2. digital
  3. 1408492712

Is DEQX a game changer?

Just read a bit and it sure sounds interesting. Does it sound like the best way to upgrade speakers?
ptss
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
FWIW my HDP-5, which has superseded the HDP-4 as DEQX’s top-of-the-line model, uses a switching power supply. I don’t know if it is the same supply that is used in your Mate, but it is an XP Power model ECL30UD02-S. Here is the datasheet for that series of supplies.

I use the HDP-5 as my preamp. I have never sensed that it is causing any glare whatsoever in any part of the spectrum. I am connecting my phono stage (a Herron VTPH-2) to it via unbalanced RCA cables. I am connecting my main digital source (a Bryston BCD-1 CD player used just as a transport) via an AES/EBU digital cable. Those are my two critical sources. I am connecting the HDP-5 to my power amp via unbalanced RCA cables.

I don’t recall what connectivity the Mate provides, but if you are using balanced analog connections to its inputs or outputs perhaps a contributing factor to the issue you described might be an internal balanced/unbalanced converter stage or transformer needed to interface to its presumably unbalanced internal signal path. Or if you are connecting to a digital input, perhaps waveform degradation due to signal reflections resulting from small impedance mismatches is occurring, resulting in jitter that might be improved by changing the length and/or type of the digital cable.

That’s about all I can think of in response to your question.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

drewan77
142 posts
 
Since I last posted on here I have added an HDP-5 processor/preamp and as Almarg mentions, this has a low noise switch mode power supply. My HDP-3 uses a linear supply and both sound equally transparent with no top end glare that I can detect. Most of my listening is analogue input from two turntables and my various power amps & subs are also connected via unbalanced RCA cabling.

The HDP-5 has slightly greater clarity and openness to the soundstage than the HDP-3 & I will be using them together in a 4-way stereo setup (0-60hz, 60-200hz, 200-3100hz, 3100khz+), the HDP-3 managing just the subs.
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Andrew (Drewan77), congratulations on the new HDP-5!  And thanks once again for the many valuable inputs you have provided to this thread.

Best regards,
-- Al
 
kingrex
107 posts
 

Update, I just spoke with Larry Owens.  He calibrates the DEQX, and modifies them.  He said my unit does have a potentially noisy SMPS.  The 4 is Linear, the 5 is a high end SMPS that does not have the same issues.  Other hardware in my unit is not on the same level as the 4 and 5.  I am not sure how mine differs from the PreMate.  I mostly listen to music via my Core Audio Kryptos music server.  His suggestion is to try and keep everything in the digital realm for me.  That way the power supply will not affect my sound near as much.  I had to send him some pictures of the mother board in my unit.  He is looking to see if he can add a SPDIF input/output to my unit.  Boards differ on the year they were built.  I would then install the Mate between my music server and my DAC.  He believes that would get me a lot of bang for the buck.  If I want Digital to Analog/Analog to Digital, I am going to need to isolate that part of the system from the noisy power supply, and add a new clean power supply.  Something he can do, but more money.   Just an FYI.

almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Good info, Kingrex.  Thanks!

BTW, although it undoubtedly has no relevance in the case of your Mate, I'll mention that according to a communication I had with Alan Langford of DEQX last year, incorporation of Larry's mods into a unit that is under factory warranty will invalidate that warranty.

Best of luck as you proceed.  Regards,
-- Al
 
More to discover