[jkelly]

For my next project I am considering an all digital path with a
modified DCX2496 with digital i/o and a pair of Panasonic SA-XR57/55 amps.

Good Idea?

My question is about the sound quality of these amps. 
Anyone have experience with these in 2 channel digital mode?
Will they give me a headache?

Jeff

[Jon L]

I would say go for it with 2 caveats:

Panny doesn't seem to have a particularly great jitter rejection from digital inputs, e.g. great smooth digital transport sounds great through Panny but bad ones don't sound great.

Ditch the 16 (18?) AWG stock power cable.  Use an adapter to use a decent shielded power cable.

[ASi_TEK]

This will be optimal topology since you will be 100% digital and also be doing crossovering in the digital domain. No analog conversions!
I have been using the pannys since 2003 (xr-45, xr-50, xr-55, xr-57, etc..) and they are best used in coaxial digital input (since all analog inputs are converted to digital via A/D conversion chip) and are very suprising for the for their cost.

The stock jitter issues of the pannys can be aleiviated with ultra low jitter clocks properly implemented.
The pannys need their power supplys improved throughly (with added IEC jacks for use with any cord) and as well as their DSP/Digital amp board improved with superior parts. In addition, the speaker level output section needs attention as well to ensure the best performance.

Absoutely no headaches from the pannys when properly addressed and they will drive the heck out of your speakers as well (we have them running Emerald Physics CS-2's and cant beleive how great sounding they are), just absolutely stunning sound that is so surely to please!

[sunshinedawg]

For my next project I am considering an all digital path with a
modified DCX2496 with digital i/o and a pair of Panasonic SA-XR57/55 amps.

Good Idea?

My question is about the sound quality of these amps. 
Anyone have experience with these in 2 channel digital mode?
Will they give me a headache?

Jeff

I have this setup with a xr25 and xr45, doesn't give me a headache.

[jkelly]

This all sounds encouraging.

thanks,

Jeff

[AphileEarlyAdopter]

This will be optimal topology since you will be 100% digital and also be doing crossovering in the digital domain. No analog conversions!
I have been using the pannys since 2003 (xr-45, xr-50, xr-55, xr-57, etc..) and they are best used in coaxial digital input (since all analog inputs are converted to digital via A/D conversion chip) and are very suprising for the for their cost.

The stock jitter issues of the pannys can be aleiviated with ultra low jitter clocks properly implemented.
The pannys need their power supplys improved throughly (with added IEC jacks for use with any cord) and as well as their DSP/Digital amp board improved with superior parts. In addition, the speaker level output section needs attention as well to ensure the best performance.

Absoutely no headaches from the pannys when properly addressed and they will drive the heck out of your speakers as well (we have them running Emerald Physics CS-2's and cant beleive how great sounding they are), just absolutely stunning sound that is so surely to please!

Great. I have also been using the Panny since xr50 (now with Xr55). I use a Bolder digital modded Squeezebox to feed it. In my case, even the toslink input sounds fine. The SB3 coax -> Behringer SRC2496 -> Glass toslink  configuration sounds the best to me (instead of straight digital in). The Panny biamps (using 6 amp channels) my original model Silverline Sonatina speakers.Yes, I also have upgraded powercords and a Furman Power Factor Pro+Balanced power conditioner. I am more than happy with the sound.

[jkelly]

I started listening to a new XR57.  Not bad but not a knock out either (yet?)
The bottom is a little muddy and sounds congested on dynamics.
Do you recall the improvements with break-in?

Jeff

[AphileEarlyAdopter]

I started listening to a new XR57.  Not bad but not a knock out either (yet?)
The bottom is a little muddy and sounds congested on dynamics.
Do you recall the improvements with break-in?

Jeff

Yes, there is a break in period. I'd guess about 2 or 3 days of playing for a few hrs each day. But the main difference is in connecting to a power conditioner and changing the power cord. Also, better the digital input, better the sound output quality. The cheapest power conditioner that makes a differnence is the Furman Power Factor Pro (< $400). Mainly the power supply inside is not good, so any efforts to supply current on demand dynamically helps the Panny. I think something like a Running Springs Audio Haley will do wonders. Other kinds of power conditioners restrict dynamics to a extent and not good with the Panny.

[jkelly]

But the main difference is in connecting to a power conditioner and changing the power cord.

I tried using an APC conditioner I had laying around but had poor results.
I then tried, for the heck of it, a Xantrex Powerpack 600 Watt battery with inverter.
Not sure if this is healthy for the amp but wow! the soundstage widened about 3 feet
and started to deliver the goods that I look for.  The weird thing is that the music
was playing about 2%-3% slower than when the amp is plugged in the mains.
So maybe the square wave is messing up the 60 cycle lock (or something).

The experiment is over since it may damage the amp but now I see how conditioning or
battery power can really change the Panny. 
Time to start looking for a Furman!