New product launch?

[MightyMart]

Constellation Audio has released an integrated amp in the Inspiration Series. According to my hifi dealer the differences between this amp and the pre+power amp combination is far less than expected. And the price? 12 500 USD, compared to 17 495 USD for the D400 in the US. If I had lived in the US this would have been a no-brainer, mildly put...

http://www.constellationaudio.com/ca/ins.../index.php

http://hometheaterreview.com/constellati...amplifier/

You need to get a decent DAC to go with it though since it's not built into the amp (they offer that option for the more expensive Argo integrated, so I think it's just a matter of time before it's available for the Inspiration version too).

I've heard the Inspiration pre+power combination (paired up with Magico S3) and it is a LOT better than Devialet 400, hands down. That much I can tell you. Constellation Audio is however very expensive here in Sweden. This is the only reason I haven't made to move so far, but with the new integrated now might be the time (it's 179 000 SEK or approx. 20 900 USD). I hope to audition it in September/October.

And next week I will hopefully be auditioning the Gryphon Diablo 300 (including the DAC module) at home, which I think could also be a good candidate to replace my D400.

http://www.gryphon-audio.dk/products/int...o-300.aspx

Yes, I'm very disappointed in Devialets inability to handle communication, pricing, marketing, delivering on promises and dates etc., and to do this without any amount of tact and finesse. They have once more shown how far they have drifted away from the most important group of end users and the prime ambassadors of the brand, namely the audiophiles.

I am very sorry, I've been trying to look at the latest development in a positive way but it's getting increasingly harder. Sure, I might reconsider after auditioning other gear and looking into my wallet but right now I all of a sudden find myself very tired and simply fed up. High end audio is not only about sound quality and how much this or that costs. It is also about the trust that a customer shows the manufacturer when purchasing very expensive gear. And when I read what many members of this forum have written for the last week or so, it really strikes me that many of us simply do not trust Devialet any more.

[dr.sah]

I would kill someone for D400 (joking). Why is there so many negative words regarding prices, upgrades?. Who else is offering upgrades? And if you are happy with setup, keep it and ignore upgrade.
And because new models have higher prices, old models wont loose on value a lot, if any.

[NickB]

I would kill someone for D400 (joking). Why is there so many negative words regarding prices, upgrades?.  Who else is offering upgrades? And if you are happy with setup, keep it and ignore upgrade.
And because new models have higher prices, old models wont loose on value a lot, if any.

That sort of positive attitude won't wash on here !!!!!!!

[GuillaumeB]

High end audio is not only about sound quality and how much this or that costs. It is also about the trust that a customer shows the manufacturer when purchasing very expensive gear. 

+1 I think that is absolutely spot on.

Now put yourself into my shoes having purchased Devialet's limited edition, anniversary edition, only to find that 3 months after delivery,  a "better" higher specified model is shipping. There was absolutely "no tact or finesse", to use your exact words, in the way that the launch of the 1000 Pro was communicated. None whatsoever.

Guillaume

[Frnch]

High end audio is not only about sound quality and how much this or that costs. It is also about the trust that a customer shows the manufacturer when purchasing very expensive gear. 

+1 I think that is absolutely spot on.

Now put yourself into my shoes having purchased Devialet's limited edition, anniversary edition, only to find that 3 months after delivery,  a "better" higher specified model is shipping. There was absolutely "no tact or finesse", to use your exact words, in the way that the launch of the 1000 Pro was communicated. None whatsoever.

Guillaume

Seems that Devialet need to find a way of regaining the confidence of their best customers the Od'A owners and I am not not sure a free upgrade in 2017 will be sufficient...

Devialet the ball is on your side!!!

[MightyMart]

I would kill someone for D400 (joking). Why is there so many negative words regarding prices, upgrades?.  Who else is offering upgrades? And if you are happy with setup, keep it and ignore upgrade.
And because new models have higher prices, old models wont loose on value a lot, if any.

High end audio is not only about sound quality and how much this or that costs. It is also about the trust that a customer shows the manufacturer when purchasing very expensive gear. 

+1 I think that is absolutely spot on.

Now put yourself into my shoes having purchased Devialet's limited edition, anniversary edition, only to find that 3 months after delivery,  a "better" higher specified model is shipping. There was absolutely "no tact or finesse", to use your exact words, in the way that the launch of the 1000 Pro was communicated. None whatsoever.

Guillaume

I can easily sympathize with the feelings you must have had after having received the news of the 1000 Pro so shortly after your purchase. I would have been completely gutted... 

Yes, it's a good thing Devialet invests in evolving its product line and they have done some really incredible stuff since they saw the light of day. There is however a very fine but equally important line to walk when it comes to getting the balance right between offering new and exciting products to your customers and at the same time letting existing owners take pride in their purchase with a feeling of having (in this case) one of the best amplifiers available on the market.

That owners pride though is easily squandered by too rapid product launches of even better gear and/or a marketing strategy that is increasingly hard to predict for existing owners. Devialet has managed to do both these things in a very short time. How the h*ll can Devialet justify launching the O d'A that is supposed to be the absolute state-of-the-art, "the best we are able to produce right now and for years to come" type of product and just months later trample all over it with the launch of an even better and NOT expect customers to feel disrespected?! I don't even own an O d'A and I get upset just hearing about it.

I started losing faith in Devialet prior to the announcement of the latest hardware upgrade. I had already taken an interest in other hifi brands by manufacturers with a completely different communication and marketing strategy compared to Devialets "we offer the best stuff in the world that will basically sell itself" attitude.

And some of these manufacturers make amplifiers that actually sound a lot better than Devialet and with the latest increases in pricing from Devialet their amplifiers are now approaching the costs of some of the even better ones. This simply makes a transition to another brand much easier to contemplate.

What do I get for being a Devialet owner? What are the benefits not to be found elsewhere? Those are the questions I'm struggling with at the moment and Devialet is playing a dangerous game at the moment if you ask me:

1. The products they offer are no longer all that unique (the physical size and looks of the amplifier put aside).
2. The sound quality is no longer exceptional in the specific price category. 
3. They have and are offering products/applications to customers that are not completely dependable and/or finished. (Ask yourselves what will happen if the coming streamer board will end up with the same critical flaws as AIR...)
4. They have not managed to set up a proper customer support.
5. They have no clear communications or marketing strategy.
6. Other brands also have upgrade programs that offer the existing customer to keep his/hers gear up-to-date.
7. Owners are starting to lose trust in them after having put up with a lot of frustration for years.

This latest development with the upgrade could simply be the straw that broke the famous camels back for some of the more dedicated and demanding owners with lots of cash invested in audio gear. 

Sorry for being all doom and gloom here. I still hope that I am incorrect in my views but it is getting harder for me to believe I really am.

[octaviars]

But if you are considering to buy other equipment is there other things that is equaly good at the same price with the same functions? Perhaps in the USA but here in Sweden prices on for say Constellation is sky high and that is out of my region.

I am very happy with my D400 and I will perhaps decide to upgrade if the prices here in Sweden are not driven up by the Swedish distributor who also has American brands like Constellation among others.

[rwjr44]

I would kill someone for D400 (joking). Why is there so many negative words regarding prices, upgrades?.  Who else is offering upgrades? And if you are happy with setup, keep it and ignore upgrade.
And because new models have higher prices, old models wont loose on value a lot, if any.

Upgrades are traditionally more expensive than owners' want them to be. I recollect people grumbling about Ayre, Theta, Mark Levinson and the cost of other high-end manufacturers' upgrades. HOWEVER, most companies have much better customer relations than Devialet.

[Axel]

High end audio is not only about sound quality and how much this or that costs. It is also about the trust that a customer shows the manufacturer when purchasing very expensive gear. 

+1 I think that is absolutely spot on.

Now put yourself into my shoes having purchased Devialet's limited edition, anniversary edition, only to find that 3 months after delivery,  a "better" higher specified model is shipping. There was absolutely "no tact or finesse", to use your exact words, in the way that the launch of the 1000 Pro was communicated. None whatsoever.

Guillaume

I appreciate your disappointment when Devialet announced the 1000 pro, but then I look back at your posts after you had taken delivery of your O d'A and how happy you were with the improvement in sound quality over the 800. Nothing will reverse that, Guillaume. You still have a blindingly good amp and a limited edition of only 100 worldwide. You also have the option of upgrading to 1000 pro spec. Be happy in the knowledge that your amp will always be one of a kind!

[GuillaumeB]

High end audio is not only about sound quality and how much this or that costs. It is also about the trust that a customer shows the manufacturer when purchasing very expensive gear. 

+1 I think that is absolutely spot on.

Now put yourself into my shoes having purchased Devialet's limited edition, anniversary edition, only to find that 3 months after delivery,  a "better" higher specified model is shipping. There was absolutely "no tact or finesse", to use your exact words, in the way that the launch of the 1000 Pro was communicated. None whatsoever.

Guillaume

I appreciate your disappointment when Devialet announced the 1000 pro, but then I look back at your posts after you had taken delivery of your O d'A and how happy you were with the improvement in sound quality over the 800. Nothing will reverse that, Guillaume. You still have a blindingly good amp and a limited edition of only 100 worldwide. You also have the option of upgrading to 1000 pro spec. Be happy in the knowledge that your amp will always be one of a kind!

Yeah you're right, it's a brilliant amp. But I still don't feel good about the whole business. It's not just the fact that a better model was launched but also the terrible comms surrounding the upgrade process. And now we are told that we are last in line for the upgrade which isn't terribly helpful.

Anyway I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me. 

Guillaume