2 Channel Audio system

[mike c]

Chris,

After looking at the specification for Behringer DCX2496 Ultradrive Pro Digital Crossover, what place between a Amp/PreAm does it take. i looked at the inputs for DCX2496 and they are balanced XLR 3 inputs. and 6 outputs.
so I still need a Amp and a PreAmp for the DXX to work

nope. it's versatile, as in crossovers, EQ's, gains ... but it still doesn't have multiple source inputs nor a volume control.

you still need a preamp.

 

[scorpious]

nope. it's versatile, as in crossovers, EQ's, gains ... but it still doesn't have multiple source inputs nor a volume control.

you still need a preamp.

I dont get it, how will it be able to keep up with 250watt @ 8ohm requirement of the speakers in 2ch, it has no ampification, or db gains associated?

 

[mike c]

I dont get it, how will it be able to keep up with 250watt @ 8ohm requirement of the speakers in 2ch, it has no ampification, or db gains associated?

basically you need:

pre-amp - DCX2496 - Yamaha P3500S

 

[WmAx]

Chris,

After looking at the specification for Behringer DCX2496 Ultradrive Pro Digital Crossover, what place between a Amp/PreAm does it take. i looked at the inputs for DCX2496 and they are balanced XLR 3 inputs. and 6 outputs.
so I still need a Amp and a PreAmp for the DXX to work

Yes, you still need a pre-amp. However, because the DCX has special high gain low noise input pre-amps designed specifically to boost consumer unbalanced RCA lines of typical low voltage, you can use a non-balanced pre-amp with standard RCA outputs. Where as just about any amp or most devices with XLR inputs don't have much ability to boost a low voltage consumer unbalanced signal without adding noise/hiss to the end result. So the DCX if used, would remove the requirement to use a balanced output pre-amp; that opens you up to just about any pre-amp then, not just the few that have balanced outputs. This conversion ability of the DCX is just a benefit it has - the real purpose is it's advanced processing and xover abilities. I use a DCX on both my main stereo system and my computer system. Here is a shot of my current main 2 channel hardware with DCX installed: http://www.linaeum.com/images/wmaxcomponents_1.jpg

-Chris

 

[OttoMatic]

On the topic of the DCX2496 -- do you know if it can take stereo inputs, mix them, then output a mono signal?

 

[scorpious]

I am down to Parasound Halo P3 (New) $800, or Adcom GFP 750 (BLue Circuit)($800 Used) or Classe' CP35 ($400 used). whats you take on these PreAmps to power the Yamaha P3500s. Hiss/Noise/Incompatability Issues ???

Also the Yamaha P3500s has only Balanced Inputs. So incase the balanced out from a PreAmp to balanced in on a AMP gives me a hiss/Noise. how do i connect them in RCA?

Ashish

 

[gus6464]

I am down to Parasound Halo P3 (New) $800, or Adcom GFP 750 (BLue Circuit)($800 Used) or Classe' CP35 ($400 used). whats you take on these PreAmps to power the Yamaha P3500s. Hiss/Noise/Incompatability Issues ???

Also the Yamaha P3500s has only Balanced Inputs. So incase the balanced out from a PreAmp to balanced in on a AMP gives me a hiss/Noise. how do i connect them in RCA?

Ashish

You can encounter hiss when using balanced to unbalanced but not balanced to balanced.

 

[mike c]

i would stay away from yamaha pro audio amps... they are very bright and the fan is pretty loud

you mean the lights are very bright?

the fans never come on.

 

[WmAx]

i would stay away from yamaha pro audio amps... they are very bright and the fan is pretty loud

I have on hand, a Yamaha P2500S, P3500S and P5000S. I have never had the fans come on for music use no matter how loud I played them. I have had a fan come on (at very low speed) once when I was doing full power test signals for extended amount of time - this was basically 15 minutes of driving the amplifier with tone burst repeatedly close to the clipping range.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

On the topic of the DCX2496 -- do you know if it can take stereo inputs, mix them, then output a mono signal?

Yes. In the set up menu you can choose to mix to mono and patch it to any of the 6 outputs as you so desire. It can easily do .1 sub output from a stereo signal if this is what you want to know.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

You can encounter hiss when using balanced to unbalanced but not balanced to balanced.

He is referring to the Halo P3 I believe. There is a pro review online that complained about audible hiss 2 or 3 feet from the speakers when using the balanced outputs of the P3 into an amplifier that had balanced inputs that did not have any hiss when used with another pre-amp.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

I am down to Parasound Halo P3 (New) $800, or Adcom GFP 750 (BLue Circuit)($800 Used) or Classe' CP35 ($400 used). whats you take on these PreAmps to power the Yamaha P3500s. Hiss/Noise/Incompatability Issues ???

Also the Yamaha P3500s has only Balanced Inputs. So incase the balanced out from a PreAmp to balanced in on a AMP gives me a hiss/Noise. how do i connect them in RCA?

Ashish

I think you have a very small chance of encountering hiss. It just does not seem likely. I just don't know the specific conditions of that pro review complaint. It could just be that his amp had balanced inputs and NO gain controls. This can be bad. If the amp's inputs are too sensitive, and driven from a high voltage output pro signal output, then the base voltage is so high that noise is amplified to a considerable level with no way to trim it back. I know one guy that had trouble getting rid of noise using a DCX to an Emotiva amp with balanced inputs that had no gain controls and had this very problem. The DCX output voltage was just too high in relation to the input sensitivity of the amp - and with no trim controls - he could not adjust it to get rid of the highly amplified noise floor.

-Chris

 

[scorpious]

read few things about the yamaha Pro Amps. all great about them.

Also, i heard the output from the yamaha's, are leaned more towards mid range and hi freq. That statement dosent go very well for the fact that they are designed for club speakers, where Bass matters. Please comment.


Also can anyone educate me on Differential in relation to Balanced XLR outputs? this guy at definitive audio said, making a preamp that is balanced as being dual differential for under $1K is unheard of, and he says parasound P3 isnt dual differential. i dont understand it.

 

[WmAx]

Also, i heard the output from the yamaha's, are leaned more towards mid range and hi freq. That statement dosent go very well for the fact that they are designed for club speakers, where Bass matters. Please comment.

That statement does not go very toward common sense. They have a flat response from bass to treble as long as one has enough sense to set the switches on the back to defeat the filters. It has some response filters/eq settings on the back as well as a crossover setting, etc. that I recommend you all set to OFF.

Also can anyone educate me on Differential in relation to Balanced XLR outputs? this guy at definitive audio said, making a preamp that is balanced as being dual differential for under $1K is unheard of, and he says parasound P3 isnt dual differential. i dont understand it.

Needless feature. Standard balanced output uses the positive and inverted outputs of an op amp. A dual differential, in regards to the way I see the term used commonly, is I believe, two completely different sets of discrete devices to provide the opposing polarities. Besides some trivial theoretical technical advantage, it's not relevant, and hardly used in anything besides some exotic 'high end' home gear. Do you think you will easily find this in the very studio gear used to make your music in the studio? Nope. Most gear will use the single opamp method and most of the remaining gear will use a transformer output. Perhaps some very uncommon 'high end' pro gear will use the dual differential outputs too - but this along the same lines as the exotic home gear. The standard balanced output method does it's job fine.

-Chris

 

[mike_wassell]

Here is a setup that would be pretty damn hard to beat for the money.

Dynaudio Confidence C1 $4450 used
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1231000206&/Dynaudio-Confidence-C1-high-gl

Parasound Halo P3 balanced preamp $800 new - $500 used if you can find it
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAHP3

Yamaha P3500S amp

If you find the Halo used which usually pops up every now and then on audiogon you will hit exactly your budget but you will have speakers that cost $2000 more than your budget alone.

This would be a fantastic choice. Dynaudio speakers are an excellent choice. Although, I would consider a Parasound amp as opposed to the Yamaha amp. If you are interested in eventually using this equipment in a home theater I would suggest looking at a home theater processor/receiver unless you are planning on using your 2 channel equipment for another set up after you build your home theater. Also if you will be waiting a couple of years to build your home theater I would buy 2 channel electronics due to changes in technology.

Mike

 

[scorpious]

OK

the dynasound is a bit too much for me. So got the B&W803s used for $3500, and a new Yamaha P2500s, and a used Parasound halo P3 used for 440.

Eventually I will get the DCX 2496 for some equalization. Will get blue jeans cables to interconnect this products.

Ashish

 

[scorpious]

OK few questions regarding the cables I need to get, Well I was advice blue jeans cables. I Read few things about cables on other websites, Came to know that High conductivity, low impedance and low capacitance are key.

Isnt it true that shorter the length the better or it dosent matter for under 10ft length. i need 6 to 8ft ft avg speaker cable length and less than 6ft audio cable lengths (XLR and RCA)

need Advice on RCA from OppoDV970 to to direct in on Parasound P3 cable.

Advice on RCA to XLR in on parasound P3 (probably the adapter)

Need advice on Balanced XLR in out cable to Yamaha P2500s

Need advice on Yamaha P2500s to B&W 803s. the B&W 803s do no have the original jumper cables. what kind of terminals to the speaker cables need to have? spade or raw? length around 8ft.

I looked up blue jeans cable, but got confused. so please help

Ashish

 

[mike c]

yes, the shorter the better. but under 10 feet, there will be no audible difference.

banana plugs are very easy to use IMO - spades are next in line. you can use bare wire to jump the terminals and banana plugs to connect from the AMP or vice versa, banana plugs to jump from terminal to terminal and bare wire from the amp to the speaker.

from the amp output, i like to use banana plugs.

 

[scorpious]

yes, the shorter the better. but under 10 feet, there will be no audible difference.

banana plugs are very easy to use IMO - spades are next in line. you can use bare wire to jump the terminals and banana plugs to connect from the AMP or vice versa, banana plugs to jump from terminal to terminal and bare wire from the amp to the speaker.

from the amp output, i like to use banana plugs.

Being powerful speakers, is it advisable to go for the smallest gauge wire?

like 10, 12 14?????


Ashish

 

[mike c]

Being powerful speakers, is it advisable to go for the smallest gauge wire?

like 10, 12 14?????


Ashish

gauge 12 is safe for pretty much all "practical" lengths and speaker sensitivities

but it is ok to overkill to gauge 10.

i personally use gauge 12