Considering Behringer DCX 2496 Crossover upgrades

[ehoove]

I have looked at many 3 way Crossover solutions, and have yet to find one as flexible as the DCX2496 I am using, I have had the outputs changed over to analog, and am considering upgrading the power supply stage, and the dacs. though expensive, this is supposed to raise the performance level to a whole new level as opposed to stock.

Most Crossovers don't offer the ability to use up to three different slope shapes - Bessell, Butterworth, or Linkwitz-Riley. nor do they offer 6,12,18,24,or 48db choices for each that the DCX2496 does.

The top modification packages will run around $1250 or $1995, so the question now becomes do I sell the MGIIIa's the Behringer and the amps and move up to a higher end single amp, and newer speakers with passive crossovers, or continue down the active tri-amp road?

It really never ends does it,
Jim

The upgrade info:

Behringer DCX2496 Modifications & New Modified Units!

[jdandy]

Jim.......I have to ask the obvious, why would you want to spend $1995 upgrading a $350 Behringer crossover?

[ehoove]

Dan,
Only because I have not been able to find a Stereo three way crossover that offers the flexibility of the DCX2496. The only stock part would be the control module which the audio path is effectively isolated from. Yes the validity of that expenditure on the Behringer does rub me the wrong way. That being said since I already have had the outputs changed out, it would only run me around $1000 dollars, still a sizable investment.

It would be nice if Behringer offered a home audio version of the DCX2496, but alas the call for a unit like that will never offer the volume required to produce it. Below is as close as one can get.

Regards,
Jim

[ehoove]

I have decided to save the Behringer as a back up, and plan to order a Marchand XM44-3 3way analog crossover. Phil will build it with balanced inputs, and butterworth slopes once I decide of final crossover points. These crossovers are not the last word in cosmetics, but are said to be very transparent, and quiet.
Regards,
Jim



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[jdandy]

Jim.......That is a much better way to go. Good decision.

[orosie]

I love my XM66. As Jim said, not the best looking equipment, but Phil builds to order, and makes a very high quality product.

[Soundmig]

The Behringer is a lot better than you might think - despite its low price tag. I spoke with Roger Sanders (Sanders electrostatic speakers amps and pre's) and he uses the DCX2496 for his systems. He puts a new faceplate on it and solders a couple of snap-in connections (to improve reliability) but other than that he said he uses it pretty much stock. According to Roger, he's measured it in both stock and in many different "upgraded" configurations. He told me that the stock unit is fantastic and that most of the "upgrades" actually degrade the performance or make the unit not function quite as intended (or both). He told me that Behringer has some of the best engineers in the audio game. They build in quantity so their prices are low, but that does not mean that the quality is low. I've heard his demos of his electrostatic speakers using his version of the DCX2496 and they always sound great. I've used my DCX2496 on some active set-ups and its sounds really good to me. Even so, I tend to only use it for my distributed bass system (so that mid-bass through highs do not go through it) but only because I "fear" that I "may be" degrading the sound. Based on what I can hear - I don't think that this unit noticeably degrades anything - when gain structure is properly attended to and it is properly set-up. What is gained in control of frequency response, x-over flexibility, time and phase seems to reap a lot of positive benefits (in my experience anyway). My discussion with Roger Sanders was a couple of years ago, so I don't know if he still holds the same position. I'd give him a call if I were you, before you give up on the DCX2496 as he has a tremendous amount of experience with the unit at a very high level of engineering and measurement capability and prowess.

[avsgsliu]

Hey Jim,
Just wondering what path you chose for your crossover and what you feel your results are.

Thanks, George

[ehoove]

I got lucky and picked up a CDX2496 with analog SE outputs and power supply upgrades by Selectronic of France and have been running it for several years with no issues and IMHO stellar results. I kept my stock DCX2496 as a back up.
Regards,
Jim

[Masterlu]

avsgsliu... Welcome to AA!