18-Jan-2019, 17:30
I read the article. I don't mind that she finds some aspects of the sound not to her liking. But I do think that the criticisms of 'lacking warmth' or being, 'clinical' are almost lazy. There is so much information about the nature of warmth in sound reproduction that I would not expect such simplification from a sound engineer, or a careful reviewer. I'm not a very skilled listener, but right from the time of my first listening, I expected that a digital amplifier would have some of that clinical sound (I don't in general like digital amps for my bass equipment). And so I've always listened for that quality in other systems, both in other homes and in the few stores I've visited since. I don't hear it. Mechanical and clinical are terms I attribute to amplifiers such as Hegel, much more than to Devialet. That said, the Devialet 'signature sound' is not everyone's preference. Which is totally fine.
It is interesting that she found fault with the bass; it is generally considered that the Devialet amplifiers are about the equal of any sanely priced (?) amplification available. Others may have more 'oomph' but usually with less detail and control. Regarding sibilance, it may be that she did indeed have some of that in her testing. But after four years of owning a Devialet, I am aware of how sensitive it is to power quality and the compatibility, or appropriate matching, of the various cables. That matching shows most notably in the treble or higher frequencies.
That she preferred the vinyl of Supertramp to a CD of the same album is hardly a surprise, given that so many CD's of 19780's and 1980's recordings have terrible sound quality. Do we have to repeat the old adage about garbage on the input side? With so much discussion of the music and recordings, one might read this article as a review of various recordings more so than of any particular piece of equipment.
Finally, I find the poor syntax and grammatical errors in the article quite annoying. But then I'm just a tiresome old fart in that regard. Actually, I'm just tired.
It is interesting that she found fault with the bass; it is generally considered that the Devialet amplifiers are about the equal of any sanely priced (?) amplification available. Others may have more 'oomph' but usually with less detail and control. Regarding sibilance, it may be that she did indeed have some of that in her testing. But after four years of owning a Devialet, I am aware of how sensitive it is to power quality and the compatibility, or appropriate matching, of the various cables. That matching shows most notably in the treble or higher frequencies.
That she preferred the vinyl of Supertramp to a CD of the same album is hardly a surprise, given that so many CD's of 19780's and 1980's recordings have terrible sound quality. Do we have to repeat the old adage about garbage on the input side? With so much discussion of the music and recordings, one might read this article as a review of various recordings more so than of any particular piece of equipment.
Finally, I find the poor syntax and grammatical errors in the article quite annoying. But then I'm just a tiresome old fart in that regard. Actually, I'm just tired.
Damon
Powernode, NAD M32, Cambridge CD transport, Analysis Plus, Nordost, iFi Nova, CSS Criton 1TDX, KEF C62
Vancouver, Canada
