Behringer DCX2496 EQ Review

[ssashton]

Great! How?

In the filter menu, you go to the high pass and turn the knob all the way to the left. Then It will say "off".

Of course most equipment has some DC blocking that will have effect at very low frequencies usually below 20hz.

 

[cxbell]

Ah, yes, Behringer. Still use it! This is the 'full stack' (attached) -
the SRC2496 (nice headphone amp that I use with HD 580s) but primarily to match inputs,
a DEQ2496 for Parametric Eq,
the DCX2496 for driver alignment, equalisation, and AK DAC output,
and finally the A500 amp(s).

Very useful for home-built speakers. Nowadays I just use it for sub-bass integration and timing.
But yes, there's better out there now.
In its day, a relatively cheap way to operate in the analog/digital domains.

Can be setup from a PC, though Win11 makes it tough to use right software and drivers via a USB-RS232 link.

Regards,

 

[gp4Jesus]

In the filter menu, you go to the high pass and turn the knob all the way to the left. Then It will say "off".

Of course most equipment has some DC blocking that will have effect at very low frequencies usually below 20hz.

Big thanks for your help. This will provide signal where it counts the most for this portion of the system

Yeah I aware and realize the value* of filtering at the extremes*. I believe dbx “cuts it” in a more “non-negotiable” way.
*prevents the less learned from destroying their gear; 20-20Khz

The flip side: the THX LFE bandwidth begins @ 3 hz. I don’t know a simple way for the DIY consumer to get around the above*!safeguards*

 

[Jimster480]

Ah, yes, Behringer. Still use it! This is the 'full stack' (attached) -
the SRC2496 (nice headphone amp that I use with HD 580s) but primarily to match inputs,
a DEQ2496 for Parametric Eq,
the DCX2496 for driver alignment, equalisation, and AK DAC output,
and finally the A500 amp(s).

Very useful for home-built speakers. Nowadays I just use it for sub-bass integration and timing.
But yes, there's better out there now.
In its day, a relatively cheap way to operate in the analog/digital domains.

View attachment 260193

Can be setup from a PC, though Win11 makes it tough to use right software and drivers via a USB-RS232 link.

Regards,

It still seems to be a pretty cheap option considering what it does and the performance isn't too bad either.

 

[Tim Link]

I just found one of these in my closet along with a DEQ2496, two items I misplaced years ago but were right under my nose the whole time in a box I didn't think they could fit into. I already had one DCX in service but that one I had modified by bypassing the output stages so the dac chip was running straight into the pre-amp. I decided to put this unmodified one in for comparison. I have to digitally attenuate by 20dB to keep the output stages from overloading my pre-amp inputs but it still sounds good - I think better than the one I modified. It seems punchier, more dynamic, with brighter and clerear hiighs. Voices have more presence. No idea if it really sounds different or if I'm just imagining things. In any case I liked the fact that it works and sounds good so I ordered some 20dB in-line attenuators. I'll give those a try and find out if I think they make any difference by allowing me to use more bits without blowing up my receiver.

 

[Andysu]

dcx 2496 a flexible loudspeaker management crossover system many golfing happy panthers

 

[JimWeir]

I’ve used this device for years to sort out loudspeaker EQ and crossovers in my DYI projects.

 

[roog]

This is how I used the device, very convenient and quite intuitive to my simple mind and a lot more flexible /easier than mucking about designing passive crossovers. I wasn't so keen on the aged PC software interface though.

 

[roog]

Very true, I recall playing around with RS232 in the early 80’s, loads of dip switches to set configurations.

When using the 2496 I generally preferred to prod buttons on the front panel.

An updated version would be welcome, I guess that’s what the mini dsp products do for us.

 

[Andysu]

behringer DCX 2496 cat THX approved

 

[Scrivs]

Slightly off topic- Received a new stock DCX2496 Pro from Sweetwater, on 12/10. First thing I did was open her up (safety check) and have a quick peek at what SRC/ADC/DACs are being used in the 2024 “iteration” of this much loved classic. Only had a few minutes to check, here’s what I found:

DSP- ADSP-21065L
SRC- BB/TI4192I
AES/EBU/S/PDIF receiver- Cirrus 8416-CZZ
ADCs- CS5361–KZZ, CS5381-KZZ
DACS- Midas M9000 (stereo DACs x 3)

WTF is a Midas M9000? A music tribe “equivalent” to the CS4398?

Was expecting to find AKM DACs, after all, this is the “Pro,” version which is marketed as having AKM converters as per Sweetwater where I bought it from ($279).

I’m sure the Midas M9000 silicon is fine, it’s just that I abhor being misled.

I have an old DEQ2496 that I installed the behringermods analogue board in and loved it until the PSU went tits up

Good thing the 2024 version appears to be identical

P.S. Opamps are 4580’s all around. Caps are the usual mix of Capxon, and Jamicon. A slight upgrade from the failing “Xundas” installed in my older DEQ.

Overall, I’m ok with the spec, except for the Midas M9000 DACs, and then only because they’re an unknown quantity to me. I expect they’re functionally equivalent to the old AK4393s.

Cheers!

Edit- added AES/S/PDIF receiver (8416-CZZ)

 

[bachatero]

Overall, I’m ok with the spec, except for the Midas M9000 DACs, and then only because they’re an unknown quantity to me. I expect they’re functionally equivalent to the old AK4393s.

Go measure it and see if they might be better than AKM!

 

[Scrivs]

I’d love to, but have a failing retaining wall that’s recently and unexpectedly become the most recent succubus of my time

FWIW, I did measure my DEQ pre and post mod and saw similar improvements as the DCX measured here by our indefatigable leader

 

[AnalogSteph]

WTF is a Midas M9000? A music tribe “equivalent” to the CS4398?

Sure looks like it. Probably just a rebrand of sorts. All the specs look absolutely identical (assuming a rev. F2 datasheet which would have been current in 2019; the QFN package was only removed with F3 in 2021).

https://mediadl.musictribe.com/download/documents/coolaudio/docs/MIDAS_Data_Sheet_M9000.pdf

 

[Scrivs]

Thanks for confirming what my guts are telling me DAC is specc'd in the owners manual to be an AK4393, and while I wasn't expecting (or caring) to see such an EOL I.C on the 2024 production board, I was indeed surprised to come across the Midas M9000 silicon. First for everything I guess

Midas M9000 would make a cool missile defense system reporting name

I appreciate the input