Devialet 200

Being of diminutive stature I had known that “Small is Beautiful” long before I read the seminal work of the British economist, E.F. Schumacher (Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics As If People Mattered) a few years after it was first published in 1973. More recently I have watched in frustration as the hi-end audio manufacturers went “large” while simultaneously complaining that high end-audio was dying. They created larger boxes to the point where many of their customers, aging but affluent Baby Boomers, are no longer able to heft the weight. Or, for that matter, fit the equipment in their downsized residences. This same heavy-testosterone size and weight has alienated almost all of the gender that comprises more than half of the world’s population, makes up a significant percentage of musicians, and is a growing economic force. I now share the feminine gender’s avoidance of heavy equipment.
 

I injured myself the last time I moved a heavy piece of audio equipment. I am not alone. At the recent T.H.E. Show in Newport Beach I talked to several other audiophiles of my Baby Boomer vintage who were also feeling the need to limit equipment size and weight. Sadly, my days of “big aluminum” are over. Now my system and I are on permanent diets. Do not mistake my bias for size to in any way diminish my demand for the best performance I can afford. I admit to being a bit of a gear-head but the music always comes first and a slim wallet and space constraints keep me sane with my purchases.
 

On the other end of the age spectrum, the “iPhone generation” has grown up carrying the world in their pocket or wearing it on their wrist. They covet slick and slim, multi-function devices, and they are willing to pay for perceived quality. They are not impressed by big size or single-purpose and are not intimidated by technology. While the emotional connection to music is as important as ever, I don’t foresee them fawning over much of the equipment that is available to them.
 

Several blue-chip companies of the 70’s and 80’s (Kodak, Xerox, Polaroid, and IBM) went bankrupt or nearly so because they needed a weatherman to tell them which way the wind blows. They were too slow recognizing the times they are a changing. I acknowledge that some audio equipment companies have done well for decades but just because something works does not mean it works the best. And because something has always worked in the past does not mean it will always work in the future.
 

Attendance at regional shows is at record high levels. But how many attendees are buying? I have heard anecdotal accounts from several manufacturers that attendees are using the shows for entertainment but not buying. They come to ogle the latest Lamborghini then drive home in 6-year-old Camrys. Do I predict all existing audio manufacturers will fail? No, but I do predict the most successful ones will reinvent themselves.
 

It pains me to say these things about the industry because some members I consider friends. Others have gained my respect and admiration through their sheer passion, dedication, and courage to take the risks they do. At the same time I can’t agree with the predominant approach they take.
 

Most designers are using convergent thinking to push the envelope only in the direction it has been going in for decades. That only results in MK2 or Signature versions of existing products yielding incremental improvement at best. To really push the envelope it is necessary to start with a clean-sheet design. Without divergent thinking, true progress is not possible. One of the most successful companies in history, Apple, was not afraid of being disruptive. In fact it was an essential element of their culture as was promoted by their grammatically incorrect, but famous catchphrase, “Think different”.
 

That is why I would describe the Devialet products as “equipment as if people mattered” or “equipment as if music mattered”. In the case of Devialet, small really is beautiful in both aesthetics and performance and the Devialet engineers truly did “think different”.
 

Evolution or Revolution?

Because Devialet is a recent entry into the audiophile market they have started with a fresh perspective, unburdened by legacy products and expectations. The Devialet 200 is the most exciting piece of equipment to ever grace my home with the possible exception of my Quad ESL-2805s. I have had the Devialet for enough months and played enough music to know it is not a temporary infatuation. I have only grown fonder. I have to resist the temptation to put my performance summary here. Before I give away the punchline, I need to describe the Devialet 200.
 

The first thing that grabs attention is the sleek chassis carved from a solid block of aluminum with a mirror-like black chrome finish. Likewise the remote is also carved from a single, square block of aluminum. It is elegant in its simplicity with only four buttons and a large knob for adjusting volume. One feature that I appreciate is: the Devialet automatically reduces the volume to -40dB whenever a new input is selected. This protects speakers from pilot error.  Users can change the setting to something not as severe if they wish. The remote adjusts volume very smoothly in 0.5dB steps.
 

The remote buttons can also be used to access information such as internal operating temperatures, digital input frequency, balance, tone controls and others. While the radio-controlled remote is a handful it does not need to be handheld. It can conveniently be left on a table but the small display will require removing one’s derriere from the listening chair for some functions. A remote with a display would be the perfect improvement to an already incredible device.
 

At first blush the many features of the Devialet may seem intimidating but operation is so easy it quickly becomes fun. There are options for the user to configure some inputs to be either analog or digital. The phonograph input accepts both MM and MC cartridges and can be configured to match specific characteristics of the cartridge used (see Specifications).

Configuring inputs is simply a matter of going to the Devialet website and using the “configurator” to establish the desired settings and download the configuration to the supplied 4GB SDHC flash memory card. Then insert the card into the Devialet. The configuration can also be saved to the computer for future use. This is a useful feature if someone needs to change back and forth for different phonograph cartridges or turntables although I suggest multiple SDHC cards to make that switch easier if it is done frequently. Note that there is a 4GB size limit. SDHC cards are also used to update firmware. This useful feature allows updating the unit without cost or downtime.
 

Likewise the WiFi input must be configured if the user wants to use the proprietary “AIR” streaming feature. But leaving those items aside for the moment, the Devialet demo unit supplied was ready to play right out of the box with default inputs already operational. And what red-blooded audiophile doesn’t want to chuck the instruction manual and start listening to new equipment as soon as possible?
 

Connecting a Devialet can pose a problem if, like me, you have amassed a pile of unfriendly cables. The slim chassis and low feet leave little room for stiff speaker cables or large power cords. There is a removable cover that can be left off to give extra space but the low shelf clearance makes it difficult to install stiff speaker cables with spade terminations since the plastic-covered binding posts only load from the bottom. The best option is straight-on banana terminations. Locking bananas that are angled (e.g. WBTs) are also problematic. Using footers to raise the Devialet can be helpful in making connections. Another option, if the location permits, is to push the Devialet all the way to the rear of the shelf.
 

Streaming

AIR is the Devialet proprietary program for music streaming via either WiFi or Ethernet. That makes one less box needed for modern audio systems. I was not able to maintain the WiFi connection. In my home the Devialet would connect and then immediately start searching and reestablishing a connection, despite my desktop in the next room showing 5 bars maximum strength and my iPad sitting on a shelf two feet above the Devialet showing maximum strength from my AT&T U-verse router. Others have reported similar difficulty. Hopefully, when Devialet fixes the WiFi connection issue it will be a simple download for the user to install. On the other hand, the Ethernet performance was impressive even though the first leg (desktop to router) was via WiFi.

Technology

Devialet’s compact size and high quality performance is the result of two major technology developments. First is what Devialet terms their “Magic Wire” DAC. It starts with a Texas Instruments PCM1792 (24bits/192kHz) DAC followed by the Magic Wire, a patented method of converting the TI DAC’s output current into voltage. The second very critical development is what Devialet terms ADH® (analog/digital hybrid). In this unique design, two amplifiers operate in parallel (not series). A Class-A analog amplifier sets the output voltage while digital amplifiers provide most of the current. The resulting hybrid architecture divides the output impedance of the analog amplifier by 100.
 

Class-A operation makes the Devialet operate quite warm, even hot. However, temperature should not be confused with BTUs. As warm as the Devialet feels to the touch, it does not seem to create heat in the shelf area like my tube amplifier does. I attribute that to the fact that the Devialet chassis design does not dissipate heat very well. Therefore equipment operating temperature gives a false sense of how much heat (BTUs) is produced. Still, the operating temperature of the Devialet is my only serious disappointment. Using the remote buttons in a prescribed manner displays the temperatures of the Class-A amplifier, Class-D amplifier and the power supply. I noted operating temperatures of 50⁰C (122⁰ F), 48⁰ C (118⁰F⁾ and 51⁰C (124⁰ F) respectively after six hours of use at a moderate volume. Nordost Pulsar Points provided 1” of ventilation clearance under the unit. Room temperature was 78⁰ F. The Devialet was painful to touch but I could not feel any heat holding my hand 1” above the unit. Regardless, with the brutal summer temperatures where I live I was hoping for something that ran closer to Class-D temperatures.
 

SAM®

SAM is the acronym for Speaker Active Matching, a proprietary system to optimize the Devialet to selected speakers. Users report improved bass response and dynamics. At the same time, SAM protects drivers by limiting excursion. Devialet does this by carefully measuring speakers at their facility to determine certain performance parameters including excursion and acceleration.
 

When applied by the end user, SAM employs real-time DSP correction to enhance speaker performance while providing protection from excess excursion. SAM is not a take it or leave it proposition. Users can choose to use SAM at 100% or reduce the level to whatever pleases them and matches their room and music. SAM is available for over 430 speakers and more are being measured. Unfortunately it is not yet available for the Quad ESL-2805s used for this review. (Quad review here: http://www.stereotimes.com/post/quad-esl-2805)

Performance

I found using the analog outputs from my Laufer Teknik Memory Player 64 into the Devialet quite impressive. However, I did not feel there was anything to be gained by doing a conversion at each end. To keep the system as minimalist as possible I used the AES/EBU digital output from the Memory Player. But using the right digital interconnect proved essential. A JPS Labs Aluminata was the clear winner in my system. Performance with other cables ranged from good to mediocre and lifeless. Some cables provided a fuller-bodied sound but the tradeoffs were loss of resolution, dynamics, and bass control. Unless noted, all my performance comments are based upon digital input using the JPS Labs Aluminata.
 

The Devialet 200 was nonplussed handling the 4-15ohm swing of the Quad ESL-2805s. Other amplifiers have not fared so well. On the top end, my Sopranino super tweeters (review here: http://www.stereotimes.com/post/enigmaacoustics-electrostatic-super-tweeter) revealed no harshness. Two areas stand out with the Devialet, although I wince at the words stand out because the performance of the Devialet is very even and balanced overall.
 

One performance characteristic is the dead quiet background. It provides a truly blank canvas to paint audio portraits on, capturing subtle nuance and detail. The other noteworthy area is the bass: dynamic and solid while simultaneously being exceptionally tight and detailed.
 

Frequently amplifiers reputed to have excellent bass overpower the music, the speakers, and the room. The bass dominates.  But that is not the case with Devialet. Here the bass has more impact than I am used to while maintaining its proper balance with the rest of the music. I have heard many speakers with prodigious bass. Usually I wanted to walk or run out of the room.  With the Devialet on Quads I wanted to turn it up.  The bass was so tight it had more impact than the dull diffuse, but loud bass from many other amplifier/speaker combinations. Bass control was the best I have heard on my system and that is without the benefit of SAM which is not available for my speakers. I hope they are eventually added to the SAM list. (hint, hint)