03-Apr-2021, 16:53
Hello @Cadguy
To pick up one of your specific questions:
I had a 440 Pro for about a year and a half before the Core Infinity upgrade was available, and to my ears at least, the sonic improvement from the 440 came with the "Pro" electronics rather than the Core Infinity board. This makes some sense because the core ADH section of the amplifier was upgraded with the Pro models, whereas the addition of the CI board is mainly to support new streaming options (as I understand it).
Along with others who've posted here, my advice would be to go for the 440 Pro if it's within your budget, even if it turns out not to have the CI board. As we speak I think it would still be possible to have the CI board fitted after your purchase if you felt you needed it.
The only note of caution I'd add is that since you said you prefer a warmer, full-bodied sound, I'd recommend listening to either the 400 or 440 Pro before you buy, with your speakers if possible, to be sure that they suit you. In general the Expert series amps tend to be "accurate" rather than "euphonic". That's not to say that they sound cold, but they don't sugar-coat bad source material.
To pick up one of your specific questions:
(03-Apr-2021, 02:58)Cadguy Wrote: ...
I wonder where the largest sonic improvement occurs: 400 monos to 440 PRO or from 440 PRO to 440 PRO CI?
I had a 440 Pro for about a year and a half before the Core Infinity upgrade was available, and to my ears at least, the sonic improvement from the 440 came with the "Pro" electronics rather than the Core Infinity board. This makes some sense because the core ADH section of the amplifier was upgraded with the Pro models, whereas the addition of the CI board is mainly to support new streaming options (as I understand it).
Along with others who've posted here, my advice would be to go for the 440 Pro if it's within your budget, even if it turns out not to have the CI board. As we speak I think it would still be possible to have the CI board fitted after your purchase if you felt you needed it.
The only note of caution I'd add is that since you said you prefer a warmer, full-bodied sound, I'd recommend listening to either the 400 or 440 Pro before you buy, with your speakers if possible, to be sure that they suit you. In general the Expert series amps tend to be "accurate" rather than "euphonic". That's not to say that they sound cold, but they don't sugar-coat bad source material.
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
