06-Aug-2018, 12:19
(06-Aug-2018, 06:40)RebelMan Wrote: What I am about to say is likely to rub some people the wrong way. For those that it does take it from one enthusiast to another as a little tough love.
There is absolutely NO difference in sound quality between any of the Devialet Expert series models, NONE! That's right, I said it. It needed to be said. From the 120(110) / 200(170) all the way to the 400 / 800 the sound quality is indistinguishable from amp-to-amp, in other words, identical across the board, that's right they all sound the SAME!
Likewise, there is absolutely NO difference in sound quality between any of the Devialet Expert Pro series models either, NONE! That's right, I said it again. It needed to be said again. From the (130)140 / 220 all the way to the 440 / 1000 the sound quality is once again indistinguishable from amp-to-amp, in other words, identical across the board, that's right they once again all sound the SAME!
Why do I say that? Because they were engineered that way!!! So why then do people claim to hear differences between models of the same series? The answer lies somewhere between three sets of subjective analysis... propaganda, perception and placebo (aka the 3 P's).
PROPAGANDA
People are easily persuaded by what they are told, regardless of whether it's truthful or not, especially if they are unable to validate it. There is countless historical evidence that proves this. It's no different with this hobby. Some new tech comes along, like the Devialet D-Premier, and people spring into action. They want a piece of this exciting industry disturbing movement so they acquire the gear by any means necessary. Then they publicize all the wonderful merits this new tech provides. Then not long after everyone has been exposed things begin to change, the newness wears off. Eventually the publicity starts to fade and then the flavor of the month is replaced by something else. These people will profess why you should own one (just before they move on). These are often the same people that claim the more expensive models will sound better too. HOGWASH!
PERCEPTION
People have this crazy notion or belief that if something is more expensive than another then it must be better just because it is more expense. Nothing could be further from the truth. Price is not indicative of performance and it should NEVER be your guide. Once again, there are countless examples that proves this. NO ONE should be upgrading their equipment to the next level thinking because it is more expensive it therefore must be better. WRONG!
PLACEBO
When people audition equipment many times it's around other people and in a setting that is not entirely conducive to controlled critical listening. The discussions during and afterwards has an influence on people mostly positive because they tend to be polite about it. If you are fortunate enough to critically audition equipment (in a controlled environment) before you buy you may formulate a better opinion, then again maybe not. Sadly, most people are not fortunate enough to do this so they are more dependent on what other people say. It's a different venue here but the process is no less the same. People will buy a piece of gear and talk about how they think it performs only to replace it later with something else that they are convinced sounds better... after all they bought into it (both figuratively and literally) so of course it's better, it has to be better, it better be better. FALLACY!
So, is it foolish for people to spend the money to, move up, trade-in, exchange, upgrade or however you wish to call it from say the 120 to the 200 or from the 200 to the 400 or from the 250 to the 800? That all depends on the reasons why they did it. If it was for sound quality then YES it was foolish. Someone said this type of decision making is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong to it. NO IT IS NOT! It is a PRACTICAL one. A personal choice would be deciding between Brand/Class X or Brand/Class Y. A practical choice would be deciding which Brand/Class X to get (which pertains to this topic).
Besides features the ONLY reason a person would need to "level up" (pay more money) is for more POWER, clean, unadulterated POWER. You do not need a Devialet Expert 800 to get the best performance from a Devialet Expert. But you may need the additional power it can provide. But let me be VERY CLEAR, MORE POWER DOES NOT IMPROVE SOUND QUALITY!!! It ONLY increases SPL, that's Sound Pressure Level, the ability to play at higher volumes and maintain the same level of sound quality.
Lots of clean power is very expensive to make, so if your system needs it then you have to pay a lot for it. But how do you know your system needs lots of power? (Actually, most people don't they just think they do.) You have to calculate and/or measure it. One way is to use a multimeter of sorts. Another, quick and dirty, way is to push the limits of the Devialet until the protection circuitry kicks in, although I don't recommend this.
I seriously doubt anyone here, sans engineers, has actually taken the time to measure what they need. Until you do you are just guessing. That said, it's okay to play it safe and buy more power than you think you need but don't think for one instant that a 800 watt Devialet sounds any better than a 120 watt Devialet does (just because it has the potential to do more work - a little engineering wit). It doesn't!
What's been said about the Expert line is no different for the Expert Pro line. But what about between the lines? The Pro series architecture has been improved and in some important ways but those ways were primarily for power and thermal efficiencies (plus a few new features). Some of theses benefits will manifest themselves as improvements to sound quality but they will be very subtle at best. They are not going to be the day and night differences and profound revelations people claim, even under the best of circumstances. It's a perpetual gross exaggeration of the facts when people make these claims. Perhaps because these same people easily succumb to the 3P's.
What about the people that are adamant about the improvements they hear? Those people are entitled to their opinion, even if their perspective is skewed. What about the specs, the dual-mono's have better specs so surely they sound better? Nope, they are simply the benefits of a bridged design. But lets assume for a moment that they made a difference wouldn't it matter then? Again nope, because there isn't a single person on the planet that has the physiology to detect a 0.00025% delta of distortion and a 3dB lower noise floor over 120+ dB SNR.
Unless the additional features and power is necessary all (110)120 owners should be rejoicing about now. You don't need a Space Shuttle like budget to soar high above the clouds when a modest pocket rocket can deliver the same benefit. Just ask Jeff Fritz!
I may be behind the curve on this, but I auditioned a 200 Expert, not impressed, but a minute later with a 250 Expert to my ears a significant difference in SQ and timing, so that’s what I bought (and added a 250 Companion later. I knew absolutely nothing about Devialet except it’s looks so no propaganda etc.
