My thoughts on Devialet

[mdconnelly]

Devialet has engineered amazing pieces of gear - both the Expert/Expert Pros and the Phantoms - that are all designed around upgradeable OS/firmware.  Seems like an awesome concept for customers and no doubt promotes sales BUT... in this business model, those upgrades are solely funded off of new sales, which is radically different than the software industry that is heavily immersed in subscription-based services.  To be able to do this well requires a very different expertise than what it takes to engineer a product like the Expert Pro.    In doing so, Devialet has essentially made us all customers with continuous expectations for as long as we own their products yet they are getting no further revenue from us.  Devialet does not seem to have (nor to understand) the software development, testing, communication and support infrastructure required to excel at the very business they've launched themselves into.    While they seem to be worse than many in this arena, I suspect that much of that negative perception stems from their unwillingness to communicate with us. 

Can/will they fix this?  Doesn't seem likely, does it.  At least, not on a grand scale. But in truth, I'd be a far more contented customer if they would simply fix the known bugs *AND* better communicate with us about it.  Hey, I can hope...