Upgrade to 440 Pro vs Exiting the Devialet ecosystem

[ada]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for some advice to make a decision.

I currently own an Expert Pro 220 (purchased in 2017) and as I recently upgraded my speakers I would like to go on mono-block path. (or more crazy bi-amped mono-blocks) Probably some of you already know that while I am a big fan of Devialet's sound I am a long term frustrated customer of the software situation (which keeps increasing, random startups of the amp, AIR is not working anymore on new MacOS versions and Remote app is already being destroyed in Android ecosystem etc). 

Right now I am looking for advice on if I should really invest more on Devialet and upgrade to 440 Pro or if I should go and jump to products like Benchmark or Toppingaudio which are also famous with low THD. One thing to consider is I am a big fan of Audirvana and I have no plan to use ROON as I don't like how it sounds + limitation of AU plugins (I am using Dirac Live actively)

Thanks in advance for all the advice.

[daniel.avasilichioaei]

If I were you, I would not invest in Devialet. Especially since for the monobloc configurations there are already additional / multiple bugs (compared to those with 1 amplifier), both in the firmware and in the configurator. In addition, the DAC is fixed and non-upgradable and already has quite old technology.

[Pim]

I've been running dual mono now for so long, I can't even remember. I have always preferred the USB over Ethernet input and recently bought a Holo Audio RED to try the AES/EBU input. The RED did sound just a tad better but it took a 13k investment in power conditioner and cords to hear that improvement. So if you're worried about streaming, a simple RED will help you out there. It's a very solid piece of equipment.

The dealer of the RED had a setup at home with Wilson Sabrinas run by the Benchmark amps you're talking about. They sound nothing like a Devialet amp. Not even close. They sounded open, but bland, shrill and downright boring. When I visited the same dealer a few months later he had some AGD amps. They sounded significantly better enough so I could make the judgement from memory on the difference between the Benchmark and AGD. Because these aren't my speakers in my room, I can't say that the AGD sound better or worse that Devialet, but I reckon I would probably still prefer the Devialet sound. Devialet amps seems to be one of the few amps that can give you all the detail but still have that little bit of warmth that makes listening to music enjoyable.

I disagree with @daniel.avasilichioaei idea that the DAC not being upgradable is an issue. It sounds great and it's the implementation that makes it sound great. So there's no need for an upgrade. I still haven't had any dramas with the configurator but then again, everyone's config is different.

Looking at your new speakers, they would definitely benefit from a dual mono setup. You can pick up a second hand 220 Pro quite easily and try it out. I don't think you'll be disappointed and if you are, you won't lose much if you sell them on.

One thing I would like to make clear. Stay way from Benchmark unless you only care about how your music measures.

[audio_engr]

I'm using the monoblocks config since 2016 (initially as D400 that was upgraded to 440-Pro in 2018). I've so far not had any issues and the 440-Pro continues to delight me even today. I use the Roon Nucleus as my frontend and Ethernet as my input to the 440-Pro. 

I do agree with @daniel.avasilichioaei that the Firmware & the Configurator has bugs for the monoblock config setup but this issue has been tackled with the very kind help from Daniel by setting up both 220-Pro as Master (for Left channel) and Master (for Right channel). 

I would say that after so many years, the 440-Pro still continues to come forward with its level of transparency, lack of noise and the warmth that they deliver when I compare this kit with other gear. I must add that I've repeatedly noticed that this warmth does develop after about 45-60 mins and the 'real fun & enjoyment' sets in deeply. 

I would recommend you to get another 220-Pro as @Pim suggested and if you set them up correctly (eliminating the flaws that many of us have followed), you won't be disappointed.

[andrewmg]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for some advice to make a decision.

I currently own an Expert Pro 220 (purchased in 2017) and as I recently upgraded my speakers I would like to go on mono-block path. (or more crazy bi-amped mono-blocks) Probably some of you already know that while I am a big fan of Devialet's sound I am a long term frustrated customer of the software situation (which keeps increasing, random startups of the amp, AIR is not working anymore on new MacOS versions and Remote app is already being destroyed in Android ecosystem etc). 

Right now I am looking for advice on if I should really invest more on Devialet and upgrade to 440 Pro or if I should go and jump to products like Benchmark or Toppingaudio which are also famous with low THD. One thing to consider is I am a big fan of Audirvana and I have no plan to use ROON as I don't like how it sounds + limitation of AU plugins (I am using Dirac Live actively)

Thanks in advance for all the advice.

I was in the same position about a year ago and bought another 220 to make a 440. Wow, the additional amp made an enormous difference in sound quality, far more than I had considered likely or even possible. I don't doubt others' reports of bugs with the dual-mono setup but can say that I haven't had a moment's trouble with it, from the configurator to day-to-day operation. Very highly recommended, especially if you can get a deal on a lightly used 220.

[chrisc]

I concur with post # 5 above

I was about to buy a 220Pro from a local dealer when I spotted an advert in the SA AV Forum for a 220Pro being offered for 40% of the retail price. And it belonged to someone I had met, although living 1000km away

Once I had gone through some of the tips read here about the configurator, it works, marvellously

An friend upgraded his 440Pro system for a Mola Mola amp and DAC. The main difference is that it delivers an extremely clean sound. But a big financial step up

[ada]

Thanks for all the advice in the topic, definitely it is helping me to make a decision here. I am still super skeptic about Devialet and Expert's future but at the same time I also see the Benchmark and it's like devices not really being close in terms of performance to Devialet from other people too.

About the streaming concerns, my long term plan (if somehow Devialet's operating system becomes a trash -it is slowly going there-) is to move with MiniDSP SHD Studio which will eliminate my MacMini to be the streaming renderer both for music and movies but I am quite happy with the USB flow for the time being.

Another challenge I have is to find a well used Expert 220 Pro in Spain/Europe right now. There is one demo unit which is priced as 5.790 Euro and in my opinion not worth to invest as we know the latest real investment of Devialet on this product was 7 years ago with the CI upgrade. (I am not counting the 2020 release that brought up the Sweet Room random EQ thing as it messed up the SAM etc)

I will keep monitoring the market to see if I can find a good deal for a second unit but for the time being I will keep investing on the room acoustics.

[zoran_pavlovic]

Go to www.audio-markt.de. At the moment there are 7 expert pro 220 CI on sale. The cheapest one is 3.900€.

[ada]

Thanks for the advice, I am in talk with several of them to see if I can get a good condition unit. What will be your advice on the AES/RCA cable? Should I invest on making my own cable or is there an agreed winner here?

[andrewmg]

Thanks for the advice, I am in talk with several of them to see if I can get a good condition unit. What will be your advice on the AES/RCA cable? Should I invest on making my own cable or is there an agreed winner here?

Try using an ordinary RCA-terminated coax first. That's what Deviate recommends, and I started and stopped there. 

I hadn't noticed before that you have the Scala Utopias. I'm powering the same speakers with a 440, and you are really in for a treat.