Very positive user review of the 220

[Cylob]

I'm waiting some other comparison D220 vs D400, as it is now (with the prices of C200/D200 lowering so much...) a real question for D200 owners : D220 upgrade or D400 ?
Just talking SQ, not evo possibilities, nor streaming board

Today I compared the D200, D220 Pro and the D400 at a dealer as I had the same question. I must say in advance that I am not an experienced reviewer, so find it difficult to describe what I have experienced. We also had the problem that we could only use a completely different pair of loudspeakers than I am used to. I think I can speak out though on the relative differences and my personal preference from the 2 hours plus I have listened to these amps. First we listened for about twenty minutes to get used to the speakers and acoustics of the room. Then we listened more seriously to the D200.

When switching to the D220 Pro there was an immediate and noticable change in sound presentation. In comparison to the D200 this Amplifier made music with more ease and in a more relaxed way. Stage was also a bit bigger and deeper. The music sounded more analogue.

After a good listen to the D220 Pro we switched to the D400. The way the music was presented by the D220 Pro changed back to what we were used to with the D200. So maybe a bit more pointy and revealing sounding, but the spaciousness, the ease and authority grew to another level. Firmware was version 10.0.2 for all Devialets, so that may also have played a part in this comparison.

So this still leaves me with a big dilemma. I had hoped to get a clear answer on my dilemma. With the used speakers, I am still not sure yet though how big that difference between D200 and D220 Pro really would be in my setup. My speakers are just that much more revealing. I am pretty convinced though the D220 Pro has more performance to offer than we could hear in the used setup. It sounded better relative to the D200 in this setup, but not perse better than a D400. It somewhat seems to miss the authority and spaciousness the D400 brings and I crave for my next step.

So for now the D400 still has the edge for me. Using firmware 7.3 might very well change the D400 to have a more analogue music presentation. So I should probably find a way to try a D220 Pro and the D400 at home. If you ask me now I am really not sure yet what route to choose. But if put under pressure, I am kind of leaning towards continuing to save up to make a D400.

That said, I can only imagine how good the D440 Pro must perform combining the best of both D220 Pro and D400. We also listened to the D1000 Pro, and that is clearly the best of them all. More ease, the more analogue presentation of the Expert Pro and all the realism of a true reference system. Sadly not an option with my budget.

Finally someone who might compare a PRO with an old 7.1.3 setup. Can't wait to see those results.