I find this thread interesting. I am moving to Devialet after owning more than a few traditional systems. It always follows the same path - figure out what speakers have the qualities I'm interested in, look for an appropriate amplifier, find a DAC and preamp, if my preamp and DAC are tube-based audition lots of different and sometimes expensive hard to find tubes, try different cables until I'm satisfied I have the best fit for my system (which, of course, never happens), figure out how to tame all the "sound destructive" vibrations, listen for a while - and then start the process over again looking for the next best thing. My equipment now isn't worth near what I paid for it and, being the typical OCD audiophile I have to invest a great deal of time and money into finding the next system.
Humans have very short memories.
Being an audiophile has two distinct sides - the music loving side and the side that is always searching for audio nirvana. I would much rather live in the space of the music loving audiophile. In many ways, that's why I was always envious of Devialet owners on the form. For the most part, everyone seems to be happy with the performance of their systems.
Subjectively, after riding the merry-go-round of looking for the next best thing it is somewhat comforting to know that once I'm happy with my core system there is a company there to be able to offer me exactly that without having to change my entire system around, saving me time and stress and allowing me to enjoy the music.
Objectively, I can understand why some are upset - but, again, humans have short memories. Looking at the upgrade path from a standpoint of obsolescence, it's a function of time over technology. Many audiophiles with "traditional" systems will eventually find themselves wanting, or needing, to upgrade. If you want to try to stay off the upgrade wagon, then I guess vinyl and tube-based gear may be a better choice (although there's a whole other set of psychoses that go along with that - I've been there). DACs, preamps, music servers - they all get better with technology. Those with separate components will have to buy whole new boxes filled with all new electronics. Those companies that offer upgrades will undoubtedly charge the customer something. Financially speaking, one has to look at what they are upgrading to determine relative costs. If I upgrade my Pandora Signature DAC from a signature to an eclipse it will cost thousands. As a percentage of my initial purchase - a fair amount, but if a new technology develops that can't be implemented in its current chassis, then I'm out of luck if I want it - I have to sell my DAC and get a new one. How much am I losing? Probably no less than 50%. If I want a new amplifier - easy 50% loss. New preamp - about the same. The question is whether the Devialet is actually costing me less to upgrade over time versus having to replace components in my system.
Then the question becomes: Am I happy with what I'm hearing?
If yes, and I'm satisfied as a crazy, nirvana seeking audiophile; then value of the upgrade becomes relative. I will get an improvement in sound (which I'm already happy with) and I will not have to spend the time researching my new alternatives (time has value). These, to me, are pretty important things.
If all of the above is true, then it comes down to "fairness." Is it fair that someone who has a much older version of the product has the ability to upgrade to the current version, just as I do - even though I bought mine more recently and paid more? Is it fair that someone that bought a pre-owned unit for a good price gets to have the same upgrade that another buyer who bought a newer unit for full price does? That's just perspective - and subjective. For every person that thinks it's unfair, there is someone who is grateful for the opportunity not to have to go through the steps of finding the next best thing.
I know many on this forum are European. I am in the US. As both a music lover and a musician I was fortunate enough to own a Bosendorfer 290 Imperial grand piano. At various times of the year I would invite people to my home, sometimes people I knew only from internet music forms, to listen to concert pianists perform in preparation for events at Carnegie hall. At one performance a European gentleman whom I had never met said something that resonated with me. He thanked me for having an event that was, at the core, simple. We talked and he went on to say that since visiting the US, everyone seemed to complicate everything - too much, too fast, too hectic; and that in Europe they lived fundamentally simpler lives. In my mind that's what Devialet represents in many ways. In that regard the upgrades, for me, have inherent value.
Humans have very short memories.
Being an audiophile has two distinct sides - the music loving side and the side that is always searching for audio nirvana. I would much rather live in the space of the music loving audiophile. In many ways, that's why I was always envious of Devialet owners on the form. For the most part, everyone seems to be happy with the performance of their systems.
Subjectively, after riding the merry-go-round of looking for the next best thing it is somewhat comforting to know that once I'm happy with my core system there is a company there to be able to offer me exactly that without having to change my entire system around, saving me time and stress and allowing me to enjoy the music.
Objectively, I can understand why some are upset - but, again, humans have short memories. Looking at the upgrade path from a standpoint of obsolescence, it's a function of time over technology. Many audiophiles with "traditional" systems will eventually find themselves wanting, or needing, to upgrade. If you want to try to stay off the upgrade wagon, then I guess vinyl and tube-based gear may be a better choice (although there's a whole other set of psychoses that go along with that - I've been there). DACs, preamps, music servers - they all get better with technology. Those with separate components will have to buy whole new boxes filled with all new electronics. Those companies that offer upgrades will undoubtedly charge the customer something. Financially speaking, one has to look at what they are upgrading to determine relative costs. If I upgrade my Pandora Signature DAC from a signature to an eclipse it will cost thousands. As a percentage of my initial purchase - a fair amount, but if a new technology develops that can't be implemented in its current chassis, then I'm out of luck if I want it - I have to sell my DAC and get a new one. How much am I losing? Probably no less than 50%. If I want a new amplifier - easy 50% loss. New preamp - about the same. The question is whether the Devialet is actually costing me less to upgrade over time versus having to replace components in my system.
Then the question becomes: Am I happy with what I'm hearing?
If yes, and I'm satisfied as a crazy, nirvana seeking audiophile; then value of the upgrade becomes relative. I will get an improvement in sound (which I'm already happy with) and I will not have to spend the time researching my new alternatives (time has value). These, to me, are pretty important things.
If all of the above is true, then it comes down to "fairness." Is it fair that someone who has a much older version of the product has the ability to upgrade to the current version, just as I do - even though I bought mine more recently and paid more? Is it fair that someone that bought a pre-owned unit for a good price gets to have the same upgrade that another buyer who bought a newer unit for full price does? That's just perspective - and subjective. For every person that thinks it's unfair, there is someone who is grateful for the opportunity not to have to go through the steps of finding the next best thing.
I know many on this forum are European. I am in the US. As both a music lover and a musician I was fortunate enough to own a Bosendorfer 290 Imperial grand piano. At various times of the year I would invite people to my home, sometimes people I knew only from internet music forms, to listen to concert pianists perform in preparation for events at Carnegie hall. At one performance a European gentleman whom I had never met said something that resonated with me. He thanked me for having an event that was, at the core, simple. We talked and he went on to say that since visiting the US, everyone seemed to complicate everything - too much, too fast, too hectic; and that in Europe they lived fundamentally simpler lives. In my mind that's what Devialet represents in many ways. In that regard the upgrades, for me, have inherent value.
