Comparison between Devialet Astra and Expert Pro 440 – via ChatGPT

[Staradonna]

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently asked ChatGPT to compare the Devialet Astra with the Expert Pro 440, specifically focusing on sound quality differences. I thought the answer was well-balanced and informative, so I’m sharing it here for anyone considering an upgrade or side-grade.

Here’s the summary ChatGPT gave me, based on reviews, specs, and user impressions:
Tonal Character & Neutrality

Feature              Devialet Astra                                                            Expert Pro 440
Tonal                  Balance Very neutral with a slight warmth.                   Extremely neutral, almost analytical
Timbre                Lively and slightly organic                                          Drier, ultra-precise
Coloration           Subtle warmth in mids/lows                                        Flat, no coloration

Conclusion: Astra has a touch of musical warmth; Pro 440 is more surgical in its precision.


Dynamics & Attack

Feature               Devialet Astra                                                           Expert Pro 440
Microdynamics.     Very refined and nuanced                                          Exceptionally detailed
Macrodynamics.    Punchy, engaging                                                      More explosive and authoritative
Speed                  Fast and clean                                                          Lightning-fast with more control

Conclusion: The Pro 440 handles transients with more authority; Astra is more forgiving and engaging.


🏞️ Soundstage & Imaging
Feature               Devialet Astra                                                            Expert Pro 440
Depth                  Deep and rich                                                           Deep and very tight
Speed                  Well controlled                                                          Superior control, tighter grip
Impact                 Physically engaging                                                   Punchy and extremely focused

Conclusion: The Pro 440 delivers more damping and accuracy; Astra is a bit rounder and more musical.


[b] Final Listening Impressions[/b]

• [b]Astra[/b]: “A powerful and emotionally involving amplifier that retains a high-end character and offers great usability.”
  
• [b]Pro 440[/b]: “A no-compromise detail machine that exposes everything in the recording – provided your source and room can keep up.”
  

Hope this helps others considering the switch or comparison. Happy to hear what your experiences are with either!

Best,
Marcel

[Vivialet]

so ChatGPT has listened to both amps :>)

[Staradonna]

Absolutely – ChatGPT listened to both amps across thousands of listening rooms worldwide. Sadly, it couldn’t see the cabling, power conditioning, or whether Sweet Room was activated on the 440 Pro in each case. But it felt the sound through the collective existential angst of audiophiles everywhere. :-)

[Staradonna]

Astra vs Expert Pro — Sound, Specs, and Real-World Value

Introduction

With the launch of the new Devialet Astra, many Expert Pro owners are wondering: is this really a step forward? On paper, Astra may seem like a spiritual successor to the Expert Pro, but a closer look reveals key technical differences and some surprising limitations. Here’s a breakdown of how the Astra compares to the Expert Pro — both technically and in terms of sound and value.

Note: I have not personally auditioned the Astra, so the observations here are based on available technical information and user feedback.


1. DAC and Internal Processing

Expert Pro:
• Internal DSP (MAT) processes PCM up to 192 kHz and converts DSD64 to 384 kHz PCM, then resamples to 192 kHz before entering ADH.
• MAT (Magic Wire) is present and active.
• Sweet Room correction is supported.
• Superior dynamic range and microdetail when fed from a high-quality external streamer.

Astra:
• MAT is also present (confirmed by Devialet Support), but:
• DSD128 via USB is downsampled to 96 kHz.
• Network and USB PCM streams are downsampled to 96 kHz before entering ADH.
• No Sweet Room functionality.
• Still limited to 24/192 PCM and DSD64 via digital input, like Expert Pro, but downsampling over network and USB is a regression.


2. Streaming Capabilities

Expert Pro:
• Both the Expert Pro and Astra are Roon Ready devices and support RAAT, Roon’s proprietary streaming protocol, which is used exclusively for streaming from Roon to these devices.
• RAAT is not supported by any other source besides Roon, so streaming via RAAT only works between Roon and the Expert Pro or Astra.
• Both devices also support AirPlay and UPnP streaming protocols.
• The Expert Pro does not support Qobuz Connect or Tidal Connect, and since Devialet no longer provides updates for the Expert Pro, these services will never be added.
• When released in 2017, Devialet promised Bluetooth support for the Expert Pro, but it has never been implemented.
• Streaming board development has stalled — no native Qobuz or Tidal Connect on the Expert Pro.

Astra:
• Integrated modern streaming with Devialet OS.
• Supports Spotify Connect, AirPlay, UPnP, Roon Ready, and possibly Qobuz/Tidal Connect in the future.
• Great if you want an all-in-one solution, but you’re locked into Devialet’s ecosystem — and there’s no Dirac Live or advanced room correction available.

Shared advantage (Expert Pro & Astra):
The internal streaming facilities of both the Expert Pro and Astra are functional but limited compared to the best standalone streamers. However, both models feature excellent DAC and ADH amplification stages, which can be fully leveraged by pairing them with a high-quality external streamer. When connected via USB, both benefit from asynchronous communication, where the amplifier’s clock controls data transfer. This reduces jitter and improves timing accuracy, allowing devices such as the WiiM Ultra to deliver performance comparable to far more expensive streamers used purely as a digital transport, at least on paper and based on technical principles; this has not been personally tested.


3. Room Correction

Expert Pro:
• Offers Sweet Room, a built-in parametric EQ system that applies to all sources connected directly to the amplifier — both digital and analog.
• When paired with an external streamer running Dirac Live, room correction is applied only to signals passing through that streamer. Sources connected directly to the Expert Pro will still use Sweet Room’s correction profile.
• Sweet Room is less sophisticated than Dirac Live but has the advantage of working across every input, ensuring consistent tonal balance regardless of source.

Astra:
• No built-in room correction functionality.
• No support for Dirac Live or other third-party EQ solutions.
• Any room correction would need to be applied upstream via an external streamer or processor, and would only affect the sources routed through that device.


Conclusion

The Expert Pro remains a superior value proposition – technically, functionally, and musically – especially when paired with a modern external streamer offering full streaming support and Dirac Live.

While Astra introduces a cleaner design and new UI, it sacrifices flexibility, upgradability, and some performance options. The built-in streaming capabilities of both the Expert Pro and Astra are serviceable but not at the level of the best external solutions. Their DAC and ADH amplification, however, remain among the best available at any price point.

When either device is connected via USB to a quality external streamer — such as the WiiM Ultra — they benefit from asynchronous communication, reducing jitter and enabling performance that rivals far more expensive dedicated transports.

Unless form factor and simplicity are your only priorities, and money isn’t an issue, the Expert Pro setup still offers the strongest combination of sound quality, flexibility, and long-term value.


Summary
This is a revised version of the comparison between the Devialet Expert Pro and Astra, based on valuable feedback received — thanks to everyone who contributed. Both models are Roon Ready, support RAAT, AirPlay, and UPnP, and share the same excellent DAC and ADH amplification stages. However, their internal streaming capabilities are limited compared to the best external streamers. Connecting an external streamer via USB, where only the Devialet DAC is used, benefits from asynchronous communication that reduces jitter, delivering performance comparable to much more expensive transports. When connecting via coaxial, where only the Devialet DAC is used, audible differences between streamers can be more noticeable. The Expert Pro has the advantage of Sweet Room EQ, while the Astra lacks built-in room correction.

[mdconnelly]

One point to clarify.... All Expert Pros are Roon Ready (and RAAT - Roon's delivery protocol - is not outdated). AIR does still work with Roon (although why bother since Roon Ready works fine.

Interesting comparison and, I suspect, echoes what many of us feel is true.

[Staradonna]

One point to clarify.... All Expert Pros are Roon Ready  (and RAAT - Roon's delivery protocol - is not outdated).  AIR does still work with Roon (although why bother since Roon Ready works fine.

Interesting comparison and, I suspect, echoes what many of us feel is true.d does have Roon. I’ve updated t

The pro indeed does have Roon. I’ve updated this.