DCX2496 good enough for system use?

[jman]

This is mostly for Thomas as I've read you use this unit for testing your DIY speaker designs.

My plan is to run my receiver with L/R as "large" and LFE to none. From there the signal would go to the DCX and be divided 3 ways.

1) IB 0-60hz or so (stereo since amp is set that way)
2) midbass arrays beside my L/R 60-200hz approx
3) mains 200-20khz

So I guess the main issue is the added stage of A/D and D/A conversion. How good or bad is this unit for real system use?

[ThomasW]

I've read a few complaints about them, but the bulk of the feedback is positive.

I don't see the A-D-D-A conversion being a problem for #1, or #2, were it audible it would show up in #3

[jman]

Perhaps an analog crossover to first divide 0-200 and 200-20,000? Then the DCX would only "mangle" the bottom end

Is Marchand a good solution?

[ThomasW]

In my system I can't hear much of a difference between my Marchand XM9 and the Behringer 2310

[chrisbee]

I am also using a CX2310 on Thomas' recommendation.

I split the output from my Naim preamp at ~80Hz before it goes to my Naim power amp (38Hz(-3dB) main/stereo speakers) and the PA amp on the IB.

The perceived audible improvements to SQ may have been due to the Naim power amp being unloaded from heavy bass duties. Or the floorstanding speakers no longer producing their usual mud at the bottom end. Or both.

It takes some getting used to at first because the previous bass "warmth" is suddenly absent. It is fascinating to have the freedom to adjust the crossover frequency at will. A good test of the quality of the CX is how the stereo speakers sound on their own playing music without the possible masking effect of the subwoofer. Muting, level and phase inversion are all to hand on the front panel. These things have more lights than a Christmas tree!

[carvernut]

chrisbee said:

I am also using a CX2310 on Thomas' recommendation.

I split the output from my Naim preamp at ~80Hz before it goes to my Naim power amp (38Hz(-3dB) main/stereo speakers) and the PA amp on the IB.

The perceived audible improvements to SQ may have been due to the Naim power amp being unloaded from heavy bass duties. Or the floorstanding speakers no longer producing their usual mud at the bottom end. Or both.

It takes some getting used to at first because the previous bass "warmth" is suddenly absent. It is fascinating to have the freedom to adjust the crossover frequency at will. A good test of the quality of the CX is how the stereo speakers sound on their own playing music without the possible masking effect of the subwoofer. Muting, level and phase inversion are all to hand on the front panel. These things have more lights than a Christmas tree!

hey chris have you had any dealings with bass enhancers from ART or DBX?

[chrisbee]

Nope. Should I have?

[jman]

Does the DCX2496 run at -10 or +4db? I don't see a switch on the back like the BFD.

[jonfo]

Mar 26, 2008 13:27:35 GMT -7 carvernut said:

...
hey chris have you had any dealings with bass enhancers from ART or DBX?

I'm not Chris, but do have extensive experience with the DBX gear (driverack 260‘s and 4800).

the subharmonic synths are very, very effective, especially on older recordings from the '70's.

My new DriveRack 4800 has it as well and by creating presets derived from my baseline configuration, I can quickly switch in Subharmonic synthesis as well as have other 'modes' at my fingertips, like a 'party mode' that uses compressors and limiters to both protect the system, and juice up the avg SPL. Not that many 'dance' recordings need further dynamic range compression, but you know how parties get ;-)


The DBX subharmonic synthesis has several controls that let you select how much effect to create in two frequency bands as well as the level of overall sensitivity.

It can be subtle and effective, or dramatic and bombastic, your choice of anything in between as well.

The new 4800 also has a cool feature call AutoWarmth I discuss in the linked thread. This is a Dynamic EQ based on equal loudness theory. Really works wonders; this is even more attractive than the Sub synth. Trust me, you'll leave AutoWarmth on permanently.

[jonfo]

Addressing the OP’s question about the DCX, my answer is that IMHO, the DCX is not transparent enough for the high-end.
I just ditched a DCX I had been using on my rears for a DriveRack 260, and it was immediately apparent the DR was way better.
The fronts were upgraded from a pair of 260’s to a 4800 and that was quite a step up as well.

The DCX is reasonable for budget constrained setups, and is indeed better than passive X-overs, but as soon as you can, step up to a DriveRack.

[jonfo]

Mar 26, 2008 16:11:42 GMT -7 jman said:

Does the DCX2496 run at -10 or +4db? I don't see a switch on the back like the BFD.

\\It runs at +4, so you need to crank the input gains to get good gain structure across this unit when feeding from a consumer pre-amp.

[Rhue]

Jun 7, 2008 4:53:36 GMT -7 jonfo said:

Addressing the OP’s question about the DCX, my answer is that IMHO, the DCX is not transparent enough for the high-end.
I just ditched a DCX I had been using on my rears for a DriveRack 260, and it was immediately apparent the DR was way better.
The fronts were upgraded from a pair of 260’s to a 4800 and that was quite a step up as well.

The DCX is reasonable for budget constrained setups, and is indeed better than passive X-overs, but as soon as you can, step up to a DriveRack.

Late but not last about DCX 2496:

DCX 2496 is good for any high-quality or high-end sound system.
It's very affordable, very versatile and excellent when used in digital link. Some tweaks may be useful to reach the best end of the tool.
To make your mind, look at this french english-spoken link :
www.dcx2496.fr/

Good reading!

[/quote]

[saddlesore]

I have received my amp and subwoofers and still need to pickup an EQ. I am also interested in building my own speakers in the near future. Can the DCX2496 do everything that the 2310 can do plus act as an active xo for future speaker builds. That is, I would prefer not to buy a 2310 today and a DCX2496 in a few months if I can get by with only the DCX2496.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

[ThomasW]

The DCX is a crossover and has EQ functions.

[herman]

The digital processing sections of the DCX are very good but the analog is not. They use cheap opamps, a poor power supply, and a marginal digtal receiver. The gain structure is also wrong for consumer gear. However, if you moddify the unit to bypass the analog stages, replace the digital receiver if you are feeding it digital, and put in a good analog PS it is very good.

[jman]

I went with the Marchand XM9. I don't want that extra stage of AD/DA conversion, especially by the low-end parts in a Behringer. I don't need any time domain correction and I can add an external EQ if I need it.