Satanica Posted September 22, 2015 Posted September 22, 2015 If your DEQX has "digital out" and you don't use DSD sources (the digital input on the DEQX is PCM) then you can do this (which is what my config looks like)... And don't forget some software (JRiver for example) and I believe some hardware (Oppo?) can convert DSD to PCM so you can at least play them.
Darren69 Posted September 22, 2015 Posted September 22, 2015 @@Darren69 Is this what you are getting at D? ...... A system with no analogue pre and using an external DAC? If your DEQX has "digital out" and you don't use DSD sources (the digital input on the DEQX is PCM) then you can do this (which is what my config looks like) .... Untitled.jpg The DEQX digital filtering is all done in the digital domain before it gets to the PS-A. The PS-A is still the primary DAC, so you are getting that goodness. For me, the PS-A is set to full or nearly full volume (due to its relatively low output voltage) and the DEQX does the master volume control for the mains and the subs. Nothing is lost with the digital volume since the DEQX is run at about full volume anyway (in my case the 'white-led zone'). OK, thanks mate. The thing I was trying to do was to have a PS Audio dac of some kind (PW or DSD) hooked up to the CDT through I2s as PS Audio suggest. The PS Audio dac only has analogue out so, as guys here have previously advised, having the DEQX after the dac would only result in re-conversion of the signal anyhow. Your suggestion is interesting though, as I had never thought of the digital-out. Thanks mate.
Darren69 Posted September 23, 2015 Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) @@aechmea interesting that you mention gain as I can currently run mine flat bikkies and I don't think it is incredibly loud. Well, one has to raise their voice a bit to be heard but I thought it would be louder with the mono's and 500w plate amps on the subs. I was hoping for something like http://hitchhikers.wikia.com/wiki/Disaster_Area Edited September 23, 2015 by Darren69
Satanica Posted September 23, 2015 Posted September 23, 2015 There should be a 6db gain button in the DEQX software that might be worth experimenting with. 1
aechmea Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 A bit OT but here we go .... I have grossly inefficient speakers (supposed to be 86dB but a German magazine once measured them at 77dB; how they did the measurement to get such a low value is unknown.) My power amps have an input sensitivity of 2v which seems high by today's standards. (my 2 previous amps have been 1v) The PS Audio DS DAC max voltage output is much less than the same output from the DEQX when I used its DACs. Like about 10dB. Everything is against me producing a big SPL - so headbanging-party mode is out of the question despite thousands of watts. At a recent private GTG I think everyone ended up with all the volumes set to max. In addition to the 6dB button that @@Satanica mentioned the output voltage of the DEQX can be increased by moving jumpers on the motherboard; but that would require @@Darren69 to take the lid off! Haha. Probably worse than computer geeky stuff. D, better ask Allan if you can still do that and whether it is safe for your amps. I did it with my DEQX HDP3. Some people say that balanced XLR from pre to power amp gives an automatic 6dB boost but I am not convinced that that is always true. The DS DAC has a 'button' to reduce the output to 'low'; I need one to increase the output to highhigh. 'tis my biggest bugbear with the DS. 2
aechmea Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 (edited) Hey all, I was just about to pull the trigger on a DS to be used as a preamp, Until I read that its not advisable to run its xlr's and rca's at the same time, (rca's to subs), to my dismay, It was from a review can't remember which one though, every other dac I've owned has happily done this??? What a let down Have a read of the DS manual. It seems to me, the way I interpret it, is that they don't recommend it because the balanced (XLR) is 6dB louder than the single ended (RCA) ending up with a gain mismatch. More investigation could be required before abandoning that approach. EDIT: Quote from manual; their bolding. DirectStream has two types of analog outputs, balanced XLR or single ended RCA. We do not recommend using both outputs at the same time. Be aware that most amplifiers and preamplifiers will produce 6dB higher level with the balanced outputs relative to the single ended outputs. If you are using both outputs be advised they will be at different levels. Our preference for connection to a power amplifier or preamplifier is through the balanced XLR outputs of DirectStream. Edited September 24, 2015 by aechmea
Darren69 Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 (edited) @@aechmea .. take the lid off? I just soiled my desk seat. All good and thanks guys for the info, shall investigate further once I chat to the lad again (Alan). FYI, I have balanced XLR's between the HDP4 and the mono's. Edited September 24, 2015 by Darren69
DoggieHowser Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 I'm on the other extreme. My XDS1 has an obscene amount of output voltage. Coupled with 34 sensitivity power amps and I think 90dB sensitive speakers, I never get to even half the output of my preamp volume. So the DS' lower output setting works really well for me. It also matches my phone stage output levels so I don't get a earful when I switch between sources. 1
Benje Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Aechmea regarding that German magazine test of your speaker efficiency, with 77 db measured by the magazine as opposed to 86 db supposed by the speaker manufacturer,..... Was your 86 db calculation performed by engineers that subsequently designed volkswagon diesel engines? Benje 1
frankn Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 @@johnnygohard Go to www.psaudio.com/forum/directstream-all-about-it/directstream-with-a-sub-help-me-brainstorm/ This I think answers your question - you can do it. Paul (owner of PS audio) in post#4 says it is ok depending on the load, Elk in posts #6 and #8 confirm it is okay to try. If in doubt post your specific question in the PS Forum as Paul and the PS Audio experts will reply. They have the most in-depth knowledge and can best guide you. To make it easier I've cut-n-paste the replies to the question Question and Pauls reply; Lonely Raven said Howdy all! I've been busy with work, and haven't been able to hang out in here at all. My listening has been brief moments here and there as well, but things are starting to calm down at work, and I might have a little more time at home. Anywho – I'm hoping you call can help me brainstorm. I have several subs available to me, all custom drivers in built boxes with various (pro-grade) amps. And I have a MiniDSP that's been sitting in the box for 2 years (hopefully I have all the plugs and software still!). So I can actively low-pass an output to my amps. Here's the rub – I don't use a preamp – and I've read that it's not a good idea to use the RCA outs at the same time as the Balanced Outs on the DirectStream. I'm currently running XLR from the DS directly to my amp. I just need to figure out how to run a sub amp off this setup…. Any ideas/suggestions that won't wreck my direct connection to my amp, and allow me to add two lower octaves to my sound, without buying expensive hardware? Thanks in advance for your ideas. I'm sure someone has run into something like this and has an idea or device I've not thought of yet… ~Eric~ If the input impedance of the DSP is high, say above 30k, I wouldn't have a problem suggesting you connect it with RCA. ELK's reply You can run the balanced XLR outs and single-ended RCAs simultaneously. The only downside is this will unbalance the XLRs. Thus, you loose common mode noise rejection compared to using the XLRs alone. For most, this is no issue. Depending on the load, the levels may also be lower but this does not harm anything; the DS is designed to happily drive just about any load with changing frequency response. Short version: Try it and see if it works for you. Co-founder and CEO of PS Audio. 1
Darren69 Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Excellent!!! This means I can compare the DSD against the DEQX as well as 'after' it as Aechmea previously described. Frank, thanks mate, yes it's too logical to go to the PS Audio chat room, haha!
aechmea Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Aechmea regarding that German magazine test of your speaker efficiency, with 77 db measured by the magazine as opposed to 86 db supposed by the speaker manufacturer,..... Was your 86 db calculation performed by engineers that subsequently designed volkswagon diesel engines? Benje Haha, yes, it does make you wonder. It takes serious juice to get them moving so I wouldn't be surprised that something rather less than 86 was closer to the mark.
Addicted to music Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Haha, yes, it does make you wonder. It takes serious juice to get them moving so I wouldn't be surprised that something rather less than 86 was closer to the mark. Maybe they have to "burn them in " to get to 86db.... Aechmea regarding that German magazine test of your speaker efficiency, with 77 db measured by the magazine as opposed to 86 db supposed by the speaker manufacturer,..... Was your 86 db calculation performed by engineers that subsequently designed volkswagon diesel engines? Benje You can achieve whatever figures you need especially when this is the norm: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3247421/Prostitutes-champagne-Viagra-fuelled-sex-parties-500-000-fund-bribe-German-MPs-latest-emissions-scandal-shows-VW-learned-murky-past.html
Darren69 Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Re- reading this thread, am now thinking a DSD as pre might be worth a shot. I believe there isn't much difference in IC's. (I2s etc, so I could retain my mega $$ coax) As a pre, it might be too revealing/sharp. The volume settings are very good. The only thing I am thinking that might trip me up is the output to the Parasound JC1's might not suffice. As I have the electrical knowledge of a house fly, does the brains trust have any thoughts on this?
Benje Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 I think FrankN has tried his set-up without a pre - I can't recall the effect. 1
frankn Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 @@Darren69 I've used the DSD direct to both my ME850HC and my Weston Acoustic Mono-blocks without any issues. Using the SE(RCA) output from the DSD I had the gain settings at 95-100 but that isn't an issue with the DSD as the sound quality is the same throughout its gain settings. If you want an extra 6Db you can use the balanced op. I did that as well and didn't find any advantage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
Music..Man! :) Posted September 26, 2015 Posted September 26, 2015 Daz, although not a DSD, I use my PWD 2 as a pre - direct to the same amps mate. I have to set a low volume on the DAC..... 1
Darren69 Posted September 26, 2015 Posted September 26, 2015 OK, you happy with that set up? I can really only afford the PWD MkII right now.
Doggie Howser Posted October 4, 2015 Posted October 4, 2015 I know we've been discussing this in the DSD DAC thread but I feel it's worth getting a dedicated discussion on it. It's a long weekend here and I usually leave my amps and subs on 24/7 over weekends. So the amps have been on for 4 days now. The DS DAC has been on for probably a month fed by an old MBP 2010 running Windows Server 2012. Now with USB Regen. And what a sound the system is producing. Every time I come back to this, it's just a revelation. Whether it's old or new songs, there's just so much in the music. The soundstage, the life-ness of the singer. Right now it's Portishead with Glorybox Durianlover, if you're ok with it, I'd like to reproduce your guide to optimizing playback on the device.
Guest durianlover88 Posted October 4, 2015 Posted October 4, 2015 Go for it broler DH...I know you could not contain your excitement :D I have made a couple more adjustments...latest being the JS-2 and will be soon testing the 2nd Regen. If you are using non-USB cables pls share your tips as well. Now on Stimela......vroom vroom....woooooooooaaaaaahhhhh!!
Doggie Howser Posted October 4, 2015 Posted October 4, 2015 I feel Yale and USB Regen complement each other. Yale brought new life to a lot of badly mastered songs even MP3. These days so many artists don't even have a CD quality release so having the odd MP3 which is unplayable makes it really hard to stomach. Yale seems to unravel a lot of the veil that plagues most MP3s. Granted I still can't listen for long but at least it isn't as grating when they come on as part of a playlist. USB Regen takes away the digital harshness which makes my lossless sound more like vinyl. So the improvement comes across for MP3s as well.
Guest durianlover88 Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 Broler DH, seems your DS should be past 800 hours run-in, which would be the ideal condition to listen to the DS prowess :) I haben tried the new Bridge v2...which would make the DS a streamer. Not sure it supports DSD files..
Doggie Howser Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 Broler DH, seems your DS should be past 800 hours run-in, which would be the ideal condition to listen to the DS prowess :) I haben tried the new Bridge v2...which would make the DS a streamer. Not sure it supports DSD files.. I believe it does if your DLNA supports DOPE If you use JRiver, it should work. Bridge 1 worked too
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