2. digital
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Digital Room Correction: Where in the chain?

I’ve been contemplating the purchase of the McIntosh MEN220. I have a challenging room, and I’ve done my best with equipment placement, furnishings, and room treatments. My listening is 80% digital (streaming and discs), 20% vinyl. My digital chain is Roon/Qobuz, Lumin U2 Mini, Denafrips Pontus II 15th, McIntosh C-53, MC312, B&W702 S3 and REL T/7x. Transport is the MCT500 to the C-53 via din connector.


My hesitation is that the MEN220 requires an analog to digital to analog conversion. It seems like it would be best to apply any and all DSP in the upstream digital before my respectable DAC does the conversion.  Is this midstream ADA negating my digital front end? Is there inherent loss in the extra conversion cycle?  Or am I thinking about this wrong?

mattsca

Showing 1 response by tom2015

tom2015
106 posts
 

Hi,

I use a Men in my system. Large irregular basement over 800sqft. Just could not get the bass right regardless of positioning. Bass was not defined/punchy  and I could not get the highs crystal clear. 

The unit sits between preamp and amp since I have Vinyl, CD and streaming.

in short you lose maybe 5% and gain 50%. My room correction factor shows 9%.

No difference in the sound character of the speakers etc. however infinitely more enjoyable. 
 

Best part is that the unit is close to transparent. Any footer or cable change up or downstream is audible.

An absolute must have for me. I cannot listen to the system without it. 

 

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