Has anyone have opinions about the Xilica line of digital crossovers?
They have an intriging mono unit (XM series) designed to mount in a speaker cabinet. They also sell it as a PCB so you could mount it in your own chasis. The interface is by PC connection only.
Here's the link:
Xilica product page
They have an intriging mono unit (XM series) designed to mount in a speaker cabinet. They also sell it as a PCB so you could mount it in your own chasis. The interface is by PC connection only.
Here's the link:
Xilica product page
Just an update on the Xilica XM1030 digital crossover.
The marketing manager there says it will be released next month... I am still trying to get the prices.
I also found out that it does come with an ethernet connection. This would allow you to connect these via a wireless router so that you can adjust the xover realtime wirelessly.
I am keen on it as I will be mounting my amps on the speaker - then I could mount a XM1030 on each speaker - thus running ballanced cable from my pre right to the speakers. Semms like a tidy solution.
Does anyone else know of another digital XO that come in separate channels? (i.e. one input, 3 outputs).
The marketing manager there says it will be released next month... I am still trying to get the prices.
I also found out that it does come with an ethernet connection. This would allow you to connect these via a wireless router so that you can adjust the xover realtime wirelessly.
I am keen on it as I will be mounting my amps on the speaker - then I could mount a XM1030 on each speaker - thus running ballanced cable from my pre right to the speakers. Semms like a tidy solution.
Does anyone else know of another digital XO that come in separate channels? (i.e. one input, 3 outputs).
Xilica XO prices
Here is the prices for PCB only. Each require 12v DC and has a RS232 connection for setting up with their included software.
XM-1020 (1 in/2 out) $262.50/unit
XM-2040 (2 in/4 out) $300.00/unit
I am personally looking for a 1in/3out configuration.
How does this price seem compared to others out there? To me, it seems a little high when you consider it is just PCB without the PS. It is supposed to be a quality unit though...
Here is the prices for PCB only. Each require 12v DC and has a RS232 connection for setting up with their included software.
XM-1020 (1 in/2 out) $262.50/unit
XM-2040 (2 in/4 out) $300.00/unit
I am personally looking for a 1in/3out configuration.
How does this price seem compared to others out there? To me, it seems a little high when you consider it is just PCB without the PS. It is supposed to be a quality unit though...
It's serious pro audio stuff so I would imagine it is quite good. The site has some info and screenshots.
From the site re: X-Link software:
XLink Universal Control Software is designed for controlling the DLP, DCP, DSPX and XM series digital loudspeaker controllers in real-time. It talks to the corresponding device and recognize the specific model intelligently. Standard fader and button controls give the user the look and feel just like any other sophisticated computer software in the market. A large graphical screen is provided for easy and accurate monitoring of the system frequency response. Viewing options for Inputs, EQs, Outputs, Crossovers are all individually selectable. Onscreen mouse control for EQs and Crossover Filters makes controlling parameters enjoyable. On/Off EQ allows A/B testing for a particular EQ.
The linking capability between channels simplifies the programming job for a fraction of the time required otherwise. Any parameters modified for one channel will be applied to all other channels within the same link.
The software is bidirectional, any change happening in PC or the device will be reflected at the other end in real-time.
XLink Universal Control Software is designed for controlling the DLP, DCP, DSPX and XM series digital loudspeaker controllers in real-time. It talks to the corresponding device and recognize the specific model intelligently. Standard fader and button controls give the user the look and feel just like any other sophisticated computer software in the market. A large graphical screen is provided for easy and accurate monitoring of the system frequency response. Viewing options for Inputs, EQs, Outputs, Crossovers are all individually selectable. Onscreen mouse control for EQs and Crossover Filters makes controlling parameters enjoyable. On/Off EQ allows A/B testing for a particular EQ.
The linking capability between channels simplifies the programming job for a fraction of the time required otherwise. Any parameters modified for one channel will be applied to all other channels within the same link.
The software is bidirectional, any change happening in PC or the device will be reflected at the other end in real-time.
TwangBar said:
I don't think these were around or if so, that there was much market penetration by these when I was looking around some time back.
So I looked around in some of the pro sound forums.
They seem to be well thought of at their price point.
Apparantly, the Sabine is identical hardware wise but has upgraded software.
Seem to be worth persuing further.
TwangBar said:
Why not just get a stereo unit - run balanced out from there to the amps?
Seems like that would be easier -and link the A/B channels and make your changes to both channels at the same time -
Plus, would possibly be more marketable to recoup a portion of your costs when it comes time to sell/move on.
I've been using a digital crossover for several years. First a Behringer DEQ 2486, now a BSS FDS366 unit. Unless I'm missing something ( and that happens _big grin_) I believe you likely would do better in a stereo system by getting a solution in a box -
I can easily imagine life being simpler and sweeter in a number of ways if you get a 2 in six out solution.
Plus, a 2 in 6 out opens up a wide variety of selections which come along for sale on e-bay and other used equipment markets.
YMMV
Oh yeah - while a number of various units are software only - it is really nice to have controls on the front panel -
Ken L: Thanks for your comments.
As for going mono units, the main reason was to reduce clutter (i.e. many wire runs). It seems to me an elegant idea to have all the amps and xover right at the speaker similar to pro-sound stuff like ATC. One run of wires from the preamp.
My project is a ATC SCM50 clone... so I guess I am using that as an easthetic guide.
But your point is well taken with regard to resale and convenience with the front panel (though I am not a fan of high density knobs and leds '😉')
As for going mono units, the main reason was to reduce clutter (i.e. many wire runs). It seems to me an elegant idea to have all the amps and xover right at the speaker similar to pro-sound stuff like ATC. One run of wires from the preamp.
My project is a ATC SCM50 clone... so I guess I am using that as an easthetic guide.
But your point is well taken with regard to resale and convenience with the front panel (though I am not a fan of high density knobs and leds '😉')
I only know the DCP 3060, which is a nice DSP for the money (ca. 650 euro). Easy/logic interface, solid build. It's quality but a step-in model, like the DBX driverack PA (but more flexible in set-up imo) or the Behringer DCX 2496 (but less limited in processor power).
Wkr Johan
Wkr Johan
TwangBar said:
I'm tri-amping. I've about given up on clutter _grin_
I thought about taking a picture of the back of my rack and posting it with the caption "you wanna reduce this?"
One other reason to have controls on the face of the unit -
If you decide to go PC source, you can use the incoming signal settings on the digital crossover for volume control,
This should probably be another thread. Although I just started doing it recently, ever since I got the digital crossover, my game plan was to eventually go digital all the way to the amps. By so doing, taking the preamp and and ADC/DAC link out of the chain - since I don't use vinyl.
Doing everything in the digital domain really cleans it up.
Ability to change settings from the face panel makes that easier.
Regards
Ken L
Did you check out these guys already?
- Similar prices
- Already on the market
- more powerful DSP specs (76 bits resolution in stead of 40)
As alread mentioned, digital cross overs fall or stand on software. Not the fancy windows application that runs on your PC to configure the damn thing, that's totally irrelevant. The software running on the DSP that implements the actual x-over, notch filter and time delay algorithms will make or break it. This is a bit of a black area that's hard to compare glaring at specs.
At least FIR filtering algorithms need to be used, to make sure the filtering is phase linear.
This Xilica thing being a pro unit, it contains limiters. That's definitely a minus IMHO.
- Similar prices
- Already on the market
- more powerful DSP specs (76 bits resolution in stead of 40)
As alread mentioned, digital cross overs fall or stand on software. Not the fancy windows application that runs on your PC to configure the damn thing, that's totally irrelevant. The software running on the DSP that implements the actual x-over, notch filter and time delay algorithms will make or break it. This is a bit of a black area that's hard to compare glaring at specs.
At least FIR filtering algorithms need to be used, to make sure the filtering is phase linear.
This Xilica thing being a pro unit, it contains limiters. That's definitely a minus IMHO.
Thanks fgroen - no, I had not heard of Groundsound.
The DCN23 has very similar prices to the xilica XM2040.
Have you heard good things about the Groundsound product?
The DCN23 has very similar prices to the xilica XM2040.
Have you heard good things about the Groundsound product?
fgroen said:
I have seen references in the prosound forums pertainig to the algorithims used/written for implentation - not sure of the accuracy of those statements
fgroen said:
Since it's a digital unit - why would that be a problem if you just leave the limiters off ?
TwangBar said:
Besides the feedback they have on their website I have not heard any other opinions. According to Groundsound, Germany's Hobby Hifi and/or K+T will publish test articles in their magazines in the oncoming 3-4 months. I'll definitely will keep an eye out for that. (I bet that Groundsound will mention these articles on their website as soon as they are due to be published)
I was thinking to build a DCN-23 unit myself somewhere next year.
Ken L said:
Reading the documentation, I got the idea that limiters were always there. No possibility to disable them.. Maybe I misunderstood.
fgroen said:
Hallo
Look here:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81088
Using the same chip as DCN-23 (TAS3103)
Maybe a groupwork!??
Lenz
fgroen said:
Well, I haven't read the documentation _grin_
But I was under the general impression that limiters were usually set at particular levels - and assumed one of the settings could be "off" or zero or 100% whatever way would remove them from the system.
That's how it is on the two that I have owned, but could be different on that unit.
Within a digital interface, I would assume that the possiblity would always be there to enable them or increase/decrease their level, or to disable.
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