Somebody Please Make This Already...

[Deleted member 72219]

Imagine an interesting new product: Two sets of analog inputs (when I say sets, I mean each set has single-ended and also balanced), one volume attenuator that controls output synchronously BY WAY OF TWO SETS OF SYNCHRONIZED RESISTOR LADDERS (analog-domain attenuation, not digital) between the two sets of inputs, and then matched sets of outputs (again, both, single-ended and balanced). The entire device should be active, so that if you use single-ended input, it can still output a balanced, differential signal after the volume control, and on the output end there should be an option to combine L/R signals into a single signal (like an LFE output).

Even better yet, we should allow adjustable high-pass filter on the first set of in/outputs and an adjustable low-pass filter on the second set of in/outputs. Slope and frequency should both be adjustable. And of course both filters can be separately bypassed.

The unit should also have a single 12V trigger input and three 12V trigger outputs, and it should have a remote control that can control volume, filter slopes and filter frequencies.

-Ed

 

[Joachim Herbert]

Purpose?

 

[Deleted member 72219]

Flexible bass management allowing finer integration and choice of independent components.

-Ed

 

[kemmler3D]

So basically a minidsp but analog?

 

[Deleted member 72219]

So basically a minidsp but analog?

To a certain extent, sure (no room correction).

-Ed

 

[Roland68]

Imagine an interesting new product: Two sets of analog inputs (when I say sets, I mean each set has single-ended and also balanced), one volume attenuator that controls output synchronously BY WAY OF TWO SETS OF SYNCHRONIZED RESISTOR LADDERS (analog-domain attenuation, not digital) between the two sets of inputs, and then matched sets of outputs (again, both, single-ended and balanced). The entire device should be active, so that if you use single-ended input, it can still output a balanced, differential signal after the volume control, and on the output end there should be an option to combine L/R signals into a single signal (like an LFE output).

Even better yet, we should allow adjustable high-pass filter on the first set of in/outputs and an adjustable low-pass filter on the second set of in/outputs. Slope and frequency should both be adjustable. And of course both filters can be separately bypassed.

The unit should also have a single 12V trigger input and three 12V trigger outputs, and it should have a remote control that can control volume, filter slopes and filter frequencies.

-Ed

May I ask why analog inputs?
Are the different sources analog from the start?

 

[kemmler3D]

Seems like it would be a pretty expensive way to avoid a ad/da conversion step. Getting analog performance that's close to digital or better here would not be cheap. So I guess my follow up question is what's wrong with the existing alternatives?

 

[Deleted member 72219]

May I ask why analog inputs?
Are the different sources analog from the start?

Yes, separate analog sources.

-Ed

 

[Sokel]

What comes close is Eversolo DMP-A10, NAD M66 (I'm not sure it does analog VC though) ,etc.
In general that's how I do it but not with one device and without some benefits of digital, like ease.

But yes,the paranoid me has the last two chains (pre and el. x-over) analog, I have sen too much to trust digital right before the power amps.
You loose some of course, but with a nice gain structure, etc and decent components you may gain some back at music playback levels.

Needless to say you play anything this way, any format, at any rate, etc.

 

[ZolaIII]

@EddNog who told you that it doesn't exists?

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0622/0657/4730/files/Elara_6_User_Guide_Iss_1.pdf?v=1731591528

Run to a fellow yesterday who had one and whose on the quest for power amplifier. Asked him why he needs high end analog active mixer and he failed to reply but I digged in. Me my self and I will stay on digital.

 

[Roland68]

Yes, separate analog sources.

-Ed

You can build something like that, but it won't be worth it for a manufacturer.
The biggest problem would be the far too small quantities and, as a result, a far too high selling price, which would be at least in the 4-digit range, probably not even with a 1 in front of it. And the better the measured values are supposed to be, the more the development costs explode.
I often calculate projects for industry and the consumer market, which is very easy to estimate.

But there are enough solutions, assemblies and empty circuit boards from the DIY sector that a DIYer could use to build such a device as desired without having to develop anything themselves. If you want to build something like that, I can give you a few tips.

Until about 2 1/2 to 3 years ago, I was even on the way to building such a solution, including complete analog active and adjustable crossovers for speakers and subwoofers, switchable inputs and outputs for SE and balanced, complete channel separation and relay-based volume control, etc. I still have the 480mm wide and 70mm high designer housing.

I know of some miniDSP installations and solutions, but somehow I was never convinced. I have also set up or accompanied some active speakers/systems with active crossovers/DSP.
But about 3 years ago I started to look into ACOURATE and listen to installations with ACOURATE. Almost at the same time I was confronted with the Sabaj A30a amplifier, which I found technically interesting, but for me was just another Class D amplifier until I heard it.
These two experiences have made me rethink things after more than 30 years of being convinced that the signal should be passed on and processed directly via preamplifiers, etc. after the CD player, etc.

The A30a requires neither analog circuits nor a DAC for a digital signal and only converts the signal to analog at the output transistors via PWM. It is hardly possible to influence it less.
With ACOURATE, you can influence the signal extremely, in all areas and build any active system. Here, too, everything remains digital up to the multi-channel DAC and can of course be output in SE or balanced, including prior volume control.

These two completely digital solutions have convinced me more than almost anything I have heard in the last 35 years, regardless of whether it was individual devices up to 50k or systems in the 6-digit range.
At some point I will combine ACOURATE with several A30a, completely without DACs.

 

[Deleted member 72219]

@EddNog who told you that it doesn't exists?

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0622/0657/4730/files/Elara_6_User_Guide_Iss_1.pdf?v=1731591528

Run to a fellow yesterday who had one and whose on the quest for power amplifier. Asked him why he needs high end analog active mixer and he failed to reply but I digged in. Me my self and I will stay on digital.

This looks like the physical embodiment of REW if I ever saw such a thing. Hahaha

 

[Deleted member 72219]

You can build something like that, but it won't be worth it for a manufacturer.
The biggest problem would be the far too small quantities and, as a result, a far too high selling price, which would be at least in the 4-digit range, probably not even with a 1 in front of it. And the better the measured values are supposed to be, the more the development costs explode.
I often calculate projects for industry and the consumer market, which is very easy to estimate.

But there are enough solutions, assemblies and empty circuit boards from the DIY sector that a DIYer could use to build such a device as desired without having to develop anything themselves. If you want to build something like that, I can give you a few tips.

Until about 2 1/2 to 3 years ago, I was even on the way to building such a solution, including complete analog active and adjustable crossovers for speakers and subwoofers, switchable inputs and outputs for SE and balanced, complete channel separation and relay-based volume control, etc. I still have the 480mm wide and 70mm high designer housing.

I know of some miniDSP installations and solutions, but somehow I was never convinced. I have also set up or accompanied some active speakers/systems with active crossovers/DSP.
But about 3 years ago I started to look into ACOURATE and listen to installations with ACOURATE. Almost at the same time I was confronted with the Sabaj A30a amplifier, which I found technically interesting, but for me was just another Class D amplifier until I heard it.
These two experiences have made me rethink things after more than 30 years of being convinced that the signal should be passed on and processed directly via preamplifiers, etc. after the CD player, etc.

The A30a requires neither analog circuits nor a DAC for a digital signal and only converts the signal to analog at the output transistors via PWM. It is hardly possible to influence it less.
With ACOURATE, you can influence the signal extremely, in all areas and build any active system. Here, too, everything remains digital up to the multi-channel DAC and can of course be output in SE or balanced, including prior volume control.

These two completely digital solutions have convinced me more than almost anything I have heard in the last 35 years, regardless of whether it was individual devices up to 50k or systems in the 6-digit range.
At some point I will combine ACOURATE with several A30a, completely without DACs.

So I see Acourate is software. What hardware can one use to implement this? Would this require a computer with multiple sound cards?

-Ed

-Ed