Like many here I have been using digital speaker managment to solve many issues. I use a DCX2496 for the crossovers, dipole EQ and some room EQ for my mains. I use a BFD on one of my subs for room EQ. And I use another DCX for another sub to do a Linkwitz Transform and room EQ.
They have been a godsend.
However, whilst I have no particular issue with the sound quality, they are a tad flakey, and obviously create extra boxes and complication. The same was true when I used dbx and Rane products.
A few weeks back the DCX which was controlling my sub crapped out yet again, and in any case the amp wasn't quite cutting it. So on a whim I bought a Crown CDI-1000 amp with onboard DSP. $175 on eBay.
I'd heard nothing about it on the forums I frequent, but figured the DSP would be basic but useful. However, when I downloaded the software and started playing with it, I was shocked at just how sophisticated it was.
As a pure EQ, it has more power and flexibility than the BFD and the DCX. It also much more than the dbx units. 18 different PEQ bands for a start. Even better, it has numerous ways to do shelving filters. The DCX can do 6dB or 12dB, but the Crown lets you choose from another half dozen slopes, or lets you create your own.
Plus it does crossovers of various typres, although here it doesn't have the flexibility of the DCX. It does have more than the dbx though.
And the HIQnet software is excellent.
All for $175 (used) and $400 new. With Crown's no-fault three year warranty.
Some may say the Crown lacks in sound quality, but I'm not one of them. In any case ridding yourself of anoth AD/DA is good.
Others may say that combining EQ in the amp leaves you at the mercy of breakdowns. But, as I said, my biggest beef with my Behringers has been their flakiness.
So I highly recommend checking the CDI's out. Certainly for simple sub and EQ duties. But I'm also wondering why three of them with crossovers activated couldn't replace my current DCX plus amp setup.
They have been a godsend.
However, whilst I have no particular issue with the sound quality, they are a tad flakey, and obviously create extra boxes and complication. The same was true when I used dbx and Rane products.
A few weeks back the DCX which was controlling my sub crapped out yet again, and in any case the amp wasn't quite cutting it. So on a whim I bought a Crown CDI-1000 amp with onboard DSP. $175 on eBay.
I'd heard nothing about it on the forums I frequent, but figured the DSP would be basic but useful. However, when I downloaded the software and started playing with it, I was shocked at just how sophisticated it was.
As a pure EQ, it has more power and flexibility than the BFD and the DCX. It also much more than the dbx units. 18 different PEQ bands for a start. Even better, it has numerous ways to do shelving filters. The DCX can do 6dB or 12dB, but the Crown lets you choose from another half dozen slopes, or lets you create your own.
Plus it does crossovers of various typres, although here it doesn't have the flexibility of the DCX. It does have more than the dbx though.
And the HIQnet software is excellent.
All for $175 (used) and $400 new. With Crown's no-fault three year warranty.
Some may say the Crown lacks in sound quality, but I'm not one of them. In any case ridding yourself of anoth AD/DA is good.
Others may say that combining EQ in the amp leaves you at the mercy of breakdowns. But, as I said, my biggest beef with my Behringers has been their flakiness.
So I highly recommend checking the CDI's out. Certainly for simple sub and EQ duties. But I'm also wondering why three of them with crossovers activated couldn't replace my current DCX plus amp setup.
Looks like a cool idea, but when I look online I see them priced from $600 - $1100. You must have gotten an exceptional deal.
Thanks for all the info, and on the Crown CDI-1000 amp. Maybe the price is a little over than what you say (B-Stock Price: $502.00 USD) but not bad at all for an amp with onboard DSP. Very good technical info insight, for the (this) speaker forum.
Crown DSi 1000 Amplifiers ($833.00 USD)
http://www.djhardwares.com/crdsi10am.html
Europe (699,00 EUR)
http://server3.gs-shop.de/200/cgi-b...er=googlebase&PKEY=090D&Hauptseite=detail.htm
Steve, nice to know that you worked with the Focal drivers (and others) for your speakers. I didn't find technical stuff though, like your experience on the tech side, from your website; xovers, curves, measurements, simulations.
Crown DSi 1000 Amplifiers ($833.00 USD)
http://www.djhardwares.com/crdsi10am.html
Europe (699,00 EUR)
http://server3.gs-shop.de/200/cgi-b...er=googlebase&PKEY=090D&Hauptseite=detail.htm
Steve, nice to know that you worked with the Focal drivers (and others) for your speakers. I didn't find technical stuff though, like your experience on the tech side, from your website; xovers, curves, measurements, simulations.
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This looks quite cool alternative to DCX, but I see list price for the CDi-1000 as $1013. The XTi-1000 with similar functionality looks to be a bit less with street prices $400-500. Not sure what the differences are.
In the DIY arena there are some nice DSP chips on the market now. And they could be coupled with some of the digital input amps - many of which also have built in Bi-Quads.. Forum member Neil Davis knows all about this stuff and has built a good bit of it.
Certainly the wave of the future.
Certainly the wave of the future.
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