This is a very interesting poll! Although perhaps not for the right reasons. For me, I am not sure I even understand the question. I think the Pro DAC/ADH is in effect 'higher resolution' versus the Expert. Does higher resolution equal less forgiving? Would lower resolution be more forgiving, so lower resolution is better? How far do you go with this, no resolution would be no sound. Anyway, here is my view. The Pro and the Expert are tonally identical, so something that sounded too bright on an Expert will also sound too bright on the Pro. I am quite sure that if you had some sophisticated lab equipment that could test such things, you would find no more that an absolute fraction of difference between the Expert and Pro in terms of frequency response.
Having said that, the Pro is a magnitude ahead of the Expert in terms of detail and absolute realism, and in a good way, with everything sounding just plain real, or truer to the source at least, for good or ill. I think this does have some consequences, on occasion you can be playing something on the Pro and it sounds quite startling, it really grabs your attention. So whereas with your Expert, which you may have owned for a couple of years so you've stopped thinking too much about if the treble is harsh, more prominent or whatever, you come across a song where the treble is a bit harsh or the mix is a bit bright, and you think, 'the mix is a bit bright on this track'. With the Pro, on the occasional recording, the treble can grab your attention like you would not believe, but it is far cleaner and more accurate that it was on the Expert, and not one iota more prominent in terms of overall balance. However, with your attention grabbed, the issue is launched into you consciousness and you start noticing the treble like never before.
I have not had my Pro that long, first to say that I am absolutely loving the thing. However, I still have not yet got the Pro sound fully worked out, or should I say I am not fully used to having the Pro. It is still surprising me, but the journey is immensely enjoyable.
In summary, versus the Expert the Pro is tonally identical but has much higher resolution. A simple statement. However, the consequences of the resolution on your brain, your perception, can lead to very misleading thoughts along the way. OK, I am not a piece of lab equipment, so this needs to stand as my opinion, other views will vary. As I said earlier, I am still getting used to the Pro, I may post again on this topic in a years time, to see if the view stands. Currently I am simply enjoying the Pro's epic insight in to everything, it's utter ruthlessness in transparency, which I guess is not for everyone.
Having said that, the Pro is a magnitude ahead of the Expert in terms of detail and absolute realism, and in a good way, with everything sounding just plain real, or truer to the source at least, for good or ill. I think this does have some consequences, on occasion you can be playing something on the Pro and it sounds quite startling, it really grabs your attention. So whereas with your Expert, which you may have owned for a couple of years so you've stopped thinking too much about if the treble is harsh, more prominent or whatever, you come across a song where the treble is a bit harsh or the mix is a bit bright, and you think, 'the mix is a bit bright on this track'. With the Pro, on the occasional recording, the treble can grab your attention like you would not believe, but it is far cleaner and more accurate that it was on the Expert, and not one iota more prominent in terms of overall balance. However, with your attention grabbed, the issue is launched into you consciousness and you start noticing the treble like never before.
I have not had my Pro that long, first to say that I am absolutely loving the thing. However, I still have not yet got the Pro sound fully worked out, or should I say I am not fully used to having the Pro. It is still surprising me, but the journey is immensely enjoyable.
In summary, versus the Expert the Pro is tonally identical but has much higher resolution. A simple statement. However, the consequences of the resolution on your brain, your perception, can lead to very misleading thoughts along the way. OK, I am not a piece of lab equipment, so this needs to stand as my opinion, other views will vary. As I said earlier, I am still getting used to the Pro, I may post again on this topic in a years time, to see if the view stands. Currently I am simply enjoying the Pro's epic insight in to everything, it's utter ruthlessness in transparency, which I guess is not for everyone.
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
