2. digital
  3. 1424576946

DSpeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 - Where in Signal Chain?

I just purchased a DSPeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 in the hopes that it will help address some of the bass issues I have in my room. I've heard very good things about this unit. The more I read about it, however, the more confused I get about where in my signal chain it would be best to put it.

I know the manufacturer and US distributor are fond of telling users to get rid of their DACs and preamps and just use the AM2.0, but that's not going to work for me. For one, I have tons of DSD and 24/192 music that the AM2.0 wouldn't be able to process. I also love what the tubes in my preamp add to my music. So I'll be running this thing in the analog domain, and a double DAC-ADC conversion is unavoidable, although I've heard the arguments about why that might be less than ideal.

Putting that issue aside for the moment, it seems I have the following options:

1. Put the AM2.0 in between my DAC and preamp using the balanced XLR inputs and outputs. BUT here is where I get confused - is it not a problem feeding my preamp a signal that has essentially already been amplified to line level? If I do this, what volume setting do I use on the AM2.0 to ensure that I can control the volume with my preamp and not have any gain mismatch or clipping issues?

2. Put the AM2.0 in between my preamp and power amp using the regular main RCA out on the preamp. I'm worried about clipping at the input of the AM2.0 doing this. Again, what volume do I set the AM2.0 to in order to control the volume using the preamp?

3. Put the AM2.0 in between my preamp and power amp using the RCA "record out" on the preamp. This is actually what Tim Ryan, the US distributor, told me to do. But if I use the record out on the preamp, wouldn't I be bypassing anything the preamp might add to my signal? And since I only use one source anyway, what would be the point of even using my preamp if I did this?

If there is anyone out there who has or had one of these units and experimented with the above arrangements, I would love to hear about your own results. I just want to make sure I put this into my system in a way that makes sense and doesn't risk damaging anything. Thanks.
zm
mrderrick
292 posts
 
I worked through all of your options with the exception of the record out connection.

Your collection of Hi-Rez source material obviously prohibits you from inserting the AM anywhere in the digital path.
Which is the only place that it worked at an acceptable performance level for me.

Using the AM in the analog domain had its drawbacks sonically for me because of the extra A/D -D/A conversions. You will have to give it a listen and decide for yourself.
You can trim the output by turning the volume level down to a point, but beware of loss of sound quality if you go to far.
I used a pair of rothwell balanced attenuators for the purpose of adjusting signal gain.
So long as you have everything turned down and bring the levels up slowly, I cannot see how you may damage anything. Where your pre volume setting ends up may disappoint you if it sounds best at a setting that you can no longer obtain. Where you get your gain will have the biggest effect on how it ultimately sounds.

I must ad the following comments;
The AM will perform much better with an after market regulated power supply.
Ultimately, I was never happy with the auto correction and had to enter my own correction curves.
In my mind, the AM is a piece of equipment that can perform exceptionally well when you build your system around it, not by inserting it into an existing system.

I did not keep my AM.
The best solution for me was the Rives Audio PARC.
It is a shame that they closed their doors this year.
mrderrick
292 posts
 
I cannot exactly recall, but I think that buried in the tools menu there are also settings for the analog and digital output levels.
zm OP
119 posts
 
Thanks very much for your responses, Mrderrick.

I have a pair of Rothwell attenuators myself and I'm curious where you used them. Did you put them at the analog inputs of the AM with the signal coming from the preamp? Or did you use them at the analog input of the preamp with the signal coming from the AM?

I must admit that I am completely confused at how everything works when you have two devices in a signal chain providing gain, complete with two volume controls, etc. This sounds to me like a recipe for ongoing sonic confusion, but I suppose it's a matter of experimentation.

I also am under no illusions that the AM will provide miraculous benefits with no trade-offs, but the bass problems in my room are pretty severe so I may well be willing to live with whatever price the AM exacts.
mrderrick
292 posts
 
The best place for the attenuators in my system was before the power amp.
You can place the attenuators wherever you want to try them.
The best place for the AM for me was in the digital path between my BDP-1 and PS Audio DS via USB cable.
I ran everything wide open and controlled the gain with my pre. But I am certain that I had made some adjustments in the tools menu, I just can't recall what they were called.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I think that the record out suggestion involves using the tape loop or tape monitor function. Source to pre to record out to AM to tape in and set the tape monitor to tape, not source. Think of the AM as a signal processor, and you're putting it into a processor or tape loop. Not sure about any of the other issues, but this should let you control the output w your pre volume control. If there is a unity gain setting for the AM, that might be best, or you could adjust to match the volume of your other sources.
More to discover