Oxford Audio Consultants - Astra launch event - 21 November

[G51]

Thanks for the summary. Glad that one came to make a direct petition at the scene, and, the co. representatives seemed to agree with it too, haha. BTW we could almost be sure that's the full history, hardware and software, of Expert range's era. Still hope Devialet will open source its data as some members may be able to do something on the software part.

[thumb5]

@RayMo The speakers were Stradivari G2, I believe.

[hardcore]

Thanks for sharing.

Was there any mention of support for DSD in the Astra?

[thumb5]

@hardcore No, nothing was mentioned about DSD support in the session I attended.

ETA: Devialet's web page says: "Roon ensures that Devialet Astra supports ... DSD64" which suggests that the hardware does not directly support DSD, as is the case for Expert. I recall that ADH requires a PCM input so it's unlikely that limitation will be removed any time soon.

[Confused]

One point I have just remembered regarding the new Astra remote. The question was asked; "is it compatible with the Expert" - the answer "No, but it does work with the Phantom".

So it would make a very nice remote indeed for those running Phantoms, if Deviialet decide to offer the Astra remote as a separate item. (I note Ian's earlier comment that it is not offered as a separate accessory, but this might change in the future I guess? I recall that the Expert remote was offered separately)

[hardcore]

@thumb5 thanks

The Experts have DSD support through this feature Devialet calls MAT:
https://www.devialet.com/media/wysiwyg/d...warev8.pdf

MAT DSD Core technology converts the DSD format into Expert internal native PCM 40 bits / 384 kHz format thanks to an optimized algorithm, limiting the amount of computational operations on the audio stream. Using only 15 bit perfect additions (no multiplication, no storage), the MAT algorithm performs a 128 taps, linear phase FIR (Finite Impulse Response) digital filter ensuring the conversion of the DSD format into internal native PCM format with truly outstanding performances.

[hardcore]

One point I have just remembered regarding the new Astra remote. The question was asked; "is it compatible with the Expert" - the answer "No, but it does work with the Phantom".

So it would make a very nice remote indeed for those running Phantoms, if Deviialet decide to offer the Astra remote as a separate item. (I note Ian's earlier comment that it is not offered as a separate accessory, but this might change in the future I guess? I recall that the Expert remote was offered separately)

This makes sense. The Expert remote uses Zigbee wireless networking. The Astra and Phantom remotes use Bluetooth.

The OS and software architecture of the Astra is probably closer to the Phantoms than the Expert.

[Confused]

One point I have just remembered regarding the new Astra remote. The question was asked; "is it compatible with the Expert" - the answer "No, but it does work with the Phantom".

So it would make a very nice remote indeed for those running Phantoms, if Devialet decide to offer the Astra remote as a separate item. (I note Ian's earlier comment that it is not offered as a separate accessory, but this might change in the future I guess? I recall that the Expert remote was offered separately)

This makes sense. The Expert remote uses Zigbee wireless networking. The Astra and Phantom remotes use Bluetooth.

The OS and software architecture of the Astra is probably closer to the Phantoms than the Expert.

I was thinking about this after the OAC event, wondering if the plan is for the Astra and Phantom to run the same software, or at least the same as far as is possible. This makes sense to me as the functionality for streaming music is the same, irrespective of if a Phantom or Astra is at the end of the chain.

[ogs]

One point I have just remembered regarding the new Astra remote. The question was asked; "is it compatible with the Expert" - the answer "No, but it does work with the Phantom".

So it would make a very nice remote indeed for those running Phantoms, if Deviialet decide to offer the Astra remote as a separate item. (I note Ian's earlier comment that it is not offered as a separate accessory, but this might change in the future I guess? I recall that the Expert remote was offered separately)

Hi @Confused 
If I remember correctly you prefer the AES/EBU input on Expert amps. Devialet seems to have skipped the AES/EBU input on Astra. Was this discussed at the OAC event? What do your think about this?

[Confused]

Hello @ogs - Yes, you recall correctly, and I still primarily use the AES/EBU input, fed by Mutec MC3+USB/REF10.

Unfortunately, this topic was not discussed during the session I attended at OAC. Which begs the question, was it discussed in any of the other sessions? (@thumb5 ?)

To be honest, I just see the loss of AES/EBU as an indication that there has been some effort made by Devialet to "cheapen" the design from a build cost point of view, which is a little disappointing.

It is debatable how much this matters though. With the Expert, my ears have detected a subtle difference in sound between using the USB input versus any S/PDIF input. Be that S/PDIF via AES/EBU or S/PDIF via coax. (Others prefer USB I know, this does seem to be a personal choice) I do not think there is much to choose between S/PDIF coax or S/PDIF AES/EBU input with the Expert Pro, I have achieved similar results using both. Of course, with the Astra, S/PDIF via AES/EBU versus S/PDIF via coax is not even a question.

in my view, this is one of the disappointing aspects of the Astra design, but it is what it is.