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a brief return to d-Premier
#1
I recently purchased a used d-Premier (thanks, cosmosound!), which I will be sending back to Devialet soon for an upgrade to D1000 (along with half of my D800). But this gave me the opportunity to compare the d-Premier with the D800 in my system. Always nice to check whether your system has actually made progress, or whether you are just running to stand still. It's like a trip in a time machine back to 2012 (when I bought my first d-Premier, since upgraded to D250, then D800, soon D1000).

First I spent some time just listening to the d-Premier. I liked it quite a bit. But upon switching to the D800, it was immediately obvious (within the first minute of listening) that the newer units are vastly better (even without SAM engaged). The bass is much faster and tighter, and the top end sounds much more open and natural. The d-Premier sounded a little "closed-in" from the upper midrange through treble, by comparison. (For those who care, my audition tracks are Maria McKee's "This Property is Condemned", Alan Toussaint's "Egyptian Fantasy", and the Bach Collegium Japan's "Herz und Mund und Herz und Leben" BWV 147.)

Nice to know that the upgrades have led to clear improvements (although at steadily increasing costs).

One other interesting detail: when I purchased my original d-Premier in 2012, I paid US$11,000 (used), and now four years later, I paid US$3,500 (used). Talk about depreciation!
Devialet 1000 Pro Core Infinity, Magico M3, Nordost Frey 2 speaker cable, PS Audio P15 Power Plant, Shunyata Alpha EF AC cable, Mac Mini running ROON.
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#2
(03-Jan-2017, 20:48)flohmann Wrote: I recently purchased a used d-Premier (thanks, cosmosound!), which I will be sending back to Devialet soon for an upgrade to D1000 (along with half of my D800). But this gave me the opportunity to compare the d-Premier with the D800 in my system. Always nice to check whether your system has actually made progress, or whether you are just running to stand still. It's like a trip in a time machine back to 2012 (when I bought my first d-Premier, since upgraded to D250, then D800, soon D1000).

First I spent some time just listening to the d-Premier. I liked it quite a bit. But upon switching to the D800, it was immediately obvious (within the first minute of listening) that the newer units are vastly better (even without SAM engaged). The bass is much faster and tighter, and the top end sounds much more open and natural. The d-Premier sounded a little "closed-in" from the upper midrange through treble, by comparison. (For those who care, my audition tracks are Maria McKee's "This Property is Condemned", Alan Toussaint's "Egyptian Fantasy", and the Bach Collegium Japan's "Herz und Mund und Herz und Leben" BWV 147.)

Nice to know that the upgrades have led to clear improvements (although at steadily increasing costs).

One other interesting detail: when I purchased my original d-Premier in 2012, I paid US$11,000 (used), and now four years later, I paid US$3,500 (used). Talk about depreciation!

Really appreciate this post, as I have always wondered how the original d-Premier compares to the new units. Sometimes I ask myself if the upgrade path was/is the best way to go and this feedback reinforces my "perceived" correct decision to do so. Thx!
Kii Three Speakers | JL Audio Fathom Subwoofer  | KEF LS50 Speakers | Samsung 850 Soundbar
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#3
(03-Jan-2017, 20:48)flohmann Wrote: I recently purchased a used d-Premier (thanks, cosmosound!), which I will be sending back to Devialet soon for an upgrade to D1000 (along with half of my D800). But this gave me the opportunity to compare the d-Premier with the D800 in my system. Always nice to check whether your system has actually made progress, or whether you are just running to stand still. It's like a trip in a time machine back to 2012 (when I bought my first d-Premier, since upgraded to D250, then D800, soon D1000).

One other interesting detail: when I purchased my original d-Premier in 2012, I paid US$11,000 (used), and now four years later, I paid US$3,500 (used). Talk about depreciation!

Well about the price. I have never seen in internet any D-premier offered for less than 4000 Euro. So this price 3500 USD is just so so low. Is it a unit with any damages? I would like to see any real offer for near mint D-premier for 3500. Please send me one Smile
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#4
Well, it had a couple scratches on the case (serial #00073 -- this one has been around from nearly the beginning!), but otherwise in perfect working order. I will admit that the price was a good one -- that's why I jumped on it (and thanks to Cosmosound, who sold it to me).
Devialet 1000 Pro Core Infinity, Magico M3, Nordost Frey 2 speaker cable, PS Audio P15 Power Plant, Shunyata Alpha EF AC cable, Mac Mini running ROON.
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#5
(10-Jan-2017, 21:28)flohmann Wrote: Well, it had a couple scratches on the case (serial #00073 -- this one has been around from nearly the beginning!), but otherwise in perfect working order. I will admit that the price was a good one -- that's why I jumped on it (and thanks to Cosmosound, who sold it to me).

it was pleasure dealing with you flohmann!

thanks  for the business!
 
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#6
(05-Jan-2017, 18:18)moreno1973 Wrote:
(03-Jan-2017, 20:48)flohmann Wrote: I recently purchased a used d-Premier (thanks, cosmosound!), which I will be sending back to Devialet soon for an upgrade to D1000 (along with half of my D800). But this gave me the opportunity to compare the d-Premier with the D800 in my system. Always nice to check whether your system has actually made progress, or whether you are just running to stand still. It's like a trip in a time machine back to 2012 (when I bought my first d-Premier, since upgraded to D250, then D800, soon D1000).

One other interesting detail: when I purchased my original d-Premier in 2012, I paid US$11,000 (used), and now four years later, I paid US$3,500 (used). Talk about depreciation!

Well about the price. I have never seen in internet any D-premier offered for less than 4000 Euro. So this price 3500 USD is just so so low. Is it a unit with any damages? I would like to see any real offer for near mint D-premier for 3500. Please send me one Smile

Moreno1973, it is difficult to find a Mint D-premier nowadays but if you are looking for one at great condition, come aboard my friend Smile
 
Distributors of High-End Audio equipment & accessories & International Exclusive dealers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brands:  HiDiamond, Essence of Music, Crystal Cable, Siltech Cable, VertexAQ, Audeze, Musical Fidelity, Wilson Benesch, Cardas Cables, Sennheiser, MusicalStones, Klutz Design. Acoustic Preference, Dynaudio, PS Audio, Ayon Audio, Dan D'agostino and many more Smile
Cosmosound Technologies (www.cosmo-tech.info)
eshop: www.echosaudio.net
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