Audio Science Review of Expert 200.

[ssfas]

I think Devialet's problem with Expert, and I think Alan Sircom said so when he reviewed the 140, is that most people who want one will have bought one by now.
.

This was brought up in the ASR review with people complaining that it's an "old model".
Comments like "why would anyone buy one now, the Expert Pro line is so much better" etc ect

To be honest I find those comments elitist and condescending. I bought my 120 because that was all I could afford and even then I got it at a discount. I'd love to have an Expert Pro but I don't have the means to afford one.

It comes across as rude and arrogant when people effectively say "who cares about how the expert line measures, only idiots would buy that model anyway"

I was in a similar situation and was fortunate to get a unit at a discount. Things have changed in recent years because Expert prices have come down and the 140 offers terrific value. If I was in the market now I'd probably go for that. It's £4,500 in the UK and I've seen a dealer selling one for £3,750. 

The merits of older models would seem to me to be dependent on what sources you use. Core Infinity is very good, but when I was using my unit before upgrading it I was perfectly happy with a £350 external Aries streamer connected by usb.

The first unit I heard was a D-Premier and that was impressive. 

Lots of consumer electronic products are updated annually when the previous models are perfectly good and offer bargains. I've taken advantage that with a Sony camera, iPads and some audio equipment as well. Before streaming arrived my audio system was totally unchanged for 12 years.