02-May-2022, 00:16
Hi Kermak, and welcome.
I hardly pay attention to gear once I have my stuff, unless I develop some urge for an addition, or have functional or sonic annoyances. So, I'm not at all in the news loop, for Devialet or anybody else.
My sense, however, is that the current Pro CI series of amps are probably here for the long term, at least in Devialet's vision. I can't see any radical new line of products to replace the current series. If there were, it would almost certainly be a retrofittable upgrade if hardware, and downloadable if it were software. There could be new models, but again, my guess would be on some variation of existing amps in new dual mono configurations, or possibly a different entry level amp? Total guesses. I always wished for a phantom-based sub, but that never happened.
The Expert to Pro change was really a big one; radical surgery on the internals for the 'Pro' part, and then a more modest, but notable hardware addition for the 'CI' part.
To some extent it may be like computers; if what is available now does what you want and what you need, then in you go. The only thing that comes to mind is that since the Devialet release of the Premier, and moreso after the Expert line, other manufacturers have begun making amps that, in many ways (IMHO), have followed / copied the compact, multi-functional typology of the Devialet products. So, there are more choices now. Is a NAD M33 a worthy alternative? Possibly. But the 140 ProCI is very likely a finer sonic product (says I), and the NAD is really a great product as well.
My guess is that if you wait six months, you will be looking at the same menu. May as well eat now and savour the meal << (note new audio analogy: 5 points to me. But who's counting).
I hardly pay attention to gear once I have my stuff, unless I develop some urge for an addition, or have functional or sonic annoyances. So, I'm not at all in the news loop, for Devialet or anybody else.
My sense, however, is that the current Pro CI series of amps are probably here for the long term, at least in Devialet's vision. I can't see any radical new line of products to replace the current series. If there were, it would almost certainly be a retrofittable upgrade if hardware, and downloadable if it were software. There could be new models, but again, my guess would be on some variation of existing amps in new dual mono configurations, or possibly a different entry level amp? Total guesses. I always wished for a phantom-based sub, but that never happened.
The Expert to Pro change was really a big one; radical surgery on the internals for the 'Pro' part, and then a more modest, but notable hardware addition for the 'CI' part.
To some extent it may be like computers; if what is available now does what you want and what you need, then in you go. The only thing that comes to mind is that since the Devialet release of the Premier, and moreso after the Expert line, other manufacturers have begun making amps that, in many ways (IMHO), have followed / copied the compact, multi-functional typology of the Devialet products. So, there are more choices now. Is a NAD M33 a worthy alternative? Possibly. But the 140 ProCI is very likely a finer sonic product (says I), and the NAD is really a great product as well.
My guess is that if you wait six months, you will be looking at the same menu. May as well eat now and savour the meal << (note new audio analogy: 5 points to me. But who's counting).
Damon
Powernode, NAD M32, Cambridge CD transport, Analysis Plus, Nordost, iFi Nova, CSS Criton 1TDX, KEF C62
Vancouver, Canada
