I left Naim... and I can't work out whether I'm happy.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Why would you build a quality phono stage into a product and then promptly covert the signal to digital and back again?

It gives you a very flexible stage - MM or MC, programmable cartridge loading by configuration file and then after conversion to digital the RIAA correction is all done in the digital domain. I think you can also use it to record Vinyl too via the USB output for archiving. 

There is nothing wrong with modern digital when done well. Assuming Devialet does it well then the listener should perceive no difference, and still hear the flawed sound from the vinyl disk as if it had been analogue throughout. That, of course, is the significant assumption, in terms of both the A/D and D/A stages.

I have contemplated adding an A/D converter to my system to play analogue things through Dave, which feeds my power amp direct (such use primarily for musical musical instrument playing) - but until or unless I find an affordable one with effectively zero latency I am retaining my old preamp to swap with Dave when needed (or rather, I plan to change to balanced connections between Dave and power amp, and use the amp's balanced/unbalanced swirches to change over).

Innocent Bystander posted:

 and still hear the flawed sound from the vinyl disk as if it had been analogue throughout.

Top of the list of inappropriate comments to put on a Hi-Fi forum .

Could be a long night. I'll grab some beers. 

Nothing like something challenging to debate - and always interesting! 

Dan.S posted:

Heard the D120 (hooked to an Intel NUC) and directly compared it against my SU. Better everything. Hands down.

I can easily see a D130Pro in my future. Then again, I can see a 272&250DR with even more ease.

I agree, considering the new Uniti Nova look that I do not like at all I would do a step in Devialet with the new line Pro

For analog sources I wouldn't look at Devialet at all, it destroys transparency/sound quality by converting to digital. For digital only sources a DAC with volume control such as V1, 272, or Hugo TT direct to active speakers such as ATC SCM19A  (correctly resolves the issues Deviatlet's Sam software processing attempts to correct) or power amp such as 250DR would offer better transparency/sound quality and value for money imo.

Halloween Man posted:

. For digital only sources a DAC with digital volume control such as 272

N272 is not a DAC - it's an analogue pre-amp with a streaming module. The volume control is in an analogue domain but controlled via a digital process. 

It is also a DAC.

Halloween Man posted:

It is Also a DAC.

In a sense yes - it has digital inputs which can access the on-board DAC. 

Best to listen for yourself and decide. The Chord / ATC active setup looks to be a very elegant solution if you like what it does. There is some interesting kit at the 7k mark (272/250 price) so quite a few options available to suit all tastes.