Behringer DCX2496 mods

tdangelo · « **on:** 17 Jul 2008, 03:34 am »

looking for opinions on who offers the best sounding mods for the 2496? I'm getting one to use with my Innersound Kaya's. Roger Sanders is now offering these already pre-programmed for his speakers and the Innersound. I'm going to use the analog ins/outs.

Thanks
Tony

consttraveler · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 01:15 pm »

Hello Tony:

I too am looking for a mod to improve the Behringer. There are a couple of threads here on AC that talk about the mods that exist, and one in the Modwright Circle where Dan Wright (Modwright) says he is, or will be, working on one. Try searches for both Behringer and Emerald Physics CS-2 as that is where I found the information.

Myself, I think I will wait for the Modwright results.

Best regards,

Dave

ArtilleryofSound · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 02:05 pm »

From what I understand, the modified Behringers often increase brightness and grain. Has anyone else experienced this?

Also, Clayton Shaw has indicated in discussiones I've had with him that he is building a custom external crossover for his CS1s that will be available to CS2 owners at a discounted price after trade-in. I personally think I will wait for this.

richidoo · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 02:19 pm »

The reason to modify the DCX is to reduce grain, not increase it. I don't think it's possible to make the stock DCX more grainy.

Jan Didden basic kit sounds very good. It uses LM4562 opamp as output buffer and this can be swapped to taste. 2134, 1113 are smoother to my ears, but probably not as "low THD distortion" if that matters to you. Pilgham Audio sells the Didden kit and now offers more options like clock and PS. mgalusha has taken his "all the way" and was very helpful to me during the construction of mine. (Thanks Mike!)

TF1216 · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 02:24 pm »

I have modified my DCX by bypassing the op amp outputs with bandpass filters for all 6 outputs. I never did an A/B comparison between the mod and stock but I can say that this mod, imo, does not qualify the DCX for hi-fi use.

mgalusha · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 03:09 pm »

The stock analog section of the DCX pretty much sucks IMO. Jan Didden's kit offers a very significant improvement and is available as a kit or installed from Pilgham Audio.

Pilgham also offers a replacement input module/sample rate converter and extremely low jitter clock. IMO this is a very significant improvement. He also offers some exceptionally low noise voltage regulators and replacement linear power supply designed by Jan Didden as well. I have not tried Jan's new power supply but I have little doubt that it will be very good.

The analog section and new clock/SRC drastically change the DCX. There are other things that can be done with regards to power, digital input routing and for the really hard core the DAC chips can be changed.

best of luck, mike

zybar · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 03:13 pm »

Quote from: ArtilleryofSound on 17 Jul 2008, 02:05 pm

From what I understand, the modified Behringers often increase brightness and grain. Has anyone else experienced this?

Also, Clayton Shaw has indicated in discussiones I've had with him that he is building a custom external crossover for his CS1s that will be available to CS2 owners at a discounted price after trade-in. I personally think I will wait for this.

The mods I have DO NOT increase brightness and grain - it is the exact opposite!

To my knowledge, Clayton has never heard the mods that my DCX has.

I might send him my DCX to listen down the road so he has a frame of reference for future solutions.

George

ArtilleryofSound · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 05:42 pm »

Quote from: tf121682 on 17 Jul 2008, 02:24 pm

I have modified my DCX by bypassing the op amp outputs with bandpass filters for all 6 outputs. I never did an A/B comparison between the mod and stock but I can say that this mod, imo, does not qualify the DCX for hi-fi use.

Have you heard the Emmys with a stock DCX? IF that doesn't qualify as hifi then I don't know what to say . . . perhaps the mods made the DCX sound worse.

ArtilleryofSound · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 05:46 pm »

Speaking with Clayton, he had a chance to listen to a mod produced by Underwood hifi and did not hear a substantial improvement when considering the cost of the mod. Also, Walter of Underwood Hifi reportedly heard some mods from other competitors and was unimpressed. He said something to the effect that they were merely upgrading the parts per standard protocol without listening for improvement.

Quote from: zybar on 17 Jul 2008, 03:13 pm

Quote from: ArtilleryofSound on 17 Jul 2008, 02:05 pm
From what I understand, the modified Behringers often increase brightness and grain. Has anyone else experienced this?

Also, Clayton Shaw has indicated in discussiones I've had with him that he is building a custom external crossover for his CS1s that will be available to CS2 owners at a discounted price after trade-in. I personally think I will wait for this.

The mods I have DO NOT increase brightness and grain - it is the exact opposite!

To my knowledge, Clayton has never heard the mods that my DCX has.

I might send him my DCX to listen down the road so he has a frame of reference for future solutions.

George

TF1216 · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 05:55 pm »

Sorry ArtilleryofSound, I have never heard the Emmys. As of right now, I prefer the analog out from my Squeezebox into a tube pre without the DCX in the chain. I will be spending more time with the DCX soon. As of right now, if I keep the DCX I want to add Jan Didden's mods.

tdangelo · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 08:41 pm »

I got my system up and it seems that transparency has taken a hit with the Behringer. I can't do a direct compare but when I had the Innersound Kaya xover/amp in the system it was incredibly transparent. Now with the Sanders ESL amp used for bass and the Behringer used for xover it sounds a little veiled to me ;(

I got some info from David Shulte at the Upgrade Company that they are doing reference mods to the DCX2496. According to David, Clayton does not like the other mod companys 2496 mods(Asi Tek and RAM).. for what thats worth

I'm not so sure of having the Upgrade Company do the mod either...

jtwrace · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 08:50 pm »

This is why I use a Ashly 3.24CL now. I was going to mod the DCX but figured I might as well just get a better unit to start....couldn't be happier with the Ashly. I use to crossover my electrostat panels to my subs.

http://www.ashly.com/product/d_crossover-cl.htm

jackman · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 11:20 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 17 Jul 2008, 08:50 pm

This is why I use a Ashly 3.24CL now. I was going to mod the DCX but figured I might as well just get a better unit to start....couldn't be happier with the Ashly. I use to crossover my electrostat panels to my subs.

http://www.ashly.com/product/d_crossover-cl.htm

How much is the Ashly, if you don't mind me asking? Also, can you please elaborate on what makes it better? I've got a DCX and was thinking about getting it upgraded but maybe I'll try the Ashly (if it will work with my active system).

Thanks,

Jack

jtwrace · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Jul 2008, 12:38 am »

Well, that's the "bad" part. It's about $1000 retail. For me, in my system, it took a lot of the glare away. It didn't change the total sonic character of the system. It just made it much "cleaner". To me, it was a very worthwhile upgrade. Also, it's much easier to use and tech support is great. I called because the LED screen is too bright we I'm listening and he sent me the wiring schematic and with directions on how to help it. Just awesome customer service. He then asked if all went ok with setup because he was going to walk me through it. Many pro guys (Friend owns a mastering studio) have a lot of respect for the Ashly stuff.

Let me know what you decide. Where are you located? I could bring it over if your local....

ASi_TEK · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Jul 2008, 03:40 am »

Quote from: tdangelo on 17 Jul 2008, 08:41 pm

I got some info from David Shulte at the Upgrade Company that they are doing reference mods to the DCX2496. According to David, Clayton does not like the other mod companys 2496 mods(Asi Tek and RAM).. for what thats worth I'm not so sure of having the Upgrade Company do the mod either...

Dear tdangelo, Good Day! nice talking to you once before.

The information you received from your source is inaccurate and misleading.

Just to provide accurate clarification:
It is a known fact that Clayton at EP has never had in his possession, nor heard the ASi Modified Behringer DCX 2496 unit.
ASi offers different variations of modifications depending on the actual customer usage of this crossover unit.
From "standard usage" power supply & analog input/output rebuilds to full (100% digital) input to output modifications, we cover any and all uses of this unit using SOTA improvement parts in our mods/redesigns.

I hope this helps clarify and thanks again!

(my apologies for any thread invading.... just wanted to point out some clarification so no one is confused..... have fun guys!!)

ArtilleryofSound · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Jul 2008, 04:13 am »

Do you think maybe someone got the modded unit for himself and maybe Clayton had a listen? I know this has been the case with other units.

jackman · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Jul 2008, 01:20 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 18 Jul 2008, 12:38 am

Well, that's the "bad" part. It's about $1000 retail. For me, in my system, it took a lot of the glare away. It didn't change the total sonic character of the system. It just made it much "cleaner". To me, it was a very worthwhile upgrade. Also, it's much easier to use and tech support is great. I called because the LED screen is too bright we I'm listening and he sent me the wiring schematic and with directions on how to help it. Just awesome customer service. He then asked if all went ok with setup because he was going to walk me through it. Many pro guys (Friend owns a mastering studio) have a lot of respect for the Ashly stuff.

Let me know what you decide. Where are you located? I could bring it over if your local....

Are you near Chicago?

jtwrace · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 Jul 2008, 01:22 pm »

No, Charlotte, NC.

lofreek · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 Jul 2008, 07:55 pm »

My solution is to use the DCX2496 for low pass only. It provides amazing control over the activity of my woofs, with the added advantage of being able to fine tune it at the listening position using a PC, and the ability to store different settings for comparison. My high pass filters are from ACI, which are passive.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 Jul 2008, 08:10 pm »

Quote from: lofreek on 18 Jul 2008, 07:55 pm

My solution is to use the DCX2496 for low pass only. It provides amazing control over the activity of my woofs, with the added advantage of being able to fine tune it at the listening position using a PC,

Amen brother.

I'm using a mono LF channel to feed two of the DCX's output channels. One is for two Open Baffle augmentation drivers for most two channel listening. The other channel is used for (4) Infinite Baffle drivers, mainly for HT.
The unit is unmodified, but have wondered what (if any) difference modding it would serve since I'm only using it for content below 80.
Probably not much I'd assume.
Not using the PC as a remote. Haven't found a nine conductor un-terminated cable for the RS-232 yet (haven't looked very hard either).

Bob