Devialet or Hegel?
 

I'm looking to make a change to my system as space is becoming more of a premium. I currently use an Ayre setup (QB-9DSD, KX-5/20, VX-5/20) and I really do love the sound. No real complaints, so I'm not looking particularly to move up in quality, I just need to bring my system down to something more compact and would prefer not to just step down to the AX-5/20 to keep the same sound so it's time to experiment. I have been reading a lot about modern integrateds and near the top of my list is the new Hegel H590, and Devialet (not sure which model yet, but likely Expert 220 Pro).

Does anyone have experience listening to these two brands? What are some of the main differences in sound? If you've got experience with Ayre as well that would also be helpful to relate it to my current system. Budget is around $15k. Recommendations for other brands I should look to would be welcomed too!

My speakers currently are Bryston Middle T, but I've also been eyeing up a switch to Magico A3 if that changes the recommendation.

IMO you should also consider the Gryphon Diablo 300. (I use mine to drive Magico S3 Mk 2s.)

I've seen this one mentioned a few times... added to my list, thanks! Any idea how the little brother (Diablo 120) compares? This one might be hard for me to audition...

Have not heard the 120. In this class, the Luxman L-509X would be where I'd look first.

I’ve been on that merry go round. It will be very difficult to do better than the Diablo 300 at that price point.

Based on satisfied owner impressions, reviews and outstanding build quality inside and out the Gryphon Diablo would be at the top of my very short list within the budget stated. I'd like to give you impressions on the sound but I have not listened to one.

You might want to consider the Levinson 585 as well. I have listened to it and it is very good. It is also made to a high standard.

Cheers,

Scott

Devialet or Hegel?
 

A nice, elaborate review of the Hegel H590, with comparison to the Devialet around the 13 minute mark.

https://youtu.be/yq_4XJGRLEY

There are alternatives, be it in a higher price range. The Kii Three speakers are a different kind of integrated system, and adding the BXT module (at a later date) transforms it into a different speaker altogether.

The Analog Domain M75D is an excellent integrated, be it very limited in functionality, but the performance is out of this world.

Jacques, a nice review!
I've heard and read good things about this H590.
Time to give it a listen!

How about the Simaudio Moon Evolution 700i.

It was almost 10 years ago now, but I made a switch from Ayre 5 series (K-5xe, V-5xe, C-5xe) to a Simaudio I7 and Supernova RS, and honestly felt like I had given up too much.

Funny, actually, that I seem to be repeating the past. I went back to Ayre and on the search for an integrated again!

Haven't heard the 700i, but at the time I wasn't as thrilled with the simaudio sound as I'd hoped.

Just tested both
 

Hi all

Its my first post here and I'm quite new to the hobby, but I´ll throw in my 50 cents.

I've had a Hegel H160 with Revel F206 speakers and sub for a few years, but now had some money left over and felt like looking for an improvement.

I got to try out the Devialet 220 pro for about a week in my home, and I was really surprised how much more the F206 speakers had to give with a better amp. With the Devialet 220 pro I felt that the soundstage got bigger and deeper and more airy. The separation was a lot better and somehow the music sounded and felt more "precise" then ever. Drums and bass had a lot more body, character and kind of roundness to them. Vocals felt very natural and present, like the singer was in the room.

16 bit 48khz and higher material sounded awesome, Spotify premium was ok, but streaming music through Sonos Connect sounded like shit. My family uses sonos for background music as it is easy to use and everyone has an account for Spotify, but this was the first time I noticed how bad it actually sounds. I think that is a statement to te quality of the Devialet compared to the Hegel 160.

Only downside I found was that the imaging (or what you call it) was at moments somehow confusing compared to the Hegel: If I could place the drums to a certain spot in the room, I would suddenly hear a cymbal from a random spot away from the drums. This was a bit weird and I never had that with the Hegel, I feel the 160 has been solid with the imaging.

Next I tested the Hegel 590, and as happy as I have been with the price/quality of the 160, this was a real disappointment. I could barely hear any difference compared to the 160. The sound got a little beefier and the soundstage a bit bigger but thats it. I felt that there was nothing more, new life or new feelings in the music with the 590 compared to the 160. Im sure the pairing means a lot and the F206 are not the best friends for the Hegel 590, but based on my experience I would never pay what they ask for the 590.

With the Devialet I stopped to listen and enjoy the music, have fun and hear new things in the music. I was really happy with it for thew whole week I had it, and now Im looking if I can find a good deal with a used one to go straight for a 440 pro (a lot for the F206s I know...). If I don't find a deal for used ones, I still like the fact that you can get one and later upgrade to monoblocks if you at any point get the chance and bigger speakers. With the Hegel 590, I returned it after testing it for just one night (and after getting convinced that it was not actually broken and was doing what it was supposed to).

Judging by the looks I assumed that with the Devialet you pay premium for the aesthetics, but I after testing it I must say that the build quality is very impressive, it sounds amazing and the features and configuration possibilities are from another planet than the Hegel. And it is cheaper!

The Devialet included remote is pretty much useless as it has no display and you can't see the amps own display from more than a meter or two away, but Devialet has a nice app that works as a remote from your smartphone.

So between these two, I was very impressed with the Devialet. Hope you get to try them both in your home with your speakers. Would like the hear your impressions on them.

Juperman... Welcome to AA! :wave:

Juberman Welcome to AA :)

Juberman, welcome to AA.
That is a solid first post! :thumbsup:

I had a chance to audition a Simaudio 340ix. It sounded really good but was a little weak in the bass spectrum for my ears. Since I've not heard a 700i v2 I can't comment on it. I would take a long hard look at the Gryphon Diablo 300 and Hegel h590. I've just been through a day long audition of 7 different high end integrated amps. I kept coming back to the Gryphon D300. To my ears it just had everything I wanted and nothing I didn't. It's really darn hard to beat. I did audition a Hegel h390 and it sounded very impressive. Another couple of amps I auditioned that I was impressed with was the NAIM Supernait 3 and Pass int 60. Both are beautiful sounding amps. But my ears had a slight preference for the D300.

Tough choice. Add the Gryphon D300 and it'll be 3 times harder. All the amps mentioned above are top notch stuff. Although the H590 is a little pricey it is a huge value as it's equipped. Having said that my choice would be the D300. But that's just my preference.

These comparisons were done in the same room, at the same time, and on the same speakers???

Yup. Same speakers as I own too (Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary Model).