UK Hi-fi Show Live - 2025

[Confused]

I see that Devialet are included on the "exhibiting brands" list for Hi-fi Show Live 2025 at Ascot. This takes place 27th & 28th September.

At the time of writing, there appears to be no indication of what Devialet might be demonstrating. As the show is aimed more at the "high end" sector of the hifi world, I presume it will be a demo of the Astra, but with the new Phantom announced, maybe not?

According to the show's website, the show guide will be released on the 20th September. Hopefully this will provide some clarity as to what Devialet are planning.

https://hifishowlive.com/show-guide

I have visited the show on previous years and very much enjoyed the event. The current Ascot Racecourse location is spectacular, it is almost worth visiting just to have a look around and not bothering to listen to anything. It is also by far the most spacious audio show I have ever visited. The Ascot venue is huge, so if you like hifi but don't like crowds, it is the place to go.

Last time I visited there were some great sounding kit there, Devialet or not it is well worth a visit. This was 2023 and of note was the Boyer Audio room, which many stated was the "best sound at the show".

These Boyer Audio guys clearly know their stuff when it comes to hifi.  

(Although unfortunately they do not appear to be on the exhibitor list this year.)

[spater]

I see that Devialet are included on the "exhibiting brands" list for Hi-fi Show Live 2025 at Ascot. This takes place 27th & 28th September.

At the time of writing, there appears to be no indication of what Devialet might be demonstrating. As the show is aimed more at the "high end" sector of the hifi world, I presume it will be a demo of the Astra, but with the new Phantom announced, maybe not?

According to the show's website, the show guide will be released on the 20th September. Hopefully this will provide some clarity as to what Devialet are planning.

https://hifishowlive.com/show-guide

I have visited the show on previous years and very much enjoyed the event. The current Ascot Racecourse location is spectacular, it is almost worth visiting just to have a look around and not bothering to listen to anything. It is also by far the most spacious audio show I have ever visited. The Ascot venue is huge, so if you like hifi but don't like crowds, it is the place to go.

Last time I visited there were some great sounding kit there, Devialet or not it is well worth a visit. This was 2023 and of note was the Boyer Audio room, which many stated was the "best sound at the show".

These Boyer Audio guys clearly know their stuff when it comes to hifi.  

(Although unfortunately they do not appear to be on the exhibitor list this year.)

I'll be attending, and agree it is a well organised event in a lovely venue.
I shall pass by the Devialet stand to see what they are up to. 
They should be demoing nothing less than the Astra, to be in keeping with all the other hi-end manufacturers in attendance.

[Axel]

I see that Devialet are included on the "exhibiting brands" list for Hi-fi Show Live 2025 at Ascot. This takes place 27th & 28th September.

At the time of writing, there appears to be no indication of what Devialet might be demonstrating. As the show is aimed more at the "high end" sector of the hifi world, I presume it will be a demo of the Astra, but with the new Phantom announced, maybe not?

According to the show's website, the show guide will be released on the 20th September. Hopefully this will provide some clarity as to what Devialet are planning.

https://hifishowlive.com/show-guide

I have visited the show on previous years and very much enjoyed the event. The current Ascot Racecourse location is spectacular, it is almost worth visiting just to have a look around and not bothering to listen to anything. It is also by far the most spacious audio show I have ever visited. The Ascot venue is huge, so if you like hifi but don't like crowds, it is the place to go.

Last time I visited there were some great sounding kit there, Devialet or not it is well worth a visit. This was 2023 and of note was the Boyer Audio room, which many stated was the "best sound at the show".

These Boyer Audio guys clearly know their stuff when it comes to hifi.  

(Although unfortunately they do not appear to be on the exhibitor list this year.)

Boyer Audio. Run by one of the founders of this forum. Guillaume Boyer.

[Confused]

From the show guide:
(in the special events section)

2.15pm: Devialet; Suite 234-235, Level 2/Core C and D:
Digital file comparisons from MP3 to hi-res, and the world
launch of the Phantom Ultimate streaming loudspeakers

No mention of anything called Astra, which does surprise me. Maybe they will have the Astra there? Maybe they are just showcasing the launch of the new Phantom range?

@Axel - I may have known the above....     but joking apart, it was a great sounding room, so credit where credit is due.

[Delija]

Astra is born obsolete 🙃

[Axel]

From the show guide:
(in the special events section)

2.15pm: Devialet; Suite 234-235, Level 2/Core C and D:
Digital file comparisons from MP3 to hi-res, and the world
launch of the Phantom Ultimate streaming loudspeakers

No mention of anything called Astra, which does surprise me. Maybe they will have the Astra there? Maybe they are just showcasing the launch of the new Phantom range?

@Axel - I may have known the above....     but joking apart, it was a great sounding room, so credit where credit is due.

No slight intended. Nice to see that Guillaume is on the up! I remember listening to his d’Atelier/Wilson/Shunyata system at his home several years ago, and that was mighty impressive.

[Confused]

A quick update. I visited the Ascot show today. Devialet were there with the Mania, a single Astra, and the new Phantoms. When I visited they were demonstrating the Mania, and very impressive it was too for a small portable device. One of the staff in the room was occasionally picking it up an moving it around, just to demonstrate that it was the Mania running, rather than the Astra (with YG's again) the or Phantoms.

Interestingly, Mathieu Pernot was there. He said he was there because "these are still my babies", I presume he was referring to the new Phantoms. So it does at least look as if he has left Devialet on very good terms, considering he is there at the Phantom launch.

Overall, I though the show was a little disappointing this year. In no way was it a bad show, but it was nowhere near as good as when I last visited in 2023. There was were fewer exhibitors this time, and some of the really good stuff from '23 was simply absent.

[spater]

A quick update. I visited the Ascot show today. Devialet were there with the Mania, a single Astra, and the new Phantoms. When I visited they were demonstrating the Mania, and very impressive it was too for a small portable device. One of the staff in the room was occasionally picking it up an moving it around, just to demonstrate that it was the Mania running, rather than the Astra (with YG's again) the or Phantoms.

Interestingly, Mathieu Pernot was there. He said he was there because "these are still my babies", I presume he was referring to the new Phantoms. So it does at least look as if he has left Devialet on very good terms, considering he is there at the Phantom launch.

Overall, I though the show was a little disappointing this year. In no way was it a bad show, but it was nowhere near as good as when I last visited in 2023. There was were fewer exhibitors this time, and some of the really good stuff from '23 was simply absent.

I enjoyed the show and felt it was worth the trip. 
I attended various interesting talks (from Nagra sales rep, and Absolute Sounds distributor owner), and experienced some systems and speakers that wouldn't normally make it on to my shortlist.
I didn't twig that it was Mathieu hovering by the entrance to the Devialet room!
I had a chance to demo the Astra and was able to play a few of my usual test tracks.
But I was underwhelmed, esp. as it was paired with some pretty expensive YG Acoustics speakers.
In fairness, the other people in the room seemed to be enjoying the Astra.