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

[bennet]

Has anyone had the chance to compare the Devialet to a Linn Klimax System. Could someone discribe the pros and cons comparing the two?

 

[NorthStar]

-- Hi Bennet, and Welcome! :b

* Sorry, no.

 

[bernardl]

Thanks Bernard.
What do you feel provide the best improvement, the PC9300 or PSAudio P10?
I am assuming you had one before the other and tried them separately.

Thanks again as I know your very happy with your mains setup with the Devialet.
Orb

Hum... difficult to say.

The PC9300 did for sure help a lot when I installed it, it changed the sound for the better.

The main value I see in the P10 is that it reduced the variation of sound quality I was experimenting, seemingly randomly, at different times of the day after having moved to a new house. It seems to be much more consistent now. Besides this consistency, I feel that the P10 did also improve to some extend the peak sound quality, but probably not as much as the PC9300 did when it was plugged into a passive filter.

Now, I did not compare all the combinations and do not know whether the value of the PC9300 is still as significant when used with the P10.

cheers,
Bernard

 

[Orb]

Interesting and thanks Bernard.
Cheers
Orb

 

[Clugar]

Has anyone had the chance to compare the Devialet to a Linn Klimax System. Could someone discribe the pros and cons comparing the two?

Well, yes, I could compare the two systems, albeit a year ago. Both systems fed the same material and driving the same loudspeakers. Given the long time, I wouldn't remember the details: the differences were miniscule, both on an extremely high level. At the end I decided for a Devialet.

 

[flez007]

Not sure if you have seen this ad guys.....

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/so...vialet-d-premier-2013-01-09-amplifiers-v3n2h6

 

[struts]

Hum... difficult to say.

The PC9300 did for sure help a lot when I installed it, it changed the sound for the better.

The main value I see in the P10 is that it reduced the variation of sound quality I was experimenting, seemingly randomly, at different times of the day after having moved to a new house. It seems to be much more consistent now. Besides this consistency, I feel that the P10 did also improve to some extend the peak sound quality, but probably not as much as the PC9300 did when it was plugged into a passive filter.

Now, I did not compare all the combinations and do not know whether the value of the PC9300 is still as significant when used with the P10.

cheers,
Bernard

I've been conducting something of a mains cable mini-test (see posts on Hifiwigwam/AudioAficionado) and found the D-Premier to be very revealing of cable differences. I have tried to get hold of cables around which some kind of consensus exists among Devialet users (Transparent, LessLoss), combined with those I had ready access to either as loaners or available to buy with a no quibble try-before-you-buy period (Wireworld, Furutech). In my system the LessLoss DFPC Original ($595) has proven to be the best f those I have tried so far, but I have a couple more cables on the way in and am still trying to track down models from Shunyata and Crystal. I am sure the best option will be system-dependent but my findings so far confirm that it is definitely worth experimenting. Interestingly, a change of speaker cables produced far smaller differences than any of the mains cables I tried. Go figure!

 

[microstrip]

I've been conducting something of a mains cable mini-test (see posts on Hifiwigwam/AudioAficionado) and found the D-Premier to be very revealing of cable differences. I have tried to get hold of cables around which some kind of consensus exists among Devialet users (Transparent, LessLoss), combined with those I had ready access to either as loaners or available to buy with a no quibble try-before-you-buy period (Wireworld, Furutech). In my system the LessLoss DFPC Original ($595) has proven to be the best f those I have tried so far, but I have a couple more cables on the way in and am still trying to track down models from Shunyata and Crystal. I am sure the best option will be system-dependent but my findings so far confirm that it is definitely worth experimenting. Interestingly, a change of speaker cables produced far smaller differences than any of the mains cables I tried. Go figure!

Welcome Struts,

I fully agree with you on the differences of sound quality due to the choice of mains cables when using the Devialet. However, as you are presenting experiences nominating brands and models in your system, it would be very nice to know your system in detail - a different source or speakers could change the preferred choice.

 

[struts]

Welcome Struts,

I fully agree with you on the differences of sound quality due to the choice of mains cables when using the Devialet. However, as you are presenting experiences nominating brands and models in your system, it would be very nice to know your system in detail - a different source or speakers could change the preferred choice.

Thanks microstrip! Well, as far as my system is concerned of course the Devialet is most of it! Speakers are Ktêma Proscenium and sources are AIR, a Sonos Connect via a Weiss DAC202 (borrowed from my headphone rig and being used as a reclocker and S/PDIF to AES converter) and occasionally a MacBook Pro (also via the Weiss). I have a turntable as well (Nordic Concept Artist/Breuer 8C/Dynavector XV-1s) but haven't been able to try it yet as the Dynavector is at the doctor's .

This will give you a rough idea (more pics in the AudioAficionado thread).



Also, as far as the best match being system dependent, I strongly agree! I wanted to publish my findings primarily to let people know just how much the mains cable can affect the sound of the Devialet (may be considered counter-intuitive given that it uses a SMPS and the voltage is run through a high frequency chopper) and encourage them to experiment with their own options. Of course it would also be interesting if anybody else is able to duplicate my results, but i consider that pretty unlikely!

 

[Orb]

I've been conducting something of a mains cable mini-test (see posts on Hifiwigwam/AudioAficionado) and found the D-Premier to be very revealing of cable differences. I have tried to get hold of cables around which some kind of consensus exists among Devialet users (Transparent, LessLoss), combined with those I had ready access to either as loaners or available to buy with a no quibble try-before-you-buy period (Wireworld, Furutech). In my system the LessLoss DFPC Original ($595) has proven to be the best f those I have tried so far, but I have a couple more cables on the way in and am still trying to track down models from Shunyata and Crystal. I am sure the best option will be system-dependent but my findings so far confirm that it is definitely worth experimenting. Interestingly, a change of speaker cables produced far smaller differences than any of the mains cables I tried. Go figure!

Welcome Struts, and I have been following that thread on Hifiwigwam for awhile myself
Hope you manage to get the entry model types from Crystal as I am rather curious.
I appreciate you do not want to test forever and you keep receiving suggestions over there , just curious did you ever consider Atlas EOS new range?
I tend to forget about Atlas myself but they tend to do consistently well in the cable group testst in Hifi News with their more medium priced gear.
Cheers
Orb

 

[struts]

Welcome Struts, and I have been following that thread on Hifiwigwam for awhile myself
Hope you manage to get the entry model types from Crystal as I am rather curious.
I appreciate you do not want to test forever and you keep receiving suggestions over there , just curious did you ever consider Atlas EOS new range?
I tend to forget about Atlas myself but they tend to do consistently well in the cable group testst in Hifi News with their more medium priced gear.
Cheers
Orb

Thanks Orb! No, I haven't come across the Altas range, as I said I have been focussing on cables available locally in order to be able to secure loaners or no nonsense sale-or-return terms. As I reported, I haven't found any clear correlation between price and quality thus far, many of the differences being more a question of "different" than clearly "better" or "worse". It is above all this that leads me to suspect that the speakers/room/setup will dictate the best match to a significant degree, perhaps as much or more than any synergy with the target component (i.e. the Devialet) itself. If that is true I wonder how much one can really glean from such group tests, the interesting thing would surely be to understand how the cables performed in a variety of different components/systems/rooms/setups and whether there was a strong correlation between those results (although this would be infeasible from a practical perspective they do have to make money after all!). I am of course aware that the same is true of my own findings, and I put them out there for the interest of others rather than as specific recommendations.

 

[Orb]

Thanks Orb! No, I haven't come across the Altas range, as I said I have been focussing on cables available locally in order to be able to secure loaners or no nonsense sale-or-return terms. As I reported, I haven't found any clear correlation between price and quality thus far, many of the differences being more a question of "different" than clearly "better" or "worse". It is above all this that leads me to suspect that the speakers/room/setup will dictate the best match to a significant degree, perhaps as much or more than any synergy with the target component (i.e. the Devialet) itself. If that is true I wonder how much one can really glean from such group tests, the interesting thing would surely be to understand how the cables performed in a variety of different components/systems/rooms/setups and whether there was a strong correlation between those results (although this would be infeasible from a practical perspective they do have to make money after all!). I am of course aware that the same is true of my own findings, and I put them out there for the interest of others rather than as specific recommendations.

Tend to agree as you say its a grading of different rather than "better" or "worse", which helps to match with a system or preferences although unfortunately there is no logical way to approach this apart from trial and error and using a diverse range as you are.
Cheers
Orb

 

[Clugar]

I would like to ask Devialet owners if they tried to run the D-P with a mains conditioning product like PS-Audio's PowerPlants or comparable product. The website says this shouldn't be necessary because the D-P eliminates power problems internally. I am aware of the fact that our experiences may not be directly comparable as the quality of the mains supply differs a lot between locations, but nevertheless I'd love to know your opinion.

 

[bernardl]

I would like to ask Devialet owners if they tried to run the D-P with a mains conditioning product like PS-Audio's PowerPlants or comparable product. The website says this shouldn't be necessary because the D-P eliminates power problems internally. I am aware of the fact that our experiences may not be directly comparable as the quality of the mains supply differs a lot between locations, but nevertheless I'd love to know your opinion.

You may want to read the last few pages of this thread.

I have been using a P10 with my D-Premier for half a year. It did help with the consistency of the good sound coming out of the set up.

Cheers,
Bernard

 

[ferenc_k]

I would like to ask Devialet owners if they tried to run the D-P with a mains conditioning product like PS-Audio's PowerPlants or comparable product. The website says this shouldn't be necessary because the D-P eliminates power problems internally. I am aware of the fact that our experiences may not be directly comparable as the quality of the mains supply differs a lot between locations, but nevertheless I'd love to know your opinion.

If you use a single Devialet, I could not find any power power conditioner product which could make its sound better (on a way how I feel better). Not PS Audio, not Accuphase, not Isotek, none of them. The only product which is not making it worse, the Audience Adept Response PDC, which is a high - end power distributor, not a conditioner. If you use a dual mono or a quad mono Devialet than all the conditioners have even worse effect on the config then in case of a single stereo devialet setup. I do not need any conditioner, for sure only a hogh quality distributor. Tested with ProAc Response 4 and Focal Diablo (only in single stereo and dual mono) and Grande Utopia speakers. You can use your conditioner for the rest of the system, like computers, cd players, etc with a good effect.

 

[Clugar]

If you use a single Devialet, I could not find any power power conditioner product which could make its sound better (on a way how I feel better). Not PS Audio, not Accuphase, not Isotek, none of them. The only product which is not making it worse, the Audience Adept Response PDC, which is a high - end power distributor, not a conditioner. If you use a dual mono or a quad mono Devialet than all the conditioners have even worse effect on the config then in case of a single stereo devialet setup. I do not need any conditioner, for sure only a hogh quality distributor. Tested with ProAc Response 4 and Focal Diablo (only in single stereo and dual mono) and Grande Utopia speakers. You can use your conditioner for the rest of the system, like computers, cd players, etc with a good effect.

Thanks. After living with a PS-Audio P5 and several filters for a few weeks it is also my impression that D-Premier does not profit from power reconstruction or filtering or both. The sound does not get better, sometimes it worsened. Hence, any power conditioners would make sense only for peripheral sources such as low quality CD/SACD Players and Turntable power units. But as my primary music source is my MacPro via Weiss INT203 into Devialet's AES/EBU input, such things don't make sense. The situation may be different in regions with VERY high power THD and voltage swings.

 

[Daz]

Thanks for posting your findings on power conditioning. I have been using a Audience AR6T as my primary conditioner since I have had my Devialet D-Premier's. I did add a Synergistic Powercell 4 a few months back after the AR6T from which I connect to the dual D-Premier's. I can not recall hearing the D-Premier's without the AR6T though until today. I also run a pair of Velodyne DD15+ subs for the bottom, bottom end and these were not connected to either the AR6T or Powercell but connected to a separate power distribution board (no conditioning).

After reading these posts as a test I connected took out the AR6T from the chain leaving only the SR Powercell 4 feeding the D-Premier's and gave the subs a feed from the AR6T.

The results were very positive and a good improvement in sound, mainly dynamics and detail. I have not tested the subs with or without the conditioner or the D=Premier without the SR Powercell 4but needless to say that a significant improvement has been discovered.

Seems like external conditioning combined with the internal conditioning of the power is too much of a good thing and it restricts dynamics and detail making the D-Premier's sound flat by comparison and they are not that. I don't think the SR Powercell is adding anything negative and due to its design where there is nothing in the path of the power since it is a electromagnetic effect and quantum tunneling (per SR's words) that give it effect. I will try it direct to the wall soon though to confirm anything here.

Bottom line results for me is that certain types, likely most types, of power conditioning can be harmful to the sound from a Devialet D-Premier.

 

[ML Audio]

Thanks for posting your findings on power conditioning. I have been using a Audience AR6T as my primary conditioner since I have had my Devialet D-Premier's. I did add a Synergistic Powercell 4 a few months back after the AR6T from which I connect to the dual D-Premier's. I can not recall hearing the D-Premier's without the AR6T though until today. I also run a pair of Velodyne DD15+ subs for the bottom, bottom end and these were not connected to either the AR6T or Powercell but connected to a separate power distribution board (no conditioning).

After reading these posts as a test I connected took out the AR6T from the chain leaving only the SR Powercell 4 feeding the D-Premier's and gave the subs a feed from the AR6T.

The results were very positive and a good improvement in sound, mainly dynamics and detail. I have not tested the subs with or without the conditioner or the D=Premier without the SR Powercell 4but needless to say that a significant improvement has been discovered.

Seems like external conditioning combined with the internal conditioning of the power is too much of a good thing and it restricts dynamics and detail making the D-Premier's sound flat by comparison and they are not that. I don't think the SR Powercell is adding anything negative and due to its design where there is nothing in the path of the power since it is a electromagnetic effect and quantum tunneling (per SR's words) that give it effect. I will try it direct to the wall soon though to confirm anything here.

Bottom line results for me is that certain types, likely most types, of power conditioning can be harmful to the sound from a Devialet D-Premier.

Hi Daz

very interesting ... let us know your other tests.

I don't know with PowerCell 4 but a dealer told me he had very good results with Devialet connected on a SR PowerCell 10 SE. (from what he said, it was better than any other active conditonner as PS Audio, Shunyata, etc ...)
I suppose the important thing is that SR PowerCell products are not active and there is nothing on the path ...

Interested to know your definitive conclusions with Devialet + PowerCell 4 (VS Devialet directly on the wall socket), because PowerCell 10 SE is big just for a Devialelt, and is expenseive of course ...

Best regards

 

[gtiboy]

I'm a new comer to this forum and have been following this thread with interest, i'm looking to trade in my Naim NDX/Supernait/Hi Cap for the Devialet depending on how well a dealer demo goes.

The thing i'm most concerned about is the usability, so far you can only use with iTunes which is not great and I noticed you can stream internet radio using iTunes from a mac but, but what about streaming music directly from an ipad? Can you stream internet radio from an ipad with out resorting to use iTunes with a mac/pc?

I'm guessing Sonos is the only alternative for streaming internet radio?

 

[merrillaudio]

Thanks for posting your findings on power conditioning. I have been using a Audience AR6T as my primary conditioner since I have had my Devialet D-Premier's. I did add a Synergistic Powercell 4 a few months back after the AR6T from which I connect to the dual D-Premier's. I can not recall hearing the D-Premier's without the AR6T though until today. I also run a pair of Velodyne DD15+ subs for the bottom, bottom end and these were not connected to either the AR6T or Powercell but connected to a separate power distribution board (no conditioning).

After reading these posts as a test I connected took out the AR6T from the chain leaving only the SR Powercell 4 feeding the D-Premier's and gave the subs a feed from the AR6T.

The results were very positive and a good improvement in sound, mainly dynamics and detail. I have not tested the subs with or without the conditioner or the D=Premier without the SR Powercell 4but needless to say that a significant improvement has been discovered.

Seems like external conditioning combined with the internal conditioning of the power is too much of a good thing and it restricts dynamics and detail making the D-Premier's sound flat by comparison and they are not that. I don't think the SR Powercell is adding anything negative and due to its design where there is nothing in the path of the power since it is a electromagnetic effect and quantum tunneling (per SR's words) that give it effect. I will try it direct to the wall soon though to confirm anything here.

Bottom line results for me is that certain types, likely most types, of power conditioning can be harmful to the sound from a Devialet D-Premier.

The only power conditioner I have heard to date on a power amplifier that actually improves the sound is the Pure Power conditioner/regenerators. Especially for the Devialet which is very sensitive to having as much power as possible. I have not hear the Devialets on the Pure Power however I have heard my amps, which shares the same issue as the Devialets and the Pure Power is very good at cleaning up the power and also bringing the voltage to the right level. I don't know the mechanies of it but it works well.
I have compared the Devialet and my amps on other line sources with the same effect so I am generalizing along those lines, for what it is worth.