06-Jan-2015, 02:54
Hi, I am not dismissing SAM processing but I would not let that put you off a second hand d-premier. As a total hifi snob for over 20 years I can say that the most exciting thing about devialet is the ADH amplification & DAC which is still the same. The second hand market is full of wonderful speakers that are not SAM ready. In 2008 I picked up a pair of 3 month old ART Emotion Signatures for £3000 (a saving of £6000!). The quality of tweeter, bass unit and crossover will determine the quality of sound. I can assure you the d-premier does not even break a sweat. I got my d-premier at 3 months old and was not even broken in yet! Paid about 55% of new price. Any savings you make I would spend on speaker cable (chord signature perhaps £400), a cd transport (a 2nd hand cyrus CDT and PXR: £600) and a few digital cables (chord indigos perhaps: £500). Don't even bother with the AIR streamer as unless a computer geek or under 25 years old as its a a load of crap and drops out all the time and just buy a new SONOS connect and get a Qubuz account. Took two minutes and works just perfect on digital out. A truly wonderful amplifier and a quality piece of equipment at a fraction of new price.
