As much as these blogs mainly focus on products from Polish companies that, for the most part, have–or are en route to having–a presence in the U.S., a few premieres from companies headquartered elsewhere demand attention. Hence, I took a short trip to Paris for the premiere of the second generation of Devialet’s very first product, the Astra integrated amplifier.
Given that it has taken Devialet 14 years to issue an entirely new, up-to-date integrated, this was a major premiere in a relatively small package. Available in two colors, light bronze or (for a higher price) Opéra de Paris 23-carat gold leaf, the Roon Ready Astra’s DOS3 Devialet Operating System can stream music via Google Cast, AirPlay, UPnP, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6, it can be controlled by your tablet or phone. (There is also an attractive remote control.) Going online allows advanced configuration of MC and MM cartridges, RIAA curve, load impedance, and lots more parameters.
Astra's ADH (analog-digital hybrid) technology outputs 300Wpc into 4 ohms, and was engineered for zero distortion and zero saturation. For those who desire the benefits of monoblocks, it is upgradable to dual-mono status (600Wpc into 4 ohms). It comes equipped with coaxial and optical digital inputs, USB-C, analog phono and line inputs, and Ethernet inputs. Already available in Europe, it should arrive in the US in the first quarter of 2025. No price has yet been set. Which is probably a good thing, since no one knows what kind of tariffs may be instituted after the 2024 election.
Heard through Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers—the model number didn’t arrive by blog time—the sound was so loud on Patricia Barber’s This Town from Clique that the walls of the room began to resound. What stood out regardless was the strength and clarity of bass and the warmth of the midrange. Before I left, I learned that Astra’s main sonic improvements over its predecessors are most evident above 5kHz, where total harmonic distortion has decreased significantly.
For more information, click to go to the official Devialet website.
Astra's ADH (analog-digital hybrid) technology outputs 300Wpc into 4 ohms, and was engineered for zero distortion and zero saturation. For those who desire the benefits of monoblocks, it is upgradable to dual-mono status (600Wpc into 4 ohms). It comes equipped with coaxial and optical digital inputs, USB-C, analog phono and line inputs, and Ethernet inputs. Already available in Europe, it should arrive in the US in the first quarter of 2025. No price has yet been set. Which is probably a good thing, since no one knows what kind of tariffs may be instituted after the 2024 election.
Heard through Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers—the model number didn’t arrive by blog time—the sound was so loud on Patricia Barber’s This Town from Clique that the walls of the room began to resound. What stood out regardless was the strength and clarity of bass and the warmth of the midrange. Before I left, I learned that Astra’s main sonic improvements over its predecessors are most evident above 5kHz, where total harmonic distortion has decreased significantly.
For more information, click to go to the official Devialet website.
