Pro Upgrade program ending

[woodstock]

Did you guys have the chance to read Soundstage's 130 Pro review?  Reviewer stated that the difference between the outgoing Expert 200 and the 130 Pro was remarkably subtle.  I have the Expert 200 and just can’t convince myself to fork over 3400 macaroons for the upgrade.  You should have heard my wife when she exclaimed:  What?!!! You paid almost 10000 dollars for that supposedly future-proof crap and now you want 3000 dollars to have it updated?!  It was then I realized that Devialet misused the word “update”.  They are not just replacing a part or a section of the circuitry, they are basically ripping the innards out and putting a totally new one in.  The only part that remains original is the casing!  They are not updating the unit, they are making us buy a new one.  In addition, Devialet is doing those of us who opted not to upgrade a a major disservice.  Our Experts have now plummeted in value in the used market.  Financially, it the worst audio investment I have ever made.

The way I look at it, the update price should have been the difference between the new Pro and Expert.  It would have been better for them to have priced the Pros a thousand dollars more and then charge the same amount for the upgrade.  

Anyway, this is just my humble opinion.  I am still totally enamored with my Expert 200 running on the 7.1.3 FW.

Word of advice, put $$ aside for your hobby which is separate from your other finances. If your wife gives you a hard time after doing that just point to her shoes. Second thought, don't do that, would hate to read about you in the obituaries. Feel no regret about not upgrading cause in a year you will be able to pick up a used one at a good price. I would still hang on to the 200.