Datzeel vs Asr Emitter exclusive vs Devialet

Zappa1969: You said, "Ultimately I will have to listen to Darzeel and Devialet to conclude my decision. I prefer Anologue as a front end and wonder if the Devialet, being a digital amp and DartZeel CTH-8550 with its firmware updates may lean more towards pleasing people with digital products in mind? I dont understand how digital amps work but can only imagine that a digital signal be it from a front end or a Digital amplifier would only be a replicated Anologue signal to the nearest square or zero or one?"

First off let me disclose that I am the importer of darTZeel in North America. Now, why would anyone want to take vinyl and convert it to a digital signal and then convert it back to analog? It makes no sense especially with the limitations of the processing of the Devialet. Also, I would seriously be wary of digital amplifiers as I have never experienced any that do midrange or high frequencies justice.

The other problem with the "all in one box (DAC/digital volume/digital amp)" system is you are totally locked into their technology. Also, be aware, if they are controlling volume digitally, it just does not work. Bits are dropped.

If you listen to analog, focus on other non-digital pre-amp and amplifier choices. If you listen to digital, you might find much better DACs that what Devialet offers.

You mention that "DartZeel CTH-8550 with its firmware updates may lean more towards pleasing people with digital products in mind?". I really do not understand why you might think that. The CTH-8550 serves those who love music, both digital as well as analog. It comes standard with a terrific MC phono stage and absolutely is not designed with either format as a preference. I can tell you the owner of darTZeel is an analog lover. He has some of the best reel to reel machines as well as multiple vinyl rigs as a few of his sources.

I used a vintage Studer tape machine provided to us by Puget Sound Studios at both California Audio Show and RMAF last year and used it with the darTZeel CTH-8550 Integrated amplifier. We received multiple best sound in shows.

Audiofreakgeek: I think it is only fair that before you talk about products you sell or do not sell, you disclose that you are a commercial user.

Please explain further your statement: "I think the ASR is very good, and somewhat more reasonable priced than the Dart stuff which is very expensive for what you are getting."

That is a very open ended statement which is certainly without merit. Where is your justification? The darTZeel is considered to be among the very best in audio regardless of price.

Also, please tell us how the Devialet is a breakthrough product? Quite a bit of praise about a product you have never heard.

Best Regards,

Jonathan Tinn
Blue Light Audio - darTZeel North American Distributor

Audiofreekgeek is an established Audiogon member posting under a new moniker largely due to all the heat he received using the old one regarding non disclosure promotion of his products.

Email or call me for details on this creep.

Want to know haw are the analog inputs of the D-Premier ?
Check this extract from Devialet web site :
 
The analog inputs have been designed with the Devialet quality and total lack of compromise.
- Internally routing all the analog inputs as differential signals although received via a "single-ended" RCA connector, with an insulating washer (a very meaningful detail), which makes all the difference: doubles the needed devices of the analog chain hence its cost and removes all the ground noise and distorsion, making the phono ground connection virtually useless,
- Providing a configurable resistive (9 to 460 Ohms) and a capacitive (100 to 700 pF) loading of phono MC cartridge for optimal operation,
- Paying the same attention to noise and distorsions as on the DAC and the ADH amplifier,
- Providing the same extremely wide and ultra flat (see figures below) frequency response as the digital inputs, totally independant from the speaker impedance, except a security sub-bass cutoff at 0.1 Hz for speaker safety purpose (no cutoff in digital)
- using the most optimal and accurate RIAA corrector, volume control and gain stage architectures. Should we disclose that it's the most expensive section of the whole product?
Actually some customers are using their D-Premier as an ultimate RIAA-Analog to Digital converter to rip their vinyl LP collection and build a bridge between recording technologies.

Nice joke.

While the Devialet is incredibly good with digital inputs, it's not the game changer with analogue. While its phono section is fairly good, there are plenty better ones out there.

If I was going with an analogue front end I would opt for either the Dartzeel or the ASR Emitter.

Greg