First look at Astra

[G51]

@Astra Dual thanks for your report and happy to hear you find your new love in the Astra (wow MONO to sound even better). BTW If Devialet could make the new machine sound better, then it sure can further improve SQ of Expert Pro too (Expert Pro is said to be future proof, right??!!).

[hardcore]

I visited the Devialet showroom in Singapore MBS and they had a dual mono Astra set up there with YG Carmel speakers. No power conditioning or ethernet tweaks. Listened to a few songs using Tidal Connect, and it sounded pretty good. A very wide soundstage and 3D imaging. Smooth highs. Since it is a totally different setup from my 1000 Pro, it's hard to make a comparison.

Was told that a few units have been sold already. Would be interesting to hear more feedback and comparisons to the Expert Pro.

[MightyMart]

One of the leading hifi dealers in Sweden, (Audioconcept.se) is a ""Premier dealer" for Devialet and was one of the first stores in Europe to feature the brand. I visited them on Friday to see the Astra. Unfortunately it was temporarily on "dry demo" but it looked very nice indeed, much better compared to published pictures from Devialet's marketing.

The owner of the store told me that they are about to build a new room tailored for demoing Astra and that the amp also will be featured on the upcoming high end show here i Stockholm in February.

I will visit the store again this coming week to listen to the Astra for the first time.

It's a shame Devialet dropped the Pro line completely but I must say I'm ready to give Astra an honest chance.

[ada]

For anyone seriously considering Astra, I highly recommend reading the rest of the forum to see the satisfaction level of recent products that are the same generation as Astra. In my opinion, all of them have flaws at the hardware level that even replacement units do not solve the problem. (Dione, Gemini even new Phantoms)

I hate to say this, but I think Devialet will not last long and I would avoid this high-priced, poorly specced unit simply because the future of the company is not bright at all.

[Vivialet]

the future of most high end companies is not bright...
Most People do not require quality anymore...most new movies and also music make me think that the number of dumb people is increasing...

[devianet]

I saw an Astra "in the flesh" last week, sitting on a shelf directly above a 220. I believe it was in the gold leaf finish.

I have to say that in my opinion (shared by my other half) it looked rather cheesy compared to the quiet elegance of the Expert.

I suspect the other finish "light bronze" might be more to our taste.

[devianet]

the future of most high end companies is not bright...
Most People do not require quality anymore...

I don't necessarily disagree with this, but I think the main driver is just how good, sound quality wise, convenience can be and has become. The D-Premier itself was a prime example. When I bought mine in 2011, I was contemplating a rackful of separates as the only way to get the SQ I wanted but after a demo I bought the DP because not only was it immensely convenient but it had amazing SQ too. At the time, there were people turning their noses up at what they said was a "lifestyle" product. So there you have it - one person's "lifestyle" product is someone else's high-end audiophilia.

[frejo]

I also listened to the setup in Singapore the other day. Sounded really good. I think the Astra also looks pretty cool. I do like the looks of the standard over the Opera-version.
I could probably easy live with the Astra and Carmel combo, but have no idea how it will compare with older models. Great to have seen it though, and the salesguy was very friendly.

[hardcore]

Yeah this is the Singapore MBS showroom. I was here as well. They had ethernet connected to both units. And there are 2 link cables.