Is DEQX a game changer?

From page 20 of the manual, referring to the single digital output of the PreMate and PreMate+:

This is the same signal as provided on the Main Speakers analog output. It carries the corrected audio signal for the speakers, optionally with limit filters for subwoofer integration. It can be used to connect an external DAC instead of using the internal DAC of the DEQX.

I would infer from this statement that the digital output is volume controlled, as well as being subjected to all of the corrections and other signal processing that are applied to the main analog outputs, other than D/A conversion.

I’ve never used the digital outputs of my HDP-5. But what I’m wondering is **if** the PreMate was purchased used, and **if** the previous owner was just using it for subwoofer duties, he may have disabled the main analog outputs in the configuration he set up. Which presumably would have also disabled the digital output, given the paragraph I quoted from the manual.

In that case a computer would have to be connected to the DEQX and the calibration software would have to be used to revise the configuration.

Best regards,
-- Al

Good point Al, I think you must be correct (I was imagining a variable output digital signal might overload the inputs on an external DAC).

I use the digital pass-through from my HDP-5 to HDP-3 & of course it does control volume although all corrections & processing for the -3 in this case require a separate USB connection & a different .mzd file. Only one processor connected to the computer at a time of course!

guys thanks- Hooked it up the way I thought it should be and works fine- Thks again

Hi guys
I am missing something here that fluffier just mentioned about connecting his external dac 

OK I have a deqx premate 
I have just bought a chord dac

As per the manual I have connected the bnc cable on the deqx to the bnc input on the Dave. I left my subs connected to the deqx and connected my xlr cords to the Dave to my amps. No sound. 

The Dave doesn't say it's receiving any signal input. Is there a setting in my deqx I need to enable to allow the digital output to play? I have connected my server via usb to the Dave input. It used go work find when I had the Deqx connected to my amps. Now with tje Dave connected via bnc to the digital output and with the amps connected to the Dave dac I get no sound now. I only get minor bass frequency sound as I have kept my subs connected to the deqx. I am ck fjsed as to what I am doing wrong and if there is a setting in the deqx to allow the digital output to play? 

@steveo888 - your post implies that you have two sets of digital inputs connected to the Dave:

1. BNC from PreMate to Dave
2. USB from server to Dave

Please check if the Dave input is defaulting to USB rather than BNC. This could be the reason why there is no sound.

If that is not the case then check the PreMate settings as below:

- On your DEQX - set the speaker configuration mode to “Single amp with optional mono subwoofer"
- On the IO manager make sure that ’Output Selection’ is set at the default: “Analog/Digital.” which enables analogue to the subs & digital to the DAC.

Also, as a separate issue - if your sever is bypassing the DEQX unit & linked directly to the DAC, then no DEQX correction will be applied & the Subs will not be connected to music from the server either. The server should be connected to the PreMate via the USB-B socket on the rear.