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    The Computer Audiophile

    By The Computer Audiophile •

    California Audio Show, Alpha DAC RS, and Devialet

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    thumb2.gif Just a quick post before heading off to the California Audio Show. I look forward to this show for many reasons, among them is meeting members of the Computer Audiophile community. I've met several readers at this show and events at local Bay Area dealers and I enjoy talking to them every year. A major plus for me at this show is that the highest density of Computer Audiophile readers is in Silicon Valley. There are tons of computer savvy audiophiles in the Bay Area in addition to the tons of traditional audiophiles looking to finally get on the computer audio bandwagon. At the show this year two rooms will feature the new Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC RS. I encourage all members of the Computer Audiophile community to spend some time with this DAC. There's nothing like it on the market today. In addition, those interested in hearing DSD files converted to high resolution PCM can do so in the MIT room through the Alpha DAC RS one main system or a headphone based system. The Bay Area is the place to be and I hope the California Audio Show, now in its fifth year, will prove to be a fun time for all attendees.

    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    One other quick note before I go. I've been living with the Devialet 200 for a few months and have thoroughly enjoyed this revolutionary component. When the Devialet first arrived is was a model 170. Around the time of the Munich High End show Devialet release a software upgrade that turned the 170 into a model 200. There was no charge to Devialet customers for this update. About one week ago I received another Devialet 200 slave unit. Connecting the two units turns the components into a Devialet 400 monoblock system with half the distortion, but double the power (not double the price). Due to current system constraints (a full Linn active system is currently installed in my listening room) I haven't been able to test the 400 monos with my TAD CR1 loudspeakers. Devialet recently added the CR1s to its list of SAM capable loudspeakers. I can't wait to give this full Devialet / SAM system a full workout. Thus far I really like what I've heard and the simplicity can't be beat. However, just as nice is the ability to configure the unit online and download the configuration to an SD card to insertion into the Devialet component. Computer Audiophiles have been updating configs and reconfiguring things online for years. It's about time we can configure our HiFi online.

     

    Toward the end of September I will visit Devialet in Paris and Normandy, France. I'm looking forward to learning more about the product and to see Devialet's state of the art manufacturing facility. Shortly after I return from my visit to France I will publish the complete Devialet 200 / 400 review. I'm excited and I hope the CA community is excited as well.

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    mav52

    Chris can you explain this statement

    Connecting the two units turns the components into a Devialet 400 monoblock system with half the distortion, but double the power (not double the price).
    You have to double the price since a person has to purchase two Devialet's to get the mono amp structure as one of the Devialets has to be the master and the other at an additional cost is the "companion" device and I guess that's then makes the dual 200's a Devialet 400.

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    The Computer Audiophile
    Chris can you explain this statement You have to double the price since a person has to purchase two Devialet's to get the mono amp structure as one of the Devialets has to be the master and the other at an additional cost is the "companion" device and I guess that's then makes the dual 200's a Devialet 400.

    The slave unit doesn't cost as much as the master.

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    mav52
    The slave unit doesn't cost as much as the master.

     

    A companion device (without the WiFi card)

    A Crystal Cable Standard Diamond digital link cable

    An SD-Card for the slave configuration

    A companion setup manual

     

    Is it only $1,000 less

     

    Also have you heard this unit with any planar speakers

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    wookie
    The slave unit doesn't cost as much as the master.

     

    The real comparison being addressed here is the comparison of Devialet to high-end traditional systems in general. I was recently blown away by all the glowing chatter about the innovative French product. So, in need of a new amp. I arranged to hear the Dev. in 400, dual mono configuration and a conventional digital system with a Dan D'Agostino stereo amp.

     

    First, the Devialet is a groundbreaking new innovation and I'm sure a lot of hifi product manufacturers are running scared right now. Before providing my own experience, dare I say that if anyone asked me what to buy (unless they were severely afflicted by the audiophile bug) I would point them straight to the Dev. and suggest looking no further. And what a value! People spend more on speaker cables.

     

    That respectfully said, I bought a D'Agostino. After making every effort to make this a fair comparison (I'll spare the details) I found the Devialet to excel in transparency (like none other) and in bass control/ impact, with or without SAM. Individual voices/ instruments stood apart and soundstage depth was drop jaw good. But for all the detail, clarity and 3-d imaging, it lacked texture and richness. It presented the parts spectacularly but the sum of the parts didn't add up quite right. I saw Ray LaMontagne in concert last night. Wow! Amplified in a large, albeit high quality hall, it lacked the crisp detail and transparency of the Dev. It was real! And that's what I want in my home.

     

    Final thoughts, first DARN, I was hoping to buy a Dev., sell my gear and have enough money in my pocket to offset today's market losses (argh). It wasn't to be, but without singing the praises of the D D'A, the Dev is not IMHO the penultimate audio device. It is an amazing new player and perhaps the best value today in high end? Is this a peek at the future? Wow! Maybe show stopping SQ in a future smartphone? At least we can all still squander our money on speakers!

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    Ajax

    Hi Chris,

     

    How's the review going?

     

    "Toward the end of September I will visit Devialet in Paris and Normandy, France. I'm looking forward to learning more about the product and to see Devialet's state of the art manufacturing facility. Shortly after I return from my visit to France I will publish the complete Devialet 200 / 400 review. I'm excited and I hope the CA community is excited as well."

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