10-Nov-2020, 18:26
The term 'lifestyle product' is one that has perplexed me for a long time, though I think I personally have only noticed it with Devialet amplifiers. I admit I just don't get it. First of all, what is a 'lifestyle'? Active? Military? Gay or straight? Deadhead, mod or rocker? Accountant or professional skateboarder? Is is about the interior design we like?
The amp is just a little box in the corner that does a bunch of stuff to help the hi fi play recorded music. Speakers are bigger or smaller boxes that do some other part in reproducing recorded music, as are cables and power conditioners and streamers and DAC's.
Too often it seems to be a situation where persons criticize a product because of the way it looks, especially if it is compact or makes the more traditional designs and boxes appear outdated or clumsy. It is common that when a company does design without being bound by 'the old ways' that their efforts are dismissed. New technologies and materials make it logical to adapt or redesign (and rethink) all sorts of products. We like that creativity in cars and cameras and computers and heating and AC and airplanes. And loudspeakers. Devialet amps do, in a very compact box, what most other products prefer to do, or still do, with bigger or multiple boxes.
And why do the critics of Devialet no make the same comment about Mcintosh amps or D'Agnostino amps? Or the Kii 3 active system? That McIntosh has not moved away from blue lights or big meters is clearly a lifestyle design decision, and I doubt anyone with a D'Agnostino amp hides it away. Nope, those are the real 'lifestyle' amps; 'Hey, look at the size of my amp and cables! I've got 21st century tech, but it's all wrapped up in a box to look 80 years old. Cool!'. (Actually, we might not say 'modern tech' and 'McIntosh' in the same sentence
).
Thinking back over the past four years of being part of this forum, my overwhelming impression is that Devialet owners appreciate the compact design, the innovative SAM and AHD technologies, and most of all, the sound. None of us would bother with these expensive products if the sound did not warrant it. Some have sold and moved on to other product, and that too is (usually) because they are after a different sound experience, rather than a traditional box experience. (Devialet software issues fully acknowledged here).
Finally, consider that the industry does not dismiss the Devialet design approach or technologies. Rather, they are following. I suspect Devialet have been the inspiration for many other small, multi-function integrated amplifiers, such as NuPrime, Naim and NAD. Others, too, that I can't think of. Lifestyle product or not, the Expert & Pro amps, and the Phantoms, are serious, outstanding audio products.
BTW, some excellent posts before mine, all more informative and concise.
The amp is just a little box in the corner that does a bunch of stuff to help the hi fi play recorded music. Speakers are bigger or smaller boxes that do some other part in reproducing recorded music, as are cables and power conditioners and streamers and DAC's.
Too often it seems to be a situation where persons criticize a product because of the way it looks, especially if it is compact or makes the more traditional designs and boxes appear outdated or clumsy. It is common that when a company does design without being bound by 'the old ways' that their efforts are dismissed. New technologies and materials make it logical to adapt or redesign (and rethink) all sorts of products. We like that creativity in cars and cameras and computers and heating and AC and airplanes. And loudspeakers. Devialet amps do, in a very compact box, what most other products prefer to do, or still do, with bigger or multiple boxes.
And why do the critics of Devialet no make the same comment about Mcintosh amps or D'Agnostino amps? Or the Kii 3 active system? That McIntosh has not moved away from blue lights or big meters is clearly a lifestyle design decision, and I doubt anyone with a D'Agnostino amp hides it away. Nope, those are the real 'lifestyle' amps; 'Hey, look at the size of my amp and cables! I've got 21st century tech, but it's all wrapped up in a box to look 80 years old. Cool!'. (Actually, we might not say 'modern tech' and 'McIntosh' in the same sentence
).Thinking back over the past four years of being part of this forum, my overwhelming impression is that Devialet owners appreciate the compact design, the innovative SAM and AHD technologies, and most of all, the sound. None of us would bother with these expensive products if the sound did not warrant it. Some have sold and moved on to other product, and that too is (usually) because they are after a different sound experience, rather than a traditional box experience. (Devialet software issues fully acknowledged here).
Finally, consider that the industry does not dismiss the Devialet design approach or technologies. Rather, they are following. I suspect Devialet have been the inspiration for many other small, multi-function integrated amplifiers, such as NuPrime, Naim and NAD. Others, too, that I can't think of. Lifestyle product or not, the Expert & Pro amps, and the Phantoms, are serious, outstanding audio products.
BTW, some excellent posts before mine, all more informative and concise.
Damon
Powernode, NAD M32, Cambridge CD transport, Analysis Plus, Nordost, iFi Nova, CSS Criton 1TDX, KEF C62
Vancouver, Canada
