating a lot of new thinking wrapped up into a beautiful, fully integrated unit which representes the very essence of plug-and-play. It does indeed point out a new, alternative direction within high-end audio. That said, they're not for everyone - which some reviewers seems to ignore. Like everything else, there are pros and cons to this product, where it will not be to everyone's liking.

First of all, it's a more or less closed eco-system. For some, that's the hole point if you buy into the Devialet philosophy and/or if you're looking at seriously downsizing your system. Second, there are strong competition which offers performance at least as good - if not better. The Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 comes directly to mind. Third, placing the Devialet side by side with most tube based amplifiers out there will give you a quite different result - for better or worse (you decide). Finally, the end result will always rely on careful matching with your speakers (SAM or not...) and the rest of your system incl. cables, support etc. within the limits and challenges of your particular room.

Again, the Devialet needs to be put in context and direct comparision with the competition. They do not offer one universal truth that speaks to everyone.

/ Marcus

Dan, I'm trying to give you an honest opinion here. Believe it - or not.

All I'm saying is that Devialet isn't the solution to every need, preference or desire.

Originally Posted by mauidan

Soundstageultra's Changing-of-the-High-End-Guard, is not a review, but I can see how a dealer like you would feel threatened by it.

One little box replacing a High-End preamp, phono stage, DAC, amp and all those expensive cables.

Welcome to the forum garata!

Thank you for joining!

I thought Marcus's reply was sensible and well balanced. The Devialet is indeed a single box solution which in itself comes with a number of pros and cons.

If sound quality is the most important determinant then prospective purchasers had best include integrated amplifiers many of which include a DAC into consideration.

I'm happy for you - congrats!

/ Marcus

Originally Posted by garata

+1 on some of the extreme buzz surrounding Devialet products.

However, I have found my own hifi happy place with a D200 in an all digital system.

I think before I spent $9k for a Devialet 200 I would check out the Hegel G300 ($5k) which also has a built in DAC

Originally Posted by CPP

I think before I spent $9k for a Devialet 200 I would check out the Hegel G300 ($5k) which also has a built in DAC

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

Originally Posted by jaxwired

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

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.