[Jonathan]

I'm contemplating using a DEQ 2496 in between my CD player and Mac 2100 amp (I have no preamp), but I'm wondering a few things:
1) are the onboard DACs of the 2496 going to be an improvement over my old Pioneer PD-65 CD player?
2) Can I run digitally from the PD-65 into the 2496 and then take an analog output from it into my mac amp (I suppose I'd use a low impedence to RCA mic adaptor)?
3)Will I still be able to utilize the RTA and EQ functions with this setup?
Thanks in advance!

Finally, might I be better off with the 8024 for doing the RTA and EQ'ing, and going with an ACK! DAC or something similar for the "upgrade" to my PD-65.

Jon

[Red Dragon Audio]

1) are the onboard DACs of the 2496 going to be an improvement over my old Pioneer PD-65 CD player? Probably but you won't know until you try.  They are 24bit/96kHz DAC's and should be pretty darn good
2) Can I run digitally from the PD-65 into the 2496 and then take an analog output from it into my mac amp (I suppose I'd use a low impedence to RCA mic adaptor)? You can as long as the PD-65 has a digital output and yes you would need adaptors to run to your MAC...I assume your MAC amp has volume controls
3)Will I still be able to utilize the RTA and EQ functions with this setup?
Thanks in advance! YES!  The DEQ2496 is the replacement for the 8024 and from what I have read it is the better unit

Finally, might I be better off with the 8024 for doing the RTA and EQ'ing, and going with an ACK! DAC or something similar for the "upgrade" to my PD-65.  I would go the first route you suggested: Pioneer PD-65 digital out to the DEQ2496 then utilize the internal DAC's on the 2496 to send an analog signal to the MAC and enjoy.  

[Jon L]

I'm contemplating using a DEQ 2496 in between my CD player and Mac 2100 amp (I have no preamp), but I'm wondering a few things:
1) are the onboard DACs of the 2496 going to be an improvement over my old Pioneer PD-65 CD player?
2) Can I run digitally from the PD-65 into the 2496 and then take an analog output from it into my mac amp (I suppose I'd use a low impedence to RCA mic adaptor)?
3)Will I still be able to utilize the RTA and EQ functions with this setup?
Thanks in advance!

Finally, might I ...

Jonathan, by all means try the Behringer, but keep a couple things in mind.  Behringer uses "24/96" DAC chips, but they are cheaper AKM DAC chips (not top-of-the-line Crystal or Bur Brown chips) and use switching power supply (usually not very good if implemented cheaply).  You may prefer it to your Pioneer, but the Pioneer is a very old digital product.  There are many reasonably cheap DAC's these days that will sound better than Behringer or Pioneer.

IMO, the reason to get the Behringer is to use it between a transport and DAC to use as digital-domain EQ and room correction.  Also, keep in mind Behringer only has XLR digital in and out.

[Jonathan]

Thanks, guys. I picked one up tonight and will spend the next week or so noodling around to see if this is going to work out.

I ended up picking up a cheap(ish) Live Wires brand optical cable to connect the PD-65 via the S/PDIF jack.  Now I'm wondering if I should be coming in via the AES/EBU jack instead, and if so, can I use a standard XLR to RCA jumper for this (like I'm using to connect the XLR outs of the 2496 to my Mac's amp inputs) or do I need some kind of special coax cable that has an XLR on one end and the coax end on the other?

Thanks, again!

Jon

[thayerg]

Did you also get the calibration mic? It seems like the DEQ really needs it to exploit all of its power

[mb]

Jonathan, AFAIK the 8024 and 2496 don't have optical inputs so you should be disposing of the optical cable unless you have another use for it.

The Behringer manual should have a diagram detailing how to fabricate an AES(XLR) to S/PDIF(RCA) digital cable. In short there will be some resistors needed to convert 110 ohms termination to 75 ohms.

My experience is that AutoEQ will not be useful at all for low frequency mode management. It's ok for mid/treble eq but I find that no eq in mid/treble sounds much better (cleaner, more transparent). For lf measurements look to  PC software / shareware that can provide 1/10 octave response measurements and MLS.

Finally if the Mac 2100 has not volume control you will need something between the Behringer's (analog) output and the Mac. Digital volume control is not an option as it's oriented towards fine tuning the signal range in the digital path rather than output volume.

[Jonathan]

Actually, the 2496 does have an optical in and I'm using that for now. I'll have to do some research to see if I can use the coax out of my PD-65 into the AES/EBU input somehow.

I have not had any time to noodle with it, other than to hear that it is working as connected via the optical cable. I've also perused the manual a bit and found it to be a bit tedious, so far.

Oh, and I did buy the calibration mic. More as more develops...

Jon

[thayerg]

I think there may be lots of bang for the buck with the Behringer DEQ and I'm very interested in whatever your experiences may be.  I am convinced that digital signall processsing is a far more flexible and powerful route to audio bliss than huge outlays of cash for transports, interconnects and amplifiers.  The Behringer seems to point the way, although that stupid parallelogram panel design looks so gimmicky to me I can't quite bring myself to throw down for it. Silly but there it is.