Behringer DCX2496 DAC sound quality?

Rashiki · « **on:** 3 May 2005, 07:25 pm »

I've been shopping around for a reasonably-priced decent-quality external DAC, and I've also been toying with the idea of digital crossovers and bi- or tri-amping. The Behringer DCX2496 appears to offer everything that I've been looking for in a fairly cheap package (under $300) -- it offers analog and digital inputs and six analog outputs. Here's what I'm thinking:

1. As a "normal" external DAC -- I hook up my digital source to the digital input and set the first two outputs to full range. I can then hook up my stereo pre-amp to the first two outputs.

2. As an external DAC and crossover -- I hook up my digital source to the digital input and use two pairs of outputs. I can set the crossover to have one pair of outputs be high frequency and the other be low. I then drive four channels of amplification and bi-amp my speakers.

I'm pretty sure that both of these scenarios would work, but the big question is, "is it worth it?". How does the scenario 1 compare to using a comparably priced external DAC? Being able to play around with a digital crossover is a nice-to-have feature, but if the audio quality of the DAC isn't as good as a regular external DAC, I'd probably be happier with the DAC. Any opinions?

By the way, the external DACs that I'm considering are:
- Scott Nixon Chibi DAC or TubeDAC+
- M-Audio SuperDAC 2496
- ART DI/O
- diyparadise.com Monica2
- Channel Islands VDA-1

Have I missed any decent sub-$500 external DACs that are worth considering?

-Rob

Tweaker · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 May 2005, 08:44 pm »

The DAC in my Behringer DEQ2496 is excellent sounding. Enough so that it has replaced my (unmodded) ART DI/O. I think we're learning from the wave of cheap digital amps and receivers everyone seems to be raving about that just because something doesn't cost an arm and a leg doesn't mean it can't sound excellent. I purchased mine from Musician's Friend which has a 45 day money back policy. Just give the DAC some time to break in.

ryno · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 May 2005, 09:51 pm »

I went from the stock DAC in an entry level denon DVD player to a behringer deq2496, to a CIaudio. The denon and the behringer sounded very similar, the CI was noticeably better. Mostly in the detail and seperation of the soundfield, and focus of the image, for lack of better words. Granted, the behringer was new and the CI was well broken in.
Ryan

Tweaker · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 May 2005, 01:05 am »

The Behringer, like any component, will take some time to sound it's best. Don't judge the sound new. For the money, especially considering what else you get, I think it's very good. Probably not a giant killer, but very good. Not surpised to hear that the CI DAC is better sounding, though. They make good stuff.

JohnnyLightOn · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 May 2005, 01:37 am »

Does the Behringer work just as well if you use an external DAC? Or might it introduce jitter and other oddities that will confuse an external DAC?

Tweaker · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 May 2005, 02:16 am »

I haven't tried it with as you described but I have read numerous posts over at the Audio Asylum of people using it that way and seeming to have good results. One thing I would not recommend is using the optical input (true with any DA). A good coax sounds much better. The way I have mine set up is transport to a GW Labs DSP (with a coax), which does do some jitter removal, and then I use the balanced outputs of the DSP (with a balanced digital cable) to the Behringer. The DSP converts from 75 ohm to 110 ohm. Keep in mind that the Behringer has XLR connections which are 110 ohm balanced. Chances are your transports output is 75 ohms. That might not produce the best sound that the Behringer is capable of. There is an inexpensive solution, though that will do the conversion and remove jitter without spending the money on a GW Labs or Monarchy DSP. It's also made by Behringer and can be purchase for about $69.00 at Musicians Friend. (I'm starting to sound like a shill for them, aren't I?)

http://www.behringer.com/SRC2000/index.cfm?lang=ENG

timbley · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 May 2005, 03:19 am »

I can't say how the DAC compares to others because I haven't used it except as a digital crossover. I've noticed an excellent improvement in clarity since I removed the passive networks in my speakers and started using the Behringer. For me it was definitly worth it. I can't say what will happen with other speakers and amps. There's a long and interesting thread that debates the merits of active crossovers.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=16410&highlight=

ryno · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 May 2005, 03:58 am »

Quote from: JohnnyLightOn

Does the Behringer work just as well if you use an external DAC? Or might it introduce jitter and other oddities that will confuse an external DAC?[/quote
I don't know if it introduced jitter or not, it just sounded better to me when I added the CI audio DAC, and I use fiber optic from transport to Behringer to DAC. I thought about using coax, but the cable construction fronm coax to ballanced, or whatever the behringer has, was to much of a pain. After my remodeling is done, I'll try some room treatments and maybe get rid of the behringer, and go coax.
Ryan

Rashiki · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 May 2005, 05:18 am »

Tweaker, thanks for the pointer to the SRC2000! I've also discovered the newer model -- the SRC2496 which also functions as a DAC.

http://www.behringer.com/SRC2496/index.cfm

It's more expensive than the older model, but will also upconvert to 24bit/96kHz. For $129 at musician's friend, I might have to buy one just to try it.

-Rob

Tweaker · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 May 2005, 12:24 am »

Rashiki,
Even better! Also purchase a good XLR digital cable to connect the SRC2496 to the DEQ2496.
I just bought one from Signalcabe and it seems pretty good, still not "burned in" yet so I'll wait a bit to pass judgement. here's the link to the website, if interested.
Let me know how it all works out.

http://signalcable.com/digitalbalanced.html

Rashiki · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 May 2005, 03:45 pm »

This brings up another question... All of the analog outputs of the Behringer equipment are balanced XLR, but my amp and preamp have unbalanced RCA connections. Can I build an adapter cable or do I need another piece of equipment to convert from balanced to unbalanced? There is a comment in the DCX2496 manual (available online) that says "For unbalanced use pin 1 and pin 3 have to be bridged" This leads me to believe that I can build an adapter cable and use unbalanced inputs and outputs. Anyone have any experience with this?

konut · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 May 2005, 06:05 pm »

While I dont have the DCX2496, I do have the Behringer anologue equivelent of this crossover and use adapter cables as described built for me by Markertec using Canare cable. Something you need to be aware of is that you will need some type of attenuation of the analogue outputs before they enter your amps as this component is built for the professional audio market where long runs of cable are standard. The regular outputs will overload the first stage of your amp if no attenuation is applied. The reason you cannot just lower the input to the DCX is that you then lose the full resolution of the digital potential for a lower noise floor. For a more complete explaination of this see this link http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=316052&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

Tweaker · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 May 2005, 06:57 pm »

The DEQ2496 has a switch on the back to change the output from the higher professional to consumer standard. No special attenuators are needed.
For the analog cables just follow the instructions as you noted in the manual. You can pick up XLR connectors from Radio Shack and modify your interconnects if you or a friend can solder. If you want a better quality connector to use there is a web site I found that carries some. Pricey but much better than the Radio Shack. I will post the link a little later, I'm at work now and don't have that info at the moment.

Tweaker · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 May 2005, 12:20 am »

Here's the link to the audiophile XLR plugs.
http://venhaus1.com/VH_Audio_Test.html#NEXTGEN

If you don't like the idea of modding an interconnect there are some cheap adapter plugs and some not so cheap ones;
http://www.partsconnexion.com/catalog/connectors.html

Both pages have a lot of parts listed so you'll have to do some scrolling to find them.