Upgrade program kick-off

[Antoine]

It's always nice to read first impressions etc. so keep 'em coming but I'm personally always more interested in people's thoughts after they've lived with a new something for a week, or two. That's usually much more reliable IMO, unless of course a change is of the magnitude of new speakers for example. But even then, for a more balanced opinion, more time is needed to process and interpret changes and the full effect these have on you.

In this case people have been separated from their amp(s) for a week fews so it's bound to sound great without reservation at first listen. A bit like coming home from a few weeks of holiday and listening to your system again for the first time, if you know what I mean.

(For the same reason I think ABX tests don't work reliably. But this of course is an entirely different subject. )

[JohnWyatt34]

Ok, my upgraded 250 has been playing for 4 days now. 

First impressions:
- Soundstage is wider with more separation between instruments
- Even more microdetail (e.g. delays / reverbs are easier to hear)
- Bass and low mids are tighter and more dynamic, even at low volumes
- Upper mids are less harsh, i couldn't listen to 9.X.X and 10.X.X in my system because of this presentation on my Le 250, with 10.0.5 on the upgraded model it's not a problem anymore
- Presentation is more fluent and relaxed while still being dynamic

I was happy with 8.1.3 on my Le 250, the upgrade is definitely a step forward and i'm happy with it. Paid 2600 euro because of upgrading earlier from D-premier to 240. 3500 euro is a lot of money. I upgraded because of the reduced price and the new 5 year warranty, didn't expect too much of improvements in sound quality, but i'm pleasantly surprised.

[Nightmare]

And not least the personally expectations are big as is the hope on impressive improvement of sound quality spending so many bugs for a pig in the poke ;-) That should have paid of :-)

Brighter and tighter and more life in it are descriptions we heared after the latest firmare as well or changing the streamer. And some guys returened to the older one after a couple of days ;-) Don´t forget that there are thousend and thousend of bugs between the older unit and the Pro version. There should be more than a difference between firmwares (and a new OS board nobody knowns functional details of) so far to justify the upgrade step.

[JohnWyatt34]

And not least the personally expectations are big as is the hope on impressive improvement of sound quality spending so many bugs for a pig in the poke ;-) That should have paid of :-)

Brighter and tighter and more life in it are descriptions we heared after the latest firmare as well or changing the streamer. And some guys returened to the older one after a couple of days ;-) Don´t forget that there are thousend and thousend of bugs between the older unit and the Pro version. There should be more than a difference between firmwares (and a new OS board nobody knowns functional details of) so far to justify the upgrade step.

I think you would have to listen for yourself to decide if the improvements justify the upgrade cost. As i just said, in my system and to my ears the upgrade was worth it and i didn't have high expectations. Most dealers have the new models so no need to rely on others judgements anymore if you're sceptical.

[Mka]

And not least the personally expectations are big as is the hope on impressive improvement of sound quality spending so many bugs for a pig in the poke ;-) That should have paid of :-)

Personal expectations are alway influencing what you hear and there will be never an absolute truth. (Otherwise there would be nothing like high end ethernet cables).

I will meet with a couple friends to do an blind A/B in between the OdA and the D1000pro. I just finished an switch box to support this. We will be joined by the leading sound recording technician for classical music of  "bayrische Rundfunk", a classical musician of the bavarian state opera and two fellow devialet owners. The session will be supported by one of my interns to do the switching behind the scene.
This has grown much bigger that i intended it to be, but it somehow developed.
(And for the evening session we will have some good french wine :-) )

[brit]

And not least the personally expectations are big as is the hope on impressive improvement of sound quality spending so many bugs for a pig in the poke ;-) That should have paid of :-)

Personal expectations are alway influencing what you hear and there will be never an absolute truth. (Otherwise there would be nothing like high end ethernet cables).

I will meet with a couple friends to do an blind A/B in between the OdA and the D1000pro. I just finished an switch box to support this. We will be joined by the leading sound recording technician for classical music of  "bayrische Rundfunk", a classical musician of the bavarian state opera and two fellow devialet owners. The session will be supported by one of my interns to do the switching behind the scene.
This has grown much bigger that i intended it to be, but it somehow developed.
(And for the evening session we will have some good french wine :-) )

Hi Mka, Sounds like a fun, but intense session - the thought of that good wine will, of course, be a help . Will be very interested in your combined findings, and views.

I have heard the OdA, albeit in isolation and not against a D800 (my current Amp) and found it to be a very open and relaxing amplifier - I very much liked it, but at a cost .


I then, at a later session, heard the new D1000pro, against a D800, and thought that the D1000pro was a clear winner - it had the same open, and relaxed, presentation of the OdA and IMO gave a very much wider and deeper soundstage in comparison to the D800 - consequently I have a D1000pro on order and eagerly await delivery .

David

[GuillaumeB]

And not least the personally expectations are big as is the hope on impressive improvement of sound quality spending so many bugs for a pig in the poke ;-) That should have paid of :-)

Personal expectations are alway influencing what you hear and there will be never an absolute truth. (Otherwise there would be nothing like high end ethernet cables).

I will meet with a couple friends to do an blind A/B in between the OdA and the D1000pro. I just finished an switch box to support this. We will be joined by the leading sound recording technician for classical music of  "bayrische Rundfunk", a classical musician of the bavarian state opera and two fellow devialet owners. The session will be supported by one of my interns to do the switching behind the scene.
This has grown much bigger that i intended it to be, but it somehow developed.
(And for the evening session we will have some good french wine :-) )

This should be fascinating! Can't wait to read about your observations! 

Guillaume

[yabaVR]

... I just finished an switch box to support this. We will be joined by the leading sound recording technician ...

Can you do us a favour and listen to both of the amps w/o the switching devices, when you finished your A/B with them.
Am I right you will switch the speakercables and the source or do you stream via Air3?

The switching device could easily cut right into the performance differences of two amps of that quality. Assuming one of them is more transparent it can be that the more transparent is sounding more harsh/distorted/fluffy bass/smaller stage, but maybe that's only the switching device cutting in.

But anyway...have fun...it must be ;-)

gui

p.s. I would heavily appreciate to bring my tuned D200 (just for fun) as it easily outperformed the D250s of two friends of me, but unfortunatly I live in Berlin.

[jfp]

Talking about speakers and deep and wide stage. What you can say about D is a lack of deep stage and holographic stereo image. Although this could be due to the speakers. Hard to say. Mine cost more than 8000 euros but it is not significant as some Athom (2500 €) are nice sounding with D. I will have the chance to try D on Zu MK IV speakers with 99 DB rendering soon. Nice try before an upgrade or not.

[Mka]

... I just finished an switch box to support this. We will be joined by the leading sound recording technician ...

Can you do us a favour and listen to both of the amps w/o the switching devices, when you finished your A/B with them.
Am I right you will switch the speakercables and the source or do you stream via Air3?

The switching device could easily cut right into the performance differences of two amps of that quality. Assuming one of them is more transparent it can be that the more transparent is sounding more harsh/distorted/fluffy bass/smaller stage, but maybe that's only the switching device cutting in.

But anyway...have fun...it must be ;-)

gui

p.s. I would heavily appreciate to bring my tuned D200 (just for fun) as it easily outperformed the D250s of two friends of me, but unfortunatly I live in Berlin.

The switch box is equipped with wbt plugs and should be pretty neutral. But sure we will finalize without it. There are cheap flights from Berlin :-)