16-Sep-2016, 22:43
From my perspective, Devialet is one of many outstanding, hi-end musical products. But it is not the sound that suits everybody. The same could be said for different types of tweeters, or crossover designs, or dynamic vs electrostic/ panel speakers. We just like different things. One box, or a bunch of boxes.
Is there a 'line' between hi-end and not-quite-hi-end? I would not have though so. Stereophile lists a whole range of products that they feel are worthy of buying and owning, and which will give great sound reproduction.
One point that I disagree with is the reviewers statement that the Devialet is, "like a derivate (sic?) of class D sound". Upon sitting down in the store for the first time to listen, I expected it to sound electronic at least, or similar to many other amps; after listening my reaction was the exact opposite. I still think it is a revealing, truthful and emotional musical reproduction system.
My own 'class D sound' expectation comes from having used a few class D bass amps; I never really liked them, even the products I wanted to like. They just didn't give me the sound at source (standing in front of the bass amp) that I wanted to hear. Mind you, I didn't go for some vintage Ampeg amps either... talk about a wealth of tubes in those old things.
Oh, one other thing; I wish people would stop calling it a 'lifestyle' product. Its just a box that is big enough to hold the parts inside, and so fits into a smaller space than a stack of boxes on a fancy shelves. Fewer cords, too. I'd happily go for a less glossy finish, but that doesn't matter too much. Wouldn't we say that, from the perspective of some audio gear geeks, that McIntosh, or D'Agostino amps are 'lifestyle' products? Just a different kind of showing off, perhaps.
It is totally fair if the reviewer isn't convinced by the Devialet approach, or sound, or casework. I didn't see a reviewers name, or a statement of preferred products, and they've published this kind of commentary before, IIRC.
OK, back to work.
Is there a 'line' between hi-end and not-quite-hi-end? I would not have though so. Stereophile lists a whole range of products that they feel are worthy of buying and owning, and which will give great sound reproduction.
One point that I disagree with is the reviewers statement that the Devialet is, "like a derivate (sic?) of class D sound". Upon sitting down in the store for the first time to listen, I expected it to sound electronic at least, or similar to many other amps; after listening my reaction was the exact opposite. I still think it is a revealing, truthful and emotional musical reproduction system.
My own 'class D sound' expectation comes from having used a few class D bass amps; I never really liked them, even the products I wanted to like. They just didn't give me the sound at source (standing in front of the bass amp) that I wanted to hear. Mind you, I didn't go for some vintage Ampeg amps either... talk about a wealth of tubes in those old things.
Oh, one other thing; I wish people would stop calling it a 'lifestyle' product. Its just a box that is big enough to hold the parts inside, and so fits into a smaller space than a stack of boxes on a fancy shelves. Fewer cords, too. I'd happily go for a less glossy finish, but that doesn't matter too much. Wouldn't we say that, from the perspective of some audio gear geeks, that McIntosh, or D'Agostino amps are 'lifestyle' products? Just a different kind of showing off, perhaps.
It is totally fair if the reviewer isn't convinced by the Devialet approach, or sound, or casework. I didn't see a reviewers name, or a statement of preferred products, and they've published this kind of commentary before, IIRC.
OK, back to work.
Damon
Powernode, NAD M32, Cambridge CD transport, Analysis Plus, Nordost, iFi Nova, CSS Criton 1TDX, KEF C62
Vancouver, Canada
