10-Feb-2017, 21:16
I took the path 200 -> 220 Pro -> 440 Pro. Absolutely no regrets (despite a significantly lighter wallet ;-)
In truth, before the Pros were announced, I had been giving serious thought to expanding my 200 to a 400. But then the Pros were then announced which just muddied that decision process asking the same questions this thread has presented. No right or wrong answers, but no clear path either.
So I decided I really need to compare my 200 to a 220 Pro to see if all the Pro "hype" had any merit. Back in early October I acquired a 220 Pro for such a comparison. Sure enough, for me (my ears, my system, my room), the hype was real. I definitely preferred the 220 Pro. Lots of descriptions as to what makes the 220 Pro better for many so I won't belabor that. In addition to the improvement in SQ, there was also the fact that that 200 is now a legacy product unlikely to see any further firmware updates. Last but not least is the promise of a free new OS/streaming board (whatever/whenever/ifever that is).
But still, having the 220 Pro was not the same as knowing if it was as good as a 400. And of course, having the 220 Pro was a self-inflicted desire to upgrade to a 440 Pro just as having the 200 was toward a 400.
So I bled my piggy-bank dry and bought another 220 Pro just before Christmas to form a 440 Pro. it was a demo unit with a pricetag that I could justify rationalize. And, wow - what an amazing upgrade! I do think that the 220 Pro to 440 Pro was a bigger upgrade - or at least further exceeded my expections - than the 200 to 220 Pro jump alone.
And I know that if I had the 400, no matter how much I loved it, I'd still wonder how much better the 440 Pro is.
And no... not even thinking about the 1000 Pro. Seriously, go away. I'm done.
In truth, before the Pros were announced, I had been giving serious thought to expanding my 200 to a 400. But then the Pros were then announced which just muddied that decision process asking the same questions this thread has presented. No right or wrong answers, but no clear path either.
So I decided I really need to compare my 200 to a 220 Pro to see if all the Pro "hype" had any merit. Back in early October I acquired a 220 Pro for such a comparison. Sure enough, for me (my ears, my system, my room), the hype was real. I definitely preferred the 220 Pro. Lots of descriptions as to what makes the 220 Pro better for many so I won't belabor that. In addition to the improvement in SQ, there was also the fact that that 200 is now a legacy product unlikely to see any further firmware updates. Last but not least is the promise of a free new OS/streaming board (whatever/whenever/ifever that is).
But still, having the 220 Pro was not the same as knowing if it was as good as a 400. And of course, having the 220 Pro was a self-inflicted desire to upgrade to a 440 Pro just as having the 200 was toward a 400.
So I bled my piggy-bank dry and bought another 220 Pro just before Christmas to form a 440 Pro. it was a demo unit with a pricetag that I could justify rationalize. And, wow - what an amazing upgrade! I do think that the 220 Pro to 440 Pro was a bigger upgrade - or at least further exceeded my expections - than the 200 to 220 Pro jump alone.
And I know that if I had the 400, no matter how much I loved it, I'd still wonder how much better the 440 Pro is.
And no... not even thinking about the 1000 Pro. Seriously, go away. I'm done.
Devialet 440 Pro (two 220s)- Oracle CD transport - Kuzma Stabi S/Stogi S turntable - Von Schweikert VR-35 speakers - JPS SC3 SCs - PI Audio power conditioning -
Triode Wire Labs ICs and PCs - Roon on NUC 8i7beh running ROCK
Triode Wire Labs ICs and PCs - Roon on NUC 8i7beh running ROCK
Durham, NC USA
