DEQX Beginner seeking advice

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.  

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. 

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.

Hi Blang.  Per Barry the Soundoctor's strong recommendation, I plugged the ports on my Raidho's and never looked back.  Barry's explaination of the impact of the secondary output from the ports and their detrimental effect on phase optimization was pretty convincing.  I gather this is an important, if not under appreciated, consideration with the DEQX.  If/when I pull the trigger on the HDP5, I do not expect to unplug the ports.  Of course, the ports are far less critical when electronically crossing over.  I'm crossing over at about 90hz so the low bass in the mains is irrelevant and I think sealing the box tightens the upper bass and definitely improves the timing considerations.  

Per your question regarding the room optimization on the JL sub, I plan on bypassing it and letting the DEQX handle it all.  

I was at a very similar place as you are now -running the mains full range.  Per Barry's superb instructions, I plugged the ports, added an inexpensive yet adequate dbx electronic crossover (a critical piece), carefully aligned the placement of mains and subs, and painstakingly set the phase on the sub.  The results were stellar.  I have not tweaked the system in months and had no desire to until I discovered DEQX.  The HDP5 has everything to take every one of these settings to the next level, while providing a major DAC and crossover upgrade over my Oppo and dbx respectively.  There are some compromises such as not having a critical home theater passthru and the same concern about MQA.  On the other hand, the new support for on-board Roon is the icing on the cake.  

Actually, plugging ports is a good thing to do when using active EQ. :)

It reduces the acoustic order from 4th to 2nd, and increases dynamic range. 

The end result is a 4th order electro+acoustic high pass instead of 6th order, not to mention the group delay effects caused by the port.  This is why THX specifies sealed satellites.

It's not absolutely mandatory, but if you want the absolute highest dynamic range and easiest integration it's good practice.

Best,

Erik