2. speakers
  3. 185948-12620

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 mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,223 posts
 

@jaytor ,

Good move. I have been doing this for 25 years and keep a close eye on the market. I have been chosen to beta test the new DEQX Pre 8 which has a 4 way digital crossover you can program to do whatever you want. It has complete bass management, room control, EQ capability at 1 Hz intervals (target curves) and streaming capability. It will be $10,995.00 retail. There will be a less expensive unit following called the Pre 3 which has a two way crossover most people will use for subwoofers. It should be about $4000 less expensive. Another approach which would be much less would be the MiniDSP SHD studio and two good DACs like the Benchmark. That will run about $5000. The MiniDSP SHD (not the studio version) has its own internal DACs and costs $1500. Its crossover is suitable for subwoofers. It uses DIRAC Live which is easy to use and works well, but it is not very flexible and the EQ only has 10 corners. For the money it is excellent. There is the Anthem STR preamp for about $4000 which I have not had the opportunity to use. Finally, the Trinnov Amethyst which has great room control but only a very basic subwoofer crossover. The DEQX is clearly the best unit for 2 channel stereo on the market today and if all you need is a single 2 way crossover the Pre 4 is going to be a bargain. I expect it will be released in about 6 months. 

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,223 posts
 

@ricevs ,

No, you can not parallel SHDs. The Dirac Live only knows about 4 channels in the SHD. As far as the crossover are concerned you might be able to double it up although I think that is a silly proposition. You are much better off with Dirac Live than a three way crossover. It is hard to explain to people what total control over a system/room's amplitude response means or sounds like. You have to hear it. 

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,223 posts
 

@ricevs 

When my TacT 2.2x bit the dust the DEQX was still two months away. So, to fill in the space I got a MiniDSP SHD $1500 with UMiK 2. The Pre 8 is still one month away, so I will be glad to tell you what I think after a week with the DEQX. All I know about the processor at this point is that because of Covid and delays in getting the first processor they redesigned it for a new and better processor that became available. It is a 64bit floating point system. It also shot the price up a couple of grand. My 25 year old TacT sounded better than the MiniDSP. Lets face it the MiniDSP has 4 DAC channels and two ADC channels, It also streams and handles DIRAC Live. That is a lot of stuff for $1500. Benchmark Media Systems is using an SHD Studio and two of their own DACs and think it is great. That is a $6000 proposition. That is a tempting second choice if the DEQX is too rich. The SHD has a slight graininess to it. It is not crystaline. The TacT was, and as long as you had a computer hooked to it you could do anything and I do mean anything. I am not sure yet how a computer relates to the Pre 8. I do not even have a manual yet and yes, I asked for one.

More to discover