[JDUBS]

Ok, guys.  So, I'm now going to move forward with a biamp setup and leave the stock mid/hi crossover in place.  I'm going to have two profiles on my DCX2496.  One for home theater use that outputs the full-range signal to my EVS500M monoblocks.  For music listening, I'm going to have a second profile whereby I'm going to send the mid/hi signal to a pair of tube monoblocks and the low(er) end to the EVS500Ms. 

The more critical listening will involve tube amps and the less critical (movie watching) will rely solely on the EVS500Ms.  I could just leave the EVS500Ms in place to do everything but I like tubes and am anxious to hear what they do on the horn / waveguide section.

For tube amps, I'm thinking of maybe a vintage pair of McIntosh MC-30's...or something like that with a little grunt.

-Jim

[mgalusha]

Ok, guys.  So, I'm now going to move forward with a biamp setup and leave the stock mid/hi crossover in place.  I'm going to have two profiles on my DCX2496.  One for home theater use that outputs the full-range signal to my EVS500M monoblocks.  For music listening, I'm going to have a second profile whereby I'm going to send the mid/hi signal to a pair of tube monoblocks and the low(er) end to the EVS500Ms. 

I've posted a set of DCX profiles for Jim to play with based on what he sent me and what I read here and on the Yorkville site. If anyone else wants to play with this you can download the file at http://www.mikegalusha.com/dcx/YorkvilleUnity.zip This requires the Behringer remote software. The profiles include a -6dB notch at 180Hz with a Q of 10 for the woofers, so it's very narrow. The woofers are rolled of at 250Hz using an LR24 slope per the documents from the Yorkville site.

I have no idea how these will work but hopefully they will be a good starting point for Jim.

mike

[Jaimo]

Did you consider using the Unity Processor? It seems that you can Bi-amp these babies and change the X-over points and slopes via the processor. Bi-amping with the processor addresses the LF rolloff issue. This is likely a good acid test before you start removing the x-overs - you can rent a processor before deciding on which approach to take.

Check out the user manual on the Yorkville website - http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?type=29&cat=38&id=300

The manual shows x-over points as well as slopes and the effect of using a processor.

I will rent a processor and try out this option sometime soon.

Also, I finally broke down and picked up an Audio Research SP8 preamp. I am in the process of re-tubing and re-capping this gem - the LF performance has improved dramatically even with the existing tubes - I expect the jfet's and 6DJ8 tubes to arrive this week and will have the update completed by the end of the week. The SP8 Bryston combo simply rocks!

[JDUBS]

Jaimo

I did consider the Unity processor, but I don't like the idea of more passive crossover parts in the way of the signal.  My modded DCX is really cool in that in addition to being EXTREMELY flexible with changes in the crossover settings, its also a terrific DAC....with volume control!

It really is a full preamp-replacement solution + much more.

-Jim

[JDUBS]

Gents

Received my James Burgess-built E-linear monoblocks today.  From what I've been able to find out, their gain is ~20db vs. the EVS500 amps at 23db.  This difference is easily compensated for with the DCX2496.

I'll fire it up this weekend and let everyone know how it works out.  At this point I'm just waiting for a digital format converter so that I can try out my Popcorn Hour A-110 as a digital transport pulling files from my computer over a wired network.  Hopefully this works out as it will be a super cheap ($200) 24/96 and flac capable unit.

Thanks to Mike for his work on the Behringer presets!!

-Jim

[JoshK]

Jim,

Tells us more about this E-linear amp?  Since E-linear is a name given to a type of plate to plate feedback through the UL tap it applies to many different amps using this technique.  My recent KT88 SE amp using it as well.

[Jaimo]

Jdubs

Also tell us more about the DCX mods you have made - also is this a Behringer crossover?

[JDUBS]

Hey guys

Sorry, should have elaborated.  The E-linears follow Pete Millett's circuit using the 6550 tube:

http://www.pmillett.com/elinear.htm

The Behringer is indeed a crossover...plus much more.  It is a first class DAC (after mods) and operates as a full-function preamp with remote volume control.

Mike Galusha performed the mods:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60908.msg548626#msg548626

-Jim