Expert Pro 440 vs. 1000

[Confused]

Hi everyone,

I would like to have your opinions regarding this question:
I have a Piega 711. Max Watts that they can handle per speaker: 250W

Now I don't know whether to choose the 440 pro or the 1000 pro. In some threades I've read that Devialet artificially degrades sound quality through software in the lower models? Could this be true? From a power standpoint 1000W means +4db max possible volume than 440W. Not more.

Would the 1000 pro be noticably better than the 440 pro on speakers that can only handle 250W, that's my question. Or would the difference in investment be better spent elsewhere? For example subwoofers?

How much better is a 1000 pro than a 440 pro?

In some threads there has been speculation from one, maybe two, posters over the years that Devialet artificially degrades sound quality via software in the lower models.  From what I can gather, this is nothing more than pure speculation from those posting these comments, based on zero hard information and facts.  If you have seen these posts I can only assume you have seen responses from myself challenging this notation.  It would seam strange that in a highly competitive market Devialet would deliberately degrade the sound in what is still a very expensive product.  Anyway, the explanation is that the power supply software in the 'lower' models is set up slightly differently to keep temperatures in check in the 400 / 440's slightly different case.  So this is not something artificial, it is necessary to keep the electronics within temperature range, and how much this matters depends on how power hungry your speakers are.  (not just speaker efficiency, but dips in the impedance curve, etc.)

I have listened to both the 1000 Pro and the 440 Pro, but never back to back with identical speakers.  The Piega's are big beasts, but the specifications indicate that they are reasonably efficient.  So I suspect that 440Pro would drive them well, with the 1000Pro being slightly better, which probably comes as no surprise to you as a conclusion.  The only way to be 100% sure would be to try your Piega's with both models and hear for yourself.  Maybe this is not possible?  All I could perhaps say is that there is some similarity between the specifications of the Piega's and the KEF Blade that I use, similar efficiency, similar impedance and so on.  I was more than happy driving the Blades with my old D250, the D800 was a little better, the D1000 better still.  So I am as sure as I can be that the 440Pro would be more than enough to make the Piega's sing.  Would the marginally better performance of the 1000Pro be worth the extra cash?  That is a tough one to answer!

The Piega 711 is an impressive looking speaker by the way!