Devialet Chat

I have tested two cardridges
1. Dynavector 20X2L what is low output 0,3mv MC. Phono setting I use is as suggested in configurator (460uf, 0,3mv, 0pf) With that cartridge I get hiss.
2. Soundsmith Zephyr mk3 what is high output 2,4mv MC. Settings I did use was high loading, 2,4mv and 200pf. With that cartridge I get buzz.

Have anyone found solution to get rid of the problems? This is really annoying when you can't play vinyl without problems.

I'm sure you've already looked in this section of the forum and have found many posts about hiss with low-output cartridges.  It seems to affect some people/systems and not others.  A popular, though not inexpensive, solution is to use a step-up transformer.

As far as I recall there are very few reports of problems with higher-output cartridges.  For example my cartridge (a Wilson Benesch Ply) is configured for a maximum output level of 1.6 mV, lower than your Zephyr, and I have no problems at all with hum.

From what you describe I'd suspect that there's something not quite right about the earth/grounding set-up in your system; perhaps an earth loop.  Have you tried checking whether there's any difference depending on whether or not the cartridge is grounded to the Devialet using a ground lead connected to the fiddly knurled binding post between the two RCA phono connectors?

I have red a lot of the discussion about hiss and buzz but haven't noticed people who have found solution. Step up doesn't remove the problem, it does make it smaller though. I don't see step up as a correct solution to repair Devialet's faulty phono.

Maybe I should write what I have tried so far.

With Dynavector it doesn't matter if the ground wire is connected to Devialet or not. Actually I tried to remove all the wires (except loudspeaker and power) from Devialet and the hiss was still there. So even the vinyl player in not connected to Devialet the hiss is there.

With Soundsmith the buzz stopped when removing vinyl player from the Devialet. But again, the ground wire didn't effect at all, connected or not.

Waiski. I Think there is something wrong vith devialet , i have ortofon cadenza Black , who altso Can give hiss , i bye a transformer and that help much , i have almost no hiss , i must put my ears too the speaker too hear hiss , and that is In high level .But before you do other thing try to close wifi on devialet and use cable instead , becorse i know that wifi Can make ploblems When you use turntable.

(10-Nov-2018, 20:04)Waiski Wrote: [ -> ]I have red a lot of the discussion about hiss and buzz but haven't noticed people who have found solution. Step up doesn't remove the problem, it does make it smaller though. I don't see step up as a correct solution to repair Devialet's faulty phono.

Maybe I should write what I have tried so far.

With Dynavector it doesn't matter if the ground wire is connected to Devialet or not. Actually I tried to remove all the wires (except loudspeaker and power) from Devialet and the hiss was still there. So even the vinyl player in not connected to Devialet the hiss is there.

With Soundsmith the buzz stopped when removing vinyl player from the Devialet. But again, the ground wire didn't effect at all, connected or not.

I’ve posted a bit about the hiss problem before. I have suffered with this using a Ortofon Kontrapunct B. Output is 0.47mV. I’ve had hiss with both my previous 220 Pro C/I and my current 250 Pro C/I. I’ve tried a variety of settings on the configurator and have never eliminated the hiss. My view is the Devialet phonostage is inadequate and cannot manage low output MC cartridges well. This has been a major disappointment to me because I know it is relatively easy these days to build a quiet phono stage. Having said that, generally they do seem to work best and quietest when they are not an integrated component of the amplifier.

I tried a 1:10 SUT and I had insufficient gain. A 1:20 SUT would be needed. The trouble with this is to get the needed gain by increasing the ratio, you sacrifice sound quality, in particular transparency, detail, micro detail and nuance. These are the very qualities that keep vinyl lovers loving their analogue source. Furthermore, whilst a SUT can offer a solution, they have other inadequacies which influence the sound, such as variable frequency related impedance. Therefore with a passive SUT in circuit, you have an unbalanced signal input.

One of the reasons I went for Devialet was the opportunity to dispense with a multitude of equipment boxes and allow me to throw away my rack. However, I have retained a small rack because I have concluded that the Devialet phonostage is not up to scratch when compared with other quality phonostages. I tried a Ray Samuel’s F-117 Nighthawk phonostage because it is very small. It sounded fairly good, but lacked the revelation of transparency and fine detail. Also it was, if you turned the wick up, electronically noisey which should inevitably be expected from a battery fed stage. Yes, contrary to popular belief, battery stages introduce noise. Do a google search if you doubt my claim.

I have just bought a secondhand Primare R32 Phono stage. It’s a big chassis, so my small equipment rack is sadly required, but boy oh boy does it do the business, fed into the 250 Pro line stage. Hiss is very slightly present with the volume turned up and the ear right next to the speaker, but at normal listening levels, any hiss is absolutely non-intrusive in the listening position even with very quiet music passages. Furthermore, the quality of sound reproduction has taken a massive step up overall. A very significant improvement over the sound quality of the inboard Devialet stage.

Steppers (SUT’s), as much as I don’t like them, are a simple solution and if you go this passive route, buy wisely because there are plenty on the market that outrageously cost more than a quality separate phonostage. They are actually a very simple small transformer component and you could save a packet by doing a very basic DIY job by just buying some quality transformers and building them into a simple project box with suitable wire and connectors. Google is your friend on how to do this.

I remain completely disappointed with the Devialet phonostage. However, if your vinyl playback is important to you, simply get a good separate phonostage. I have, and for serious listening, it is my source of choice. I have my ripped digital library on a sonicTransporter as well as Tidal streamed through Roon Lifetime and also Radio Paradise flac through a Raspberry Pi. Although I’ll listen with satisfaction to my streamed music, nothing I stream sounds as good as my vinyl system. It’s the most beautiful fully engaging emotional experience.

PS. Your buzz problem is probably an earthing issue. Check the earths from your cartridge, arm and possibly turntable as well.

I found the mistake from ground wire. It was broken from the amplifier end. Fixed it but it didn't effect on the hiss with Dynavector. Need to try Soundsmith some day.

Actually after I fixed the ground wire I got buzz also with Dynavector. When I did remove the ground wire then only hiss. I needed to re-route all the cables to get rid of the buzz when ground wire is connected.

Tested Soundsmith Zephyr mk3 with working arm grounding and the buzz was gone. So nothing wrong in Devialet.

Hiss with Dynavector seems to be problem that can't be solved...

(18-Nov-2018, 19:01)Waiski Wrote: [ -> ]Hiss with Dynavector seems to be problem that can't be solved...

It can’t be solved, but there is a way to have a quiet vinyl playing system with your Devialet, either using step up transformers or and preferably, a separate phonostage amplifier that doesn’t incorporate a stepper in it’s circuit.

Or an AT-33sa cartridge Greg


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Mai un problema di rumore con Jan Allaerts Mc1, AT OC9 III e Goldring 1042