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DSpeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 - Where in Signal Chain?

I just purchased a DSPeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 in the hopes that it will help address some of the bass issues I have in my room. I've heard very good things about this unit. The more I read about it, however, the more confused I get about where in my signal chain it would be best to put it.

I know the manufacturer and US distributor are fond of telling users to get rid of their DACs and preamps and just use the AM2.0, but that's not going to work for me. For one, I have tons of DSD and 24/192 music that the AM2.0 wouldn't be able to process. I also love what the tubes in my preamp add to my music. So I'll be running this thing in the analog domain, and a double DAC-ADC conversion is unavoidable, although I've heard the arguments about why that might be less than ideal.

Putting that issue aside for the moment, it seems I have the following options:

1. Put the AM2.0 in between my DAC and preamp using the balanced XLR inputs and outputs. BUT here is where I get confused - is it not a problem feeding my preamp a signal that has essentially already been amplified to line level? If I do this, what volume setting do I use on the AM2.0 to ensure that I can control the volume with my preamp and not have any gain mismatch or clipping issues?

2. Put the AM2.0 in between my preamp and power amp using the regular main RCA out on the preamp. I'm worried about clipping at the input of the AM2.0 doing this. Again, what volume do I set the AM2.0 to in order to control the volume using the preamp?

3. Put the AM2.0 in between my preamp and power amp using the RCA "record out" on the preamp. This is actually what Tim Ryan, the US distributor, told me to do. But if I use the record out on the preamp, wouldn't I be bypassing anything the preamp might add to my signal? And since I only use one source anyway, what would be the point of even using my preamp if I did this?

If there is anyone out there who has or had one of these units and experimented with the above arrangements, I would love to hear about your own results. I just want to make sure I put this into my system in a way that makes sense and doesn't risk damaging anything. Thanks.
zm
mrderrick
292 posts
 
The best place for the attenuators in my system was before the power amp.
You can place the attenuators wherever you want to try them.
The best place for the AM for me was in the digital path between my BDP-1 and PS Audio DS via USB cable.
I ran everything wide open and controlled the gain with my pre. But I am certain that I had made some adjustments in the tools menu, I just can't recall what they were called.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I think that the record out suggestion involves using the tape loop or tape monitor function. Source to pre to record out to AM to tape in and set the tape monitor to tape, not source. Think of the AM as a signal processor, and you're putting it into a processor or tape loop. Not sure about any of the other issues, but this should let you control the output w your pre volume control. If there is a unity gain setting for the AM, that might be best, or you could adjust to match the volume of your other sources.
zm OP
121 posts
 
Thanks, Swampwalker. My pre (ARC LS-15) doesn't have a tape in, but it does have a monitor in. So if I understand correctly, I would have my source come into the pre as usual, run an RCA from the pre's "record out" to the AM, then RCA out from the AM into the pre's "monitor in", then set the pre to "monitor" instead of "source".

I'm actually not entirely sure what the advantage is to putting the AM into a tape loop rather than simply putting it between the pre and power amps. In both cases, I assume I could use the pre to control the volume and will need to deal with the AM's gain somehow. I think the record out suggestion is intended for those using integrated amps.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Yes, monitor in = tape in in this case. The advantage is that there is no chance of overloading the AM and you would control the volume just as you would w any other component. No idea if this is better or worse in terms of how it would sound.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,618 posts
 
I own the unit and I also did not want to limit my output to 24/96.
So, I have mine just augmenting the bass.
That is, I have 2 separate line outs from my Preamp.
One goes to my Amp the other goes to the DSPeaker.
I have 2 JL Audio F113's. I eq the JL's individually first and then I use the DSPeaker to eq them into the rest of the system.
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