AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Hollis Audio Labs => Topic started by: HAL on 28 Apr 2023, 11:15 am
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Talked to Danville Signal yesterday and the Early Adopter units are being built now. I have one coming with the latest firmware installed for use with the Magnetar II speakers for LSAF 2023 June 2-4 in Dallas, TX.
The speaker baffles are going to paint finishing today and the new A370XLR3 boxes from captainhemo are getting the Hot Rod semigloss black paint is in work.
The measurement microphone input is operational with the latest firmware and being used for testing. There are two modes, one is the more extensive funtions for design and build of speakers called Measurement, the other is Room EQ, where the setting that are not needed for room measurements are preset to parameters for use. This reduces setup time to use it with Room EQ Wizard and other measurement software that can use a USB2Audio ADC and DAC for acoustic measurements.
Will be here next week for a special project in work. :)
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Just got an update that the EA dspNexus 2x8 will be here on Monday to begin use with the Magnetar II speakers for LSAF 2023.
An updated DSP XO is ready to try and measure with the front mic input and my Behringer ECM8000 with calibration data. If that looks good will get out the Earthworks M30 mic and calibration data. That worked better with my old DEQX 2.6P processor than the ECM8000. Both work with 48V phantom power on the mic input.
Will post pictures once it arrives.
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The first Early Adopter unit dspNexus 2x8 has arrived from Danville Signal. The accessories are the remote, S/PDIF cable and AC power cord. The battery is separate from the remote since it is always on. Nice and fresh with the 30 second battery install.
Will be getting the Magnetar II baffles back from rework for the new Radian planar driver as it is longer than the original mounting recesses. Any future units have the CAD drawing updated for the new planar.
Looking forward to giving it a try as soon as parts are ready.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=252527)
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Report back from a customer I just help setup a dspNexus 2x8 with his Eminent Tech LFT-8b speakers, "This thing is freakin awesome!". Good enough for me! 🙂
Also, he is not using his ROON Nucleus, just streaming Qobuz with his laptop. 🙂
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Getting ready to setup an EA dspNexus 2x8 with the Magnepan MG10/QR speakers that are now modified for biamp wiring. The internal crossover has been disconnected and new 5-way binding posts have been installed directly to the woofer panel and with the original fuse to the quasi-ribbon tweeter.
The Audio Weaver DSP crossover design is prototyped for speaker measurements. Will use the phantom powered XLR mic connection on the front with a Behringer ECM8000 with calibration data to make the frequency and phase response measurements.
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I'm thinking of trying one of these with my GR Line Forces. Any further comments and listening impressions? Are you doing volume adjustments in the digital domain?
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The listening impressions from folks other than me are in this thread on page 3, with folks and reviewers that attended LSAF2023. The unit they listened to had the prototype of an AKM AK4499 DAC that is a possible purchasable upgrade to the system. The stock DAC's are AKM AK4493's.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=185895.40
The volume control is done in the 32bit DAC, the AKM AK4493 or the AK4499. This is not done in the DSP.
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Well, I decided to go ahead and order one. I spent about 40 minutes on the phone with Al Clark to get more info.
He does not have the AK4499 available, but is working on a new DAC module using the new two-chip 4499EX which the dspNexus can be retrofitted with.
I have a UMIK-1 USB microphone that I was going to use with Room EQ Wizard, but it sounds from reading some of your threads that using a calibration mic plugged directly into the dspNexus might be preferred?
You mention both the Behringer ECM8000 and the Earthworks M30. There is a huge difference in price between these two. Have you found calibrations with the M30 to be that much better?
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The Earthworks M30 is a significantly flatter response measurement mic than the Beheringer ECM8000. I prefer the M30 over the ECM8000 for measurements since there is less mic correction needed.
As an example the Beheringer ECM8000 is the stock mic used with the DEQX system software and the Earthworks M30 was the upgrade mic for the system.
The UMIK-1 USB mic is not compatible with the dspNexus 2x8 as it is designed to work with phantom powered mic. The dspNexus 2x8 serves as mic power, mic preamp and ADC to USB with higher resolution. You can use the UMIK-1 with a PC for REW measurements if you already have one.
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Yeah, I had been planning to use the Umik-1 with REW on a PC, but I don't think it's possible to do time delay measurements that way.
If you use a mic plugged into the dspNexus, do you still use REW running on a PC for room measurements by connecting via USB to the dspNexus? Or os there different software used with the dspNexus for these kind of measurements?
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Yeah, I had been planning to use the Umik-1 with REW on a PC, but I don't think it's possible to do time delay measurements that way.
If you use a mic plugged into the dspNexus, do you still use REW running on a PC for room measurements by connecting via USB to the dspNexus? Or os there different software used with the dspNexus for these kind of measurements?
Jaytor,
REW is the program customers have been using with dspNexus 2x8 for room measurements.
There are other software packages that work with a measurement mic via ADC and USB for room measurements. As an example, Math Audio Room EQ is a plug-in for Foobar2000 or VST compatible DAW software. It has built in room measurement software that works with dspNexus 2x8 as the mic measurement input.
It is up to the customer to choose the room measurement software.
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I am so anxious to hear how this goes for you, Jaytor. What are you going to use to amplify all the different channels?
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Jaytor,
REW is the program customers have been using with dspNexus 2x8 for room measurements.
Thanks for your help Richard.
I am so anxious to hear how this goes for you, Jaytor. What are you going to use to amplify all the different channels?
I'm planning to use the Rythmik HX800 plate amps for the woofers. To start out, I'm going to use my 300b parallel SET Monoblocks for the NEO10s and my Neurochrome Modulus-286 based Monoblocks for the NEO3s.
If I'm happy with the results, I'll build something else. I haven't quite decided what yet. Perhaps another separate SET amp, I don't need anywhere near the power that I have with the modulus-286, and I don't really want two more boxes sitting next to my speakers. I may build a small solid state amp that can sit where the current passive crossover is.
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For a customer, setup Parametric EQ's on each channel of his dspNexus 2x8 crossover so he can control the 4 different drivers separately. It is setup as a 3-way crossover and subwoofer per channel. He has 14 channels of PEQ for both right and left channels running and can modify them as needed in Audio Weaver until he is happy with the results.
He is using REW with his ACO measurement mic to measure the speakers at his position and do both EQ and time delays.
I have been in the room before the latest measurement process and it already sounded excellent with his room treatments. He has said it has gotten even better.
The dspNexus 2x8 system is all about being able to customize the speaker and room for best sound quality.
Room acoustic treatments are still a big advance in sound quality. I do that as step one before fine tuning with the DSP processing. Much easier and always sounds better.
After rebuilding my listening room and no treatments installed, I use it as an echo chamber and it does that well. Would not be good for a listening environment until the new room acoustic treatments are installed.
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Another EA dspNexus 2x8 will be on the way soon to run a pair of GR-Research NX-Tremes speakers and a pair of OB 3x12 servo sub.
First step will be crossover measurements to replace the passive crossover with the DSP version to tri-amp the speakers and run the existing servo amps. :)
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Another EA dspNexus 2x8 will be on the way soon to run a pair of GR-Research NX-Tremes speakers and a pair of OB 3x12 servo sub.
First step will be crossover measurements to replace the passive crossover with the DSP version to tri-amp the speakers and run the existing servo amps. :)
I will start a "Install" thread for those wishing to follow the journey. Hoping it will be a useful guide for anyone else wanting to go active. :thumb:
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I will start a "Install" thread for those wishing to follow the journey. Hoping it will be a useful guide for anyone else wanting to go active. :thumb:
The EA dspNexus 2x8 unit was shipped to Kazoom today.
Let the story begin! :)
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New thread created. Its a solid read. :lol:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=186956.new#new (https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=186956.new#new)
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I got my dspNexus last week, but I'm having trouble getting Audio Weaver working. I get an error when I try to "Generate Files" using one of the demo files provided by Danville. For some reason, it can't create a file, but the error message doesn't specify which file or location. I suspect it might be a write-permissions issue. I'm waiting to hear back from Al on how to proceed.
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Jaytor,
Sometimes that is caused by long file names or names with spaces. It seems to only work with smaller size file names, like 11.3 format.
I am writing a document now on how to flash the EA dspNexus 2x8. My computer is in the middle of updates, but when it is done, I will continue the process. I have two customers that are ready, so working on it.
Danville has an older version of the document for dspMusik, but enough things have changed to really need an update.
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Thanks Rich. Emilson from Danville also gave me some suggestions. I'm hoping I can find some time this weekend to try out a few things.
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btw - I decided to go to CAF and look forward to meeting you there.
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Jaytor,
Hopefully the inputs will get you working. Emilson is the software developer, so he is my reference when I get stumped.
Stop by CAF room 708 and say hello! Always good to meet up to AC folks and have a chat.
Rich
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I was able to get it to work after changing the working directory, although not reliably yet. I think I still need some tweaks to the timeouts, etc. I have a video call scheduled with Emilson tomorrow, so I'm sure we'll get it figured out.
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Hollis Audio Labs has sold and setup six EA dspNexus 2x8 systems to customers with great responses to the sound quality of their upgraded systems.
Setting up my EA dspNexus 2x8 system with the modified Magnepan MG10/QR speakers today for some listening and measurements to design the new DSP crossover. :D
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Latest update for the new ADSP21569 dspBlok is end of December for the EA units.
The hardware is complete and the software development is ongoing. The new DSP is a newer architecture, so new code had to be written and tested.
Another good piece of news is that the AKM AK4499EX DAC boards for the prototypes are at Danville and scheduled to be assembled next week. Then beta testing begins.
This is going be a for sale upgrade to any dspNexus 2x8 system. The current price for the upgrade is $1500.00.
Any system DAC module can be upgraded simply by removing the front panel 4 screws and sliding out the top. Remove the cable connector from the front panel LCD panel. Then each existing AK4493 DAC module is 4 screws removed. Pop out the DAC boards from their sockets. Install the new AK4499EX DAC into the socket by gently pressing it in once aligned with the screw holes and reinstall the 4 screws. Reinstall the top panel. Reconnect the LCD panel connector and install the front panel 4 screws. The same applies for the ADC and DSP modules.
The DSP software on the next startup sees the new DAC boards and changes over to use them with the existing block diagram.
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The EA dspNexus 2x8 with the new prototype AKM AK4499EX DAC's is here for listening trials.
Have the system connected to the Monoliths II's for listening.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=261046)