Setting up the ultimate system!

[OMF]

Hello!

As I am about to step into the world of PC playback - I am opening this thread for feedback/advice.

I do have a plan....but all advices are welcome! And I still have some issues that need to be sorted out.

This thread on a Norwegian hifiweb is about my system and shows the path I have followed up to today!
 http://www.hifisentralen.no/forum/index.php?topic=11130.0

(I also see that there are a few other fellow Norwegian audiophiles here!)

So....my system will be - and I start backwards:

The Overkill Audio Finale speakers
(Three way, no passive crossover, Manger headunit +500Hz, Open baffle mid bass 150-500Hz, Sealed box 12Inch Beyma subwoofer)

3 x Dynamic Precision DP A1S
Balanced poweramp, 2 x 250W, extremely good specs (and sound)

Digital Audio Denmark AX24 converter
6 channel balanced DA converter.

Lynx AES 16SRC PCIE interface.

XX High End
Audiolense room correction software!

This is where I am currently - and I am trying to set this up.

I would like to have two different ways of playing music:
Primary source - XX High End, playing my ripped music on the dedicated audiop PC:
Secondary source - Output from a Behringer DEQ2496 - connected by AES/EBU to my Lynx PCI card (this is for radio, TV and a Cd drive for CDs)

There are however a few challenges - I will adress them with numbers:


1 - The Audiolense software generates a filter file - which in my case also includes the active crossover. So - i need to somehow "play" this filter in a digital loop in the Lynx mixer? Someone has tipped me about Bidule..? What is consider to be the best SW for this kind of "loop"?

2 - I need a remote for the system! What is the best SW to operate the Music PC from a remote laptop?

I believe that is my two main questions to start out with......

Best regards
OMF

[PeterSt]

Hei!

(I also see that there are a few other fellow Norwegian audiophiles here!)

Well, I can tell you a couple of hundred are hidden outside the forum, and Norwegian people must be very modest.
Then I looked at that link you provided ...

in the world of phools and piano black !

Now, let's see ...

1 - The Audiolense software generates a filter file - which in my case also includes the active crossover. So - i need to somehow "play" this filter in a digital loop in the Lynx mixer? Someone has tipped me about Bidule..? What is consider to be the best SW for this kind of "loop"?

This is what Pedal does : Re: World's first NOS 24/192 filterless DAC ?.
Although he uses the RME Fireface, I guess you can do it with the Lynx as well, although it requires a loopback in software (though in the soundcard) of which I know the Fireface is very easy on (I have one myself).
Maybe Pedal can jump in and elaborate a bit (if necessary at all).

2 - I need a remote for the system! What is the best SW to operate the Music PC from a remote laptop?

The most easy would be RDC (Remote Desktop Connection) the higher Vista versions (running on the audio PC) will provide. However, you must be confident it doesn't disturb sound. I never use it because I think it influences (just theory !), but if it doesn't, it's by far the most friendly to control XXHighEnd.
Do *not* put Firewire in the audio PC, but do that in another PC in the network. If you don't have another one, better use a cable. WiFi is no good in an audio PC.

Hope this helps,
Peter

[manisandher]

Hello!

As I am about to step into the world of PC playback - I am opening this thread for feedback/advice.

Hi OMF,

Good to hear the Finales are still in action - which is more than can be said for Overkill itself, right?

I can't really help you with your enquiry - a while ago I decided that I would do all my filtering in the analogue domain, hence why I use a couple of Pass Labs XVR1 x-overs. There is a 'rule of thumb' that I read on another site that I like very much; "analogue can't do delay, digital can't do filtering". If you've managed to overcome this, well done!

But in any event, XXHE is definitely the way to go...

... Now, if only I could find a decent filter-less DAC... Peter, how's the NOS1 coming along???


Mani

[Telstar]

There is a 'rule of thumb' that I read on another site that I like very much; "analogue can't do delay, digital can't do filtering". If you've managed to overcome this, well done!

Why? AFAIK digital can do everything analog can and better

[manisandher]

Why? I think for the same reasons that XXHE sounds better than other SW players... why filter-less DACs sound better than filtered (with hi-res, at least). IOW, there's a lot more going on in the digital domain than we know... but that the likes of Peter are exploring.

In my real experience (i.e. not theory) my XVR1s have literally trounced digital x-overs like the DEQX. Actually, the difference in SQ was embarrasing...

I don't intend to sell the D70 - I love it. Also, the Pacific Microsonics stuff is really studio gear, and not designed for consumer use. It may not fare very well and may need to be shipped back to California for servicing from time to time... in which case I'll need something else to listen to. If I don't have a NOS1 by then, the D70 will have to do.

Actually, I'd love to do the following DAC comparison: NOS1 vs. Model 2 vs. D70

Mani.

[PeterSt]

Mani, please call people by their nick name, unless they express themselves otherwise.
Thanks.

Wow, that's the second time in two days while day before yesterday was the first time in three years.

[PeterSt]

Why? AFAIK digital can do everything analog can and better

Hi Telstar,

This is not completely true, or otherwise it may be very difficult to mimic in digital what analogue can by itself. This is about impedance response, which is not going along with frequency (not linear, may bump, etc.). Sometimes this "feature" is explicitly used to create a certain desired output, while you wouldn't know where to begin with digital.

I (think I) know, you are thinking about steepness of filters and all, which can be done in digital very easy. But even that may not be the good thing to do, and e.g. infitly fast roll off (which would be possible in digital) will not sound good.

So ... thus far I have in mind it can be done digitally, but I would not be surprised if I fail on it.
Mind you, this is about crossovers. Filtering like a DAC needs is a complete different matter ...

Peter

[PeterSt]

... Now, if only I could find a decent filter-less DAC... Peter, how's the NOS1 coming along???

Well, coincidentally tonight there's a "big test" with others, to see whether I'm a fool on thinking that I have created the best DAC-output *ever*, or whether I am just right and you will pay 20K for it easily.
Nah, don't be shocked, it will go for the fraction of that price.

After tonight I will eloborate some more on the main thread *if* I am right that what I have done here, blows away everything on this earth (the sound is a 1000% different from anything you've ever heard, and it is so different that I'm afraid I just like it, and nobody else will).
For those who caught a glimps of it already, yes, this is compared to the DAC itself from a week back.
And for insiders (yes, they too exist), this is BEFORE the big change to come, hopefully next week.

Peter

[Telstar]

Mani, please call people by their nick name, unless they express themselves otherwise.
Thanks.

Wow, that's the second time in two days while day before yesterday was the first time in three years.

For me it's ok to be called by First name (referring to the other thread with Roy).

[Telstar]

In my real experience (i.e. not theory) my XVR1s have literally trounced digital x-overs like the DEQX. Actually, the difference in SQ was embarrasing...

Good to hear. ATM, I'm deciding what to do for my speakers. I'll lookup the XVR. If you want, send me a pm with some link and infos.

[Telstar]

Well, coincidentally tonight there's a "big test" with others, to see whether I'm a fool on thinking that I have created the best DAC-output *ever*, or whether I am just right and you will pay 20K for it easily.
Nah, don't be shocked, it will go for the fraction of that price.

After tonight I will eloborate some more on the main thread *if* I am right that what I have done here, blows away everything on this earth (the sound is a 1000% different from anything you've ever heard, and it is so different that I'm afraid I just like it, and nobody else will).
For those who caught a glimps of it already, yes, this is compared to the DAC itself from a week back.
And for insiders (yes, they too exist), this is BEFORE the big change to come, hopefully next week.

Peter

T E A S E R !

[AUDIODIDAKT]

Well, coincidentally tonight there's a "big test" with others, to see whether I'm a fool on thinking that I have created the best DAC-output *ever*, or whether I am just right and you will pay 20K for it easily.
Nah, don't be shocked, it will go for the fraction of that price.

After tonight I will eloborate some more on the main thread *if* I am right that what I have done here, blows away everything on this earth (the sound is a 1000% different from anything you've ever heard, and it is so different that I'm afraid I just like it, and nobody else will).
For those who caught a glimps of it already, yes, this is compared to the DAC itself from a week back.
And for insiders (yes, they too exist), this is BEFORE the big change to come, hopefully next week.

Peter

T E A S E R !

1000% TEASER

[OMF]

Hello all!

Thanks for your feedback!

Mani – Well the financial meltdown was though on Derek – so Overkill is put on ice. I do however see that he is very active on some DIY webpages – and we do speak regularly on matters of hifi and enviroment! I hope he will be able to get back into hifi – he brought a loot of good ideas to the table!

I have been using digital filters for some while (DEQX) and would not consider going back to analog. I am confident that this new PC set up with Audiolense will bring things one big step further……

I see you have quite a few discussions regarding DA converters….

This is my choice:
 http://www.digitalaudio.dk/

If I should choose differently in the future – I would assume it would be a design based on some of the new DAC chips with extremely good specs…(Sabre..?).

Peter – thanks for you feedback and for watching my privacy – but I do not mind to be called by my first name!

Hmm…I think I will call Pedal later today about the plug-in…It will not be the first time that I receive some mentoring from his side – however – Pedal is lagging behind ( )…no digital XO…..any plans to implement that soon Pedal…?

And – we share the same enthusiasm for some very special Norwegians amps…

Best regards
Ole Martin “OMF”

[Telstar]

Mani – Well the financial meltdown was though on Derek – so Overkill is put on ice. I do however see that he is very active on some DIY webpages – and we do speak regularly on matters of hifi and enviroment! I hope he will be able to get back into hifi – he brought a loot of good ideas to the table!

And – we share the same enthusiasm for some very special Norwegians amps…

Best regards
Ole Martin “OMF”

Norwegian? hmm I saw that brand but dont remember the name!

BTW, I had some mail exchange with Derek and he's a very nice guy. I wish things go better for him.

[manisandher]

I'll lookup the XVR. If you want, send me a pm with some link and infos.

(Peter, are you happy for me to place this link?)

Here's some info about the XVR1 x-over: http://passlabs.com/pdf/product%20lit/xvr1_lit.pdf

Cons:
- not cheap: were around USD 5-6K each when I bought mine about 5 years ago
- only 2-way: you'll need to buy a pair for 3-way operation and 'daisy chain' the output of one channel to the input of another
- not suitable for any sort of correction
- not sure if they're still in production
- I've never seen one for sale on used market (and I know why!)

Pros:
- very transparent
- much better than passive x-over from speakers (Wilson Benesch Chimeras)
- much, much better than DEQX 2.6P

Hope this helps.

This is my choice:
 http://www.digitalaudio.dk/

Looks very interesting. Didn't you used to have a Meitner??? In any event, I realise that you need a 6 channel DAC, right?

As I said earlier, if you've managed to get digital x-overs to work well, then that's great. I just never did - and the XVR1s were a breath of fresh air...

Mani