Finally happy with my setup.

[Lordoftherings]

I don't see any slamming here other than people expressing their opinions or sharing their own experiences. Some people are of the opinion that amps, preamps are more important than speakers and room acoustics. I am not sure what the OP's opinion is but I congratulated him for having acquired such a beautiful piece of engineered product. Having said that, I see nothing wrong for forum members to be reminded that if they have a budget, and are serious about listening to hi fidelity music, they may want to focus more on speakers and room acoustics.

People here exchange ideas and share knowledge all the time in trying to help each other. It is good to have more views expressed so please do not think one is slamming the others just because he/she expresses a different view, especially if his/her view is based on scientific facts. Thanks in advance for considering my points.

Now! This is exactly how I think. Thanks Peng.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Feels great to read this thread.

I just finished to read this entire thread (sorry, I've been away for a while), and I must say that it was very entertaining, and also I really appreciate the deep respect from all members, even with their divergence of opinions.

This thread is a very good example that we can get alone and have fun,
even with our differences relating to audio matters.

Thanks to all, and in particular our OP (allEars), for sharing with us his toughts, and starting this thread.

* By the way, allEars, your system is great, and I love your Paradigm speakers, and your McIntosh preamp, and your Anthem power amp, and everything else, including your opinion about sound quality that you can ear and compare with other components.

Best regards,
Bob

 

[agarwalro]

Chris,

I ran into a couple of folks at the Oregon GTG that were dead set against using the DCX. They calimed it was "noizy" and I could not counter since I barely know the device by name (most basic question would have been, in what way is it noizy). Further, I did not ask and they did not substanciate their calim with any facts or references.

So my question to you is (since you are the biggest proponent of the DCX on this forum and probably know it better than I know the back of my hand); is there any validity to the calim that the DCX is noizy (whatever that may mean)?

(of course, your saying that it is noizy would be nonsensical since you use it and heavily advocate it use, so perhaps you can provide some info as to how it meets audiophile standards?)

If you are feeding an amp without trims you will need to attenuate the signal. But if your feeding a pro-amp you should have no issues.

That is great, but how does it factor into the "noize" related thought process? Just by attenuting the DCX output by 15dB, the supposed "noize" will not got away, or does it not matter because it does not cause any audible artifacts?

I am still game for any arguments in favor of the DCX that say that it is not noizy in any way what so ever. (backed up by some references of course )

 

[Lordoftherings]

* By the way, allEars, your system is great, and I love your Paradigm speakers, and your McIntosh preamp, and your Anthem power amp, and everything else, including your opinion about sound quality that you can EAR and compare with other components.

Best regards,
Bob

Just wanted to correct a spelling fault, that's all (just hate it when that happens, and it's too late to correct it).

It should have been "HEAR" instead of "EAR".

 

[WmAx]

That is great, but how does it factor into the "noize" related thought process? Just by attenuting the DCX output by 15dB, the supposed "noize" will not got away, or does it not matter because it does not cause any audible artifacts?

I am still game for any arguments in favor of the DCX that say that it is not noizy in any way what so ever. (backed up by some references of course )

I use the DCX in my no compromise SQ system. My dedicated listening room is in a house located out in the country. My noise floor level is EXTREMELY low in this area - so low that when everything is turned off you can hear your own body noises much like when you plug your ear with your fingers. I have NO noise from my system. If the DCX produced ANY level of audible noise, I would chuck it. No question. I have FAR higher standards for sound quality as compared the majority of so-called audiophiles. So I do not put with anything that will/can degrade sound or the listening experience. I do use amps with trim controls. When I used to use amps without trim controls, I had to put -10db passive attenuators in line between the DCX outputs and amplifier inputs to prevent audible noise from occurring. This is not about the DCX producing noise. This is because the DCX has much higher voltage signal output as compared to regular consumer devices. You are effectively amplifying the signal many times over what you normally would in the signal chain, and as a result, you make the noise floor in the signal audible. Also, the DCX can easily over-drive/distort the inputs on many consumer amplifiers due to this mis-match. So, input trims on the amps or passive in-line attenuators are needed to ensure that both the noise floor is low in level and that the DCX does not distort the consumer amplifier inputs. Many amps, including ones with XLR inputs have consumer amp level sensitivity even on the XLR inputs. Combine this high level of sensitivity with the high voltage base output of the DCX, and the result is audible noise, because the signal is pre-amplified too much from the DCX. The DCX was intended to use with standard professional amplifiers that have input trim controls. I have also had several people PM me about noise when they ignored my cautionary notes in this regard, and tried to use the DCX directly into amps without input trims. You might get away without noise in some very limited situations using amps without trim controls. But I would not count on it.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

Chris,

I ran into a couple of folks at the Oregon GTG that were dead set against using the DCX.

My prior response to you will answer your questions. Many people (regardless if they are 'audiophiles' or not) do not know how to properly match up differing gain structures of different components; especially when matching up certain pro products with certain consumer products. However, there is always a workaround. Random insertion of a DCX into many consumer systems WILL result in an audible hiss/noise when using simple adapters (XLR to RCA, RCA to XLR ,etc.). Again, my prior response instructs you on how to prevent noise.

-Chris