Devialet Chat

(09-Jul-2016, 06:36)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ]What have I missed? Isn't this the only upgrade that's been offered in the last three years?

Nothing missed. I was not clear in my post. I was referring to the 110>120, 17>200 etc updates, and then to the coming hardware upgrade option.

Plus the odd firmware update; think of the hours of fun that have been provided: owners leaping up front their chairs to change firmware versions, then sitting with eyes closed and heads bowed, listening intently for changes in the sound.... Then of course coming here to dissect it with their friends. Just as I do, except for the firmware upgrade part.

For the pending upgrade announcement, I don't see the stunt or the mess. Yes, we all agree that the content and timing of the delivery of information of the upgrade has been erratic, and yes, it is usually in the dramatic, excessive language that Devialet has settled on. But every bit of truth or rumour has been shredded, chewed and regurgitated over and over on this forum and (I assume) other forums.

Some current owners will be in a better upgrade position than others depending on length of ownership or model owned. Life isn't fair, and changes in a product line will inevitably disappoint some owners. Others will be thrilled. One day the D1000 Pro may be discontinued and replaced by a newer model. I have no expectation other than hoping this will be an upgrade that keeps Devialet at the forefront of hi-fi that is innovative, creative and produces sound that is among the best in the world.

To this last point, I think Devialet is all of those things with it's current line-up and I can't understand why anyone would be staking their continued ownership of Devialet on the hardware upgrade. If the product is worth owning now, last week, last year, then it is still worth owning. The option of a major factory-performed hardware transplant is very unusual in this world. It is not a flaw. If constantly buying new boxes is the hobby then this upgrade is an opportunity, not a crisis. 

Personally, I think the D120 is a remarkable product and a remarkable value at it's price. I assume others of more expensive models felt the same way when they settled on Devialet. I think it is interesting to see what a manufacturer can offer at the entry level; it is always easier to do more with more money, but the budget end of a product line is most intriguing (example KEF LS50). I feel the D120 is likely the last amplifier I will ever buy so the upgrade option is a matter of interest more than an automatic purchase plan.

Unless, of course, there is a new limited edition in orange paisley. Devialet, are you listening?

Just one other thought; Several pages ago there was chatter about the upgrade eliminating the D120-level product, and the current 120 & 200 combined to become a new entry level product at a higher purchase price. There was also some comparison with the current D250.

I thought that the difference between the D200 & D250 (in terms of power output potential) was due to casework and cooling. If so, then as someone said, possibly Antoine, the cost of production between the 120 & 200 is insignificant and unrelated to the retail price. Again, I think the value of the D120 is remarkable, and I would be disappointed to see the affordable end of Devialet disappear. But I can see the manufacturing and marketing strategy in such a move.

It may be that they see the Phantom line as the entry-level route for Devialet. A pair of white Phantoms costs less than a current D120, I think.

Thanks for helping me remember the 'fun I had' with two different firmware updates in which Devialet broke the cross-over functionality, requiring me to downgrade again and file bug reports.

(09-Jul-2016, 18:20)Antoine Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for helping me remember the 'fun I had' with two different firmware updates in which Devialet broke the cross-over functionality, requiring me to downgrade again and file bug reports.

....But this upgrade will be better...promised 

(09-Jul-2016, 18:18)Damon Wrote: [ -> ]Just one other thought; Several pages ago there was chatter about the upgrade eliminating the D120-level product, and the current 120 & 200 combined to become a new entry level product at a higher purchase price. There was also some comparison with the current D250.

I thought that the difference between the D200 & D250 (in terms of power output potential) was due to casework and cooling. If so, then as someone said, possibly Antoine, the cost of production between the 120 & 200 is insignificant and unrelated to the retail price. Again, I think the value of the D120 is remarkable, and I would be disappointed to see the affordable end of Devialet disappear. But I can see the manufacturing and marketing strategy in such a move.

It may be that they see the Phantom line as the entry-level route for Devialet. A pair of white Phantoms costs less than a current D120, I think.

As reported by at least two users with different sources (one of those being Devialet) there's still a new 130 Pro planned. But as nicolaudio already pointed out probably no owner would upgrade their 120 to that 130 Pro. So for them to pull their wallets they've decided to give them them an upgrade to the next model in line. It's really them correcting their own poor marketing/product differentiation and basing product names on the power output. Unfortunately they're giving current D200 owners a slap in the face doing so.

Have to agree with Damon on this one, having been through this with Linn and ultimately ended with up with a top of the range Klimax Exakt system with Exakt 350s, I chased the upgrades DS/0 to DS/1 then to Exakt with upgraded 350s, ultimately the sonic upgrades didn't warrant the pounds spent, even though the Linn renew option helped with the financial pain. I know I'm late to the game but I think my D400 sounds great and I won't be upgrading just to get a DNLA/Upnp streamer board, Roon over Air Ethernet is great, I can't believe the sound quality will improve enough to justify the upgrade cost, if you're happy now then rest easy and don't stress over a perceived must have upgrade..

(09-Jul-2016, 18:22)Pim van Vliet Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-Jul-2016, 18:20)Antoine Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for helping me remember the 'fun I had' with two different firmware updates in which Devialet broke the cross-over functionality, requiring me to downgrade again and file bug reports.

....But this upgrade will be better...promised 

They did stop screwing that up after the second time. It's the first thing I tested with every subsequent firmware update, though not many have appeared since.

(09-Jul-2016, 18:20)Antoine Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for helping me remember the 'fun I had' with two different firmware updates in which Devialet broke the cross-over functionality, requiring me to downgrade again and file bug reports.

No problem amigo; I'm here to help. Just wait until I finish this granola and do a quick hot-yoga class. I'll find my Birkenstocks and then do a firmware update on my stand-up paddle board. I've got all sorts of comforting advice about that too.

I missed the hard news about the 130 Pro, but if that is in the works, then I think that is great. I'm not sure its a poor marketing move. I would not have upgraded from a UnitiQute to a UnitQute 2, or from a SuperUniti to a SuperUniti b if I was still with Naim. The D120 becoming a D130 Pro seems like a like a bigger development than those Naim updates. But I know nothing about the D130 Pro, so I'll reserve judgement until I do.

Dannythered

Welcome to the forum. You picked a helluva thread to jump in on. Just a few more days and then we'll have a whole bunch of new news from Dev to throw around. Or not. Stick around. There are many knowledgeable folks here and the forum has been a great resource for me, especially before I bought a Devialet. Just to be clear: the others are knowledgeable; I am not.

You may be interested (but not surprised) to know that my fav local dealer used the D400 to power the new Magico S5 mkii at the recent Vancouver hi fi show. I did not go, but I know the dealer well enough to know that they would have done a skillful set up and demonstrations, so no doubt the sound was excellent.

Thanks Damon, just wish you hadn't mentioned speakers as that is the only niggle I have at the moment, not quite convinced with my present pair

Dannythered,

What are friends for if not to keep you guessing and shopping.

It is sort of a truism here that we all 'agree' on amplification, in terms of what we want our electronics to do and the sound character want. Then we feed it with a variety of sources, and finally we all go off in different directions when it comes to speakers. But have no doubt that you will get plenty of advice and prompting if you give these guys half a chance.