Behringer MODs DCX Upgrade Review

[pseudoid]

I have one as well, and use it for my PA system. I doubt this upgrade would change the sound coming from the Old JBLs powered by cheap Crowns.

Come here and I'll twist-your-wrist to help you change your mind.
You have an opportunity to geek-out. It may even get you an e-ticket to audio heaven!

 

[pauldavidthomas]

Doesn't have a USB input, so if you wanted to use it digitally off a PC, you have to use something to convert the USB into SPDIF like the SMSL PO 100, and then convert the SPDIF into AES/EBU like the Canare transformers. Price of the unit is $350+price of the mod kit is another $140 USD+there is sweat equity of doing the DIY mod. Comes to over $500, and, in the end, won't be as performant as most current DACS.

When you consider that a brand new MiniDsp Flex 8 is $599, and does everything this does with two more output channels. and has the $199 option of adding Dirac Live to it, and will almost certainly have Sinads from all eight of its DAC channels exceeding 110 db, I don't see why this modded Behringer would be an option unless someone wants to tinker.

I've bought 1 USB -> AES convertor for £50 ( upto 44.1) and a new one from China that I'm running at 192... This was £113 new, shipped. USB->AES is straight digital you don't need anything expensive. And I'll put £50 on the fact you would not hear any difference on a blind test.

 

[Rednaxela]

a new one from China that I'm running at 192

Interesting! Which one if I may ask?

 

[Fone]

A few years ago there were a lot of mods sold for the Behringer DEQ2496. Some of the DIY audio forum people found some design shortcomings (which I can not recall) that could not really be "upgraded" and I think that killed the upgrade business. Behringer did some firmware upgrades so maybe that helped.

There is a thread for that box here

Quick measurements of Behringer Ultracurve DEQ2496

DEQ2496 is a very complex device with many features and functions. It can work in digital domain entirely, or convert between digital and analog for both, inputs and outputs. First up is digital performance. This is measured using optical input and output, so the signal never leaves digital...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[ssashton]

FYI you can get an upgrade kit for the DEQ Ultracurve in a similar fashion shown here, for £80 GBP. The upgrade and audio performance is practically identical to the DCX Ultradrive.

 

[bennybbbx]

this is strange wy below 80 hz distortion increase so much. maybe limiter kick in or so. I had to decide between this and the tracks mini. from features the 2496 (also in stock version) is clear better and have too no fan for cooling. larger t.racks have a Fan. I decide for the t.racks mini because it have a good editor for PC. seem still behringer have no editor. thats no go for me because it is very uncomfortable to edit with buttons. they should add usb and editor too.

 

[bennybbbx]

When you consider that a brand new MiniDsp Flex 8 is $599, and does everything this does with two more output channels. and has the $199 option of adding Dirac Live to it, and will almost certainly have Sinads from all eight of its DAC channels exceeding 110 db, I don't see why this modded Behringer would be an option unless someone wants to tinker.

I find in minidsp page flex 2*4 . this is unbalanced and bad when connect to a computer . the behringer is balanced. i now find out that unbalanced make no noise and problems when use before USB soundbox a ifi idefender and you must connect a own USB power supply(that all have for smartphone charging is good enough) in the side usb connector in the idefender. They write only bus powered USB devices need that. but thats wrong. the focusrite 8i6o is not bus powered and have own power supply. The ifi idefender need own power supply. without that there is more noise as without idefender. but with power device in idefender there is silence as with balanced. the 6 db dynamic loss i not miss. work with all my active speakers i have . no additional noise

 

[pauldavidthomas]

Interesting! Which one if I may ask?

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Got a bit lost in the post but they sorted it out for me. So, would buy from them again.

The other one I have is a Trends USB Audio DAC UD-10, powered off USB. I can't tell a difference between the two.

 

[BCM191]

Doesn't have a USB input, so if you wanted to use it digitally off a PC, you have to use something to convert the USB into SPDIF like the SMSL PO 100, and then convert the SPDIF into AES/EBU like the Canare transformers. Price of the unit is $350+price of the mod kit is another $140 USD+there is sweat equity of doing the DIY mod. Comes to over $500, and, in the end, won't be as performant as most current DACS.

When you consider that a brand new MiniDsp Flex 8 is $599, and does everything this does with two more output channels. and has the $199 option of adding Dirac Live to it, and will almost certainly have Sinads from all eight of its DAC channels exceeding 110 db, I don't see why this modded Behringer would be an option unless someone wants to tinker.

But for the tens of thousands of people that already have one or two it makes perfect sense..

 

[Rrobot]

Note that unlike the stock unit that goes up to some 10 volts (clipped) the upgrade's max output is about 4.5 volts.

I'm still using and enjoying my behringermods DCX, I find the familiar old interface very reassuring now even though i realise there's more modern devices. The modifications aren't that hard btw, even for a dud solderer like me! ssashton i wonder sometimes if it would be possible to change some smd resistors to return the max output to 10 volts (for PA applications)?

 

[ssashton]

I'm still using and enjoying my behringermods DCX, I find the familiar old interface very reassuring now even though i realise there's more modern devices. The modifications aren't that hard btw, even for a dud solderer like me! ssashton i wonder sometimes if it would be possible to change some smd resistors to return the max output to 10 volts (for PA applications)?

Yes you can adjust the level by changing feedback resistors.

The feedback resistors on the input section are 5.1 K ohms:
CHA - R8, R7
CHB - R9, R10

The feedback resistors on the output section are 3.9 K ohms:
CH1 R22, R26, R27, R28
CH2 R39, R34, R35, R33
CH3 R59, R54, R55, R53
CH4 R42, R47, R46, R48
CH5 R79, R74, R75, R73
CH6 R62, R67, R66, R68

 

[Rrobot]

Yes you can adjust the level by changing feedback resistors.

Thanks ssashton Im guessing not many customers do this... seems like you've optimised the inputs and outputs for a better gain structure for most hifi applications?

 

[ssashton]

Thanks ssashton Im guessing not many customers do this... seems like you've optimised the inputs and outputs for a better gain structure for most hifi applications?

Yes, I'm not aware of any power amps that need a 10 V input. Maybe some 10 kW PA systems?

 

[Azrael]

seem still behringer have no editor.

There has been a PC editor for the DCX2496 for ages. Ok, if you don't have a PC/notebook with a dedicated RS232 interface, the connection can be a bit tricky because it sometimes seems to depend on chance whether a USB/RS232 adapter works or not. But once you have avoided this pitfall, it works perfectly.

However, I also find the fact that the DCX2496 can be fully operated directly on the device itself without a PC editor quite advantageous.