Doh,
Well here is hoping they get enough dealerships in US for Stereophile to review the product - sounds like its picked your interest as well JA.
From the current detailed analysis by Paul it seems to deserve a level of recognition, even if they do look like weighing scales

Of interest is the advanced configuration options; use an application running on a PC (Mac/Microsoft supported) and you set your config there, store this to memory stick and its ready for uploading.
Nice and simple, I guess if you have a PC/laptop anyway.
And Riccardo sure does find some interesting audio companies.

Cheers
Orb

Thanks for finding the pics
That control so reminds me of the early typical French design from Citroen, you either love it or hate it I think

Cheers
Orb

Although bear in mind this amp is not Class D in the traditional sense, and does not have the same limitations.
They found a beautiful design incorporating both Class D and A (and as JA mentions it is the Class A aspect of this design that influences its sound), along with accepting/manipulation high res digital into the amp more in line with true digital amps such as TACT and Lyngdorf, and on top with support for HDMI not far off as well from the sounds of it.

Cheers
Orb

Aha I thought this product would get you posting
For a technical look at the product I suggest buying Hi-finews publication this month, but if its ok will quote a section (if its not then any moderator can remove it) where Paul Miller explains more of the architecture.
Bear in mind Paul is the guy who created various world class testing products/procedures, and uses his technical skills to understand the practical aspects of this design.

Cheers
Orb

As JA explained earlier the similarity with Quad I am going to miss a similar repeat from Paul but just add the last sentence he mentioned on that comparison, plus other info;

Quote:

In both cases the Class A control amplifier utilises an error signal derived from the current dumpers to compensate for their non-linearities.

In practice, when we measure and listen to the Devialet. It's the performance of this very linear Class A control amp that defines the both the numbers and the its sound.
Moreover in this French example of the art, the Class A amp also filters the triangular ripple current from its noisy digital Class D switching stage.
In one step the need for an invasive LC filter - used between the modulator and the speaker outputs of all other Class D amps - is avoided.

And about the digital core to output stage architecture;

Quote:
All inputs to the D-Premier end up in the digital domain...
This 24-bit/192kHz audio data is used to retrieve the ~300kHz PWM signal for the Class D amp,
This describes the signal amplitude by the relative 'width' of pulses in the chain, the underlying audio signal being recovered by filtering through the highly linear CLass A amp (see boxout).
The Class A amp, meanwhile, is also driven by this digital data after volume and other correction is applied.
Devialet uses pairs of PCM1792 DACs in a proprietary 'current reflector' configuration that encompasses both I-to-V conversion and gain for the bias-corrected Class A output stage.

And a snapshot of the review chat about the digital processing/PWM.

Quote:
Calibrated for frequency, digital volume position and output level the heightened precision of the DAC and Class A I-to-V stages are what shape the performance of the D-Premier as a whole.
If were were able to measure or listen to the Class D stage in isolation, we'd discover it was far 'rougher' sounding than the combined efforts of its ADH output (see boxout below).

Alan, would help if you mention why you think its smoke and mirrors.
Basically what they have done is come up with an innovative design that could be argued is an efficient true digital PWM Class A amp (90% efficient), this in theory could be the best modern day design when considering ergonomics/heat/power consumption and importantly quality sound.

For those after test figures;
Dynamic power <1% THD 8/4/2/1ohm; 165W/330W/650W/325W.
A-wtd S/N ratio 0dbW/165W; 91.3dB/113.7dB

For more info its April 2010 publication of Hi-fiNews, just to add the product uses for DSP/digital core Analogix processors.
Cheers
Orb

If you get the chance sometime, at a more affordable price are some of the more modern Quad amps (touched upon briefly) they still sell using their current dumping technology.

The 909 I think is around

Ah shame and thanks for the heads up Welsh hifi, ok I cannot resist this bit of cheek...
Well it does sound like the Devialet amp is the amp your after

Well just an update.
Looks like I will have the chance to audition the Devialet at home late next week, dealer will be bringing it around.
Interestingly this is a high end dealer and they really are enthusiastic about this product, even though it is eating away at their sales for more expensive amps.
The dealer seems to be selling roughly 3 a week at moment, their view is that the interest is high enough vs more expensive equipment and that the price will probably increase in the future, also in part due to a government grant ending (only going by what I have heard).

Cheers
Orb

Yes,
but considering the price of those other products it did not worry me too much
They could be one of those rare dealers who are more enthusiastic about music than being ruthless sales person.
Fits in with the profile of the other dealers I am friendly with (as an example who promoted Yamaha Z11 in past over esoteric products years ago and now even cheaper products, or shock horror do suggest transports that are mass market price even though they sell components over

Just remembered the UK Distributor (Ricardo - Absolute Sounds) looks to have permission to post the Hi-Finews review by Paul.
Worth reading for the measurements, downside is poor analogue measurement but that does not bother me, interestingly thinking back if I remember the NAD M2 also was not so good with its analogue.
Anyway the review is on the right side of the page.
http://www.absolutesounds.com/index.php?...ufacturer_id=27

Note;
The price is wrong in the review, it is currently

Err,
so your saying what Paul Miller wrote was not a review???
You did actually read the PDF and look at the measurements, his comments on testing the design,etc?
Wow
I guess his negative comments on the analogue you took to be as marketing cut and paste as well

BTW You should check how often Paul Miller is that enthusiastic about an audio product (if you read the review), its very rare.

Orb

Ya nub you didnt read the review, that IS the marketing info you read
The review is a PDF link on the right hand side lol.
Let me know what you think of the review NOT the marketing

Edit:
The review is 5 pages and has no mention of "timbers' beauty" that is in the marketing page of the distributor.
Ah thanks for the fun, made me smile here hehe.

Cheers
Orb

Hehe,
well I think we added a bit of entertainment for the night here so, maybe some of the forum members could send the cash
BTW I get the feeling that as I did not make it clear others were probably wondering WTF I was going on about a good review

Cheers
Orb