Expert Pro 440: Problem connecting Companion

[mikdahl]

Hi!
I recently swapped my Audio Research/ Mcintosh for a used 440 and am astounded by the sound from my Wilson Sabrinas with Expert Pro. At first, everything worked fine. I uploaded new configurations without problems. However, when I updated the software to get Sweet Room (the latest software at the Devialet website, I think it's 13.2.0), it was installed on the Master but the Companion said there was a failure with the SD card and that I should contact the Devialet support.

I tried with the same card that I had used for the Master (having secured it with the mechanical switch on the card), tried uploading the SW to the card again, tried with different cards, disconnected the cable, tried a different cable, tried the "PIM" method) and so on...

I then tried a new configuration with different cards, going through all the steps mentioned above...but now the configuration file wouldn't load to the Companion (but worked well on the Master), saying either S1 CONFIG or FACTORY CONFIG. Can this be due to the different SW versions on the Master and the Companion?

So here I am, now being able to only use the Master (=220) but not the Companion since there's no communication between the two. I've forwarded the issue to Devialet, but it takes ages to get an answer... can someone please help me?

Best regards,
Mikael

[fraha]

Unfortunately, I can't help you with the problem myself, and the response from Devialet often takes a long time, sometimes I even get the impression that they don't really care that someone has spent a lot of money on an Expert, because this series has been cancelled for them.
I recently had a problem in a different context, where I couldn't get any further and didn't get any real support from the manufacturer either, so I simply asked ChatGPT because I didn't know how to help myself and they were able to give me a solution that worked. Just a tip from me, but maybe you have already tried it yourself.

[G51]

Maybe you can try pulling out the power cable of the companion unit from the electric source eg. wall outlet. After a few minutes, reconnect and see if it works.

[mikdahl]

Thanks for your replies. I've tried to disconnect the power cable, but not as long as 30 minutes. I will give ChatGPT a try, but Gemini wasn't much of a help...

[fraha]

Thanks for your replies. I've tried to disconnect the power cable, but not as long as 30 minutes. I will give ChatGPT a try, but Gemini wasn't much of a help...

Maybe you can post here if it was helpful or not

[Staradonna]

This issue often occurs with Devialet 440 Pro dual-mono systems after a firmware update or new configuration upload, especially when moving to version 13.2.0 (Sweet Room).

In your case:
• Your Master (220 Pro) successfully installed the new 13.2.0 firmware.
• Your Companion either still runs an older firmware version or the update failed (the “failure with SD card” message).
• Because both units now run different firmware versions, they can no longer communicate properly.

In short:

The Companion refuses to load the configuration because it’s on a different or corrupted firmware version.

⸻

Step-by-step solution
1. Prepare two identical SD cards.
• Use cards of max. 32 GB, formatted FAT32.
• Download the latest 13.2.0 firmware from Devialet’s website.
• Copy all firmware files (not just the configuration) onto both cards.
2. Install the firmware on each unit separately.
• Insert one card into the Master, power up, and let it fully install the firmware.
• Then repeat this step with the Companion, using the second card.
• This ensures both units have exactly the same firmware version.
3. Then create and load the configuration.
• In the Devialet Configurator, build a dual-mono setup (Master + Companion).
• Download the generated ZIP file.
• Copy the configuration file only to the Master’s SD card.
• Insert that card in the Master and start both units with the Devialet-Link cable connected.
4. Check the Companion’s display.
• If everything worked, the display should now show “Companion”, not “Factory Config” or “S1 CONFIG”.
• Volume and inputs should now follow the Master again.

[Pim]

It's also a good idea to power down, take the SD card out, and power up again. That way it should go back to default settings. Then go ahead as per above.

If you still can't get it to work, come back here. We'll sort you out.

[mikdahl]

Hi again!

Thanks everyone, for trying to help me sort this out. I followed your recommendation, fraha, and tried ChatGPT. It helped me with the software issue, so now both units are running the same software version. The Companion display shows "Companion", but Link Status says "None" and the Configuration download still only works on the Master. After having tried the different solutions ChatGPT suggested as well as uploading the configuration text files , it finally advised me to contact Devialet for a Dual Mono link re-sync or recovery package (compatible with firmware 13.2.0), or advise on further steps to re-establish SPDIF communication between the Master and Companion. I did so a week ago, but still haven´t received any answer from them apart from the standard

"Your request just reached out to our customer care team. You can expect to hear back from us within the next 72 business hours."

I´ve never experienced a support this slow or as neglectful... I´ve been in contact with them for more than 3 months now, but they still haven´t given me a proper solution for how to use UPnP (I solved it by buying a new external streamer, but still this is a feature that´s supposed to be incorporated in the Expert Pro?)...

Regarding your solution Staradonna, you first write " Copy all firmware files (not just the configuration) onto both cards" and then " Then create and load the configuration."; so "all firmware files" means just the software (the way I´ve already done)? Are you saying I shouldn´t download the Companion configuration files to the Companion at all? 

Regarding powring down and taking the SD card out of the Master, I´ve done this a couple of times when trying different solutions, resulting in the Master going back to Factory Config. I can of course try it all over again.

Thanks again for your kind advices, this is getting very frustrating... I´m more than happy with the sound, which is amazing, and the interface is quite OK (the remote is equally amazing!), but the fact I´m only being able to use one unit and not getting any solution from the manufacturer is unacceptable...

Kind regards,

Mikael

[daniel.avasilichioaei]

I understand that you have already upgraded the firmware on the companion. This means that it is not a hardware problem with the SD port.
1. Have you ever managed to start and use the companion with a configuration other than factory default (and possibly with all cables disconnected, except for the power)? Were you able to use it as a standalone amplifier?
2. Have you checked if the connection between the master and companion is correct, including the types of cables used (they must be digital, not analog)?

[mikdahl]

Before uploading the latest software to the Master, it read the configuration file I uploaded and worked perfectly well with the Master. I wasn´t aware it could be used as a standalone amplifier? I thought it was different from the Master? I´ll try this. I´ve tried two different coaxial cables to link the units.