Hello All,
a few weeks ago, I bought a Devialet 120 demo model from a local dealer. It's a great piece of instrument, and together with my ATC SCM 11 it sounds fabulous. I am really impressed with this little thingy!
Currently, I am feeding the 120 with my Aurender N100H via USB to play my records either via the in-built HDD or streaming from Qobuz and Tidal. The two units work together greatly!
I was thinking if it makes sense to upgrade my Devialet 120 to either the Expert 140 Pro or 220 Pro with Core Infinity. I am not quite familiar yet with the Core Infinity, but I presume this would turn my 120 into a UPnP streamer, Roon compatible? In essence, it would replace my Aurender N100H, correct?
The price for the upgrade is not insignificant. Has anyone gone through upgrading his/her 120 to 140/220 with the Core Infinity? Whar is your experience? Worthwhile? Thanks for any input!
As you can see from my sig I own a 250 so my response may not be fully valid for your situation. I have done all the upgrades as they became available (my amp started as a D-Premier). The step from 250 to 250 Pro was profound. When the CI board was installed everything was refined ref the Pro upgrade, but the difference was not as big as 250->250 Pro.
It all boils down to what you are prepared to pay. I am sure a 140 Pro CI is very good indeed. With the recent introduction of the 210 dual mono (2x140 Pro CI) this is a good option for future improvements. I'd still recommend jumping to a 220 Pro CI if you can. It is probably a better amp, in particular if you do not see dual mono in your future.
The CI is already a UPnP streamer. Roon supports Devialet AIR (I think AIR is also supported by Roon on your 120). Roon RAAT for the CI is announced and should be here within the next 6 - 12 months. Good luck!
@
Sailor4W
There are many posts in several threads about the sound changes from the Expert series to the Pro series, and many here went from a D120 to a D220 Pro and CI. Most of those threads are over a year old. Here is one that you can start with.
https://devialetchat.com/Thread-Expert-P...nd-quality
In brief, I had a D120 and loved it, and I still think it is a wonderful product. Personally, I struggled with the cost of the upgrade, but the improvement to the D220 Pro was significant, and I'm still thrilled with the sound. I have never heard a D130 or 140 Pro, so I cannot say if the Pro sound is present there to the same degree as in the 220. I expect that it is, but with less power. The differences are not just power with the Pro series, and the posts in the thread above have many descriptions of those experiences.
There is no shame in staying with a D120 either. It is always good to get to a place where one can stop shopping.... as if.
(13-Sep-2018, 15:57)Damon Wrote: [ -> ]@Sailor4W
There are many posts in several threads about the sound changes from the Expert series to the Pro series, and many here went from a D120 to a D220 Pro and CI. Most of those threads are over a year old. Here is one that you can start with.
https://devialetchat.com/Thread-Expert-P...nd-quality
In brief, I had a D120 and loved it, and I still think it is a wonderful product. Personally, I struggled with the cost of the upgrade, but the improvement to the D220 Pro was significant, and I'm still thrilled with the sound. I have never heard a D130 or 140 Pro, so I cannot say if the Pro sound is present there to the same degree as in the 220. I expect that it is, but with less power. The differences are not just power with the Pro series, and the posts in the thread above have many descriptions of those experiences.
There is no shame in staying with a D120 either. It is always good to get to a place where one can stop shopping.... as if.
My thoughts exactly.
I bought a new D120. Bit the bullet and upgraded to the D220 PRO and then later the CI upgrade was done.
The biggest move from 120 to 220 was the extra power and control. It was a big improvement. Soundwise I don't think the CI upgrade did much for my ears but it solved my streaming issues.
If you are considering the upgrade, it may make financial sense to go 220 rather than 140 since the difference in cost, although not insignificant, makes it attractive. It is cheaper to do the 220 upgrade than upgrading to a 140 now and then adding another 140 later to go to a 210.
(13-Sep-2018, 14:44)ogs Wrote: [ -> ]As you can see from my sig I own a 250 so my response may not be fully valid for your situation. I have done all the upgrades as they became available (my amp started as a D-Premier). The step from 250 to 250 Pro was profound. When the CI board was installed everything was refined ref the Pro upgrade, but the difference was not as big as 250->250 Pro.
It all boils down to what you are prepared to pay. I am sure a 140 Pro CI is very good indeed. With the recent introduction of the 210 dual mono (2x140 Pro CI) this is a good option for future improvements. I'd still recommend jumping to a 220 Pro CI if you can. It is probably a better amp, in particular if you do not see dual mono in your future.
The CI is already a UPnP streamer. Roon supports Devialet AIR (I think AIR is also supported by Roon on your 120). Roon RAAT for the CI is announced and should be here within the next 6 - 12 months. Good luck!
Thanks for the advice! I must say, I am very much tempted to upgrade to the 220 Pro CI. It would make my Aurender obsolete, but I can always try to sell it. I very much like the Aurender N100H, so parting wouldn't be easy. But it also means simplifying my setup, which is a big bonus when I think of what complicated contraption I used to have
(13-Sep-2018, 15:57)Damon Wrote: [ -> ]@Sailor4W
There are many posts in several threads about the sound changes from the Expert series to the Pro series, and many here went from a D120 to a D220 Pro and CI. Most of those threads are over a year old. Here is one that you can start with.
https://devialetchat.com/Thread-Expert-P...nd-quality
In brief, I had a D120 and loved it, and I still think it is a wonderful product. Personally, I struggled with the cost of the upgrade, but the improvement to the D220 Pro was significant, and I'm still thrilled with the sound. I have never heard a D130 or 140 Pro, so I cannot say if the Pro sound is present there to the same degree as in the 220. I expect that it is, but with less power. The differences are not just power with the Pro series, and the posts in the thread above have many descriptions of those experiences.
There is no shame in staying with a D120 either. It is always good to get to a place where one can stop shopping.... as if.
Hi Damon, my apologies if I raised a question covered already in an existing thread, and thanks for the link! I am new to this forum and I still need to find my way through the various fora!
OK, very good to know that the upgrade to the 220 Pro is significant. I must say, I am leaning towards this solution. But I'll see, as I might upgrade my speakers as well, but all in good time.
(13-Sep-2018, 16:52)Drifter Wrote: [ -> ] (13-Sep-2018, 15:57)Damon Wrote: [ -> ]@Sailor4W
There are many posts in several threads about the sound changes from the Expert series to the Pro series, and many here went from a D120 to a D220 Pro and CI. Most of those threads are over a year old. Here is one that you can start with.
https://devialetchat.com/Thread-Expert-P...nd-quality
In brief, I had a D120 and loved it, and I still think it is a wonderful product. Personally, I struggled with the cost of the upgrade, but the improvement to the D220 Pro was significant, and I'm still thrilled with the sound. I have never heard a D130 or 140 Pro, so I cannot say if the Pro sound is present there to the same degree as in the 220. I expect that it is, but with less power. The differences are not just power with the Pro series, and the posts in the thread above have many descriptions of those experiences.
There is no shame in staying with a D120 either. It is always good to get to a place where one can stop shopping.... as if.
My thoughts exactly.
I bought a new D120. Bit the bullet and upgraded to the D220 PRO and then later the CI upgrade was done.
The biggest move from 120 to 220 was the extra power and control. It was a big improvement. Soundwise I don't think the CI upgrade did much for my ears but it solved my streaming issues.
If you are considering the upgrade, it may make financial sense to go 220 rather than 140 since the difference in cost, although not insignificant, makes it attractive. It is cheaper to do the 220 upgrade than upgrading to a 140 now and then adding another 140 later to go to a 210.
Oh, super, Drifter, I didn't know that one can upgrade the amp only and add the CI later on. So many options. I need to look into these things! As already mentioned, I am leaning towards the 220 upgrade. Thanks for all the good advice you people give me!
(13-Sep-2018, 15:57)Damon Wrote: [ -> ]@Sailor4W
There are many posts in several threads about the sound changes from the Expert series to the Pro series, and many here went from a D120 to a D220 Pro and CI. Most of those threads are over a year old. Here is one that you can start with.
https://devialetchat.com/Thread-Expert-P...nd-quality
In brief, I had a D120 and loved it, and I still think it is a wonderful product. Personally, I struggled with the cost of the upgrade, but the improvement to the D220 Pro was significant, and I'm still thrilled with the sound. I have never heard a D130 or 140 Pro, so I cannot say if the Pro sound is present there to the same degree as in the 220. I expect that it is, but with less power. The differences are not just power with the Pro series, and the posts in the thread above have many descriptions of those experiences.
There is no shame in staying with a D120 either. It is always good to get to a place where one can stop shopping.... as if.
Yes, upgrading to the 220 is steep with regards to cost. But so was the initial investment for a Devialet. I wouldn't be ashamed of staying with the D120, as you say, it's a wonderful sounding piece of kit! Since this is my retirement project, the upgrade would well be worth it! Thanks for the Expert Pro sound link!
(13-Sep-2018, 19:09)Sailor4W Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for the advice! I must say, I am very much tempted to upgrade to the 220 Pro CI. It would make my Aurender obsolete, but I can always try to sell it. I very much like the Aurender N100H, so parting wouldn't be easy. But it also means simplifying my setup, which is a big bonus when I think of what complicated contraption I used to have
Keep in mind that the Aurender might still give a positive improvement to sound quality even after the upgrade. So if you do upgrade, don't start counting your pennies you think you might get for the Aurender. I would mentally prepare for the cost of upgrade plus keeping the Aurender.
Another upgrade path that might give an even better increase in sound quality is the speakers. The 120 won't disappoint.
(13-Sep-2018, 19:17)Sailor4W Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Damon, my apologies if I raised a question covered already in an existing thread, and thanks for the link! I am new to this forum and I still need to find my way through the various fora!
OK, very good to know that the upgrade to the 220 Pro is significant. I must say, I am leaning towards this solution. But I'll see, as I might upgrade my speakers as well, but all in good time.
@
Sailor4W
No problem at all. I wasn't criticizing you for the question. Because the big upgrade move, to the Pro series generally, was done in the fall of 2016, those threads are older, and they can be hard to track down easily.
Believe me, I understand the dilemma. For me, the D120 was a difficult expenditure, and so was the upgrade. Not that it was threatening my retirement, but in terms of what I imagined spending, it was double.
Do search for some threads that discuss the sound quality change with the Pro; to many of us (but not all) there is a real change in sonic character. Personally, I was astounded by the improvement out of the box. Others were also surprised but not pleased. I'm not familiar with ATC speakers, though the dealer down the road from me has them, so I can't offer anything about how well they mesh. But detail and tone across the frequency range were notably improved for me. However, the Pro series was, for me, much more critical about cables; I had to fuss with things to tune the sound of the Pro, whereas the Expert amp, though amazing, did not reveal the same differences- it didn't require the same fussing with other bits of the system.
I agree with @
Pim on the Aurender. I'd keep it for a while if you do upgrade. It might be an ideal companion to either system.