One DAC to Rule it All

@koestner 

I am one of the people testing the Beta programing of the new DEQX units. My Pre 8 is due to be shipped out next week, FINALLY. The first thing that happened was COVID and they lost the supplier of the main processor they were using. They wound up redesigning the units around another, even better processor. It also required revising the programming. All this took two years. Then, a problem developed that required redesigning one of the boards and finally two out of the first 100 units built developed the same intermittent problem. They wanted to make the diagnosis before letting the other 98 units go. They are all PRE 8s by the way. Most people will require only PRE 4s. It is the identical unit without the 4 way crossover. It won't be available for at least another 6 months. So, take your time and play with the dBx. I've been doing the digital thing for almost 30 years starting with a Tact Audio 2.2X and I am still learning. 

Your subs are passives! Did you build them? I have the same situation as you, an open floor plan and passive subs in a large room. Two 15's will do a lot of damage and is enough for a point source system. 

Well, my subs were originally Velodyne DD15', but over time both plate amps broke down and even the one I got repaired broke again. That was it for me, so I opened them up and ran the driver wire to some banana jacks that I installed on the plate amps. So they still look like DD15' (nice glossy black), but they are now passive.

Maybe I'm missing something, but if you go digital into your Driverack, where are you doing your Volume control?  You'd have to do it digitally, before the Driverack. What are your choices of an all digital preamp?

I have done this with a Lynx Hilo (just messing around).... as it does digital routing and attenuation, and has multiple digital Ins & Outs.  It's a very cool studio tool, but sadly does not have remote control.  I did not notice any compromise in performing digital volume control with a 24bit signal path.

@mijostyn This is the first I’ve heard of DEQX. In your opinion, will the DEQX Pre4 outperform the MiniDSP Flex (I have considered that model with balanced analog connections)?

-Ed

@mirolab 

You're right. My Benchmark preamp will not work to control both the mains and subs. Luckily my Auralic G1 server has software volume (32 bit) and works really well through my iPad. As you say I will be just "messing around" with this setup to see how I like it.