Has anyone heard the Devialet D-Premier Integrated Amp/DAC

[bernardl]

I know Elberoth from several other forums. His advice to me and others has been nothing but stellar and spot on. He is as honest as the day is long. He has had the opportunity to hear gear that I and many others could only dream about. He probably has the best ears of anyone I know and will tell it like it is, good or bad. I highly respect his opinion and I have followed his posts for many years.

How cool, we have a hidden hero, who has the best ear in the Western part of the galaxy, a guy who has never been wrong... He decides to get out of his secret retreat to tell the world about how poor the favorite amp of John Atkinson is.

His supporters jump in to back up his credibility therefore reviving a thread long dead by confirming his views that the vilain newcomer can't come close to their favorite amps, the good amps.

I am moved.

Cheers,
Bernard

 

[Ekmanc]

Progress has always been met with vehement resistance

 

[microstrip]

People really get very emotional when some one criticizes equipment they love and forget that most of it is system and room matching.

I have evaluated the Devialet twice in my room, and still can not have a definitive opinion. It has great bass delineation, it is very powerful, a clear mid-range but in my system and room it failed to reproduce some types of music that rely on rhythm and emotion. Take the well known "Buena Vista Social Club" . It sounded boring and lifeless, independently of volume. However some types of classical orchestral music sounded great - the bass and attack could delineate the room space better than many other more expensive systems.

Unhappily I did not manage to solve this strange imbroglio of like -dislike and had to return it. However I still feel it was an unfinished affair ...

 

[A.wayne]

FYI - two evenings is a PLENTY of time to assess a product, if you know your system well, as I do. And there are NO interconnects to test

Agree, 1 Hr if it's pretty obvious .......

If you had the old KSA or FPB (non CX) series,

Which do you prefer Old KSA or FPB series .....

 

[A.wayne]

People really get very emotional when some one criticizes equipment they love and forget that most of it is system and room matching.

I have evaluated the Devialet twice in my room, and still can not have a definitive opinion. It has great bass delineation, it is very powerful, a clear mid-range but in my system and room it failed to reproduce some types of music that rely on rhythm and emotion. Take the well known "Buena Vista Social Club" . It sounded boring and lifeless, independently of volume. However some types of classical orchestral music sounded great - the bass and attack could delineate the room space better than many other more expensive systems.

Unhappily I did not manage to solve this strange imbroglio of like -dislike and had to return it. However I still feel it was an unfinished affair ...

I have found over the years , when equipment ( any) gives you this type of hot and cold response, It's usually from coloration, some music favors it , some not, you will be forever chasing your tail, never getting to the music ....

Regards,

 

[bernardl]

People really get very emotional when some one criticizes equipment they love and forget that most of it is system and room matching.

That is true. But that phenomena is not quite as funny as the case where people who already own excellent gear feel threatened by the arrival of another solution.

I have evaluated the Devialet twice in my room, and still can not have a definitive opinion. It has great bass delineation, it is very powerful, a clear mid-range but in my system and room it failed to reproduce some types of music that rely on rhythm and emotion. Take the well known "Buena Vista Social Club" . It sounded boring and lifeless, independently of volume. However some types of classical orchestral music sounded great - the bass and attack could delineate the room space better than many other more expensive systems.

I happen to own a copy of the HD Track high res version of Buena Vista Social Club.

I used not to like the album much when I listened to the CD version on my Esoteric SACD player, Nuforce Ref9 V3SE driven system (B&W speakers), but it has really come to life when played on the Devialet Air through the Wilson Benesch Vectors. It currently is one my of my favorite recordings.

As was mentioned by several contributors, the Devialet has to be treated as a very high end component for its potential to be realized. You need to be especially careful about the way incoming power is treated. I have seen a very clear improvement of sound quality a few months back when I added a PS audio PS10 and high end Esoteric power cable (PC9300) between the PS Audio and the Devialet.

Cheers,
Bernard

 

[Daz]

I have owned the D-Premier for some time now but have been a lurker rather than poster (or cheerleader). I started with a single unit (Chrome) and now have two units (Black). The colour choice was purely cosmetic!

I have gone from a complicated system of seperates with all the associated cabling, racks, footers etc.... to a very simple (on the outside) and elegant system consisting of 2 x Devialet and 2 Speakers. Cabling is speakers and 2 power cords. I did like a single Devialet but hearing the dual set up raised the bar significantly soundwise and ability to customise further. After hearing single versus double as my dealer there was no turning back. The flexibility of the dual set up always astounds me on what it can do and future possibilities.

I have 2-way speakers (Accuton and RAAL driver combo) and dual subs (Velodyne DD15 plus) and I am running the Devialets in the Active Bi-Amp mode. Subs are in stereo from the Devialets. The system was sounding great while running Devialets in dual Mono (500W each) and using the passive XO of the speakers - but running them active with a custom crossover setting on the Devialet (2500Hz 2nd Order) the sound has moved to absolute greatness!! I'll save the superlatives as you can't convey it without listening for yourself.

My speakers have speakon connectors with the passive crossover in the base, so I can easily with the flash of the Devialet's to change configuration go back to passive. But as I have said it sounds so much better passing the passive crossover (Caps:- Clarity MR for LF and Duelund Cast for HF) I have no desire to change that configuration.

I have a turntable connected to the Devialet and unfortunately the digital phono stage is not given much attention considering how good it is. I use AIR for digital and listen probably 80% digital and 20% Vinyl.

I see this Integrated product as a real break through in Hi-Fi Audio. Now it does make me think about a 3-way active set up, but that requires another Devialet! Any one selling second hand?

As the amp changes with firmware updates the past reviews are a reflection of that particular firmware. Devialet continue to squeeze more performance out of these units with every firmware release.

 

[microstrip]

I happen to own a copy of the HD Track high res version of Buena Vista Social Club.

I used not to like the album much when I listened to the CD version on my Esoteric SACD player, Nuforce Ref9 V3SE driven system (B&W speakers), but it has really come to life when played on the Devialet Air through the Wilson Benesch Vectors. It currently is one my of my favorite recordings.

As was mentioned by several contributors, the Devialet has to be treated as a very high end component for its potential to be realized. You need to be especially careful about the way incoming power is treated. I have seen a very clear improvement of sound quality a few months back when I added a PS audio PS10 and high end Esoteric power cable (PC9300) between the PS Audio and the Devialet.

Cheers,
Bernard

I posted this comparison because the same CD sound great in most systems where I have heard it. But I can confirm your point about the extreme sensitivity of the Devialet to power cables, conditioners and even digital cables - it would be a nice system to convert people from the anti-cable brigade! And I never tried the Devialet Air.

 

[NorthStar]

-- Hi Daz, and nice of you on your first nice post. :b

Holidays happiness,
Bob

 

[das]

Regarding's Daz's post -- very interesting setup. When I had the Devialet here and saw what the DSP section could do, I wondered how long it would take for someone to start playing with a setup like you're describing. Vivid Audio is currently doing it, and by your post, it's obvious individuals are too. Good job!

(BTW, I've long believed that active systems would lead to the kind of performance increase the high-end needs. Looks like that's starting to happen and, perhaps, it might take hold this time.)

Doug Schneider
The SoundStage! Network

 

[Ekmanc]

Has anyone tried if the D1 is sensitive for different kinds of feet and isolation??
I was thinking of having black diamond racing make me a shelf with the exact measurements of the amp but I am open for other suggestions as well.

 

[bernardl]

Has anyone tried if the D1 is sensitive for different kinds of feet and isolation??
I was thinking of having black diamond racing make me a shelf with the exact measurements of the amp but I am open for other suggestions as well.

No rigorous comparison done, but since the D1 body is metal, I have personnally selected a set of quartz insulators from Acoustic Revive.

Sound is overall out of this world, don't know whether those contribute or not.

Cheers,
Bernard

 

[philoouu]

No rigorous comparison done, but since the D1 body is metal, I have personnally selected a set of quartz insulators from Acoustic Revive.

Sound is overall out of this world, don't know whether those contribute or not.

Cheers,
Bernard

Hello

I have chosen 4 Single Big Foot Black Ravioli to support the D Premier. My rack is a Quadraspire. As Bernard said, I am not sure it does have an influence to the quality of the sound. Cable wise, I use Viard Audio Design for Power and Speaker Cable.
I am sure PS Audio can improve the set-up and this might be my next purchase.
The only serious issue about Devialet is the Air function; sometimes randomly there will be lots of strong interferences making it pretty much impossible to continue. In that case I switch back to the digital input (Pure Music/Audirvana HiFace2). I am surprised that not many people are complaining about the Air function; either they are not using it very often or they are very far from other devices which generate those interferences randomly (not sure about them since I have not found the solution). Anyway I consider the Air function as a extra plus so I am fine if sometimes I have to switch to another way of listening.
Regards
Philoouu

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

When one uses the De Vialet in the dual-mono configuration, how much does the second DeVialet cost. I would imagine much less since the great majorties of features are no longer needed on the second D-Premier or am I mistaken ?

 

[microstrip]

Hi

When one uses the De Vialet in the dual-mono configuration, how much does the second DeVialet cost. I would imagine much less since the great majorties of features are no longer needed on the second D-Premier or am I mistaken ?

AFAIK DeVialet only sells one basic package - if you want to go dual-mono you have to buy a second similar unit and just configure the SD cards of both units.
Consider you get a much better sounding system and an extra remote!

 

[FrantzM]

AFAIK DeVialet only sells one basic package - if you want to go dual-mono you have to buy a second similar unit and just configure the SD cards of both units.
Consider you get a much better sounding system and an extra remote!

I think the great attraction to this product is the level integration, the price and of course the performances. The Dual "monos" at $32K change the proposition: Alternatives although not as integrated are numerous.

 

[ferenc_k]

Hello

I have chosen 4 Single Big Foot Black Ravioli to support the D Premier. My rack is a Quadraspire. As Bernard said, I am not sure it does have an influence to the quality of the sound. Cable wise, I use Viard Audio Design for Power and Speaker Cable.
I am sure PS Audio can improve the set-up and this might be my next purchase.
The only serious issue about Devialet is the Air function; sometimes randomly there will be lots of strong interferences making it pretty much impossible to continue. In that case I switch back to the digital input (Pure Music/Audirvana HiFace2). I am surprised that not many people are complaining about the Air function; either they are not using it very often or they are very far from other devices which generate those interferences randomly (not sure about them since I have not found the solution). Anyway I consider the Air function as a extra plus so I am fine if sometimes I have to switch to another way of listening.
Regards
Philoouu

Actually if you use the latest firmware 5.7.1 dropping the wifi connection is not a problem at all even with high resolution tracks and I play a lot of them all day. It works very well. You need high quality router, mine is an Apple Airport Extreme and it works really well. I do not have any other traffic on this wifi connection except the D-Premier remote from my iPhone. The regular wifi for internet in the room using a different connection and Ethernet cables.

 

[ferenc_k]

AFAIK DeVialet only sells one basic package - if you want to go dual-mono you have to buy a second similar unit and just configure the SD cards of both units.
Consider you get a much better sounding system and an extra remote!

It would be a great idea to sell a kind of stripped down version of the D-Premier for a dual or quad configs, but I am afraid it will never happen. The level of integration internally is so high, that there is not much thing to leave out and it is technically probably not feasable at all. The only thing you can miss easily is the second remote.

 

[ferenc_k]

Hello


I am sure PS Audio can improve the set-up and this might be my next purchase.

If you mean PS Audio mains filtering, I do not think it is a good idea. The Devialet has a very advanced power supply and filtering internally, and according to my experience it sounds best when directly connected to a wall outlet, without any filtering, or tricky mains distributor. All the mains regenerator, filtering units I tried in the last two years with it, just made its sound dead and lifeless.You can experiment with the power cables too, I found few shielded mains cables working very well, and few not shielded but very highly praised and well known cables not so well.

 

[Ekmanc]

I have mine connected to a Nordost Thor via a Valhalla power cable, works very well.