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Lumin T2 with Anthem STR preamp signal going through both DACs?

To use bass management with my Anthem STR preamp, I have to convert the analog signal back to digital hence then using the Anthem’s DAC to process the final signal.

So in essence, the signal is being "dac’d" twice ?? That seems detrimental to the signal even with good dacs.

I did not know this had to be done to use subwoofers.

Is that normal and has this just escaped me all this time? Or am I missing something?


Addl info:
-- The setting on the Anthem you must turn on to use subs is in the Input settings and called "Convert Analog 32/192"
-- The subs will not turn on if that setting is "off"
dtximages
erik_squires
16,325 posts
 
I would strongly suggest you listen for yourself here.

We can talk tech but your ears are the only arbiter.  I would be personally disinclined to get a fancy DAC and then do DSP after though, seems like a a waste, but some do just that.
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
@dtximages depending on how the ADC -> DAC is occurring within the Anthem, it may differ from what would happen if you were feeding digital into the Anthem for DAC. You may wish to ask Anthem if the DAC signal path is the same in both cases.

You could also try listening for any audible difference in sound quality (avoiding frequencies around and below the crossover point) with the setting turned on or off. It may be inaudible, in which case you will still get the sound character of the T2 instead of the sound character of the STR DAC chips.
bwguy's avatar
bwguy
230 posts
 
Not sure if you stream tidal, but I don’t think the Anthem DAC is fully MQA compatible, whereas the Lumin T2 is.
bwguy's avatar
bwguy
230 posts
 
I think you will get the sound character  of the T2 either way.  However, in my experience, using DSP alters the signal somewhat.  I found using digital bypass made the music much clearer and more natural.  But I would try it both ways and see what you think.  As others have mentioned, it is possible you may not hear any differences.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The Lumin uses an ESS chip the Anthem an AKM chip, both devices measure very well. I would be surprised if you could tell which was which in a blind test. I couldn’t which is why I sold my DAC and use the one in the STR. If you don’t want to use ARC, though I recommend you do unless you have a lot of room treatments, the STR still makes it very easy to integrate your subs without ARC. Use USB out on the lumin to USB in on the STR and Balanced out to Balanced in with DSP disabled and compare for yourself.
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