27-Jan-2017, 20:04
I recently upgraded my 250 (previously upgraded from a D-Premier) to a 250 Pro; in short - very happy with the outcome.
Before I paid for yet another upgrade, I brought my 250 to the Devialet SoHo store in mid-December where I scheduled an A/B demo of my unit compared to a 250 Pro (I brought my own digital music files for the demo). They had B&W speakers there (I think they were the 804's). We did an apples-to-apples setup (same firmware, same SAM configuration, etc.). While their listening space is severely lacking (hard surfaces, noise from the upstairs room, etc; they did tell me that they have plans to turn that space into a serious listening room), there was an immediate and easily discernible difference/improvement in SQ. Always difficult to put into words what you hear, but I’ll try. Vs. the 250, the 250 Pro, sounded warmer with a more “integrated” but still very well defined and forward soundstage; more intimate, more cohesive, less thin. In short, more natural sounding. Not that the 250 or D-Premier was particularly lacking, but the Pro is a definite step up. Based on this, I left my 250 at the store to be processed for the upgrade, which I received back in perfect condition about three weeks later.
What heard in the store was repeated when I hooked it up at home. This was based on listening to a variety of digital files using my Bryston BDP-2 as the source through the XLR connection, and then going out to my Stenheim 2 and REL G2 sub in a 2.1 configuration (no SAM). Still need more listening time to consolidate my thoughts, but I am very happy with this upgrade, which BTW, was a significantly greater step up than the D-Premier to 250 upgrade, in my view.
Unfortunately, I’m still not getting the quality of sound out of my turntable that I’m hoping for. While this has nothing to do with the upgrade (the phono stage did not change), it just didn’t get any better. I have an Acoustic Signature WOW XL turntable with an Ortofon 2M cartridge. Not sure if the Devialet phono stage isn’t up to it or if I need to consider a different cartridge. But I digress.
Lastly, a shout out to Amaury of Devialet who was very helpful setting up the A/B test at the store and the upgrade process.
Before I paid for yet another upgrade, I brought my 250 to the Devialet SoHo store in mid-December where I scheduled an A/B demo of my unit compared to a 250 Pro (I brought my own digital music files for the demo). They had B&W speakers there (I think they were the 804's). We did an apples-to-apples setup (same firmware, same SAM configuration, etc.). While their listening space is severely lacking (hard surfaces, noise from the upstairs room, etc; they did tell me that they have plans to turn that space into a serious listening room), there was an immediate and easily discernible difference/improvement in SQ. Always difficult to put into words what you hear, but I’ll try. Vs. the 250, the 250 Pro, sounded warmer with a more “integrated” but still very well defined and forward soundstage; more intimate, more cohesive, less thin. In short, more natural sounding. Not that the 250 or D-Premier was particularly lacking, but the Pro is a definite step up. Based on this, I left my 250 at the store to be processed for the upgrade, which I received back in perfect condition about three weeks later.
What heard in the store was repeated when I hooked it up at home. This was based on listening to a variety of digital files using my Bryston BDP-2 as the source through the XLR connection, and then going out to my Stenheim 2 and REL G2 sub in a 2.1 configuration (no SAM). Still need more listening time to consolidate my thoughts, but I am very happy with this upgrade, which BTW, was a significantly greater step up than the D-Premier to 250 upgrade, in my view.
Unfortunately, I’m still not getting the quality of sound out of my turntable that I’m hoping for. While this has nothing to do with the upgrade (the phono stage did not change), it just didn’t get any better. I have an Acoustic Signature WOW XL turntable with an Ortofon 2M cartridge. Not sure if the Devialet phono stage isn’t up to it or if I need to consider a different cartridge. But I digress.
Lastly, a shout out to Amaury of Devialet who was very helpful setting up the A/B test at the store and the upgrade process.
Devialet 250 Pro, Bryston BDP-2, Acoustic Signature WOW XL with TA1000 Tonearm and Ortofon 2M cartridge, OPPO BDP-83SE, Stenheim Alumine Two, REL G2
