I have been using a QSC Basis 922az to convert my 3 way stand mount speakers to active. I was able to get two of these very old models on Ebay. The second one is now starting fail and I've been looking for a replacement. I can't find a reasonably priced replacement QSC currently listed on Ebay so I'm looking for other options. The miniDSP Flex 8 would work but it doesn't have analog inputs and is $600.00 and I would still need to add an analog to digital converter to use it. I found the new Peavy VSX 26e being sold for $400.00 to $450.00 but I have no experience with any Peavey products. It is a 2 input 6 output balanced device and would do everything I need. Has anyone had any experience with Peavy products that they would like to share? Any other reasonably priced options you might recommend? Here is a link to the Peavy in question.
https://peavey.com/vsx-26e-dsp-based-loudspeaker-management-system/p/04000110
https://peavey.com/vsx-26e-dsp-based-loudspeaker-management-system/p/04000110
I have a MiniDSP Eight, which yes, does not have analogue inputs. I modified my CD player to create a digital out, and all my other devices already had digital out.
My MiniDSP Eight replaces a dbx DriveRack PA+, which I am about to put on Craigslist and eBay. It is equivalent to the Peavy.
The dbx DriveRack PA+, PA2, 260, and 360 all have similar core functionality. The interface probably improves as they become newer.
Be aware they do not have a volume control.
My MiniDSP Eight replaces a dbx DriveRack PA+, which I am about to put on Craigslist and eBay. It is equivalent to the Peavy.
The dbx DriveRack PA+, PA2, 260, and 360 all have similar core functionality. The interface probably improves as they become newer.
Be aware they do not have a volume control.
My last Basis 922 is failing and the Peavy is on back order till late November so I started looking for options in the $500.00 dollar range for a 2 in 4 out solution. First I looked putting together something from Wondom parts. Then I found the Analog Devices EVAL-ADAU1452REVBZ evaluation kit. Lastly I looked at the dbx DriveRack PA2 but it was $565.00 which is over my budget after adding XLR to RCA cables. Then I got lucky and found a DriveRack PA2 B-Stock on the Harman site for $395.00 with free shipping so I bought it. Here is how I made my decision based on features and price. I used Sigma Studio and the VSX 26e DSP Processor Editor V1.0 to create configurations to see if I can match my QSC configuration. Using Sigma Studio I was disappointed with the lack of features such as graphic EQ, 3rd order filters and delay options. I did like the flexibility to build my own designs though.
Total price ~$400.00 with cables and connectors plus shipping from China
Pros
Cheap
diy
Cons
Dubious quality
No Ethernet management
USBi requires hot plugging to reconfigure
Single configuration
Won't work, APM2 can't drive the the Wondom I2S DAC
Sigma Studio limitations with a 1701 dsp
Total price ~$450.00 with cables, connectors and other parts plus shipping
Pros
Comes with power supply and USBi card
diy
4 Analog inputs 8 analog outputs
Stereo S/PDIF input and output
Available from Mouser, Newark, etc.
Cons
No specifications for the board, just on the various chips are available
No Ethernet management
USBi requires hot plugging to reconfigure
Single configuration
Won't work, AMP2 can't drive the the Wondom I2S DAC
Sigma Studio limitations with a 1452 dsp
Total price ~$510.00 with cables plus shipping
Pros
Commercial product with Warranty
2 Analog inputs 6 analog outputs
Ethernet management
Multiple configurations
Cons
No graphic equalizer
Back ordered
No Auto Eq (I wasn't looking for this, but so folks are)
Total price ~$450.00 with cables (B-Stock)
Pros
Commercial product with Warranty
2 Analog inputs 6 analog outputs
Ethernet management
Multiple configurations
graphic equalizer
Auto Eq (I wasn't looking for this, but so folks are)
Cons
I will find out after I get it.
Wondom APM2 + I2S ADC and DAC cards
Total price ~$400.00 with cables and connectors plus shipping from China
Pros
Cheap
diy
Cons
Dubious quality
No Ethernet management
USBi requires hot plugging to reconfigure
Single configuration
Won't work, APM2 can't drive the the Wondom I2S DAC
Sigma Studio limitations with a 1701 dsp
EVAL-ADAU1452REVBZ
Total price ~$450.00 with cables, connectors and other parts plus shipping
Pros
Comes with power supply and USBi card
diy
4 Analog inputs 8 analog outputs
Stereo S/PDIF input and output
Available from Mouser, Newark, etc.
Cons
No specifications for the board, just on the various chips are available
No Ethernet management
USBi requires hot plugging to reconfigure
Single configuration
Won't work, AMP2 can't drive the the Wondom I2S DAC
Sigma Studio limitations with a 1452 dsp
Peavy VSX 26E
Total price ~$510.00 with cables plus shipping
Pros
Commercial product with Warranty
2 Analog inputs 6 analog outputs
Ethernet management
Multiple configurations
Cons
No graphic equalizer
Back ordered
No Auto Eq (I wasn't looking for this, but so folks are)
dbx DriveRack PA2
Total price ~$450.00 with cables (B-Stock)
Pros
Commercial product with Warranty
2 Analog inputs 6 analog outputs
Ethernet management
Multiple configurations
graphic equalizer
Auto Eq (I wasn't looking for this, but so folks are)
Cons
I will find out after I get it.
Hi mtidge, i very much don't mean to be insensitive to the budget constraints we all face.
It's just I've come the accept the wisdom in an old live-sound saying about gear purchases... "Buy once, and cry only once."
I've seen a bunch of Core110fs go for around $1200, and a few sell for under a thousand. No single audio purchase has come close to helping me learn more about DIY speaker building and achieve excellent results. (when combined with measurement programs like REW, OpenSoundMeter, Smaart, ARTA etc.)
It's more than just a processor, when you see what all it can do.
It's just I've come the accept the wisdom in an old live-sound saying about gear purchases... "Buy once, and cry only once."
I've seen a bunch of Core110fs go for around $1200, and a few sell for under a thousand. No single audio purchase has come close to helping me learn more about DIY speaker building and achieve excellent results. (when combined with measurement programs like REW, OpenSoundMeter, Smaart, ARTA etc.)
It's more than just a processor, when you see what all it can do.
I received the dbx Drive rack PA2. I Spent an hour or so figuring out the PA2 Control application. Here are my first impressions in no particular order.
Here it sitting in its new home.
- Mark100's opinion is spot on, the QCS is vastly for configurable and I wish I was willing to spend more and get one.
- It doesn't have Bessel crossovers or any way to make a custom slope.
- The delay has 20uS steps which limits my ability to precisely time align my drivers
- The two items listed above made me give up on creating a Harsch crossover, so I just made an LR24 and called it a day
- I love the AutoEQ, this made up for all the things it lacks vs. the old QSC it replaced.
Here it sitting in its new home.
Wait, what?
You passed on my offer of a DriveRack for $150, and bought one for $450? Sigh.
Anyway, I'm pleased you like it.
If and when you (or other readers) get upgradeitis and look at the MiniDSP Flex, I think the Dirac Live is not needed, which currently saves $200. [It can be purchased later with no price penalty compared to buying it with the MiniDSP]
I have a MiniDSP Flex Eight and use it with the free software REW to flatten frequency response and time-align drivers, and with the free software RePhase to phase correct the drivers. Both those software do need a hands-on approach, and comfort with charts, but hey, this is DiyAudio, right?!
My understanding of Dirac Live is it automates those processes, which saves time, but takes the fun out of it.
You passed on my offer of a DriveRack for $150, and bought one for $450? Sigh.
Anyway, I'm pleased you like it.
If and when you (or other readers) get upgradeitis and look at the MiniDSP Flex, I think the Dirac Live is not needed, which currently saves $200. [It can be purchased later with no price penalty compared to buying it with the MiniDSP]
I have a MiniDSP Flex Eight and use it with the free software REW to flatten frequency response and time-align drivers, and with the free software RePhase to phase correct the drivers. Both those software do need a hands-on approach, and comfort with charts, but hey, this is DiyAudio, right?!
My understanding of Dirac Live is it automates those processes, which saves time, but takes the fun out of it.
I passed up your DriveRack because I wanted the ethernet interface. I passed on the Flex 8 because I need analog inputs. I use Dirac Live on an NAD AVR and there is no way I could get the same results manually in this life time. That is of course on a 5.1 system and not simply a 2 channel 3-way system.
You are absolutely correct. I have looked at so many DSP options I have lost count. None have everything I'm looking for at a price I'm willing to pay. Until I ran the AutoEQ on the dbx I was ready to send it back and reconnect the original passive XO I originally designed. I bought into active based on what I have read forums,. I like the flexibility but the statement that I see over and over again that active is the same price or less than passive is not true for me. I employed used equipment and still it has cost more than the passives. Here is the history of my quest.
Phase 1 - Passive $219.00
Phase 2 - Active Used
8 channel Amp $100.00 plus 100 mile drive
QSC Basis 922 $125.00
Emotiva PreAmp $100.00
Cables, connectors ~ $100.00
Total $425.00 plus
Phase 3 -Active QSC failed
QSC Basis 922 $150.0
Running total $575.00
Phase 4 Active lack of 12V trigger and noisy fan.
DIY sequencer and fan controller $250.00
Running total $825.00
Phase 5 - 2nd QSC failed
dbx and new cables $450.00
Running total $1275.00
Gotta love DiY.
Phase 1 - Passive $219.00
Phase 2 - Active Used
8 channel Amp $100.00 plus 100 mile drive
QSC Basis 922 $125.00
Emotiva PreAmp $100.00
Cables, connectors ~ $100.00
Total $425.00 plus
Phase 3 -Active QSC failed
QSC Basis 922 $150.0
Running total $575.00
Phase 4 Active lack of 12V trigger and noisy fan.
DIY sequencer and fan controller $250.00
Running total $825.00
Phase 5 - 2nd QSC failed
dbx and new cables $450.00
Running total $1275.00
Gotta love DiY.
At the risk of doing myself out of a sale, if you're bi-amping, I'd nudge you towards the MiniDSP 2x4HD, pus a MiniDSP UMIK-1 mic, and use them with the free REW and RePhase softwares.
The PA+ is one of the very few tri-amp solutions with room & speaker correction