Next Software Updates for Expert Amplifiers

[Hifi_swlon]

I see that the UPnP/DLNA or if we're lucky OpenHome support is way more important at this moment than any commercial software specific protocol. But that is just me of course The reason I think so is simply that it is an industry standard and you can find (free) control point software on almost any imaginable platform already. So you could have a streaming system that is usable with anyone owning a smart device as opposed to a streaming service available for those that have a Windows PC or a Mac and choose to leave their computers running 24/7 and pay $119 a year for this luxury.

Also from what I hear, Roon will (soon?) support streaming to Linn streamers, which would mean OpenHome support, which is an extension to DLNA/UPnP. So it would work with Devialet with UPnP-support directly or with a very trivial change.

Anyway, UPnP/DLNA/OpenHome support would make Devialet the one box solution I always hoped it would be. I don't know about the storage space on the Devialet, but basically I could incorporate all the features of Dialog inside Devialet expert range. Now that would be something.

I think RAAT is more in line with what Devialet wanted AIR to be - which is to say built with SQ as a priority, but different in that it's also robust, and able to deal with multi-room and all sample rates, and run on all OSs. Also, it's designed by people with a lot of practical experience making it stable in normal environments - with the designer previously creating similar ecosystem for Meridian/Sooloos.

Granted, right now Roon costs as reasonable amount to use (although personally I think the lifetime is a bargain), but I do think it's at the level Devialet themselves should have aimed for.

Upnp is old and wasn't really a very good design. Openhome - I know less about it but I hear it's better, but still has issues. I don't think anyone's arguing that RAAT isn't one of the best things out there right now. Actually, I hope they make it publicly available for use outside Roon, so that it becomes the defacto transport.

I'm a Roon user so of course I'm biased. But I still think it's the truth.

Unless Devialet create a new version of AIR that's stable for everyone on all platforms and at all sample rates, I couldn't really care less about it anymore. No one that understands their own technology leaves something out in the field in the state AIRs in. Not for that amount of time.  I think they made a mistake with its implementation, and just couldn't fess up - although in another post here they seem to have been quoted saying they based it on 'an unreliable protocol'. My hunch is they're struggling to create something better hence the delay. These things aren't easy, but if you can't do it right, it's best to know when to give up and get something else in. Or at least offer something else as well. Small companies of a couple of people seem to be able to implement something like RAAT In a matter of weeks or a month.

I think upnp as a sole solution would be a huge disappointment, although it would work for a lot of people I think it would be a step backwards technologically.

I'm not interested in Dialogue compatibility either. It seems like a badly designed piece of equipment, hindered by bad software, and means another box attached to the Devialet. There are plenty of better solutions out there already if you want to go that route, and many people have done so due to AIR issues. I do hear Dialogues are good for supplementing your central heating system though, but not sure how efficient it is....

I hope they surprise me and release a new AIR that works for everyone. I'll be ecstatic and people will get what they're owed. I just don't see it. (Sorry).