Expert Pro Alternatives

[Sailor4W]

Darko has a list of "super integrated" amplifiers, compiled in price order, and including the 220 Pro at the higher end of the price range.

https://darko.audio/2018/07/15-must-hear...mplifiers/

One "alternative" I would be interested in trying is the Benchmark AHB2.  It is £3300 in the UK, or £6600 if you wanted dual mono, so a direct Devialet competitor in terms of price, considering you would need to add a DAC, streamer and maybe phono stage of choice.  Although not obviously not a direct competitor if you want "all in one" convenience.  My interest in the ABH2 is based purely on the fact that it appears to offer incredibly good measurements versus it's price.  That said, the AHB2 has an output impedance of 0.09 ohm and 20kHz, rising to 0.22 ohm at 20kHz.  This is soundly beaten by a Devialet Expert which is 0.001 ohm, so in theory (and probably in practice), the Devialet is likely to have deeper and better defined bass.  I have never listened to one.  Has anyone else tried one?

https://www.stereophile.com/content/benc...-amplifier

Other things I have not listened to but would like to given the chance:

https://gryphon-audio.dk/shop/integrated...amplifier/

https://www.hifiplus.com/articles/aavik-...amplifier/

https://www.stereophile.com/content/aavi...-amplifier

Things I have listened to and liked:

https://www.hifiplus.com/articles/hegel-...amplifier/

Also the Mola Mola Kaluga Pre with DAC module and Kaluga amps.  I have not listed to the Mola Mola or the Hegel with the Blades though, so difficult to make a direct comparison with the 1000 Pro.

Plus, how many other options are there out there?  Very many.

A quick note to @agentsmith - that is quite a swap you have made there!  Going from 440 Pro to (very fine) valves is an interesting move.  Once you have have spent some time with your new set-up, I hope you report back and tell us what you think.

Indeed, the AHB2 seems to be a fantastic power amp. I had (have) it on my shortlist for a long time.

For me, a minimal setup could very well be to combine the AHB2 with a DAC having good volume control. Benchmark naturally suggests its own DAC3, but there are others. DACs these days become incredibly powerful and amazingly inexpensive. So the DAC3 is a bit on the expensive side, but it measures incredibly well.

Alternatively, as already discussed in this thread, the new NAD M33 is a truly attractive alternative. Very positive reviews are already out there.