Tidal Connect?

[Daniël Stuurman]

Hello all, I am wondering why Devialet can’t upgrade the software of Expert Pro devices so that it works with Tidal Connect? I mean if they can do Spotify Connect and UPnP this should be a task they can handle? It would make the Devialet a much better device, as you don’t need the limited mConnect app or a Roon Core and license (when running Roon) or a Mac (when running AIR)?

[daniel.avasilichioaei]

Why do you think Devialet can't upgrade the software? The problem is not whether they can or not, but the fact that they are not at all interested in modifying the software for Expert Pro. They have made absolutely no changes for over 4 years, not even bug fixing...

[ada]

One or the other way the reality that we all need to accept is Expert Pro is a dead product. De-listed from their website and Devialet clearly communicated that there will be no further maintenance of the software. According to Devialet your best chance is to go and downgrade your amp to Astra to have more streaming options.

[hardcore]

I have the same wish. But I suspect there is a technical reason that prevents licensing these features on the Expert Pro.

Tidal Connect and Google Cast likely require hardware secured DRM on the device platform. This is usually a requirement from Google and content owners. Hardware secured DRM requires the CPU to have a secure element and secured boot / verified boot of the OS. This is to secure the DRM keys from being stolen and ensure only validated OS images are allowed to be run. The Expert Pro platform doesn't seem to support these 'security' (anti-piracy) features.

[ada]

I have 10+ years experience on DRM technologies and their implementation, the Expert Pro have several free FPGAs that were never been used after CI was released. If Devialet wanted to have Expert Pro to run the same OS that Astra has they would be able to do it. But they took a different path with a wish of we would be fine to downgrade from Expert to Astra and I am sorry they lost me on that path.

[sergii85]

Why everyone says "downgrade to Astra"? Is it worth than Expert pro?

[ada]

I don’t know in real, but at least on paper it does. Inputs are limited, performance looks worst. They claim that they made next gen ADH but it seems like they put an effort to cut corners and align Astra’s production to Phantoms instead of iterating a better version of Expert.

It has less heat production, that generally happens when you lower the power specially at the class A stage, again I am speculating because I have no intention to even give them a try after Devialet’s false promises on CI on Experts. I am not in their target group…

[Daniël Stuurman]

Some likely and valid possibilities mentioned above. It would be a real shame if they can but won’t. Would certainly preventing me from buying a newer type of Devialet, because buying it not only case of funds but also in thrust and depreciation of the product (and they depreciate more than some other brands)

[hardcore]

Imagine if they released a Core Infinty 2 board with class leading clocks and new features like these...

[ada]

Which will cause Astra to not to sell at all They won't do it anymore... I always had that hope and I was ready to pay for it but seeing the path they took I think they are not even capable to produce a product at level of Expert as they trimmed down it to create the Astra