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DSP Active Crossover

I'm considering trying a DSP-based active crossover in my system. I did a search to see how much this has been discussed, and most of the posts are pretty old or about active speakers. DSP technology has changed a fair amount in the last 15-20 years.

My system is digital only, and my speakers are 3-way, so it's not particularly complicated. I've been looking at the Danville Signal dspNexux 2/8 which has two channel in (with digital inputs) and eight balanced analog outputs. This appears to be available with AKM AK4499 DACs which are fairly well regarded sigma-delta DACs (although I don't know how good their implementation is).

This product has a fairly rich DSP software environment for programming filters, time delays, etc., so it should be fairly straightforward to set it up to replace my passive crossovers. 

My biggest reservations are 1) giving up my Denafrips Terminator+ DAC and nice-quality DIY preamp, and 2) using the DAC's digital volume adjustments. 

This unit is about $3K (maybe a bit more with the AK4499 DACs), so isn't terribly expensive. From the limited research I've done, this unit appears to be higher sound quality than the miniDSP or DEQX boxes, but I could be wrong. All my amps have balanced inputs, so I'd prefer to use a unit with balanced outputs. 

So, what I'm wondering is if the benefits of active crossovers and dsp equalization will outweigh the lesser DAC quality (assuming this is the case) and lack of analog volume control (currently using a relay switched attenuator). I'm also wondering if there are other dsp audio processors that I should consider (digital inputs, at least six channels out, ideally with balanced outputs).

128x128jaytor
ricevs
1,474 posts
 

mijostyn, Did you A/B the minidsp SHD with the latest DEQX in the same system using all the same gear at the same time? "clearly the best" can only be known by serious listening tests. If you did do a serious A/B.....what were the sonic differences? The Minidsp is $1300 with standard mic.

The SHD also has digital outputs that can drive the fantastic and super transparent modded Peachtree GaN 1 amps. A bi-amp system using two modded Gan 1 anps and the SHD should be super duper and cost less than $5K.....so all you need is drivers and a baffle......the SHD can take analog inputs (like a phono stage), is a Roon ready streamer has digital inputs including usb drives and has analog outs as well as the digital outs....all volume controlled. Super versatile.

Of course, the SHD is only a two way xover.....so complicated systems need something else unless one can daisy chain or parallel the minidsp units. Don’t know if that can be done.

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,223 posts
 

@ricevs 

When my TacT 2.2x bit the dust the DEQX was still two months away. So, to fill in the space I got a MiniDSP SHD $1500 with UMiK 2. The Pre 8 is still one month away, so I will be glad to tell you what I think after a week with the DEQX. All I know about the processor at this point is that because of Covid and delays in getting the first processor they redesigned it for a new and better processor that became available. It is a 64bit floating point system. It also shot the price up a couple of grand. My 25 year old TacT sounded better than the MiniDSP. Lets face it the MiniDSP has 4 DAC channels and two ADC channels, It also streams and handles DIRAC Live. That is a lot of stuff for $1500. Benchmark Media Systems is using an SHD Studio and two of their own DACs and think it is great. That is a $6000 proposition. That is a tempting second choice if the DEQX is too rich. The SHD has a slight graininess to it. It is not crystaline. The TacT was, and as long as you had a computer hooked to it you could do anything and I do mean anything. I am not sure yet how a computer relates to the Pre 8. I do not even have a manual yet and yes, I asked for one.

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,223 posts
 

@ricevs ,

No, you can not parallel SHDs. The Dirac Live only knows about 4 channels in the SHD. As far as the crossover are concerned you might be able to double it up although I think that is a silly proposition. You are much better off with Dirac Live than a three way crossover. It is hard to explain to people what total control over a system/room's amplitude response means or sounds like. You have to hear it. 

ricevs
1,474 posts
 

I don't understand how you were using a Tact for bi-amping.  Does it have analog line level outs?  Or is this a digital out for subs?  Or two sets of digital outs?  And how were you using the SHD?  Analog outs or digital outs?  And if you are using digital outs what external DACs were you using?  Graininess in what configuration and compared to what?

ricevs
1,474 posts
 

Jaytor,

How is your active system doing?  How does it compare with the passive version?  Any tradeoffs?  My friend in Panama owns the very first Line Force speaker that Danny made and was made from Aluminum.  I just sent him a modded Peachtree Gan1 amp to use on the panels.  He modded the passive xovers with my suggestions.

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