120 vs Supernait/HDX

[PhilP]

Currently a very frustrated Naim owner (long story) but... whilst I'll be keeping my original cdx2 and xps2 until the former dies I am quite happy to explore alternatives to 200/202/NAPSC/Hi-Cap2DR. Powerline on the 200 too. Powerigel on the rest.

I'm looking at the 120 or a First Watt. Both simplify the box count but offer, I think, slightly different things. What specifically do ex Naim owners feel they gain from a DeVialet?

Hi Mike,

First a comment on your existing system - I owned the same components and was never happy with them, I found the combination too bright and lacking in detail. I upgraded pretty quickly to a 282 and found that a very significant improvement over the 202 - a much more detailed, less harsh and much more enjoyable sound. So one option you could consider is a demo of the 282.

I think the 200 is a very good power amp for the money but a 250 is certainly a step up if you do move to a 282 (I tried the 202 with a 200 and it was disappointing combination). I used to enjoy listening to electronic and rock music with my CDX2/XPS2 but found that source annoying/fatiguing on other types of music. The NDX is perhaps not quite so engaging on electro/Rock but other types of music are far more acceptable. The other factors that persuaded me to sell my Naim gear were the very annoying buzzing transformers and dislike of the multi-box approach.

Don't get me wrong,I really like Naim amps but I'm afraid that I'm not impressed by their digital offerings apart from the NDS/555 streamer which I really like but it does cost £13k and the CD555 which sounds superb.

Anyway, I home demo'd the Devialet 200 against my Naim gear and found the Devialet to be far more detailed and transparent. Lyrics are much easier to understand on complex music, bass is tighter and more extended and it has been fascinating to hear new instrumental lines and a quite different presentation of music. I use my Devialet at least twice as much as I used to use my Naim system and don't get annoyed by it

The other advantages of Devialet: no need for a Fraim or other expensive support, fewer boxes, no buzzing transformers, no feeling that there's a need to endlessly upgrade. Also, the configurable phono input is excellent.