Optimal configuration with the Behringer DCX2496

Optimal system configuration

The DCX2496 uses ultimate technology in digital signal processing and thus we will take advantage of its extraordinary powerful digital to analog converter. In other words we will process the signal in the digital domain (i.e. without the tiniest degradation) and then convert it to analog at the very end of the signal path, just before the amplifiers. Avoiding multiple and useless signal conversions results in a crystal clear sound right out of the DACs. Let's figure out what happens to the audio signal when you are using a DCX through it's analog inputs :

CD is decoded in your player which will convert digital signal to analog (either you are using an integrated player or a separate DAC)
analog signal is then driven to your suposedly transparent preamplifier or volume control
analog signal is then fed to the analog inputs of the DCX
For crossovering purposes analog signal will then be converted back to digital.
after having been separated into low, mid and high frequencies by the DSP, digital signal will be then converted back to analogue to feed your amps.

Problem is that today's 24bits DACs and ADCs will add ditorsion to the delicate low level audio details, exactly where the lifelikeness of music is. In other terms, life and details will be litteraly wiped off by too many conversions. As a rough comparison remember what happened to your preferred movie when you tried to duplicate an already copied VHS in the good old days : loss of details and constrast, addition of video noise and hiss. This is what happens here.

This is the reason why I removed my Audio Research LS2B preamplifier from the system and replaced it with this wonderful 6 channel volume control . Result is incredibly much better with improved transparency, very deep soundstage and crisp details. Bliss.

Keeping the audio signal in the digital domain as far as possible in the system is the only way to preserve it from degradation, losses and distorsion.

The diagram here under shows how a wisely set up digital system should be. In pale green it's digital domain. Pale pink is for analog domain. All in all, the CD drive (or any digital source) and the crossover are in the same domain. Multiple and useless conversions are avoided for the sound's sake.