DSP Active Crossover


I'm considering trying a DSP-based active crossover in my system. I did a search to see how much this has been discussed, and most of the posts are pretty old or about active speakers. DSP technology has changed a fair amount in the last 15-20 years.

My system is digital only, and my speakers are 3-way, so it's not particularly complicated. I've been looking at the Danville Signal dspNexux 2/8 which has two channel in (with digital inputs) and eight balanced analog outputs. This appears to be available with AKM AK4499 DACs which are fairly well regarded sigma-delta DACs (although I don't know how good their implementation is).

This product has a fairly rich DSP software environment for programming filters, time delays, etc., so it should be fairly straightforward to set it up to replace my passive crossovers. 

My biggest reservations are 1) giving up my Denafrips Terminator+ DAC and nice-quality DIY preamp, and 2) using the DAC's digital volume adjustments. 

This unit is about $3K (maybe a bit more with the AK4499 DACs), so isn't terribly expensive. From the limited research I've done, this unit appears to be higher sound quality than the miniDSP or DEQX boxes, but I could be wrong. All my amps have balanced inputs, so I'd prefer to use a unit with balanced outputs. 

So, what I'm wondering is if the benefits of active crossovers and dsp equalization will outweigh the lesser DAC quality (assuming this is the case) and lack of analog volume control (currently using a relay switched attenuator). I'm also wondering if there are other dsp audio processors that I should consider (digital inputs, at least six channels out, ideally with balanced outputs).

128x128jaytor

Showing 3 responses by arion

I suggest you investigate the new Trinnov Nova. Is has up to 6 channels. We supply a Trinnov DSP unit with all our Apollo and Athena series speaker systems. They are excellent and very easy to set up. Check out some of the show reports about our systems. You will find them to be very positive. If the Trinnov DSP wasn’t good our systems wouldn’t sound good. We don’t sell just processors so I’m not trying to sell you anything.

BTW, the Trinnov units all come with excellent room correction and use a very unique mic. They do an excellent job in the amplitude domain and more importantly in the time domain.

@erik_squires LOL

@jaytor I believe the Trinnov Nova retails for about $3500 for 2 channels and $500 for each additional pair of channels so $4500 for a 6 channel unit.

I view digital crossovers, room correction, time domain corrections and amplitude domain correction all very related. Trinnov units do more than simple digital crossovers. It maps the room and builds filters so Your drivers work in Your room.

BTW, Nice system. It's somewhat akin to our Apollo system being light membrane technology and OB. Cool 300B amps. We typically use 300B mono amps in our showroom. During development we have gone through passive crossovers, analog active crossovers and several DSP systems. IMHO, you are on the right path going with digital crossovers. High quality room correction is something to seriously consider, IMO.