Trolling

[Damon]

... I too have sold my high end Naim system, looking at getting a SuperUniti instead due to the fact there isn't a proper streaming solution with the Devialet. All these external streamers are a compromise and makes the box count two plus more interconnects. The whole concept of Devialet was a one box device. So the merry go round starts again.

The 'one box' idea doesn't mean everything in a hi-fi system. A source or music is part of every other system, including Naim, who will push to sell you a UnitiServer, and some cables. Don't forget speakers and their cables; The box count, or component count, is variable depending on where you start and stop counting.

When you see how well Naim have implemented the streaming side of things, uPnP, iRadio, The fact you have a USB port to insert USB sticks to play FLAC or WAV files. It's very convenient. But they don't do a single box solution that sounds as good as the Devialet does.

It's a shame Devialet haven't built their Devialet 120/200/250 with a built in streamer much like Naim's.

I agree, the convenience of an accessible USB port is very nice, and I'd like to see that on the Devialet. It makes it easy to play something quickly and easily, especially if a friend wants to bring over some music to play. The iRadio is excellent, and we'll miss that for sure. But currently we also need other boxes to get other streaming or internet radio services. But I know, and I'm sure others do as well, that it's not all sweetness and light. Hell, after two years we still start up the Naim app, and hold our breath until it actually connects. Because too often, it doesn't.

The trouble with buying into Devialet right now is that it's a young company that's still developing their products so in a way it was expected with what happened when they brought out cheaper amps over the 250. I feel they are using you guys as guinea pigs to learn how to develop their product base and tailor it to what the customers needs.

Anyone buying into Devialet now has to expect this over the next few years. It's one of the reasons I haven't bought a D200 yet, it could get superseded or they could end up bringing out hardware updates for it, much like the D-Premier did where you have to pay for the change.

What's the trouble? Devialet is a young company, yes, and in three years has turned the audio world upside down; no small achievement. Many on this forum have turned in very expensive, extensive systems and opted for Devialet. That says something impressive about the company and its accomplishments. If new products aren't developed, the company will wither and die, and then there will be a bigger problem than simply having a model that has been superseded.

Expect existing owners to pay for the upgrades? What company doesn't? Ayre, Naim, all expect owners of older equipment to pay for upgrades, if they even offer that option. What consumer product does offer upgrades from old to new? Stoves (cookers)? Refrigerators? Cars? Bicycles? Computers? Skateboards? I'm not disagreeing with anyone about the inevitable aging of anything we buy today; I just don't see it as different than with any other product of this type.

You buy a computer or a camera today for what it does, based on your budget and needs. If we wait, then we do without the product until it changes to meet our needs. This is not a problem or factor with Devialet more than any other company or product. However, as a new, very innovative company, it may well be that Devialet products will change more so than the majority of audio products; buying in now still gets you a remarkable combination of qualities, and value.

If owners are having some difficulty with the performance of their products with connectivity or some other core performance issue, then I agree with you (all) that the most responsible action for Devialet is to help owners with those problems. But I hope you agree that whenever wireless connections are a factor there are many ways and places for problems to occur. As an ex-Naim owner I'm sure you will be familiar with the wide range of difficulties and possible solutions that we face. I've had a generous helping of those problems myself.

So, what about a D120 for now. In three years it will be an easy sell and the cost differential to the newer model will likely be less than some spiffy speaker wire.

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Gents,

Does the post by Madumm (post #64) in the JRiver and Devialet thread give any insight into what the company is doing to address AIR issues?