Devialet 200 -------- 4 months on

[Womaz]

Well here are my thoughts after owning my 200 for just over 4 months, warts and all.

First thing to say is that this will appear to be a negative posting to some who read it, but after weighing it all up the 200 has a sound to die for and you know what at the end of the day that’s the most important thing about hifi.

I do feel however that you have to be a hi fi lover to really embrace the Devialet range full. I am not really a hifi lover, but I am a music lover. I think there is a difference. I had no idea that the setting up of the Devialet would be so troublesome and the support and documentation from Devialet does really leave a lot to be desired. This forum is the only reason I got through that first week – surely this should not be the case. People on the Devialet forum took a lot of time out to help me and to them I am eternally thankful and I have no doubt I will need them again.

So 6k and AIR is simply too unstable to use – this is the biggest disappointment. I use the word disappointment but the truth is I have no idea how Devialet get away with it as it affects a lot more users than they would care to admit. I am now back to using a CD transport as my full budget and more went on the 200. This is my biggest disappointment. For me 6k is a large amount of my cash and I cant help but feel that I am not getting the best out of the 200. When using AIR I get about an hour before the white noise kicks in. This has virtually stopped me using AIR. This is a shame as I love the sound quality with AIR. It is simply the best that I have ever owned – hence the frustration.

I have got the Dialog and I am pinning all my hopes on this working and giving the same SQ as AIR…………..just have no idea when it will be available.

I guess I should have researched more before I bought the 200, as I had no idea that upgrades were prone to bugs and it is also rather time consuming. Infact I have not even upgraded to the new version 8 as it took me that long to get my configurator right at set up. I have a headphone amp and had to change all of the inputs to accommodate that, so the thought of starting all that over again do not really appeal. I know I have to do it sometime though.

The big question is would I swap the 200 for my cash back and the answer is NO. I am not really that technical and to be honest when dealing with my music I really don’t want to have to mess about with various bits of software, but when I heard the 200 it was an instant WOW. It still is 4 months later. After all this is what is really of most importance. I have not owned any other high end piece of kit so I cant compare it to those, but it blew my old M6i amp out of the water in every way. Bass and soundstage in a different league.

So pleased with the purchase , disappointed with the AIR issues and hoping Dialog solves it all.

 

[Infiniteloop]

Sorry to hear you've had such an extraordinarily bad experience with your Devialet 200. I have to say that my experience has been entirely the opposite. That said I don't use AIR as I think any WiFi streaming is prone to not being stable. I have found that WiFi streaming to my second system (MacBook Pro/Chord Qute/Unison Research S8/Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M) suffers from similar issues to the ones you describe with you Devialet and AIR, - so maybe it's not just a Devialet issue.

In terms of customer service from Devialet, I emailed them with a report of an issue I had when I updated the firmware to version 8.0. They emailed me back within a day and said that they too could replicate the issue (a problem with SAM) and that they were working on a fix for it. A few days later, they released version 8.1.

The one thing I do agree with you on is the sound quality.

I would recommend upgrading your firmware to v 8.1. This may help improve your issues with AIR. I feel that the upgrade has changed the sound for the better too. To my ears it seems more organic and slightly warmer.

Good luck.

 

[Womaz]

I boight the 200 to use with AIR so I guess this is why I am so disappointed. The sound is awesome but after spending a lot of cash I am back to using a CD transport. I guess I miss my network player and my collection at my figertips.

I will try version 8.1 when i have time to do the update.

 

[Infiniteloop]

I boight the 200 to use with AIR so I guess this is why I am so disappointed. The sound is awesome but after spending a lot of cash I am back to using a CD transport. I guess I miss my network player and my collection at my figertips.

I will try version 8.1 when i have time to do the update.

I use mine with a Mac Mini and the Remote App on an iPad and my iPhone. All my music is easily to hand. The Devialet App works well to control volume on both of those devices too.

I'd ditch the CD transport and get a Mac Mini.

 

[DocG]

Hi Womaz,

Have you tried your PC connected thru a cat5 cable? Should resolve the stability issues. Unless it's practically or esthaetically not feasible, of course.

Truth be told, I gave up on AIR a long time ago. I might give it another try if and when all issues are resolved. For now I use a NAD M50 as a source. It plays CDs and ripped music from my NAS and it has Spotify Connect on board. All with iPad control. My Sonos Connect worked very well too (but no Spotify Connect -- and no CDs either, obviously).

 

[matt49]

Truth be told, I gave up on AIR a long time ago.

I wouldn't be surprised if Devialet gave up on AIR too. They've had ages to sort out the white noise problem, and they haven't done so. In the meantime they've brought to market a new wi-fi-based product that's much more reliable. I suspect they're aim now is to integrate the Dialog with the Expert amps, which will obviate the need for AIR altogether.

 

[ellisdj]

If the white noise problem is like a static sound at the end of a song then you are likely hearing the sound of metadata

 

[gowiththeflow]

I followed Womaz's story earlier on, so it's good to read an update.

The saga with AIR is very disappointing and for most, just seems to be wasted money and technology, when alternative streaming solutions have to be employed.

Although the price of the Devialet Expert range amps has been reduced, I'm now actually tempted to try the Phantom instead. These are now being made available on general sale at Devialet dealerships from this month (July 2015) and my nearest dealer already has them in stock.

I've also got a NAD M50 streamer, CD player/ripper, which I can plug into the Dialog.

 

[Philim]

I have recently had the d200 and 400 on extended home demo where I was fortunate enough to have a number of other amps there as well. After all the press hyperbole I was ultimately disappointed with it. The wifi is pretty poor but sound wise I found the 200 ok but not amazing. The 400 was better but you are up to £10k. I have heard a lot of good things about the 200 and had I heard it in the context of itself without comparison I suspect I would have liked it more if that makes sense.

the phantoms I heard for an hour in Harrods and I came away with a feeling that as a stereo pair they are an amazing lifestyle product.

 

[gowiththeflow]

....the phantoms I heard for an hour in Harrods and I came away with a feeling that as a stereo pair they are an amazing lifestyle product.

It seems the general opinion of those who have heard them at Harrods, appears to be that the room is too small and not very good acoustically for HiFi demonstrations. Not the best environment in which to demo these active speakers, especially if they are highlighting their "loudness" and extended bass capability. The dedicated stands have not been available either.

There are a few owners of the Phantom, who also own and have experience of expensive kit, posting on web forums and giving very high praise. There has been an expectation that this product would be be incorrectly and unfairly pigeonholed by some as a "lifestyle" product. The reports suggest otherwise, so I'm prepared to try them out.

 

[matt49]

There are a few owners of the Phantom, who also own and have experience of expensive kit, posting on web forums and giving very high praise. There has been an expectation that this product would be be incorrectly and unfairly pigeonholed by some as a "lifestyle" product. The reports suggest otherwise, so I'm prepared to try them out.

I'm one of the above. While I wouldn't say the Phantoms compete with my Martin Logans (but then I haven't heard any electrodynamic speakers that do), I do think they can compete with conventional systems up to around £10K and more. By "compete", I mean they do some things better: it just depends whether those things are what you prioritize.

In terms of design philosophy, I'd characterize them as miniature active versions of the KEF Blades, though they don't sound at all "miniature".

 

[Philim]

....the phantoms I heard for an hour in Harrods and I came away with a feeling that as a stereo pair they are an amazing lifestyle product. 

It seems the general opinion of those who have heard them at Harrods, appears to be that the room is too small and not very good acoustically for HiFi demonstrations. Not the best environment in which to demo these active speakers, especially if they are highlighting their "loudness" and extended bass capability. The dedicated stands have not been available either.

There are a few owners of the Phantom, who also own and have experience of expensive kit, posting on web forums and giving very high praise. There has been an expectation that this product would be be incorrectly and unfairly pigeonholed by some as a "lifestyle" product. The reports suggest otherwise, so I'm prepared to try them out.

?

 

Personally I would be careful you don't fall into the trap of people justifying their own purchases. Also don't make excuses for a products shortcomings to justify your own desires. The room was fine. Certainly the 400 and b and w speakers were very good in there and better than the phantoms as you would expect. £3k is not cheap and I would expect them to perform well. And yes they might be better than some £10k systems because some £10k systems are badly matched. These do all that for you. All I am saying is have a good listen and compare to other products.

 

[matt49]

Personally I would be careful you don't fall into the trap of people justifying their own purchases. Also don't make excuses for a products shortcomings to justify your own desires. The room was fine. Certainly the 400 and b and w speakers were very good in there and better than the phantoms as you would expect. £3k is not cheap and I would expect them to perform well. And yes they might be better than some £10k systems because some £10k systems are badly matched. These do all that for you. All I am saying is have a good listen and compare to other products.

What gives you the right to lecture other people on how to think? Wouldn't it be more gracious to admit that, yes, we do see things differently, instead of positioning yourself as some kind of arbiter of the truth?

 

[Philim]

Personally I would be careful you don't fall into the trap of people justifying their own purchases. Also don't make excuses for a products shortcomings to justify your own desires. The room was fine. Certainly the 400 and b and w speakers were very good in there and better than the phantoms as you would expect. £3k is not cheap and I would expect them to perform well. And yes they might be better than some £10k systems because some £10k systems are badly matched. These do all that for you. All I am saying is have a good listen and compare to other products.

What gives you the right to lecture other people on how to think? Wouldn't it be more gracious to admit that, yes, we do see things differently, instead of positioning yourself as some kind of arbiter of the truth? 

I liked the phantoms as I said earlier I thought they were amazing however in response:
A) because this is an open forum where people share their opinion and experiences.
B) I said "personally" as in me. You can make your own decisions.
C) Perhaps my wording came across incorrectly however the poster was making a statement about other posters experiences they had read on a forum rather than their own.
D) My final note was try plenty of things before you buy. I.e make your own mind up and not just use mine and your forum comments as a basis. Plenty of people do use forums to make their decisions.

As you say we are all different.

 

[BigH]

Personally I would be careful you don't fall into the trap of people justifying their own purchases. Also don't make excuses for a products shortcomings to justify your own desires. The room was fine. Certainly the 400 and b and w speakers were very good in there and better than the phantoms as you would expect. £3k is not cheap and I would expect them to perform well. And yes they might be better than some £10k systems because some £10k systems are badly matched. These do all that for you. All I am saying is have a good listen and compare to other products.

What gives you the right to lecture other people on how to think? Wouldn't it be more gracious to admit that, yes, we do see things differently, instead of positioning yourself as some kind of arbiter of the truth?

Its a forum, everyone should be free to give their opinion. Yes I have experienced this in the past, I have spent a load of money so I should like this product.