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I should have done this years ago, when I first considered it. The difference is quite astounding. It already seems better in every respect - detail, dynamics, distortion - and I've only just started. I still have a lot of work to do.I have quite a few questions, and I'd appreciate some feedback. But first let me describe my set-up at the moment. There are many weak links in this chain, I know, but this is what I rigged up to test the new active crossover.
Squeezebox 3 > Behringer DCX2496 >
HF (>800Hz) = Scott 299A amp > Altec 811B/804A horn
LF (<800Hz) = Marantz 2250 > JBL 2213H wooferMy system already sounds better than it ever has, so I'm pretty happy already, but it's far from its full potential. So what would you improve first? The integrated amps? The woofers? Upgrade the stock DCX? I've got my own ideas, but yours may be better. All suggestions welcome!
I'm dying to get my turntable in here somewhere, but I understand that the analog inputs on the DCX are not great. Also, I should mention that I tried running my Rega Planet CD player through the DCX but the levels were far too high, even when I turned the input levels down to -15dB. The Squeezebox is sounding surprisingly decent, though.
Follow Ups:
I'll jump in first here, even without direct experience. But I've seen so many systems with level mismatches that I feel confident is suggesting that you get the levels set for best possible signal/noise ratio before doing anything else.You'll get the best out of the Behringer A/d if you can feed them a high enough signal level. That's not real easy; you may need a preamp with hefty gain in addition to the phono preamp to get there.
How do you set levels? You'll want to do that in the analog domain so you can use the full output of the crossover. That means a 4-channel volume control for two channels.
Best of luck! Sounds like a great adventure - I hope you will continue to post the journey. I'm sure many here will have much to contribute.
At the moment I'm setting the levels digitally through the Squeezebox, which I realize means dropping bits. I have not changed the input or output levels on the DCX.This is not ideal, of course, and I'll probably do what you suggest and add a 4- or 6-gang pot after the DCX outputs for better control. That way I could hook up my CD player as well.
As regards analog, I guess I'll have to do more research. I have no idea what to do to get my turntable hooked up and sounding good. Consensus seems to be that the stock DCX is pretty bad for analog sources. In any case, I have to admit that I've mainly been looking at the DCX from a digital point of view. One of the main selling points was that it has a decent DAC for use with the Squeezebox. That, combined with the active crossover, made it a pretty easy choice for me.
Hi, look at products like this that have phone preamp and digital outputs.
Disclosure - I work for the company that owns ART. I've brought this product to your attention because it's quick and easy for me to do so, but there may be competitive products well suited to your needs, happy hunting!
Benford's law of controversy - Passion is inversely proportional to the amount of real information available.
I am running an analog crossover. Do you think it is better for me to run a higher voltage in (from preamp), as in crank it up well past normal volume....and the attenuate on the output of the crossover to met amp input sensitivity?
Just to pick some numbers...say 2 volts out of CD and amp needs 2 volts to reach clipping.....what do you think the crossover would like to see. I am driving XLR inputs single ended.
Hi Russ,I'd take the preamp out of the system, connect the signals from the CD player directly into the crossover, and use a volume attenuator oafter the crossover. Using a preamp to control the volume typically would attenuate the analog signals into the crossover quite a lot. When I was playing with some JBL speakers with horn-loaded mid and high, the noise from the analog active crossover was so high to be distracting. The problem was that the volume attenuator was placed before the crossover, and at a normal listening level it dropped the CD signals by 30dB or so. The tiny signals were then filtered by the analog crossover, which added its noise to the output signals. The signals and noise were then amplified together by the amp by 30dB or so. The noise problem was solved by feeding the CD player output to the crossover directly, and feeding the crossover output into the DVD-Multi inputs of a cheap receiver used to biamp the speakers.
Cheers,
The preamp is needed because I listen to records.My preamp will put out a lot more voltage than just the CD player if I use a CD player as an input. Given that should I run 10vac or ??? into said crossover rather than the 2vac a straight CD connection would give? It is not a problem to pad after the crossover in either case. I don't think so well in dB's but I am thinking the standard for pro audio is 7vac in??? If so but I am converting XLR to single ended does that change anything? It is a TDM crossover.
Hi Russ,Are you thinking about (1) using the preamp to adjust the volume, in combination with a pad-down after the crossover, or (2) leaving the preamp at a fixed setting (e.g., with a gain of 3.5 for CD) and using another volume control after the crossover? I think the former is likely to have a worse signal-noise ratio than the latter at a normal listening level.
Nevertheless, since a pad-down (a voltage divider or a pot) is fairly easy to make and insert between the crossover and the amp, perhaps you can give the first approach a try and let us know whether you hear an improvement over no pad-down.
Do you have any noise issue now with the active crossover?
Kurt
info on how to properly set up and use the crossover.I'd imagine I'll set the preamp for the normal maximum listening volume (but not so high as to ever have it clip). From there I'd pad down the crossover outputs to match amps/drivers for equal volume (crossover has this feature). If need be, I'd then use a six gang volume pot, after the crossover, to control listening level.
I am new to this whole active crossover stuff. I have been using a borrowed one (that is on the cheap side) as a 2-way at 250 hertz and a passive between mid and high. I haven't noticed any noise problems.
Hi Russ,If you are going to use an anolog crossover, I'd suggest that you don't worry about it unless you actually notice a noise problem. I prefer to put the volume control after the crossover, but if having a preamp before the crossover does not generate objectionable noise there is really nothing to worry about. ;-)
Cheers,
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