08-Apr-2019, 16:57
@Alve
Thanks for the post. One thing comes to mind about the Pro / CI series; some have had a feeling that these amps present the midrange and vocals differently than the older Expert series. It can seem less pronounced, and that a singers voice does not come to the front. I remember that I had that reaction too, when my 120 became a 220, and I was listening to one of my favorite Sarah Vaughan recordings. Ultimately I came to appreciate the realism that came with the extra detail and closeness. By closeness here, I mean hearing more of the nuances and subtle variations in the voice, even if it was not so far 'out' from the speakers. That feeling of 'hearing into the music' is what I was trying to explain, in part, with my overloaded post above. I know that you did not start with an Expert and upgrade, but I think that the Pro series may not be the amp that will put the singer in your lap, so to speak.
I like the Devialet presentation, but I can fully understand that other amps may give a more mid-forward sound, and that may be what you are after. The characteristics you described in your first post include the things that many of us like about the Devialet but I would not argue that the Pro CI sound does not really push voices to the front. If the SF Amati doesn't do it, perhaps trying a different amp is worthwhile. Some thing from Audio Research, with a tubed preamp? Possibly? I don't know this speaker, but my expectation would be that mids and vocals would be quite rich with and SF.
Thanks for the post. One thing comes to mind about the Pro / CI series; some have had a feeling that these amps present the midrange and vocals differently than the older Expert series. It can seem less pronounced, and that a singers voice does not come to the front. I remember that I had that reaction too, when my 120 became a 220, and I was listening to one of my favorite Sarah Vaughan recordings. Ultimately I came to appreciate the realism that came with the extra detail and closeness. By closeness here, I mean hearing more of the nuances and subtle variations in the voice, even if it was not so far 'out' from the speakers. That feeling of 'hearing into the music' is what I was trying to explain, in part, with my overloaded post above. I know that you did not start with an Expert and upgrade, but I think that the Pro series may not be the amp that will put the singer in your lap, so to speak.
I like the Devialet presentation, but I can fully understand that other amps may give a more mid-forward sound, and that may be what you are after. The characteristics you described in your first post include the things that many of us like about the Devialet but I would not argue that the Pro CI sound does not really push voices to the front. If the SF Amati doesn't do it, perhaps trying a different amp is worthwhile. Some thing from Audio Research, with a tubed preamp? Possibly? I don't know this speaker, but my expectation would be that mids and vocals would be quite rich with and SF.
Damon
Powernode, NAD M32, Cambridge CD transport, Analysis Plus, Nordost, iFi Nova, CSS Criton 1TDX, KEF C62
Vancouver, Canada
