Devialet at Radlett Audio

[hifi_dave]

Just to remind you good folks that the Devialet D110, D170 and D240 are on permanent demonstration at Radlett Audio.


http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/018_zpse0900b8e.jpg (http://s1058.photobucket.com/user/hifi_dave/media/018_zpse0900b8e.jpg.html)


My pics just don't do justice to these black chrome slabs of loveliness, each one not much larger than the average laptop.


http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/015_zpsa144a705.jpg (http://s1058.photobucket.com/user/hifi_dave/media/015_zpsa144a705.jpg.html)

What you have inside the elegant box is an extremely good, versatile and highly flexible amplifier with excellent inbuilt phono stage. Then there is the DAC section, which to my ears is about as good as they get and there is a streamer. So, in one beautiful box is everything you need for a high quality system - simple, easy to use and bullet proof. Free upgrades are available from time to time.

The prices start at £4490, which I believe is great value for what you get and I'm a great fan.


e-mail: radlettaudio@hotmail.co.uk

[synsei]

That is gorgeous Dave. I read somewhere that when powered up their logo floats underneath that lustrous finish, is this correct?

[hifi_dave]

There is a little window which displays the logo, volume, input etc on the top, just behind the on/off switch. My top pic shows it best - just behind the 3-D logo, which is the switch. All very under-stated and beautiful.

Before i received these, I was expecting them to be good but not prepared for just how good they are. I'm quite enthralled with the sound and practicality. I've been enjoying my music via digital output from an Apollo-r, USB from my computer (yes, that's right Alex) and turntable. Kept me from doing my work, all afternoon.

[Reffc]

Lovely bit of kit; elegant design, decent sounding too (heard one at this year's Bristol Show....very impressive). In the context of a high quality all in one system, very good indeed!

[hifi_dave]

Even the inbuilt phono stage is excellent, with a myriad of loading options and even a choice of EQ curves. These DVs are seriously good in all areas and with a pair of Harbeth on the end are sublime.

[Tim]

USB from my computer (yes, that's right Alex) and turntable. Kept me from doing my work, all afternoon.
Nice one David ;)

So am I right in thinking you can attach a TT to this, a music server like mine to the inbuilt DAC and utilise streaming services like Spotify from tinternet and control it all from an app on a tablet PC? You would just need this, a pair of speakers and some sort of music server or computer and all your bases would be covered, unless of course you wanted to use a CDP, but they are redundant now as far as I'm concerned.

[Tim]

I have been doing some reading about this and you have pricked my interest David, a very intriguing product :eyebrows:

[hifi_dave]

It is very 'intriguing' and it sounds wonderful, which was my main interest. 90% of my product range - Croft, Albarry, LFD etc - are about as minimalist as you can get but it sounds good. I was expecting Devialet to be passable but it's far, far better than that and I could happily live with one. To be honest, I can't fault it.

As you say, you can connect a turntable plus any digital source via USB, S/PDIF, Optical, Ethernet and AES/EBU. You can stream directly to it and connect analogue line sources. There is an app so that it can be controlled via your phone. A bit beyond me at the moment but my Grandaughter did it in two minutes.

There is a huge amount of customisation you can apply via the SD card with options downloadable from their website, it even has tone controls.

[Tim]

. . . it even has tone controls. :eyebrows:

I'll be coming over to see you after I retire next year David and this will be high on my wish list of things to try out, together with some Michell TT's.

This would fit very well indeed within Captain Tidy's living space. Its just a big slab of loveliness to be sure and does everything I could possibly want in one very sexy, sleek box . . . MC phono stage, Spotify direct from the net, optical input for the TV and a USB DAC input for my music server, all controlled from a tablet app and that remote looks pretty neat too. If it sounds as good as it looks it could be worth serious consideration. I'm so glad Alex got you posting pics on here!

(I'll bring my cheque book!)

[hifi_dave]

Wowie, you already know more about it than me..:doh:

I did a demo this afternoon, using music from my laptop and it was sounding excellent. Next step is to get my i-pad streaming Spotify. A small step for mankind - a major step for a computer numpty..:hmm:

Is the move still on the cards ?

[DSJR]

Michell? MICHELL????? Wash your mouth out and say Nottingham Analogue twenty times :lol:

[Tim]

Michell? MICHELL????? Wash your mouth out and say Nottingham Analogue twenty times :lol:
Nottingham who? . . . ;) Beautifully engineered tables those Michell jobbies I reckon and would look nice sitting next to a Devialet 240. The 401 can go in the study with my Quad gear, far too fuggly for the main living area.


1. Wowie, you already know more about it than me..:doh:

2. Is the move still on the cards ?
1. Hahaha yes, but I have spent a wee bit of time reading and downloading info today about this beautiful box of tricks - it certainly ticks a lot of boxes as far as I'm concerned, of course if I don't like how it sounds with the SHL5's that's moot, but the feature set, size and look would fit my future needs perfectly. As you probably know I'm a bit of a minimalist and like clean tidy lines. I don't really like Hi-Fi gear and try to hide it away, but this wouldn't need hiding.

2. I will definitely be moving on retirement David, can't afford Dorset house prices, but there is a ? mark over Suffolk now. My main reason was to be near my friend in China, who was due to return this October and settle back in Suffolk (he's from Stowmarket). However, he may now be in China for at least another 5 years, maybe more so I'm reluctant to commit until I know where he's going to end up. So I may take over my Dad's place in South Wales until I know what my mate is up to? It would place me much closer to numerous music venues too, Suffolk would leave me with a lot of long car journeys to gigs.

[hifi_dave]

The Devialet certainly works well with Harbeth. The past couple of days I have been captivated by the D170 and SHL5 combination. Digging out a lot of my favourite old CDs and LPs for a head banging session..:guitar:

[DSJR]

Nottingham who? . . . ;) Beautifully engineered tables those Michell jobbies I reckon and would look nice sitting next to a Devialet 240. The 401 can go in the study with my Quad gear, far too fuggly for the main living area.




All these people who 'buy' with their eyes ;) It's not all about visuals you know and sometimes, the sound is just too convincing. I suggest you try one sometime.

[Tim]

All these people who 'buy' with their eyes ;) It's not all about visuals you know and sometimes, the sound is just too convincing. I suggest you try one sometime.
That's just the thing though Dave and you will all want to burn me at the stake for saying it, but what will end up in my main living space and very likely next to a Devialet 170, will have to 'look right' with aesthetics being an essential consideration.
:sofa:

As I am firmly committed to FBA, if a TT ends up in Captain Tidy's living room its likely to only get occasional use and be more of an ornament/design statement than a music source to be totally blunt. The restored 401 will be the main player for records in a study, but that's going to play freshly cleaned vinyl going straight into an HRT Linestreamer+ (http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/hrt-linestreamer-hi-fi-90/) ADC and converted to a needledrop for playing back digitally via the server. I want the option to 'play' vinyl, but it will never replace my prime source of FBA. So in this particular instance it most definitely is about the visuals.

[hifi_dave]

It's great when you can find equipment which sounds good and looks good too, especially if it's in your living space. It's all very well considering a pile of big boxes,large wires and ironmongery but I for one would prefer something a little more svelte and stylish. Providing it sounds great, of course.

[User211]

TBH I thought the top of the line one sounded nothing special through some Magicos at Munich a few years back.

The one hung on the wall at Bristol this year seemed good, though. Listened to it for quite some time.

Try with your kit before you buy. As ever.

[User211]

BTW I'm no fan of Magicos. Best ignore what I said and just try for yourself:)

[hifi_dave]

I can't stress enough, that the Devialet does sound great. I wasn't expecting much, before they turned up, as I don't like class-D amps but the DV are something special. I believe the amp circuit is a bit like Quad current dumpers, where a high quality class-A amp, drives the class-D to provide finesse and power without the 'harshness' I don't like with class-D.

Before the Devialet, my 'digital audio' stock was a pile of black boxes and cables from a respected company. I couldn't get on with the complexity in use and set up plus the sound at 5 x the price of a Devialet wasn't as good and the transformers' 'buzz' was audible from across the room. The svelte, little DV is quiet, reliable and works perfectly.

I am using Devialet with Harbeth, Martin Logan, Spendor and Neat - sounds pretty good to me.

[Tim]

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/folder2_zps59b9420f.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/folder2_zps59b9420f.jpg.html)

Sssssss luuuverly, I wants it :drool:

OK, that's enough wine for tonight I think?

[SteveW]

That's just the thing though Dave and you will all want to burn me at the stake for saying it, but what will end up in my main living space and very likely next to a Devialet 170, will have to 'look right' with aesthetics being an essential consideration.
:sofa:

As I am firmly committed to FBA, if a TT ends up in Captain Tidy's living room its likely to only get occasional use and be more of an ornament/design statement than a music source to be totally blunt. The restored 401 will be the main player for records in a study, but that's going to play freshly cleaned vinyl going straight into an HRT Linestreamer+ (http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/hrt-linestreamer-hi-fi-90/) ADC and converted to a needledrop for playing back digitally via the server. I want the option to 'play' vinyl, but it will never replace my prime source of FBA. So in this particular instance it most definitely is about the visuals.

Well put Tim.
The older I get, the more I am inclined to the same view as you.
Mind you.. a big influence was getting the Harbeth P3ESR's through Dave.
They don't seem bothered about what's driving 'em. Sounds sublime whatever.
Having had a load of kit go duff I've gone more and more minimalist (or should that be simplisticist) ( more wine vicar) ... Without any major reduction in enjoyment of the music..and I really can see the appeal of this kit.

Mmmm..

[hifi_dave]

Come over as soon as you like Tim and show me how to post proper pics.

[hifi_dave]

http://en.devialet.com/assets/Systems/Devialet-170-connectors-2000.jpg

[hifi_dave]

Holy cow - I did it. A whole new world has opened..:carrot:

[Tim]

Holy cow - I did it. A whole new world has opened..:carrot:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/thumbsup.gif (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/thumbsup.gif.html)

[hifi_dave]

To answer a couple of queries - the Devialet do, currently, have the Air facility included in the price. It was a £1K option.