[tbrooke]

I thought I'd get a new thread started on the SDE since I am confused, I figured others are and I thought that it might be good to clarify it in one place.  Also I've noticed a few reports on SDE and I was wondering about experiences especially SDE vs. analog on the same set up

1. Setting up the SDE; two way (digilog), three way, two way with Sub, three way with sub. What are prices for the different options.


2. Upgrades from analog with internal crossover, OXO and the cost, I have OXO RM30M's with OXO so my upgrade should be plug and play and I should be able to go 3 way or 2 way with digilog.

3. DCX 2496 setup; Does Brian do this for our speakers, can we purchase the crossover curves and load them ourselves, can we just buy a DCX2496 and program it ourselves? Can me modify the VMPS crossovers? What about setting, timing, delays, eq in the DCX.

4. Multiple DCX-2496. The DCX-2496 is a multi speaker unit, with phase, crossover and timing adjustments it seems it would be great for managing all the speakers in a home theater. I have started thinking about adding DCX to my RM30's, getting an SDE center channel and using the remaining 3 channels on the DCX to control 3 subwoofers.

5. I have seen very little discussion here but I believe there can be issues with DCX 2496 input/output levels, connecting balanced and unbalanced inputs, DCX hum and noise.

 6. DCX mods, I know some have been mentioned but there is whole industry devoted to DCX2496 mods, new opamps, inputs, analog sections, jitter reduction, DACs etc:

              http://mysite.verizon.net/vze4c5pt/id14.html
              http://www.linearaudio.nl/6chan-1.htm
              http://www.asi-tek.com/behringer2.html
              http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Behringer_2496&Category_Code=MODS&Product_Count=23

 Can we get a modded DCX and send it to VMPS for crossovers, Can we buy modded DCX from VMPS? Can we modify a DCX after the crossovers are installed.

I hope this is a good start I think the SDE option is exciting and I belive it will open a lot of new possibilities. I know a lot of these isus have been addressed before but I thought it would be good to clarify things

I just wanted to start the ball rolling

Tom Brooke

[John Casler]

I thought I'd get a new thread started on the SDE since I am confused, I figured others are and I thought that it might be good to clarify it in one place.  Also I've noticed a few reports on SDE and I was wondering about experiences especially SDE vs. analog on the same set up

1. Setting up the SDE; two way (digilog), three way, two way with Sub, three way with sub. What are prices for the different options.

Hi Tom,

Right now the D-OXO with Digilog is $795, this includes the crossover box, the digilog bridge, and the programming for the unit.  The programming includes addressing your rooms floor to ceiling bass node.  It also includes equalization for CDWG on and off, for two different listening practices.  B, has kind of "lumped" it together, and hasn't charged extra or specifically for also programming for a sub.

2. Upgrades from analog with internal crossover, OXO and the cost, I have OXO RM30M's with OXO so my upgrade should be plug and play and I should be able to go 3 way or 2 way with digilog.

To move from the internal analog to the D-OXO you need to "bypass" the analog crossover and wire it directly to the binding posts.  You will also need to drill and mount an additional pair of binding post.

3. DCX 2496 setup; Does Brian do this for our speakers, can we purchase the crossover curves and load them ourselves, can we just buy a DCX2496 and program it ourselves? Can me modify the VMPS crossovers? What about setting, timing, delays, eq in the DCX.

Yes Brian does all that on his end.  Theoretically he could ship the curves to you on some type of memory, but in practice that is not available.

Some may wish to "try" their hands at doing their own (and I'm sure we will hear about the results) but Brian builds his drivers with a significant amount of thought to a type of "blending" and integration that cannot be achieved via measurement and setting type set up procedures.

While VMPS'ers (and I am one) will always lean heavily on "tinkering and tweaking" no one will know the integration elements that B, uses to make them sound like he intended.

The best path is to order the D-OXO programmed by B.  Then if you are adventurous, the unit has the capability to store a few "custom or personal" equalization's, which means you could experiment on your own curves, but always revert back to the originals if you get "out of shape" on your own.  Just be careful NOT to erase or delete the originals.

4. Multiple DCX-2496. The DCX-2496 is a multi speaker unit, with phase, crossover and timing adjustments it seems it would be great for managing all the speakers in a home theater. I have started thinking about adding DCX to my RM30's, getting an SDE center channel and using the remaining 3 channels on the DCX to control 3 subwoofers.

I think that is possible.

5. I have seen very little discussion here but I believe there can be issues with DCX 2496 input/output levels, connecting balanced and unbalanced inputs, DCX hum and noise.

I had a client who "overdrove" the unit with another brand of speakers, which he said caused clipping or something similar.

This was likely due to the fact that that speaker brand had a "dipole" woofer set up and required large amounts of boost to get a reasonable FR.  This is what pushed it into problems.  Brian "matches" his drivers and we are not using dipole in the bass, which does not require such high levels.

6. DCX mods, I know some have been mentioned but there is whole industry devoted to DCX2496 mods, new opamps, inputs, analog sections, jitter reduction, DACs etc:

              http://mysite.verizon.net/vze4c5pt/id14.html
              http://www.linearaudio.nl/6chan-1.htm
              http://www.asi-tek.com/behringer2.html
              http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Behringer_2496&Category_Code=MODS&Product_Count=23

 Can we get a modded DCX and send it to VMPS for crossovers, Can we buy modded DCX from VMPS? Can we modify a DCX after the crossovers are installed.

We have been looking into "modders" and as many know had a unit modded by Mike Galusha, as did a few others. (I think Mike has since gotten out of the modding arena at least at this level) This gets into some tricky territory, and at this point, B can program your unit, and send it to your "modder of choice" who can then mod it to your level.

We are also looking at a line of components from Lyngdorf, that are quite interesting.

They make a "component" that is both a digital "crossover/equalizer" like our D-OXO, but it also has "room correction" capabilities.  It also has what seem to be "high end" digital converters.

They make a second component that is a Preamp with the the above component built in, at a price point of $5700.  Not bad when you see that you get a highend Preamp and D-OXO in one box.  It would only be for those who would spend "large" on modding.  The customer who adds silver wiring, and TRT caps, etc.

And the Lyngdorf does fewer digital/analog conversions in that they also offer Digital AMPS to complete the run of a high caliber.

I hope this is a good start I think the SDE option is exciting and I believe it will open a lot of new possibilities. I know a lot of these isus have been addressed before but I thought it would be good to clarify things

I just wanted to start the ball rolling

Tom Brooke

As Jim Morrison said: Roll Baby Roll, All night long.

Since this is still rather new B, may have some additional comments (or corrections)

[soarertoy]

Hi,

At CES Tact announced their new Ambiophonics processor which might also be of interest.  Its only $2,000 and has 4 digital or analog input channels.  It wasn't yet up on their website tactlab.com when I looked.

Richard

[Housteau]

John, the news about the Lyngdorf is very interesting.  Is Brian giving this serious consideration?  I admit that I am not very familiar with their line of gear.  Which unit also includes the crossover functions?  I must have missed it on their webpage.

[John Casler]

John, the news about the Lyngdorf is very interesting.  Is Brian giving this serious consideration?  I admit that I am not very familiar with their line of gear.  Which unit also includes the crossover functions?  I must have missed it on their webpage.

Hi Dave,

We're just beginning to "look" at it as a possible.  B, hasn't even had one to demo yet.

Lyngdorf was one of the brains behind the TACT equipment at some point (I have been told) and his equipment also has (and is most known for) Room Correction.

The SINGLE BOX, is the RP1 (Room Correction Processor) RP stands for Room Perfect

The PREAMP w/same is the DPA1

While they don't seem to write much about it, and market the ROOM PERFECT abilities heavily, both units have 2 way (4 channel) crossovers in them.

I believe the Preamp is around $5700ish.  The interest is in the fact that a well modded D-OXO and High End Preamp and Quality Cables would likely be MORE than that.

Lyngdorf also has a few "Digital AMPs" and CD transports and DACs that complete their "signal path" for the purists.

But at this point it is purely in the "look into it" stage, and at best, it would be an "option/upgrade" like the TRT caps in the passive X-OVERs. . .for those who want a simple, clean, high quality solution (if in fact, that is what it turns out to be).