Astra reviews

[thumb5]

Matthieu Pernot confirmed at the Oxford Audio Consultants Astra launch event last November (when he was still at Devialet) that the ADH core in the Astra is based on the TI PCM1792, as it is still the best-performing part for that application.

[audio_engr]

This one seems to be a new one ...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6CH1qSQKDo

[jfddoc]

This one seems to be a new one ...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6CH1qSQKDo

Yes, this is only a few hours old and here is the link to the written review:


https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2025/06/0...e_vignette

[hardcore]

Nice to hear the comparisons to his other setups and how it sounds in a familiar home environment.

[Delija]

I don't know whether I trust more his "reviews" or his talking to ghosts

[Damon]

Howdy All,

Just when I am starting to browse for a used ProCI, Mr Huff comes out with his list of 10 favourite integrated amps. Oh well.

[ray1234]

Howdy All,

Just when I am starting to browse for a used ProCI, Mr Huff comes out with his list of 10 favourite integrated amps. Oh well.

When watching these Youtube reviewers, one has to pay attention to the playlist of songs they use. Steve basically plays electronic modern music, there is not a single classical music in his playlist. The sound he wants is airy, fast, clear with clean and tight bass. Devialet fits exactly, my guess is even an old Expert will fit his music nicely, it is no wonder that he praises the Astra playing those type of music. By the way, he mentioned in the video that Devialet uses a technology such that the amp is class A in preamp and class D in power amp, that shows how much he understands ADH......

Having played with an Expert 400 for a few years, I have no complaint on it for airyness, clarity and bass resolution and speed, even compared to top end gear today. However, when it comes to timber of musical instruments, atmosphere and vocal expressions, there are better amps out there.

[Damon]

I don't get too far into the weeds on this sort of thing, but I don't see that the sonic character of an amp could be better or worse for classical music, unless it is the sound character that one wants in general. I think there are plenty of Devialet owners who listen to classical music. But there are many electronics choices and certainly many will find other options that they prefer. But that he chose the Astra as the best overall, with those other options, still says a lot to me.

If there is a 'classical' or 'electronic modern' ability, then to me, that is just some portion of the frequency spectrum being emphasized or restricted in some way, unless there is some distortion at work.

Maybe nobody really cares, but my understanding is that it is a class A preamp section and a c.ass D power amp section. I don't recall his exact words, but that seems correct to me.

Regardless, as a fan of the amplifiers, even though I don't own one anymore, I'm very pleased to see a respected reviewer recognize the product for its sound quality, components and overall engineering and integration without getting silly and dismissing it for it's size or form or weight.

[Delija]

He had Devialet 200 in the past - and it was "the best amp ever" for him in these days.
Then he switched dozens of equipment and speakers - and 99% of them was "the best" in that moment.

He is VERY far from "respected" reviewer.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCja26BE...2QLShBdt8w

[Damon]

I'm not going to play with this mouse for very long, but I think its fair to say that S.Huff is well-respected as an audio reviewer by many viewers. And well-enough by companies who decide to send him equipment; in that regard, he is like many (or too many) who make a living/ income from talking at us on youtube. That he has a comedy channel about talking to the dead or ghosts has no relevance to his business taking about audio equipment. I'll totally agree with you that his radio-to-the-dead material is laughable and definitely dents his general credibility. That said, big religion, esp in the US, is a multi-billion dollar industry (untaxed) and so he is playing to a large audience.

All YT reviewers go through piles of equipment; if they didn't, people wouldn't bother to watch. Cars, guitars, audio equipment, and there are always favorites and new dramatic 'I bought it' titles. Thats the way it is, so no news there.

My point is that it is nice to see a Devialet product, that isn't a Phantom or Dione, favourably reviewed, even without side by side comparisons. Finally, my weak attempt at humour was that used Devialet amps may get a boost in interest just as I started thinking about buying a used Expert or Pro amp.