Weak Companion/Right Channel on Monoblocks

[GuillaumeB]

Here is Devialet support's response to my issue:

Dear Kerry,
Thank you for doing this cross-testing.
Apparently it seems that it is more linked to the difference that exists between a Stereo block and Dual-mono.
In fact it can come from the fact that there is more definition on the 400 and we are not used to have this kind of dynamics on The 200.
If you try it on a Devialet 800 it can also be quite astonishing at the first listening, because this reserve of power can segment the instrument in a very precise way.
The 400 compared to The 800 can also sound smoother, softer and more analytic.
I listened to the Dave Holland Quintet's "Juggler's Parade" and it happens to me that this is the kind of effect that you are experiencing.
I agree that this can lead to the segmentation of various instrument "on stage" but if you analyse the recording it is actually more "real" or more accurate to the recording.
You must know that we already discuss about this with the engineer and it is a result that they also noticed. Thank you for your feedback anyway.
Regards
Support Team

Its a little difficult to interpret their 'frenglish'   but they seem to think that the presentation of the D400 is closer to the recording than the D200.

Kerry

I've already shared this with Kerry but thought I would post on here too.

I have played Dave Holland Quintet's "Juggler's Parade" through the master unit only set up as a 250 and compared it to my usual 800 configuration.

First of all what a track! Fantastic jazz with great musicianship and sound quality. Highly recommended.

It was a little strange going back to the 250, although at first listen I was surprised at how good it sounded. Was also surprised at how high I had to turn the volume up (compared to my usual 800), at least 10db points more on the remote. 

Auditory memory is a funny thing since it was really only when I reverted back to my 800 setup that I realised quite what I was missing: a larger soundstage, better grip and delicacy of notes, more tonal texture in brass and double bass, better separation of instruments... I could go on! 

Now the track in question and the issue of the weaker RHS speaker. To my ears I could not detect this. I did notice that with the 250 the soundstage was perhaps a little flatter with instruments standing behind an imaginary line on the stage. With the 800 as the soundstage expanded instruments took different positions (with the brass section moving noticeably forward on the left hand side) and it was true that perhaps the drummer (on the right) had moved backwards a step or two. It certainly didn't sound like a weakness on my system.

Marvellous piece of music, thanks again to Kerry for sharing this. 

Guillaume