Is DEQX a game changer?

Drewan ... I bought the rep's demo, which was a PreMate. So I have DAC capabilities ... to be explored and understood in the coming days and weeks.

Bombaywalla ... the DEQX device can cut-out the correction circuit and step out of the signal path ... if you believe that is truly possible. If so, I can compare the DEQX correction on the fly --- in and out. It "appears" that when the DEQX is cut-off, the rig's SPL seems lower as compared to when the DEQX is engaged.

The DEQX guys explained that the SPL isn't really lower. Rather, when the DEQX is cut-off, I am turning up the gain to try and capture the missing "X-factor" correction the DEQX adds. In fact, when the DEQX is engaged, I can turn the gain down a little and the presentation is just fine.

As I understand the DEQX guys' explanation, an important "fix" is in the midrange frequencies, which are most noticeable when corrected. So ... when the mids are time corrected and room equalized, I simply "hear" the music qualitatively better. Ergo, I don't need to crank up the SPL.

The DEQX seems to have tamed my rig. It would sure be helpful if other audiophiles could listen to my rig and validate what I think I hear.

Al (Almarg) ... if you're ever in my neck of the woods, feel free to stop by and have a listen. I greatly value your opinion.

Thanks for the invite, Bruce. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

I bought the rep's demo, which was a PreMate. So I have DAC capabilities ... to be explored and understood in the coming days and weeks.

Question: Have you or will you be trying the DEQX for vinyl listening with your ARC preamp removed from the signal path?

Best,
-- Al

Using your DEQX as your DAC works very well and is highly recommended.

Al, I would bet that with a little more configuration tweaking you will be able to get even better results than you have now. Ultimately, you many need to take a few more speaker measurements at different distances to really nail it. But listen to it like it is for a good while before you make any changes.

BTW, even if you thoroughly know what you're doing when it comes setting up the DEQX, which I'm most certainly sure that your person giving the demo does, by devoting some extra time to the configuration you will usually find room for improvement, and often times substantial improvement, over your initial calibration.

Enjoy listening to music through your corrected system!

Forresstc .... I will post a more detailed report that lays out the details of my DEQX audition. It took 2 sessions. The first session was worthless because of serious room issues and my speakers are just too large for the room.

Plus, the second session involved hooking up my sub directly into the DEQX device rather than from my preamp's main #2 output. This permitted the DEQXpert to more effectively make compensating adjustments by crossing over my self powered sub at 120 Hz. Probably improved bass tightness because the DF in my sub is pretty high. My sub is a self powered solid state job.

I am dubious that an average Joe could extract as much out of my DEQX as the DEQXpert. Too many adjustments and too many beasts to tame. Also, many of the time alignment and room EQ adjustments were made based on the DEQXpert's anecdotal experiences.

For example, he did not attempt to achieve a ruler flat EQ curve. He said that twisting the drivers beyond a certain point would result in a negative yield.

So ... IMO, unless one is really tech saavy, I'd recommend paying the extra fee for the DEQXpert service.

Forrestc, stated differently, beyond a certain point, continued tweaking yields diminishing return.