21-Nov-2016, 15:03
I've finally heard a Pro! I borrowed a D220Pro from Oxford Audio over the last week in place of my D200. I've held back as I've been in a bit of a sceptical mood lately and I was prepared to be a little underwhelmed with the upgrade. Well... I was wrong! the D220Pro is *significantly* better. Firstly addition detail, bigger soundstage (almost as if the left-right separation seems more distinct), and everything is more in focus so easier to follow.
What I was really interested in, as I've always felt the D200 was a little lacking in power/grip for my Raidho C-1.1s, was how it would perform with the extra 10% power. I found the 170->200 upgrade in firmware a little underwhelming on the D200 and couldn't hear much of a difference. The D220Pro however, despite being only 10% more power, seems to have the speakers well and truly under control and it's transformed things. I'm wondering if the efficiency is improved because that extra 10% seems to be making a big difference. The only snag is it's made me want more power!
So is it worth the extra £3,000 for the upgrade? It is a lot but the upgrade is really substantial.
Thank you so much to OAC for lending me the amp and making it all so easy. I hope I'm not upsetting the applecart here by passing on the news (if it is news - I think we probably knew already) that the upgrade offer is probably going to be extended into 2017 - but the streamer card will not be included beyond upgrades from the end of December... Knowing Devialet this possibly isn't set in concrete but seems to be the situation as of now.
What I was really interested in, as I've always felt the D200 was a little lacking in power/grip for my Raidho C-1.1s, was how it would perform with the extra 10% power. I found the 170->200 upgrade in firmware a little underwhelming on the D200 and couldn't hear much of a difference. The D220Pro however, despite being only 10% more power, seems to have the speakers well and truly under control and it's transformed things. I'm wondering if the efficiency is improved because that extra 10% seems to be making a big difference. The only snag is it's made me want more power!
So is it worth the extra £3,000 for the upgrade? It is a lot but the upgrade is really substantial.
Thank you so much to OAC for lending me the amp and making it all so easy. I hope I'm not upsetting the applecart here by passing on the news (if it is news - I think we probably knew already) that the upgrade offer is probably going to be extended into 2017 - but the streamer card will not be included beyond upgrades from the end of December... Knowing Devialet this possibly isn't set in concrete but seems to be the situation as of now.
