Topic: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife (Read 4450 times)

DaveBSC · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2013, 01:08:52 AM »

It seems logical to me. None of these products are that different from integrated amplifiers which have been offering optional DAC boards for awhile, (Simaudio, Cyrus, etc) they just come with them. There's obviously going to be sonic compromise with these, if you expect otherwise, you're dreaming. Unlike say the Modwright KWI-200 with a DAC board installed, some of these don't even have space for a linear power supply, they're going to have to use switchers. Switching power combined with Class D in a box that also controls volume and D-to-A for a secondary bedroom or office system may be perfectly fine. For a main/reference system though - no.

As wonderful as it may seem to have everything in a pretty box, you just can't stuff all of the parts in that you need for reference level performance without making it unreasonably massive. Vitus is one of a select few that genuinely builds "best in the world" components, and while their RI-100 with the DAC and phono boards installed (truly a just add source and speakers component) probably outperforms all of the previously listed AIOs, it's still not a match for what Vitus has further up the ladder.

omegakitty · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2013, 01:25:01 AM »

The Vitus will also probably be like $60k

Though not quite USC Dell computer with smoked windows pricing

Marvey · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2013, 01:47:02 AM »

Quote from: burnspbesq on February 05, 2013, 08:59:23 PM

Quote from: purrin on February 05, 2013, 07:48:58 PM
I didn't care for the Deviant, both looks (like a bathroom scale) and sound wise.

I heard it at the LAOCAS meeting at Digital Ear last summer. It didn't blow me away, but I don't know how much of that to attribute to the Devialet itself and how much to attribute to the Focal speakers.

I wouldn't mind hearing it with a speaker I actually like.

One of these days, Anax and I will attend one of these OC club events (we are actually members, LOL!) and make fun of stuff out loud in front of people. I'm sure we will not win any friends. Although I'm sure some people will think we are cool for being honest and laugh with or at us (there are always a few smart audiophiles around who get it.)

The Devaliant is made for a certain market. I can too easily visualize an FMP clad boob-jobbed fuck-mate of an OC physician, lawyer, or banker standing around a luxurious living looking bored turning the knob of that weird shiney controller gizmo. Or maybe I saw this in a porno.

I don't know what's up with these class D amps (and ADC->DAC pre-amps) though.

Maxvla · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2013, 02:08:18 AM »

I'd seen the bathroom scale device before but didn't realize what it was. Pretty cool package, but the Wadia version looks like a better deal at half the price. I'm all for advancing class D as I really don't care for the excessive spending required for quality class A these days. I don't put all that much faith in JA and associates, but the fact that the device impressed him while replacing an entire rack of gear for less than half the price interests me, even if I can't afford a $15k silver pizza box, let alone the $7.5k Wadia space ship version.

Marvey · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2013, 02:24:01 AM »

JA is hilariously funny. You've got to read between the lines.

Let me translate:

Sound via WiFi sucks
Clean and clear
Powerful with great macro-dynamics
Don't use with speakers with < 4 ohms
No comment on all other sonic aspects not mentioned

Maxvla · « **Reply #15 on:** February 06, 2013, 02:26:44 AM »

Yeah I got all that from reading it.

DaveBSC · « **Reply #16 on:** February 06, 2013, 03:36:49 AM »

Quote from: omegakitty on February 06, 2013, 01:25:01 AM

The Vitus will also probably be like $60k

Though not quite USC Dell computer with smoked windows pricing

Actually no, the RI is in their entry level series and sells for about $13K, which for a Vitus is pocket change.

n3rdling · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2013, 03:53:16 AM »

Quote from: purrin on February 06, 2013, 01:47:02 AM

Quote from: burnspbesq on February 05, 2013, 08:59:23 PM
Quote from: purrin on February 05, 2013, 07:48:58 PM
I didn't care for the Deviant, both looks (like a bathroom scale) and sound wise.

I heard it at the LAOCAS meeting at Digital Ear last summer. It didn't blow me away, but I don't know how much of that to attribute to the Devialet itself and how much to attribute to the Focal speakers.

I wouldn't mind hearing it with a speaker I actually like.

One of these days, Anax and I will attend one of these OC club events (we are actually members, LOL!) and make fun of stuff out loud in front of people. I'm sure we will not win any friends. Although I'm sure some people will think we are cool for being honest and laugh with or at us (there are always a few smart audiophiles around who get it.)

You guys should totally show up on Segways like that Monster CEO at CanJam LA a few years back.

Tari · « **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2013, 04:00:56 AM »

Quote from: DaveBSC on February 06, 2013, 01:08:52 AM

It seems logical to me. None of these products are that different from integrated amplifiers which have been offering optional DAC boards for awhile, (Simaudio, Cyrus, etc) they just come with them. There's obviously going to be sonic compromise with these, if you expect otherwise, you're dreaming. Unlike say the Modwright KWI-200 with a DAC board installed, some of these don't even have space for a linear power supply, they're going to have to use switchers. Switching power combined with Class D in a box that also controls volume and D-to-A for a secondary bedroom or office system may be perfectly fine. For a main/reference system though - no.

The main difference is that the DAC isn't an afterthought. Heck, the IPS-3 uses the full MPD-3 DAC. What can be more of an afterthought quality-wise in comparison is the amp. Integrated amps usually have good to great amp sections, but the DACs always seem like a throw-in. The Devialet also has the wi-fi streamer thing but I'm not sure how well it actually performs. I'd love to see an SD card in like the Invicta and then you would really have one box that does/is adequate at everything.

Possibly a simpler option is a good pair of actives with a solid DAC/Pre but that of course limits the options quite a bit.

JA always seems caught up in politics of late, really harried from all the garbage he has to defend products from in his too-egalitarian comments section.

I get really interested by opposites these days. These all-in-ones are tempting, but so is the awesome Line Magnetic LM-1:

Comes on rollers so I'm calling it a transportable rig. I'd totally hook it up to a netbook/dragonfly/car battery on one end and a K1000 with speaker taps on the other and walk around town with it like someone in the hospital with their portable IV drip.

Tari · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2013, 04:03:45 AM »

One of these days, Anax and I will attend one of these OC club events (we are actually members, LOL!) and make fun of stuff out loud in front of people. I'm sure we will not win any friends. Although I'm sure some people will think we are cool for being honest and laugh with or at us (there are always a few smart audiophiles around who get it.)

You guys should do a Pez-and-Tyson style show report some time. You'd be surprised how many people appreciate honesty and calling a spade a spade.

Author Topic: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife (Read 4450 times)

DaveBSC

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

omegakitty

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

Marvey

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

Maxvla

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

Marvey

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

Maxvla

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

DaveBSC

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

n3rdling

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

Tari

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

Tari

Re: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife

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Author Topic: The Advent of the Swiss Army Knife (Read 4450 times)

omegakitty