Its great that they offered a demo, but it takes a fair amount of time to understand and appreciate the changes that the DEQX makes. I periodically remove mine from my system, to make sure that it continues to make a positive contribution. I've never been disappointed. |
One thing that takes getting used to is that the DEQX will make different speakers sound more similar, as in CORRECT. It does something similar for amplification, especially if bi- tri-amping is used. I use tube amps on the top end and class- D amps on the low end, which is something that couldn't easily be done without DSP. |
Ah, so you like the top end rolled off a little bit! Just kidding, I'm sure it sounds great. |
I agree with Drewan77 wholeheartedly. And congratulations on doing it yourself, sir! I've owned my DEXQ for three years, and even though I don't use the active crossovers, I would not venture to do the calibrations myself.
"Like turning the dial on a lens until suddenly everything falls into crystal clear focus." Yes, that is exactly my experience as well.
Another amazing aspect is that the preamp section is utterly transparent, to my ear, with an analog source. |
Its true that this technology can make decent equipment sound like audiophile equipment. This is not an attractive feature for some, such as those who have invested megabucks in their analog gear, and some reviewers who are invested in the status quo. But then again even Mr Analog Jonathan Valin is now promoting DSP, although his editor is still stuck in the 20th century.
Wynnytsky, given the challenges imposed by your room, you might want to consider adding dual subwoofers. DSP plus dual subs is a match made in heaven. |
I have both digital and analogue sources going to the DEQX model HDP4.The digital sources run directly to the DEQX, and the analogue sources pass through a conventional preamp before going to the DEQX. There is really no reason to use a conventional preamp in addition to the HDP4 model, other than the increased number of inputs it affords. The preamp section in the HDP4 is of a very high quality, as are the A/D and D/A convertors.
For those who would contemplate learning how to do the calibrations themselves, make sure you have a lot of free time. |
"I doubt schlepping the speakers and amp outside is an option either."
Then you will not hear the best that the DEQX has to offer.
"If it took me more than a few bars to hear the change interest would be lost."
Then you have a short attention span and the DEQX is not for you.
"No need to ever remove it.."
Of course not, but doing so will remind you what changes are being made by having it in the playback chain.
"Although it took me about 6 months to fully understand and perfect everything."
Exactly! |
I did mine in the driveway. Buy yourself a decent moving dolly and attach some protective padding. Should be under $100 total. The outdoor measurement can be done with the speaker on the dolly. All you need is a speaker, an amp, and an available outlet. The DEQX rep will take care of everything else. |
Drewan77, by using the Gram Slee for streamer/laptop, you are introducing additional D/A and A/D steps. I tried this as well using top-rated DAC and analogue preamp, but I found that transparency and resolution were slightly improved by running the digital source directly to the DEQX. For CD and vinyl, I continue to use my tubed preamp. |
Drewan77, you wrote that the Chord DAC sounds better than the DEQX DAC. These cannot be directly be compared, because they operate at different points in the chain.
If you are feeding the DEQX an analogue signal, the DEXQ must first convert it to digital before it does anything else with it. I can only conclude that your Chord DAC is adding some 'euphonic' distortion. My preference is to use the EQ presets to alter the signal to suit my personal preferences, rather than inserting an extra component into the chain. |
Drewan77, are you using the Chord in addition to the DEXQ? |
Drewan77, I didn't realize you were using the DEQX mate, which does not have the digital inputs. I must have lost track of your contributions to this thread. Sorry 'bout that. |
Drewan77 if you are using the HDP3, then you are utilizing its DAC. The device operates in the digital domain. The last step is digital to analogue conversion. |
Drewan77, so you are taking the 'raw' digital data and converting it to analog, then feeding it to the DEQX, which then converts it back to digital for processing, etc.
I do the same for CD/SACD. My CD/SACD player has digital out, but the analog out seems to sound better to my ear. However for computer audio I prefer running the digital computer signal directly to the DEQX, rather than introduce additional digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions. |
Don't rush to dump your preamp. The DEQX is essentially transparent, so you can use them together if you like what the preamp adds to the sound of your system. |
I have found that the DEQX does not degrade the signal from a vinyl source. |
The HDP-5 is now the top of the line unit for DEQX. Audiophiles are the target audience. You can be sure that the power supply on the HDP-5 is as good or better than anything they've ever used. |
I'd like to know about the artifact as well. Before relying on the DEQX as the 'brain' of my system, I needed to convince myself that it was virtually transparent in bypass mode. In bypass, the room and speaker corrections are left out, but the A/D and D/A conversions are performed by the DEQX. I compared my setup with and without the DEQX, keeping my analog preamp in the loop for both. I was unable to hear any sonic degradation being introduced by the DEQX. This is amazing to me. |
My wants list from DEQX (after 4 years of use):
1. A detailed manual so that adjustment is easy even for tech-challenged users.
2. The ability to tweak right and left channels independently, to partially compensate for hearing differences between my right and left ears. |
Roscoeii, that may be true, but one cannot selectively adjust a particular part of the frequency range for an individual channel, after having dialed in the whole system. |
Good luck with your installation Al. I did find a manual online, and it does look quite comprehensive. Good to know that I'll have something to do someday when I retire. |
Al, outdoor measurement is mandatory, IMO. With the help of two people, we moved TAD Reference1 (almost 400 lb apiece) and four monoblock amps from my listening room to my driveway. We used a dolly, easily purchased on the internet. If you are willing to invest the time and cash on DEQX, you really owe this to yourself. |
DEQX is a lot of time and expense. The whole point of going through that is to get correct output from one's transducers. That requires outdoor meaurement. Without correct setup, I personally don't think its worth the effort. |
