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24-Jul-2017, 03:17
(This post was last modified: 24-Jul-2017, 03:22 by baddog.)
FWIW - I came from a setup that included tube pre amps and tube mono blocks (300B) series made by a rather well known Japanese manufacturer. I was also using a Devore O/96 at the time.
The Devialet is a different sound then the tube setup I had previously, however I am very happy with it and no regrets at all, it nether sounds lean nor fat. I hear details I never heard previously, and the presentation is fully engaging, I am using this for both digital music as well as vinyl.
The sound and tone is much better than any of the NCORE 500 amps I had tried previously.
As always, if you can audition it first, I would recommend that.
I like mine enough to upgrade them to the Pro.
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(24-Jul-2017, 03:17)baddog Wrote: FWIW - I came from a setup that included tube pre amps and tube mono blocks (300B) series made by a rather well known Japanese manufacturer. I was also using a Devore O/96 at the time.
The Devialet is a different sound then the tube setup I had previously, however I am very happy with it and no regrets at all, it nether sounds lean nor fat. I hear details I never heard previously, and the presentation is fully engaging, I am using this for both digital music as well as vinyl.
The sound and tone is much better than any of the NCORE 500 amps I had tried previously.
As always, if you can audition it first, I would recommend that.
I like mine enough to upgrade them to the Pro. Yes single ended tubes have their sound which is beautiful! But they may omit certain musical details which are important. Seems like Devialet is best of tubes and SS! Now I just found out there is now a 130 model. Oh boy!?
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Yes, so many decisions and so little time....
130 Pro review
As Damon noted if you buy a 120 there "may" be an option to upgrade it to a 220 Pro, but I am not certain if Devialet is still offering their upgrade program, maybe another Martin Login owner will chime in...
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(24-Jul-2017, 04:18)baddog Wrote: Yes, so many decisions and so little time....
130 Pro review
As Damon noted if you buy a 120 there "may" be an option to upgrade it to a 220 Pro, but I am not certain if Devialet is still offering their upgrade program, maybe another Martin Login owner will chime in...
Yes the 120 price is very attractive! The other I need to consider is I don't play my system too loud.
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(24-Jul-2017, 08:53)Flm09 Wrote: (24-Jul-2017, 04:18)baddog Wrote: Yes, so many decisions and so little time....
130 Pro review
As Damon noted if you buy a 120 there "may" be an option to upgrade it to a 220 Pro, but I am not certain if Devialet is still offering their upgrade program, maybe another Martin Login owner will chime in...
Yes the 120 price is very attractive! The other I need to consider is I don't play my system too loud.
Power isn't about playing loud. I've gone from 90 to 170 to 200 and now 900Watt. I still play at the same SPL's. It just sounds much better at lower volumes.
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(24-Jul-2017, 09:47)Pim van Vliet Wrote: (24-Jul-2017, 08:53)Flm09 Wrote: (24-Jul-2017, 04:18)baddog Wrote: Yes, so many decisions and so little time....
130 Pro review
As Damon noted if you buy a 120 there "may" be an option to upgrade it to a 220 Pro, but I am not certain if Devialet is still offering their upgrade program, maybe another Martin Login owner will chime in...
Yes the 120 price is very attractive! The other I need to consider is I don't play my system too loud.
Power isn't about playing loud. I've gone from 90 to 170 to 200 and now 900Watt. I still play at the same SPL's. It just sounds much better at lower volumes.
I'm with you on this one, Pim. More power is all about grip and control over the speakers, enabling good sound at lower volumes.
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I get you guys! More headroom! But my budget is not as big!
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So basically we have the Jeremy Clarkson response, then. I'm also starting to suspect I need more POWEEEERRRRR! to drive my PMC 25.23 than my D120 can give.
JRiver v25 (Windows) >> 220Pro/CI >> PMC Twenty5.23 + twin KEF KC62 subs. One White Phantom.
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FWIW; I had the opportunity to extensively compare a 120 with a 220pro in the comfort of my own home.
I did this comparison twice, with a few weeks in between.
Second time, I held a 'listening party' and invited some fellow music/audio lovers to share opinions.
(We mostly listened to lp's via Wilson speakers, running the latest firmware on both models.)
General consensus was that the Devialet signature sound is basically quite similar, irrespective of the model; the difference is not as in-your-face as you'd expect.
The D120 has a smooth and very pleasing mid-range, whereas the 220Pro offers slightly more detail in the highs and lows and an increased sense of control/clarity.
Now here's the funny thing - in the end, nobody had a definite preference of one model over the other.
Personally, I liked the greater musical involvement I felt with the 120 over the 220Pro, but that might be me talking myself out of an (expensive!) upgrade. 
(We all did feel that the D120 did better presenting voices, for some reason.)
In the end, both amps are excellent and a reference in their price range.
Buy whatever your budget allows you to, but don't get sucked into the maelstrom of "bigger is better".
That lil' ole D120 is one heck of an amp.
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An old UK review, which might be of interest to those seeking a D120. Note the review is prior to the firmware update, which increased power and most would say sound quality:
https://www.whathifi.com/devialet/110/review
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