Core Infinity listening impressions and comparisons

[watchnerd]

Um... what part of the idea is it that you do not understand?

A streaming board shouldn't have any sound. It's not doing analog conversion.

[Celts88]

Watch nerd, one of the primary reasons for the sound quality of the Devialet Expert range is the integration of the DAC in close proximity of the amplifier. My theory, and likely others on this forum, is that integrating the streamer board can also have a positive effect on sound quality. It’s not a given though. Some here have argued that putting a mini computer inside such a small case would introduce interference. That’s a valid concern.

So here we are, all awaiting with baited breath, to find out whether the new streamer board introduces better or worse sound.

Time will tell.

Um... what part of the idea is it that you do not understand?

A streaming board shouldn't have any sound.  It's not doing analog conversion.

Could some of the improvements have anything to do with me being told:

The Core Infinity board will effectively be the one to generate and distribute the purest clock signals, including the word clock. Those signals are then rerouted on the motherboard.

[ogs]

Um... what part of the idea is it that you do not understand?

A streaming board shouldn't have any sound.  It's not doing analog conversion.

Would this be a 'bits are bits' thing? I don't subscribe to that.

[Axel]

First impressions are very favourable. Firstly, everything seems to be working exactly as it did before the upgrade. Ethernet is now showing up as Air and there is a little Ethernet port symbol above the dB lettering on the display, which is there no matter what input is selected. There is an input labelled UPnP,
but to be honest, I haven’t a clue why I would want to use this! Perhaps someone can clue me up! There is more bass extension and definition and a “richness” to the sound. The tom-toms on the Dire Straits track, News from Communique, have a more realistic attack and decay in the reverb.
Soundstage doesn’t seem to have changed, but cymbals and other percussion have a nice crisp attack.

[f1eng]

Got mine going now. I appear no longer to have AIR Ethernet as a choice and UPNP has appeared as a source which I won't ever use. I haven't tried the phono input yet but CD works as before.
I didn't use USB before and haven't tried it yet, but at least it is connected now for if I ever want to listen to a file off my computer.
I won't make any comment about sound quality since it has been away for 4 weeks and my aural memory is about a few seconds
It looks pristine again.

[brit]

Got mine going now. I appear no longer to have AIR Ethernet as a choice and UPNP has appeared as a source which I won't ever use. I haven't tried the phono input yet but CD works as before.
I didn't use USB before and haven't tried it yet, but at least it is connected now for if I ever want to listen to a file off my computer.
I won't make any comment about sound quality since it has been away for 4 weeks and my aural memory is about a few seconds
It looks pristine again.

Would be interested to hear if the phono input is working, earlier reports indicated that it wasn't, but I may be mistaken. Also interested if USB is also OK.

I had an e-mail earlier today letting me know that my  D1000 pro was being picked up by UPS for onward delivery back to me. Can't wait to have it back and re-installed  .


David

[Vivialet]

did all of you send a pro to Devialet only for the CI update ? Or did you do the full pro update with CI board now ?
This info would be important.
So can we say that for SQ the following is true ?
250 < 250 pro < 250 pro with CI board

And this is valid for all inputs as the CI board has a superior clock that is also used for all other components now ?

[brit]

did all of you send a pro to Devialet only for the CI update ? Or did you do the full pro update with CI board now ?
This info would be important.
So can we say that for SQ the following is true ?
250 < 250 pro < 250 pro with CI board

And this is valid for all inputs as the CI board has a superior clock that is also used for all other components now ?

Mine was already a pro and only went back for the CI Board update. Can not answer for the CI board having a superior clock, but that may be the case.


David

[Vivialet]

so looking forward for your impressions. I also have a 1000 pro, but don't want to be without it over the next few weeks...

[watchnerd]

Watch nerd, one of the primary reasons for the sound quality of the Devialet Expert range is the integration of the DAC in close proximity of the amplifier. My theory, and likely others on this forum, is that integrating the streamer board can also have a positive effect on sound quality. It’s not a given though. Some here have argued that putting a mini computer inside such a small case would introduce interference. That’s a valid concern.

So here we are, all awaiting with baited breath, to find out whether the new streamer board introduces better or worse sound.

Time will tell.

Um... what part of the idea is it that you do not understand?

A streaming board shouldn't have any sound.  It's not doing analog conversion.

Could some of the improvements have anything to do with me being told:

The Core Infinity board will effectively be the one to generate and distribute the purest clock signals, including the word clock. Those signals are then rerouted on the motherboard.

That's good, but should really only make an audible difference if jitter on the previous board was high enough to be heard. I haven't seen any measurements to indicate that was the case.