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DEQX Beginner seeking advice

Hello DEQX Users,

I have a demo PreMate on loan for 2 weeks. That is not much time, given the complexity of setup. For now, I am skipping speaker calibration and trying to get room EQ running well. It is the bass in my sealed basement room that's the problem most in need.

1. Is there an online tutorial on this?  I looked at Nyal Mellor's YouTube entry, but I'm looking for something a little more detailed (but less than the manual).

2. Is it true that DEQX room EQ (unlike the TacT 2.2X I own) is applied to both channels, and can't be used to equalize each channel independently?

3. Is it also true that (unlike the TacT), a DEQX main/sub configuration does not automatically set time delays and levels relative to the mains? If so, how do most users accomplish this?

I will appreciate for any tips/help. At first impression, the DEQX DAC and xover sound considerably cleaner than the old TacT, but the complexity of setup is rather daunting.

Thanks!
Mike

P.S. I trust that starting a new thread is the right thing here, rather than hijacking the long, interesting, existing one.
mike_in_nc
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Roscoe, congratulations on the new digs, and on the improved acoustical situation!  And thanks for posting the links to the John Darko reviews in the "game changer" thread.

Best regards,
-- Al
 
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Thanks Al. Looking forward to getting the speakers, DEQX and everything else sorted out in the new room.  Will be reporting on that in the other thread. 
blang11's avatar
blang11
37 posts
 

Thanks for welcoming me and offering some guidance! Also, apologies if I should have posted in the “game changer” thread instead of here. If I could cut and paste my post, I would.

 

2. Great answer. That solves that!

 

3.,4. That’s nice that you’re using the upper end of your volume control for the most part. This is not the case in my current system, but because the ARC volume control has 103 steps, I find the adjustments are fine enough for my taste even though I never listen to anything louder than volume setting “75” (typical volume is around 20-40). I’ve been reading up on gain staging so that if and when I upgrade to a DEQX, I won’t have more gain than I need for proper volume range. I’ve seen that Bryston and Bel Canto amps have adjustment gain settings, the lower of which (around 23 db) might be more suitable for my needs. My speakers are rated 88db sensitivity and my room is on the small side of medium. After thinking about gain staging recently, I find it odd how little I see this mentioned in audio websites/magazines. I suppose it doesn’t matter much if you have a fantastic preamp, but not everyone does. I’m currently trying to learn more about the interplay between voltage gain, power output (watts per channel) and current delivery.

 

5. I think it’s telling that multiple posters to the DEQX threads have gone through the DEQX setup process, including with customer support and no one has mentioned speaker ports. I’ll take that as a sign that it doesn’t come into play very much in the company’s opinion.

 

10. Great answer. That solves that!

 

Lastly, I too had read John Darko’s recent review series on DEQX and am looking forward to part III. I hope he gives the crossover functionality a spin. It would be nice to get his take on integrating a subwoofer, but who knows if that’s his bag.  


roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Re #5: I'd still ask around about the ports issue. If you buy a DEQX then you can ask the dealer for a recommendation or to go over the pros and cons and whether the general pros and cons for ported vs sealed apply to speakers paired with DEQX. Would be interesting to know what you find out. Lack of comment may reflect that not a ton of speakers come with plugs for their bass ports. 
blang11's avatar
blang11
37 posts
 
I haven't spoken to DEQX or a DEQX dealer about the port question yet, but I did get a helpful response from Harman Luxury Audio Group (Revel). A Field Support Engineer emailed me a number of frequency response measurements of the F208 showing the effect of using the tweeter level switch, LF compensation switch, port plug and port plug+ LF compensation switch. The gentlemen said there is no detrimental effect of using the port plug besides the reduced low frequency output, and that I should play around with it to determine the best setup for my space. So it seems to me that Revel doesn't share the same opinion as JL Audio about the importance of managing the port output when integrating a subwoofer in with the mains. I'll just take it all with a grain of salt, but I appreciate the timely and helpful support from Revel. I'll surely take this up with DEQX at some point. I'm guessing their advice one way or the other will come with the caveat that the ports are not the biggest deal in the grand scheme of things.
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