12-Nov-2017, 10:24
Hello etch,
You ask a question that many have asked...and to which there probably isn't a single answer.
From an objective point of view, the hardware in the 440 and 1000 Pro models is very similar, if not identical, apart from the casework. The "official" explanation as to why the 1000 Pro can deliver more power is that it has better thermal management, partly because the case has a lot more capacity to dump waste heat. The firmware running in the two models is the same, but it certainly "knows" whether it's running on a 440 or 1000 and can adjust the power output accordingly. Personally I think it's unlikely that the firmware deliberately degrades the sound quality on the lower-powered models, and it's unlikely Devialet would say it in those terms anyway, but I can't rule it out.
There are definitely cases where specific speakers respond better to the higher-powered amplifier, but it's not necessarily always about power (I don't understand why) -- some threads on this forum talk about this, but it's probably not a good idea to generalise the results.
As to which amplifier is the best match to your Piegas, really the only way to answer that is to try and get a back-to-back demo of both the 440 and 1000. Are you anywhere near a Devialet dealer? If so I'm sure they'd be happy to do that experiment. One of the joys of these amplifiers is that they're so easily carried around.
Good luck, and welcome to the forum.
You ask a question that many have asked...and to which there probably isn't a single answer.
From an objective point of view, the hardware in the 440 and 1000 Pro models is very similar, if not identical, apart from the casework. The "official" explanation as to why the 1000 Pro can deliver more power is that it has better thermal management, partly because the case has a lot more capacity to dump waste heat. The firmware running in the two models is the same, but it certainly "knows" whether it's running on a 440 or 1000 and can adjust the power output accordingly. Personally I think it's unlikely that the firmware deliberately degrades the sound quality on the lower-powered models, and it's unlikely Devialet would say it in those terms anyway, but I can't rule it out.
There are definitely cases where specific speakers respond better to the higher-powered amplifier, but it's not necessarily always about power (I don't understand why) -- some threads on this forum talk about this, but it's probably not a good idea to generalise the results.
As to which amplifier is the best match to your Piegas, really the only way to answer that is to try and get a back-to-back demo of both the 440 and 1000. Are you anywhere near a Devialet dealer? If so I'm sure they'd be happy to do that experiment. One of the joys of these amplifiers is that they're so easily carried around.
Good luck, and welcome to the forum.
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
