06-Feb-2021, 11:41
I am considering buying a pair of Phantom Reactor 900s, well changed now into rather untidy name of Phantom II 98 dBs. That is why I am writing my observations regarding the reactors even though this is the forum fort he big brothers, nonetheless this is the best thread where sampling frequencies of new units are discussed, so thank you for your understanding. And almost all my finding sapply to classic phantoms (I) too.
Here I would like to present my findings comparing newer versions to the recent ones. It's long but it is almost everything I found out so far, I try not to make a mistake anywhere to the best I can. Long but comprehensive. Hope it helps.
I compared the differences in given specs and found foll:
Feature Reactor 900 II 98 dB
Stated Power 900 watts PMPO (peak) 400 watts RMS (continuous)
Devialet DAC embedded in ADH3 intelligence Devialet Intelligence Processor
Devialet Operating System [we know OS 1, no spec] 2 (DOS 2) up to 24bits/48kHz
Internal DAC 24bits/96kHz and 192kHz 24bits/96kHz
AirPlay AirPlay AirPlay 2
Roon - Ready (Hi-Res: 24bits/48kHz)
UPnP UPnPRenderer[no spec] UPnP Renderer (Hi-Res: 24bits/48kHz)
Analog/Optical jack input (Up to 48kHz via analog (Hi-Res: 24bits/48kHz)
and up to 96kHz via optical)
Other info I found (not specific to reactors) , comments between brackets are mine.
New features mentioned in Devialet Instagram (DOS 2.12 required)
Night Mode [no idea]
24bit Hi-Res and CD-quality audio are now identified [whatever it means]
New accessory support: Arch [phono stage]
Things I read or heard somewhere:
-Now when an Ethernet cable between speaker and router is detected, speaker automatically chooses Ethernet and cuts its Wifi connection to router.
-Now lypsynch issues when connected to a TV is said to be tamed to an acceptable or good level.
Interesting info on Phantom Help page for PHANTOM PREMIER DOS2 (USING DEVIALET APP)
Under subject “Sound Quality and Streaming Services on Phantom”:
Devialet Phantom is currently compatible with the following streaming protocols:
• Bluetooth up to 16-bit/44.1khz [contrary to specs given as 24bits/48kHz]
• Airplay 1 up to 16-bit/44.1khz [contrary to specs given as 24bits/48kHz]
• Spotify Connect at 320 kbps [it means highest mp3 quality I think]
• UPnP at 24bit-48khz or more [more sounds to me 96kHz at least, if so this is good, DAC is 96kHz anyway, 192kHz won’t help even if possible with UPnP]
Some Q&A in Devialet Facebook page:
Question:
Is there a sonic (or otherwise) difference between the new Phantom I 108dB and the old Phantom Gold? New technology?
Reply:
The new Phantom 108 dB features the latest hardware with the next generation of Devialet Intelligence Processor, embedding signal processing and amplification performance in a unique System on a Chip (SoC) for high-performance audio whenever you need it. We've also worked on a new version of Devialet DOS2 to bring you more ways to play with Phantom and stream Hi-Res files through Roon, or enjoy multi-room with AirPlay2. A newly designed remote control is included with every Phantom I for a crisp user experience, wherever you are seated.
Question:
Is the DAC the same?
Reply: [a vague response]
All the audio processing and amplification is now held a single chip: SAM, DAC, Magic Wire, Class A, ADH... By optimizing them, we can achieve the best possible audio performance right across the frequency spectrum.
Question: is it possible that this new technology was already used in late 2020 Phantoms? I have noticed some improvements (better energy efficiency, less heat emmision) in my new Phantom which I bought last December..
Reply: [no reply from Devialet]
Comment from a user:
The new version of the devialet remote is awesome. Love it, compared to the first.
Dual silver phantoms, stereo configuration is what it is paired with.
My Wrap-up conclusions:
I understand that it is possible to use play 24bits/96kHz files using internal DAC rated 24bits/96kHz at its full potential when connected either by UPnP (ethernet and unlikely but also Wifi) or by using Optical Jack input in Optical Direct Mode (with setting it in the app). All other connections are limited to 48kHz or lower. However I came to know that 96kHz is not meant that much of a difference nowadays with good processors, a high quality DAC matters more than its sampling frequency between 48/96 for example, a bad DAC at high resolution is worse than a very good one at lower. I am convinced. And I think Devialet chose this path, downgrading the specs nonetheless, to ensure faster processing, opening doors to more capabilities such as good lipsynch, maybe less wireless connection dropouts (we will see that), handling different music in multiroom speakers, maybe even better time matching of stereo pairs (just a wild guess), and possible better communication between speaker pairs either via Wifi or mains (PLC). Maybe new versions are better in some other regards such as stability. I also suspect latest Phantoms sold under previous names and not I and II are also to the same specs of I and II especially the first black version which is the Reactor.
A pair of Reactors (IIs) ticks a lot of boxes in my apartment, in a midsized room, speakers would be 6-8 feet distant to front wall and 2-3 feet away from the side walls, they sit low and does not hinder line of sight within the room, being wireless they would be tidy, black IIs (reactors) are minimalistic and beautiful with the black legs. No subwoofer would be needed obviously. Seemingly fun speakers satisfying viscerally with its crisp and deep bass.
I see a lot of downsides though and I am not sure, a bit uneasy to make the move: unreliable wireless performance, many unknown technical details, unserviceability (a big concern after post-warranty period), no room correction, low frequency bump shadowing mids, a bit boxy sounding compared to similar active speakers (subjective), company not building trust in me with their covered statements, cheesy marketing tactics embarrasing themselves against audiophiles while not feeling ashamed as long as they can sell products to pretentious and/or rich people who are the target potential customers anyway, Devialet being a partially Louis Vuitton venture. And lack of full specs of their components and operation technology (not asking for their secrets but I need to know why the DAC is now suddenly 96kHz instead of 192, why optical-in is limited to 48 while DAC can operate at 96kHz, are there different branded parts used in different units of the same model regardless of production date etc.
Well, I am convinced that unless one has issues with signals and softwares, she/he would be a happy user.
Enjoy your units and thank you bearing with me. (and feel free to agree/object)
Here I would like to present my findings comparing newer versions to the recent ones. It's long but it is almost everything I found out so far, I try not to make a mistake anywhere to the best I can. Long but comprehensive. Hope it helps.
I compared the differences in given specs and found foll:
Feature Reactor 900 II 98 dB
Stated Power 900 watts PMPO (peak) 400 watts RMS (continuous)
Devialet DAC embedded in ADH3 intelligence Devialet Intelligence Processor
Devialet Operating System [we know OS 1, no spec] 2 (DOS 2) up to 24bits/48kHz
Internal DAC 24bits/96kHz and 192kHz 24bits/96kHz
AirPlay AirPlay AirPlay 2
Roon - Ready (Hi-Res: 24bits/48kHz)
UPnP UPnPRenderer[no spec] UPnP Renderer (Hi-Res: 24bits/48kHz)
Analog/Optical jack input (Up to 48kHz via analog (Hi-Res: 24bits/48kHz)
and up to 96kHz via optical)
Other info I found (not specific to reactors) , comments between brackets are mine.
New features mentioned in Devialet Instagram (DOS 2.12 required)
Night Mode [no idea]
24bit Hi-Res and CD-quality audio are now identified [whatever it means]
New accessory support: Arch [phono stage]
Things I read or heard somewhere:
-Now when an Ethernet cable between speaker and router is detected, speaker automatically chooses Ethernet and cuts its Wifi connection to router.
-Now lypsynch issues when connected to a TV is said to be tamed to an acceptable or good level.
Interesting info on Phantom Help page for PHANTOM PREMIER DOS2 (USING DEVIALET APP)
Under subject “Sound Quality and Streaming Services on Phantom”:
Devialet Phantom is currently compatible with the following streaming protocols:
• Bluetooth up to 16-bit/44.1khz [contrary to specs given as 24bits/48kHz]
• Airplay 1 up to 16-bit/44.1khz [contrary to specs given as 24bits/48kHz]
• Spotify Connect at 320 kbps [it means highest mp3 quality I think]
• UPnP at 24bit-48khz or more [more sounds to me 96kHz at least, if so this is good, DAC is 96kHz anyway, 192kHz won’t help even if possible with UPnP]
Some Q&A in Devialet Facebook page:
Question:
Is there a sonic (or otherwise) difference between the new Phantom I 108dB and the old Phantom Gold? New technology?
Reply:
The new Phantom 108 dB features the latest hardware with the next generation of Devialet Intelligence Processor, embedding signal processing and amplification performance in a unique System on a Chip (SoC) for high-performance audio whenever you need it. We've also worked on a new version of Devialet DOS2 to bring you more ways to play with Phantom and stream Hi-Res files through Roon, or enjoy multi-room with AirPlay2. A newly designed remote control is included with every Phantom I for a crisp user experience, wherever you are seated.
Question:
Is the DAC the same?
Reply: [a vague response]
All the audio processing and amplification is now held a single chip: SAM, DAC, Magic Wire, Class A, ADH... By optimizing them, we can achieve the best possible audio performance right across the frequency spectrum.
Question: is it possible that this new technology was already used in late 2020 Phantoms? I have noticed some improvements (better energy efficiency, less heat emmision) in my new Phantom which I bought last December..
Reply: [no reply from Devialet]
Comment from a user:
The new version of the devialet remote is awesome. Love it, compared to the first.
Dual silver phantoms, stereo configuration is what it is paired with.
My Wrap-up conclusions:
I understand that it is possible to use play 24bits/96kHz files using internal DAC rated 24bits/96kHz at its full potential when connected either by UPnP (ethernet and unlikely but also Wifi) or by using Optical Jack input in Optical Direct Mode (with setting it in the app). All other connections are limited to 48kHz or lower. However I came to know that 96kHz is not meant that much of a difference nowadays with good processors, a high quality DAC matters more than its sampling frequency between 48/96 for example, a bad DAC at high resolution is worse than a very good one at lower. I am convinced. And I think Devialet chose this path, downgrading the specs nonetheless, to ensure faster processing, opening doors to more capabilities such as good lipsynch, maybe less wireless connection dropouts (we will see that), handling different music in multiroom speakers, maybe even better time matching of stereo pairs (just a wild guess), and possible better communication between speaker pairs either via Wifi or mains (PLC). Maybe new versions are better in some other regards such as stability. I also suspect latest Phantoms sold under previous names and not I and II are also to the same specs of I and II especially the first black version which is the Reactor.
A pair of Reactors (IIs) ticks a lot of boxes in my apartment, in a midsized room, speakers would be 6-8 feet distant to front wall and 2-3 feet away from the side walls, they sit low and does not hinder line of sight within the room, being wireless they would be tidy, black IIs (reactors) are minimalistic and beautiful with the black legs. No subwoofer would be needed obviously. Seemingly fun speakers satisfying viscerally with its crisp and deep bass.
I see a lot of downsides though and I am not sure, a bit uneasy to make the move: unreliable wireless performance, many unknown technical details, unserviceability (a big concern after post-warranty period), no room correction, low frequency bump shadowing mids, a bit boxy sounding compared to similar active speakers (subjective), company not building trust in me with their covered statements, cheesy marketing tactics embarrasing themselves against audiophiles while not feeling ashamed as long as they can sell products to pretentious and/or rich people who are the target potential customers anyway, Devialet being a partially Louis Vuitton venture. And lack of full specs of their components and operation technology (not asking for their secrets but I need to know why the DAC is now suddenly 96kHz instead of 192, why optical-in is limited to 48 while DAC can operate at 96kHz, are there different branded parts used in different units of the same model regardless of production date etc.
Well, I am convinced that unless one has issues with signals and softwares, she/he would be a happy user.
Enjoy your units and thank you bearing with me. (and feel free to agree/object)
