250 vs 800 vs The Best

[Pim]

Hi all

I was referred here from another forum.

I don't see a clear answer to my question tho.  So I am posting it in this new thread.

History

I owned some mid-level Naim separates running high end speakers (Tidal Piano Diacera).  Of course not a good match, with speakers under utilized.

I trialed at the time Devialet 170 then 250.  170 was not a clear step up from Naim but 250 was.

250 exhibited all the strength of 170 (clarity, power, bass control) without the obvious weaknesses of 170 (thin and somewhat bland).

So I went with 250.

Past few weeks

Having had the amp for a while, I know this is not the ultimate.  The sound with this combo is below some of the best I had heard (within reasonable price).  While I listen to music frequently, over time enjoyment faded somewhat.

E.g. one of the best sounding combo I heard ran a McIntosh monobloc 1Kw into similar speakers, with McIntosh pre and Esoteric CDP.  That sound was quite unbelievable.

So 2 weeks ago I asked my Tidal dealer to bring Tidal amps to my house for a demo.  Prisma pre and Impulse Monoblocs (overall close to their top combo).

Gap

The performances I have to say almost a magnitude difference, in terms of enjoyment.

Bass especially was amazing.  Surreal texture.  Punchy.  High was no less impressive than 250, and if anything even clearer.  Tremendous warmth like tube.

Question

The Tidal gears awfully expensive and huge (relatively).  I would hate to fork out that money and even more to find space for those big boxes and cables.  

So if 250 x 2 Devialet (or they call it 800?) is a big step up from 250, I would like to move in that direction.  I don't think it would be possible for 800 to close the gap, but if small enough could settle....I think.

Could I ask feedback on 800 over 250 please?  I think I only saw a couple of short comments about this comparison.  I would be grateful if anyone could share more insights.

Thanks
KW

KW,

I recently bought an 800 as a second setup and can say other then the obvious lift in dynamic range there is no different in sonic signature from 250, where YOU will gain benefit is not having to drive amp as hard.

Now what I am gonna say here might be controversial but what the heck it's my opinion. Firstly it your waiting for burn in, forget it, sound doesn't change its your ears adjusting to it. The only piece of Hifi that has a scientific reason for burn in/break in is cart needles and speakers and even then it's a matter of hours not 100s of hours.

Now SQ wise I can say with confidence from my opinion that there are MANY things I have heard for the price of the 250/800 that are better, my primary setup Jeff Rowland for example.

BUT what you sacrifice in SQ at that price range you gain in tech, configurability, look, form factor, reduction in cables (potentially SAM) long life cycle due to firmware updates, reduction in amount of units. All are big bonuses!

As impressive as Devialet products are you do need to heed not taking in too much of the marketing BS.. Am I happy with my 800 indeed! It is best small form factor unit and all in one solution I've seen/heard. Have I heard better at same price and less yes, but not with the convenience!

Personally if I only had one system and multiple units, cables and racks weren't an issue I would look elsewhere.


Are they best all in one solution at price probably yes are they best Hifi at the price overall in my opinion not close

Interesting read DBdub. When you say SQ of your other setup is better. In what way do you mean it is? You made me curious.

Thanks,

Pim