Devialet 170: comparison to Naim

There have been some threads on this - try the forum search facility.  This was probably the most recent:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...78#27613035026836078

Interesting. Class D amplification was always regarded as good for lots of watts but not much cop for audiophile purposes, but clearly the technology around it has been refined - I've heard good things about the Hypex modules and the like. 

The future for amplification perhaps?

Who knows, I agree with James, a lot opinions around without having heard them..

I'm interested for sure, bound to make an appointment. On paper they're promising, very promising (sound-, versatility- and simplicity wise).

@Tonym: I haven't seen a report on the double 240 setup*, would you take the honours? 

*  

I don't get this interest in devialet.  It's like having a bunch of posts about B&O.  The product has a lifestyle focus.  Maybe it's because Naim do all in one devices these days.  

I guess I'm old school.  Music playback gear does not have to be discrete, I don't feel the need to hide my audio gear.  I just want what sounds best. That isn't Devialet and I unlike many I have heard it.  Against my system I was not impressed, but given that I run nDAC and XPS you would hope that would be the case.

I rather welcome the fact that Naim has returned to making simple discrete and small form pieces. Just like the old days with the Naits One and Two, and the small form pre-amps and amplifiers!

Sounded grand then and the new ones sound grand now.

Naim do cater for more demonstrative looking arrangements as well, so everyone should be happy!

As for comparisons to other makes, there are many ways to skin a cat ...

ATB from George

Errr, no thanks.

The Devialet owner still has not forgiven me for calling it the pizza box.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and my comment was not intended to be derogatory, at the same time the silver box doesn't do much for me visually.

What would I know on such things as form factor.  I am no expert on industrial design but I like what I have very much.  My Naim components are the least showy in my setup with Conrad Johnson CT5/LP 70s and Vivid B1.  

You are right however, each to his own.  I even managed to hold my tongue when the guy at work said he loves his Bose HT system.  It wasn't easy. Devialet is a matter of taste, Bose is just plain cheap and nasty.  I prefer my computer speakers to the last Bose HT I heard.  It was just dreadful.

Have you heard the/any Devialet?

I have, not for long as I was picking up my SuperUniti and it was lying there making sounds and stuff! The 'teardrop' logo reminded me of a vintage car chrome radiator badge.

Regarding looks: how come people interested, listening or buying a Devialet are supossed to like the design? For those fancy the shiny casing over the black edition, it's just a matter of personal taste. (some could find the number of Naim devices, cable sensitivity, etc crazy. Others don't). No good or bad here.

I actually prefer a spartan approach, ideally I prefer all (R&D, manufacturing) funds are spend at musical performance. At home the gear stands in a closed cabinet in a separate room... The only postive aspect with an 'attractive' casing would be a better resell value/speed. If I would buy one, it would be the most preferred variant.

Most important: Other reasons tickled my curiosity, is seems to 'do' music very well, at a good price point.

How long have they been around? And how long has Naim been around? Granted, It was probably a stretch for those early pioneers to buy a stark black box from Naim way back when, but Naim has certainly proven that they have a product that will last, and be able to be serviced.

Tpm

It seems to me that Devialet is still a very young company that only recently attracted meaningful funding.  With planned free upgrades every 6 months things can only get better. I'd love the Devialet 500 (2 x 240s in dual mono). The mirror finish reflects its surroundings so you 'lose' it or you can get a white one and hang it on a white wall and 'lose it'. I don't like looking at boxes, certainly not multiple boxes. Every review I have read (and I think I've read them all - the ones in English that is) agree Devialet is serious high end and not a lifestyle product at all despite WAF being through the roof.. Well worth auditioning I'm sure.  Naim caught NAPping? 

Havn't heard the devialet stuf right now. But since decades reading highly praised equipment and speakers by magazins and so on for me one point is clear. If something is highly recommended be a lot of people doesn't mean everything (for me!)

Music and it's presentation is a kind of art. As every kind of art it depends to the unique people.

No doubt that a lot of systems have their very good caracteristics but there are only some that are able to transport music to ME in a kind such as Naim do. Appart all technical points there is something that the sloagen "no naim no music" point out in short words.

I remember the presentation Linn Majik DS / Naim ND5 XS. My wife, no doubt no fan girl come in, listen to  2-3 tracks. Then:"No music, could, nothing we are going to buy". Others may see / feel different.

What I'm trying to say is, that ever I have heard in the last 3 decades nothing could reach this special aspect of naim.

And believe me, I would really love to find a system as Linn's DS with integrated all the stuff I looking for such as pre amp, spotify, aitplay and all the small little things makeing live a little bit easier.

Would prefer it against a single PSU for .... what? why?

But, for me 99% of music and equipmentare designed to please me especially in the emotional points off music.

So, the only way is go and listen. Don't listen only to the frequencies, voices, bass.... no listen and aks your self: Is this the way I wanne hear music a long time .........

Devialet- Aurender-Vivid G3

Devialet- Aurender- Martin Logan Ascent

this was in a domestic environment.

Last year when we moved into our new house we were considering a very clean minimalistic interior and listened to a few one box solutions from Linn, Naim and also the Devialet D-premier. My current system was 252,250.2. We had a long demo of the Devialet with B&W, Devore and Sonus Faber speakers. The system didn't sound bad, but we were also not attracted to it. It sounds very clean and can play quite loud with no form of strain. But for us it lacked musicality and involvement, especially compared to Naim. Those things are hard to explain in audio equipment, it's just there or not. It was easily noticed that on most songs we listened i felt i wanted to skip to another song before the one playing was finished. I expected a lot more after the raving reviews i read about. So no surprise that my 252, 250.2 stayed. After hearing how it compares to the one box solutions that were available then, we were happy to stick with the extra boxes and space it takes in the living room since the music involvement is more then worth it to us. It seems to me Naim's attention to detail and focus on musicality is were it excels and not many other brands can match this.

I really enjoyed my old 282/SC2/300 (The 252 didn't do it for me) and as much as i love the Naim sound i'd not swap back. 

Vinyl vs CD, Valves vs Solid State, Ovators vs SL2's - Each to their own 

James

Well maybe then the Naim sound wasn't for you after all since the Devialet is quite a different presentation of music. Especially compared with the 282 which is very up front with loads of PRAT. Of course the aesthetics of the Devialet is in a different league to Naim separates.

I heard wth the other day with a thorens turntable and bw stand momounts elegant design 

sounded good .Apparently that one was a streamer(?) too but the case doesnt help the wwifi solve silver  box £6900

I'd rather stick with my naim

That's very interesting Louise. 

One wonders if it were that good, why the aggressive campaign...coupled with dealer arrogance, not very endearing. I suspect the dealer has helped enormously in giving you the confidence in choosing Naim.

Jason

What, as if Naim/Linn were not very aggressive in their early days?

Or have I read my hi-fi history wrong?

I heard the 170 at my dealer and thought it sounded boring, too sterile and clean. There was simply no music to my ears. But i can understand that some prefer the sound to that of Naim.