06-Jan-2018, 03:39
Mildly amusing; I remember, years ago, when Luxman had an integrated amp that was a 'hybrid', in that it had a tube in the amp, fetchingly displayed in a fancy window on the front panel. Later a publication removed the tube and found that it was not actually part of the sound chain, as the sound continued. Lux later claimed the tube was there to keep things warm... it wasn't a very good sounding amp in any event.
But to the topic; I think that any person, who is seriously interested in hi fi (gear) will always find things that sound better as long as they keep 'shopping'. We all know about all the variables of room, acoustics, set up, etc, but the more one 'shops' the more likely it is one becomes dissatisfied with one's own system. I've pretty much stopped browsing at audio shops, and so am tempted less to want to fuss with the system.
As far as class A, or AB or D or X, I don't understand enough about it to want to get into it, but all the non-D/ ADH gear I've heard in the last two years has been inferior to the Devialet: Naim, Hegel, McIntosh, Mark Levinson. None of these experiences were thorough, or 'critical listening' but happily, I remain satisfied with the Devialet and the bits attached to it.
I think also that we all knew that the software was not ready, or complete, when the hardware upgrade became available. That doesn't mean that it isn't irritating, but it cannot be a surprise.
But to the topic; I think that any person, who is seriously interested in hi fi (gear) will always find things that sound better as long as they keep 'shopping'. We all know about all the variables of room, acoustics, set up, etc, but the more one 'shops' the more likely it is one becomes dissatisfied with one's own system. I've pretty much stopped browsing at audio shops, and so am tempted less to want to fuss with the system.
As far as class A, or AB or D or X, I don't understand enough about it to want to get into it, but all the non-D/ ADH gear I've heard in the last two years has been inferior to the Devialet: Naim, Hegel, McIntosh, Mark Levinson. None of these experiences were thorough, or 'critical listening' but happily, I remain satisfied with the Devialet and the bits attached to it.
I think also that we all knew that the software was not ready, or complete, when the hardware upgrade became available. That doesn't mean that it isn't irritating, but it cannot be a surprise.
Damon
Powernode, NAD M32, Cambridge CD transport, Analysis Plus, Nordost, iFi Nova, CSS Criton 1TDX, KEF C62
Vancouver, Canada
