Subwoofer: should we even use them at all?

New techniques and faster subwoofers has given us a much higher level of integration than what was possible in the past.

I never thought that this would be possible. Now I know it is possible!

faster subwoofers? are they midranges now.lol

When you use lighter material, you get a better response. The poweramp also has influence on the control and speed.

Ceramic woofers are very light and are a lot faster than some 'slow' material used by other brands.

In a simple stereo test you can compare the differences in integration. It is so simple!

Lewinski,

I've used several different configurations, but I'm currently taking the digital signal out of my QSonix server straight into the Onkyo via coax. The Onkyo does all DSP including x-over. The twin sub out of the Onkyo goes straight to my Rythmik subs and the main out goes to (at the moment) a pair of Cary 805s and on into a pair of OHM 100s. Sometimes, there's a different amp/main speaker combo, particularly if I'm using my Maggie MMGs, which require more grunt than the Carys can deliver.

BTW, I've previously used both of my current stand-alone DACs (Cambridge DAC Magic and Benchmark) for conversion, but - as I've noted - simplicity is important to me and I prefer the simplicity of one box. As to SQ, it's audibly different with each DAC (especially Benchmark vs Cambridge) and a matter of personal taste, but I like the sound of all three options and settled on the internal Onkyo DAC for the reasons stated above.

Further, BTW - there's an upgraded version of the Onkyo from one of the specialists (Upgrade Company?) that offers an in-home trial. At the moment, I'm kicking the idea of a trial around just to check out any potential improvements. If I pull the trigger, I'll post my impressions

Sorry, I missed the other half of your question. The configuration you describe might sound great, but it's (not to beat a dead horse) a little complex for my taste. In your shoes, I'd personally be inclined to look at something like the HK 990, which provides all the DSP (including x-over) and amplification in a single 2 channel box. As a bonus, it includes room correction, so you could A-B that against the Dirac to see which you prefer.

To be clear, that isn't a recommendation (tho I've heard and like the HK 990 quite a lot), just a simpler alternative that I'd likely pursue given my own particular priorities.

As to the required second DAC in the set-up that Dirac suggested, I can say that the Cambridge represents good value IMO.