Return to Devialet or Other Suggestions?

[Damon]

Hello All, 

I'm checking in with a request for suggestions or advice from this community. Here's the deal:

I'm looking for a new/ replacement amplifier. I have a NAD M32.  It followed my 220 Pro CI. The NAD is good, but it never really felt or sounded engaging. 

For speakers I have Alta Audio Celesta FRM-2M stand-mounts. 87.5 db and 4 ohms. They are clear and precise with excellent bass, and a ribbon tweeter. More 'Magico' than 'Harbeth'. If you look at the review on the Audiophillia website, Anthony Kershaw has a review, and I have this exact pair- his review pair. You may have seen reviews of the smaller Alissa speakers from Alta. A British Audiophile and Jay's Iyagi both reviewed those speakers, in case some other opinions are helpful. I do also use a KEF 62 sub for just a bit of extra.... support. 

The NAD is fine, but does run out of oomf, and does not have the 'midrange sweetness' lets call it, of the Devialet amp, and so I'm looking to change the amp. I actually do want a bit more character this time, so another' remarkably neutral, just-gets-out-of-the-way' amp is not what I'm after. A tube preamp section is OK, but I'm not after a fully tube/ valve integrated. And I do want an integrated, BTW.

One other note is that we have in-wall speakers in the kitchen, running on a Bluesound PowerNode and the NAD M32 has the BluOS board in it, so we can use the two systems together or separately. That is a spouse-driven imperative, so no debates there, please. And I do understand that the Bluesound source imposes some SQ limitations in comparison to more exotic and expensive streamers. I anticipate that I'd get a Bluesound Node ICON as the next source for the new amp. 

To the point: 

I'd like to get opinions from the Devialet crowd about amp alternatives. Budget matters, and so does size and weight. I don't have a great space for gear, so something small and compact like the Devialet is really appealing. I'll almost certainly buy used, but sometimes good deals come along.

There is a recently recapped D-Premier available near me in Canada. I'd welcome your thoughts about this idea. Or any other brand people feel I should consider. I can also look for a 140 or something like that. 

One other request: Edit: I'm not concerned about upgrades for software or new features: I never felt abandoned in that regard. I also don't think I'll do a ProCI upgrade if I do get a used Expert amp. Just more money than hifi is worth to me at this point.

Otherwise, thanks in advance to everyone for their thoughts. 


       

[Zappydev]

Hi

I imagine you would be delighted with the D-Premier, especially if the price was right.

However, I would respectfully suggest that you replace the glass coffee-table that sits in front of your speakers.

I once had something very similar, and found that the glass top made the sound very ‘splashy’ as well as upsetting the stereo image quite significantly. Just my 2-cents

Good luck with your endeavours !

[Damon]

Thanks Zap,

The Nogouchi is not going anywhere. Nor the couch or brown leather chairs. I'd like to build a whole new room for me and my music stuff, but that's not in the cards either. I know there are many acoustic compromises in my room, and thats just the world I live in.

In all honesty, I've never been too hung up on imaging.... too many years of Naim equipment perhaps?

RE amp thoughts, I've considered Crayon, Unison and AVM, all used. The Luxman and Accuphase offerings don't quite get me going, but perhaps I'm being stubborn.

I do appreciate the response, however.

[thumb5]

Hello Damon,

I've had a long-running thought process about what I might choose if I had to replace my Devialet (heaven forbid!).  My requirements are likely not the same as yours, but so far the option that looks most compelling to me - at least on paper - is the Bel Canto Black EX Integrated.  It does have the virtue of offering a lot of flexibility while being very compact, though it's by no means as pretty as a Devialet Expert.  Not sure what budget you have in mind; these are rather pricey in the UK but perhaps a used one in the USA or Canada might be better value.  Also, to be clear, I have never heard one so have no idea whether it would have the "character" you're looking for.  (Reviews seem universally enthusiastic about the sound quality, but then don't they always?)

Hoping that might be of some help,

Ian

[Damon]

Just to follow up, I'm off the amplifier / hifi path for now. Some life changes here mean downsizing many things. I might even have to sell a couple of my electric basses....

I do want to say thanks for your contributions and suggestions. I do appreciate them as well as the conversations with my friend in Calgary.

Cheers