[chester_audio]

I haven't seen this thread before so I don't know where this is going, sorry.

I also go back and for with a passive network at the speakers. Each has advantages and disadvantages. At some point I may pick up digital xover/dsp, but to get one at higher performance levels isn't cheap. The main advantage there is that I could arrange the horns differently and handle alignment in the time domain. With analog and the speaker level passives, the drivers must be physically aligned.

[JohnR]

MOTU 828mk3 is currently have the best performance vs value for an audio interface.
check this
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gear-shoot-outs-sound-file-comparisons-audio-tests/660499-ultimate-converter-da-ad-loopback-shootout-thread.html

they got similar performance to metric halo with only $750.

cheers
henry

The Mk3 didn't come out so well in that test. I don't understand the significance of the "sawtooth" test though.

[JohnR]

DEQX has the HD-Express unit for $2,150 (USD). Since you basically get a remote control preamp, DAC, and DSP crossover/EQ I think it's a great value.

Rick - have you noticed any audible difference between the Express and the HDP-3?

[Redefy Audio]

hi johnR,

ur absolutely right. i actually talking about the mk2, which i assume FIREWIRE only.

cheers
henry

[mjosef]

    Are anyone you running analog active system or all DSP?

I think I remember someone saying they're using a Marchand.   

I am using the basic Marchand XM1 modules which has interchangeable plug-in modules for selecting crossover freq.  Currently I am using just one pair for biamping my VMPS RM1 bass to mid/hi drivers. Crossover point is 320Hz: I had to remove the bass coil and part of the midrange passive crossover network to go the active route.

I retained the passive crossover for the tweeter. I also moved all the remaining crossover parts to outside the enclosure, which meant I had to add an additional pair of binding posts for the midrange panel...the back of my speaker now has three pairs of binding posts; bass-midrange-tweeter.

The original bass to mid crossover point was 166Hz, I selected 320 Hz with the active, but will be looking to try 250Hz. The mid to hi point is 6.9kHz with the passive, in some future I may try 5.4kHz. Marchand sells the frequency plug in modules for $6. or one can make up their own as directed in the XM1 manual.
Triamping will mean using an additional amp (three amps total), not quite ready to go down that road yet. Someday...

[*Scotty*]

Here is a link to some of the pitfalls one might encounter when implementing a digital crossover.
Some useful regarding how to design a loudspeaker for a digital crossover.
http://grimmaudio.com/whitepapers/speakers.pdf
Scotty

[ccclapp]

I am preparing to do x/o and DRC as follows:

JRiver MC convolution engine x/o and DRC (8-ch mapping) -> USB -> exaU2I (converts usb to i2s) -> Buffalo-III 8-ch -> Theta m-ch amp

http://www.exadevices.com/exaU2I/Features.aspx

My rational is:  If im going through the effort of DRC x/o to get highest SQ, a high-end m-ch DAC is critical.  I have a mini-dsp to test, but have no interest in adding another A/D -> D/A conversion cycle after my DAC.

Alternative approaches I'm looking at are:

1)  Mytek 8x192 DAC instead of exaU2I/B-III combo
2) exa e18 DAC instead of exaU2I/B-III combo

http://www.exasound.com/e18DAC/Features.aspx

3) Modified minidsp with highend DAC:    PC -> Lynx AES16e (and or other stand alone digital sources)-> digi-fp (AES input adapter for minidsp)-> minidsp (modified to tap into i2s header to bypass its DAC) -> Buffalo-III onto i2s posts

http://www.minidsp.com/products/minidspkits/digi-fp

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/minidsp/200946-minidsp-2x8-i2s-crossover-dsp.html#post2953181

Have comments/suggestions as to these choices?