23-Jun-2025, 17:23
It strikes me that Devialet marketing of the Astra is targeted toward a high end, wealthy clientele that care more about design and aesthetic issues than your typical audiophile customer. They do seem to hype the bling factor (who else offers a gold leaf variant ;-). Nothing wrong with that but how big can that audience be? (hmm, perhaps I'd be surprised). It's certainly different from how the Expert/Pro series was marketed and reviewed. Perhaps they've also learned a lesson in how NOT to promise futures or evolution of the product given how poorly that worked for the Expert Pro.
Whatever is going on with Devialet, I find it a shame that they abandoned the Expert Pro series yet stole shamelessly from it to create the Astra. I'm still enjoying my 440 Pro a lot but there is little about the Astra in it's price range that appeals to me. Plus, there is a whole lot of legit competition at the Astra's price range that I'd be looking at if/when I decide it's time to replace my 440.
Whatever is going on with Devialet, I find it a shame that they abandoned the Expert Pro series yet stole shamelessly from it to create the Astra. I'm still enjoying my 440 Pro a lot but there is little about the Astra in it's price range that appeals to me. Plus, there is a whole lot of legit competition at the Astra's price range that I'd be looking at if/when I decide it's time to replace my 440.
Devialet 440 Pro (two 220s)- Oracle CD transport - Kuzma Stabi S/Stogi S turntable - Von Schweikert VR-35 speakers - JPS SC3 SCs - PI Audio power conditioning -
Triode Wire Labs ICs and PCs - Roon on NUC 8i7beh running ROCK
Triode Wire Labs ICs and PCs - Roon on NUC 8i7beh running ROCK
Durham, NC USA
