Devialet 200 Vs SuperUniti?

[ZincAlloy]

Well I'm trying to do it as cheap as possible. I did a demo with a Devialet 200 using a UnitiQute 2 stepping upto a ND5 XS to a NDX and with each step the Devialet sounded better, without doubt due to the fact each device has a better power supply within each streamer.

I'm wondering if a Mac Mini can compare sound quality wise with the above mentioned. Only an NDS / 555PS DR as a source via S/PDIF sounded amazing through a Devialet 250, certainly the best I've ever heard what a Devialet can do. Certain tracks played through this sounded like it was in the room. But 13k for a streamer is alot just to stream music to the Devialet.

I mean can a Mac Mini stream music with a wide, expansive, weighty, airey, detailed sound stage like an NDS / 555PS with it's tiny power supply? This is the conundrum I have..

The Devialet 200 + ND5 XS combo sounded abit thin with no real weight and power to the sound compared to the Devialet 250 + NDS / 555PS.

Anyone here upgraded from a SuperUniti to a Devialet? Was the sound that much superior?

Hi - welcome to the forum. It's not so much that I upgraded from a SuperUniti to a Devialet, but I demoed a SuperUniti/NAP 250.2/Ovator S400 system for a week, against a Devialet 170 (as it was at that time), into my Linn Akurate 242 speakers. I appreciate it wasn't a "fair" demo, but it was cost comparative - I was offered a 30% discount on the Naim kit.

My memories of the comparison are that the Naim kit was very engaging at moderate/high volumes with rock music - very punchy, very dynamic - but less so with simply recorded music such as female vocals and acoustic guitar. To be fair, I should have demoed the SuperUniti/NAP 250.2 into my Akurates, to get a fair comparison. At the end of the day, I bought the Devialet 170 because, like you, I wanted minimal box count, and was intrigued by the technology and the commitment to provide future upgrades via firmware.

So, this hasn't been much help, I guess! What I would say is that, from memory, the SuperUniti on its own is OK; with the NAP 250.2 - it was very good - but the cost of both of these components is now well above that of the Devialet 200.

So, a Devialet 200 and a streamer like the Auralic Aries, Simaudio Moon MIND 180 or the 3D Nano Labs would be less money and could/should provide you with the user experience and sound quality that you're after. Also, don't rule out that Devialet DIALOG might provide you with the source experience you're after - notwithstanding the paucity of information as to what this device actually does (and I've ordered one, BTW!)

Let us know how you get on.

ATB, Ken