17-Jul-2016, 20:46
If I had itchy feet and that sort of budget available, I think I might want to listen to an Aavik U300 (I believe Mikeeo of this parish deserted us for one), a Gryphon Diablo 300 or (slightly more modestly) a Mark Levinson 585.
Disclaimer: I haven't heard any of them so they might not hold a candle to an 800, let alone a 1000 Pro. But, as you might guess, I like integrated amplifiers and -- until owning a Devialet -- that kind of built-like-a-tank industrial design.
I had a Levinson 383 for many years before the 170/200/400 and loved it. Having said that, the 170 did sound much better, from day one.
Ironically, I think I would miss the Devialet configurator and the amazing flexibility it offers. I say ironically because I also see it as the amplifier's Achilles heel insofar as it ties the user to a service that could disappear at any moment.
Disclaimer: I haven't heard any of them so they might not hold a candle to an 800, let alone a 1000 Pro. But, as you might guess, I like integrated amplifiers and -- until owning a Devialet -- that kind of built-like-a-tank industrial design.
I had a Levinson 383 for many years before the 170/200/400 and loved it. Having said that, the 170 did sound much better, from day one.
Ironically, I think I would miss the Devialet configurator and the amazing flexibility it offers. I say ironically because I also see it as the amplifier's Achilles heel insofar as it ties the user to a service that could disappear at any moment.
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
