Astra vs Expert Pro on paper

[devianet]

The argument "why do you need to change configurations so frequently" does indeed hold water once you've arrived at a stable configuration or are just making one-off changes such as for wifi-settings.

It's more the journey involved in getting to that stable configuration where the SD card arrangement is highly tedious. During this journey, there are some settings where you really do benefit from being able to adjust them, adjust again; iteratively. Examples are the subwoofer crossover frequency and order, and the sweetroom parameters.

[markush]

Those who are on LinkedIn might join the exchange https://www.linkedin.com/posts/devialet_...=copy_link

[mdconnelly]

It should be remembered that the Expert Pro configurator has bugs that have never been resolved. This is particularly true for dual mono setups such as my 440 Pro. To be honest, I avoid attempting to use the configurator as much as possible because to do so means starting from scratch each time. Editing an existing configuration often (but not always) creates a configuration problem.

So from my perspective, the biggest benefit of the Astra is the way it's configurator is designed. But then, I doubt enough are in use yet such that issues there have cropped up.

To be honest, I still thoroughly enjoy my 440 Pro and, other than the configurator, it works great (I use it primarily with Roon but also to spin vinyl on occasion (excellent phono section). But when it's time to replace it, I highly doubt it will be with another Devialet product.

[audio_engr]

It should be remembered that the Expert Pro configurator has bugs that have never been resolved.  This is particularly true for dual mono setups such as my 440 Pro.  To be honest, I avoid attempting to use the configurator as much as possible because to do so means starting from scratch each time.  Editing an existing configuration often (but not always) creates a configuration problem. 

So from my perspective, the biggest benefit of the Astra is the way it's configurator is designed.  But then, I doubt enough are in use yet such that issues there have cropped up.

To be honest, I still thoroughly enjoy my 440 Pro and, other than the configurator, it works great (I use it primarily with Roon but also to spin vinyl on occasion (excellent phono section).  But when it's time to replace it, I highly doubt it will be with another Devialet product.

You have nailed my opinions 100%. 

- I too have a 440-Pro setup and refrain as much as possible from any configure changes due to the issues that you perfectly detailed.
- My 440-Pro presently is serving my purpose well since 2018 (7 yrs) and I will keep it going as I've worked hard with it to arrive at a sonic / aesthetic setup that satisfies me. But over time, I will move on and it's 100% that it won't be Devialet anymore.

[markush]

There is a long Review in HiFi News Magazine - can be found here https://www.linkedin.com/posts/devialet_...=copy_link

[iamwappie]

There is a long Review in HiFi News Magazine - can be found here https://www.linkedin.com/posts/devialet_...=copy_link

Thanks for sharing. Amazing how much one can write and how little is actually relevant. Not very exciting.

[Manfred]

It should be remembered that the Expert Pro configurator has bugs that have never been resolved.  This is particularly true for dual mono setups such as my 440 Pro.  To be honest, I avoid attempting to use the configurator as much as possible because to do so means starting from scratch each time.  Editing an existing configuration often (but not always) creates a configuration problem. 

So from my perspective, the biggest benefit of the Astra is the way it's configurator is designed.  But then, I doubt enough are in use yet such that issues there have cropped up.

To be honest, I still thoroughly enjoy my 440 Pro and, other than the configurator, it works great (I use it primarily with Roon but also to spin vinyl on occasion (excellent phono section).  But when it's time to replace it, I highly doubt it will be with another Devialet product.

You have nailed my opinions 100%. 

- I too have a 440-Pro setup and refrain as much as possible from any configure changes due to the issues that you perfectly detailed.
- My 440-Pro presently is serving my purpose well since 2018 (7 yrs) and I will keep it going as I've worked hard with it to arrive at a sonic / aesthetic setup that satisfies me. But over time, I will move on and it's 100% that it won't be Devialet anymore.

I am in the same situation. I have a 220 Pro with CI Module. Looking back the CI Module was not a good investment (it created a lot of trouble for me: network). What I have learned for the future, is that I want a Streaming Transport (Software & Compute) as a separate component from DAC & Amplification, like T+A Series 200 (can stream DSD 256 over roon RAAT).

[jfddoc]

It should be remembered that the Expert Pro configurator has bugs that have never been resolved.  This is particularly true for dual mono setups such as my 440 Pro.  To be honest, I avoid attempting to use the configurator as much as possible because to do so means starting from scratch each time.  Editing an existing configuration often (but not always) creates a configuration problem. 

So from my perspective, the biggest benefit of the Astra is the way it's configurator is designed.  But then, I doubt enough are in use yet such that issues there have cropped up.

To be honest, I still thoroughly enjoy my 440 Pro and, other than the configurator, it works great (I use it primarily with Roon but also to spin vinyl on occasion (excellent phono section).  But when it's time to replace it, I highly doubt it will be with another Devialet product.

You have nailed my opinions 100%. 

- I too have a 440-Pro setup and refrain as much as possible from any configure changes due to the issues that you perfectly detailed.
- My 440-Pro presently is serving my purpose well since 2018 (7 yrs) and I will keep it going as I've worked hard with it to arrive at a sonic / aesthetic setup that satisfies me. But over time, I will move on and it's 100% that it won't be Devialet anymore.

I am in the same situation. I have a 220 Pro with CI Module. Looking back the CI Module was not a good investment (it created a lot of trouble for me: network). What I have learned for the future, is that I want a Streaming Transport (Software & Compute) as a separate component from DAC & Amplification, like T+A Series 200 (can stream DSD 256 over roon RAAT).

When the time comes, I will certainly be considering the T+A Series 200.

[ogs]

Devialet Support has confirmed that MAT is also present in Astra even if there is no mention of MAT in the Astra information. The internal DSP (native) sampling rate of Astra is 192kHz (same as we know it from Expert amps). As @hardcore says further up this thread dsd64 is supported on all inputs.

MAT is probably still converting dsd to 384kHz, but this (and any 384kHz PCM via the USB C port) is then down/re sampled to PCM 192/32 before entering ADH.

The good news is that one can input dsd128 via the USB C input (presumably as DoP). This means that Devialet has upgraded MAT to handle dsd128, something that was talked about but never realised when MAT was introduced back in 2015/16.

It remains to find out how good it sounds, but dsd128 is certainly an improvement over dsd64!

[ogs]

I have had more info from Devialet Support. Some bad news for Astra here I'm afraid:

Digital: Up to 24 bit / 192 kHz & DSD64 (DoP)

USB: Up to 24 bit / 384 kHz (DxD) & DSD128 (DoP), downsampled to 24 bit / 96 kHz

Network: Up to 24 bit / 192 kHz, downsampled to 24 bit / 96 kHz