Is DEQX a game changer?

User observations about 'transparency' always seem to generate controversy on internet audio forums. People who have not listened to a DEQX corrected system often assert that absolute transparency is not possible with the amount of digital correction taking place.

However, those of us open minded enough to own and use DEQX seem to notice transparency and clarity as some of the most apparent features. Too often, audio equipment is pre-judged by specifications and not by listening.

Andrew (Drewan77) ... when dealing with an artifact in the signal path, it's hard to get below zero when it comes to impact on the signal integrity. Not quibbling, but it is quite remarkable to me how little impact there is when sending a signal through the DEQX in pass-through mode.

What can I say ... but kudos to DEQX.

Thanks for that info Al. Very impressive considering how resolving the Star are known to be. Not to mention the removal of any room effects.

Not much progress with my HD-4 of late. Played with the window for speaker correction and moved it to 600Hz from much lower. An improvement, but I haven't had the chance to do the necessary room correction. Family matters came up before I could get to it. I'll report back when I have more done.

Al, any updates?

Hi Unsound,

No, I still haven't addressed the room correction part of the effort, and I probably won't during the next few weeks. The microphonic tube issue I mentioned a few weeks ago was readily resolved with the purchase of a couple of NOS tubes. But subsequently an unrelated hardware issue arose in my system, which among other things has prompted me to put into motion a phono stage upgrade I've had in mind for some time.

So I've just placed an order with Herron Audio for his highly regarded VTPH-2 phono stage. It will replace what I have been using for that purpose for many years, the phono section of a vintage Mark Levinson ML-1 preamplifier (accessed via the ML-1's tape outputs). I should receive the VTPH-2 in about two weeks or so. I've also ordered an Adona isolation platform for it to sit on, and I may have to also make some changes in the system's power distribution setup.

I'll then want to spend some time familiarizing myself with the sonics the VTPH-2 will provide, and perhaps also give it some additional burn-in (although the burn-in and test Keith Herron provides prior to shipment amounts to 48 hours, according to the manual).

After the dust settles on all of that, I'll resume the process of dialing in the DEQX.

Best regards,
-- Al