01-Oct-2025, 10:21
(28-Sep-2025, 16:12)Confused Wrote: 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.
Devialet Expert Pro 220, ATC SCM40 speakers, Pro-Ject Xtension 9 turntable, Chord Signature XL speaker cable
