Jim Gregory

Here is what I found out from Auralic Aries forum: I have an Aries running the 6.0 firmware and it does indeed have a 20 band parametric equaliser. This includes peak/dip, high pass, low pass, band pass and band stop functions. There’s also a speaker placement compensation function, which allows you to compensate for situations where the left and right speakers are not equidistant to your listening position. Use REW to measure the room acoustic then apply change. The equalizer lays out a graph where you can can depict the y axis range as +/- 12db or +/- 24db. You then add points along the x axis, at each of the frequencies you want to adjust up or down. Each point you put down is placed in the middle of the frequency band that you want to adjust. You then specify the width of the band you want to adjust (the so called Q factor) and then specify the gain, + or -, in terms of dB’s.

Thanks Glens you are absolutely correct.

Hello dtel I read the Art CleanBox user manual. “Loop balanced outputs to balanced inputs to provide an inline unbalanced level / gain control.” I will use xlr balanced output connections from my Marchand Mid High (LF) Into the Art xlr balanced input connections then back out of the Art xlr balanced output connectors to the xlr balanced inputs of my amplifier. Does that sound correct ?

Dtel thank you for the Art Cleanbox Pro tip. I looked it up and that was originally the type of gain adjuster component I was hoping for. Nelson Pass under First Watt made a in-line component for adjusting the gain on mismatched amplifiers called the B2. Mark at RenoHifi said the B2 would solve my problem but First Watt didn’t make them anymore and I have been unsuccessful finding one for sale in the secondary market. I have gain matched using my Marchand Level adjustments but to do so I had to both boost the HF and attenuate the Mid High (LF) Level.

Thank You dtel I will look it up now. It seems I have a even bigger dilemma with figuring out a way to “response shape” the high frequency signals that are being sent to the constant directivity horn “ the Klipsch 402”. Glens has been very kind in trying to help me come up with a workable solution using my existing dac and crossover network.

One of the developers of the Auralic products is Xuanqian. He frequently answers technical questions in regards to Auralic products. You are correct that the Auralic Vega G2 is a streamer/dac and preamplifier. The Vega has no processing engine inside of it but it’s Brother the Auralic Aries G2 does. I am going to compose a message to Xuanqian in the Auralic community forum using the information / questions you have given me and will get back to you on his response. Thank you again Sir for your willingness to me.

Glens Thank You for taking the time to break down what to me is very technical information. I do understand some of what you are explaining but I will have to look up some of the terminology to really grasp the concept then put it all back together in order to have a cohesive understanding. I do think I get the bottom line, “if I don’t do something to “response shape” the high frequency signals that are being sent to the constant directivity horn “ the Klipsch 402” then I can not achieve the optimal potential sound quality the 402’s have to offer. I do not use any analog sources and do not plan to do so in the future. I only stream digitally. I only recently acquired a basic understanding of what Equalizing Frequencies means and considered measuring and application of Eq. And now having read your explanation above realize the necessity. I really believe digital software is the best path. But this was my problem and This may not be correct, but I was reluctant to put a digital Eq device “that converted the signal to analog” in front of my Vega G2 which is a much better DAC. I looked into an analog Eq component “Charter Oak “ but seemed to me to be more of a subjective approach. To further complicate matters I only use my iPad Pro with the Auralic Lightning DS app with Tidal as my music source. I do not mind spending some $ to accomplish the response shaping but I will need a lot of expert advice on how to best achieve a positive outcome. I really do appreciate you looking at my situation and your willingness the help a total stranger. You are obviously very educated in this field, however if my situation is more than you bargained for I completely understand. At this point I would love to fix the problems that I don’t even possess the knowledge to understand “lol”. Apologies for the lengthy explanations and I will continue to revisit your explanation on “phase shifting” till I can converse somewhat intelligently on the subject. Kind regards.

I am fairly confident that the equalization being adjusted through Lightning DS is digital then converted through the Auralic Vega G2 to Analog. I have quite a bit invested into the Marchand acoustical electronic crossover and right now happy with the results. Sorry, I do not have any knowledge on phase shifting so like many other aspects of this hobby I will have to find literature on the subject and attempt to educate myself. I do find these audio technicalities you guys discuss fascinating. I wish I knew where I could take a Audio course online that could guide me through this discipline. Thanks to kind folks like yourself I get help for my system and insight on new information to explore. Thank You for your help Sir.

Thank You for taking the time to help me out with my biamp situation. I am fairly new with all this and at times have a difficult time explaining myself clearly with the proper audio terminology Which is why I am hesitant to ask questions in this forum because you guys are really Smart and I have to do research to answer questions y’all ask me. Lol I did as you suggested, removing the RCA attenuators and adjusting the HF/LF on the Marchand going to each amplifier. It sounds wonderful !!! Auralic Aries will have Eq capabilities through the Lightning DS app. I will still need to use REW to take measurements. That will be my next step. Again greatly appreciate your help.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and suggestions. Cheers

Gain Normaly expressed in decibels, dB Power Gain (dB) = 10 Log 10 (RF Output Power / RF Input Power) Gain is defined as the ratio of the output power to the input power in dB. Assume that the input power is 10 mW (+10 dBm) and the output power is 1 W (1000 mW, +30 dBm). The ratio will be 1000/10 = 100, and the gain will be 10 * log 100 = 20 dB.

Thank You. I will take a look at this as well.

Just trying to gain match the amplifiers right now, later will attempt some EQing.

Thank You Sir. I will try that.

Appreciate the help.

The amps I used before also had adjustable gain controls. The Marchand has 12 position stepped attenuators @ 1 dB steps. I understood this to be for leveling volume. Have I misunderstood and this is control is for adjusting gain to the amplifier ?

I use a First Watt SIT3 “11.5 dB gain” for the HF (Klipsch K402 w 3” Radian 760 drivers) and a pair of Pass Labs Aleph 2 “20 dB gain” for the LF (Klipsch 904 w k45k drivers) Use Marchand XM44-4 for crossovers. Path is Auralic Vega G2 … Marchand… HF SIT3 … LF Aleph 2. Called Mark at Renohifi and at his suggestion contacted Kent English at Pass Labs. Kent suggested I try Harrison Labs RCA signal path attenuators “metal film resistors”. Put a pair of -3dB at connection to SIT3 and -12dB at connection to Aleph 2. (they do not make -9dB attenuators otherwise I could have installed one pair to Aleph 2). It works really well but would like to use balanced connections to the Aleph 2. Any suggestions or other reasonable alternatives to gain balance the amps is greatly appreciated.

Congrats on the Nice pair of new RELs I read the very impressive spec sheet. I use a older pair of REL Stentor II in my setup.

Dave I am running 2 Danley dts 10’s (just babies in comparison to your monsters) but I have had some fun finding music infused with low frequencies. I know probably not your kind of music, but for some room shaking lows check out : Linkin Park Frgt/10 Question: I using a Behringer NX6000D with dsp amp. Would you recommend a different amp ?

That is truly remarkable Dave. I know how you love pipe organ music. Congratulations and I hope you enjoy the experience that only this type of setup can offer you. Job well done Sir.

I will be happy to post photos and a review. But you have to understand I have only 2 years experience in the audio world and my current amplifier set up is a Parasound JC 2 and a pair of Parasound Halo A21’s. I do not have any experience with any other preamp or amplifiers. I’ll do my best. Jim

Thank You. Great to know I just sent Mark a email.

Thank You I will contact them tomorrow. I feel the worst that can happen is I don’t like it with my system (slim chance) but if so I can resale and try another option.

I think now after a little research, want to try for a S3 first, then settle for another opinion later. Thanks for the lead on the 0’s though.

Does Reno have a S3 in stock ?