Accounting for slight hearing loss
OP: Here is an idea out of left field: https://www.minidsp.com/products/dsp-headphone-amp/ha-dsp This is a headphone amp with built-in DSP. It's a little pricey for a thought experiment, but thought I would share. |
Does the same corruption (sterilization) as what your recommending, even in front of your favorite dac. Whatever you do, don’t try a fix which might solve your problem because of the hidden bogey men who will come out of the stereo and rip your ears off. Come on. It's a lot better to attempt a reasonably good solution than to remain frozen in place for some fear of loss of purity. |
A DSP between my transport and DAC will convert with it’s own DAC, do its eq, then convert back to the undecoded format (ADC). Then my MHDT will see it as before. Sorry but for this specific case, your example is incorrect. The signal remains in the digital domain and is converted to analog only at the last stage, the DAC. Transport --> S/PDIF --> Math is applied --> S/PDIF --> DAC DSP, or Digital Signal Processing, performs math on the digits, so the S/PDIF data stream is practically it’s native language. An example of what I’m suggesting in this specific case would be this: https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/nanodigi-2x8-b It has digital inputs and outputs only and not a single analog part inside. :) In my case though, since all my signals come from Roon and I lack a spinner: Roon (CPU does the DSP to the digits) --> Wifi --> Streamer --> USB --> DAC Again, no conversion to analog happens until the last stage, where my Mytek Brooklyn takes the output of the streamer and feeds it to my integrated amp. Lastly, third option, is to use a miniDSP with built in streaming, AND digital inputs: https://www.minidsp.com/products/streaming-hd-series So, in the third case, your transport AND your streaming goes through the same device, adding EQ to everything equally. In all three of these cases your existing DAC is the only place where digits are converted to analog signals. Best, E |
Keep in mind, I am advocating for DSP based EQ before a DAC, not after. The use of a DSP EQ after a DAC to me is anti-high end as it requires two more conversions, in addition to the math. With the Loki it all remains in the analog domain, subject to whatever devices, op amps and capacitors are used. In the case of Roon, it seems transparent, you get it "for free" and reasonably easy to use, but the analog Loki may be a better fitting solution. |
Doing it in the xo would likely result in differential impedance and likely phase curves, between speakers. As a crossover designer, unless you are an experienced crossover designer yourself, this is much harder than you think it is, and what if the results are short lived? :) An EQ solution lets you adjust by ear and get instant feedback, which you can always improve upon or adapt later. |
The Loki is RCA analog only. If you want something that sits between a CD player and DAC, this will do the trick: https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/nanodigi-2x8-b But... perhaps you should consider a miniDSP with built in streaming? This will not only get you the EQ you are looking for, but also add music services: https://www.minidsp.com/products/streaming-hd-series |
If it were me, I’d account for the loss in an EQ before my DAC. If that’s’ not an option you can take, the Schiit Loki may work for you. You’ll have to kind of hack it, you’ll only use one channel. :) Digital EQ's are a lot more transparent, and can you hear them? I don't know, but I can tell you that making up for your hearing loss is a lot better than not. Best, E |
