Xda -> effect -> compact speakers

[jannick]

Hi

In my current setup I have an onkyo 805 playing preamp for a RPA-2 which drives a pair of Dali Helicon Mk 2 (dali.dk/display_content.php/INT/speakers.html/173/1003). I'm really hooked on the idea of letting a XDA-1 handle preamp duty by putting it directly in front of the RPA-2.

My concern is, if this can only be done with fullrange/floor speakers, or in other words, if my dali's would take damage if they receive all frequencies? The EQ in the onkyo detects the speakers as "large", so I guess they are driven with a widd selection of frequencies already. Any way to make sure that using the xda isnt a bad idea? ;D

[sanjaygolf]

I think you'll be just fine. You have a 6.5" woofer which is on the large side for woofers and they are rated down to (+/- 3db) 37 Hz. You're not gonna find much music that goes down that low.

[CrazyBlue]

I had this same question about the ERM 6.2. It rolls off at 80hz. I assume feeding it a full-range signal is a bad idea...

[roadrunner]

Sept 21, 2010 17:13:07 GMT -5 jannick said:

Hi

In my current setup I have an onkyo 805 playing preamp for a RPA-2 which drives a pair of Dali Helicon Mk 2 (dali.dk/display_content.php/INT/speakers.html/173/1003). I'm really hooked on the idea of letting a XDA-1 handle preamp duty by putting it directly in front of the RPA-2.

My concern is, if this can only be done with fullrange/floor speakers, or in other words, if my dali's would take damage if they receive all frequencies? The EQ in the onkyo detects the speakers as "large", so I guess they are driven with a widd selection of frequencies already. Any way to make sure that using the xda isnt a bad idea? ;D

Jannick

The reason you would want to use the XDA with full range speakers is because it has no bass management abilitity, thus you cannot count on using a sub woofer to compensate for lack of low-end frequency response. The XDA is said to have better sound quality than the USP-1, but the drawback of using the XDA-1 in place of the USP-1 is that the XDA lacks bass management and HT Bypass switching... not to mention its lack of a phono stage and a headphone amp.

Both the XDA-1 and the USP-1 have a lot to offer. You just have to keep in mind the relative strengths and weaknesses that each offers. You should pick the "tool" that best fits the job you need done.

[CrazyBlue]

My plan is to start with the XDA-1 and add the XSP-1 (same output stage that Lonnie raved about in the XDA-1) at a later date if I find it necessary. I don't plan on adding anything else but a second sub once this system is set up and wouldn't strictly need it, but I can't help thinking that even full-range monitors would sing all the better with everything below 50-60hz filtered off and sent to the sub(s). So there would possibly be a noticeable improvement in SQ. Whether that would justify an additional $800 investment would have to be heard to determine.

[tmac7676]

So if the XDA has no bass management built into the unit then can I use a sub woofer when listening to music or would it be just strictly for 2 channel sound then? If I can't use my sub with the XDA then I guess I will have to pass on this sadly. I do not listen to music without using a sub as well as the main speakers for the low end.

[monkumonku]

Sept 22, 2010 15:34:06 GMT -5 tmac7676 said:

So if the XDA has no bass management built into the unit then can I use a sub woofer when listening to music or would it be just strictly for 2 channel sound then? If I can't use my sub with the XDA then I guess I will have to pass on this sadly. I do not listen to music without using a sub as well as the main speakers for the low end.

From what I understand there is no bass management, only the normal two channel outputs. That's why you would have to have an intermediary product that has bass management such as the USP-1 or the forthcoming XSP-1.

[jannick]

Thanks for the answers. Wil defintly get an xda-1 then, and then hopefully expand with an xps-1 and a sub in the future.

[CrazyBlue]

Or use high-level (speaker) connections on the sub. Or, on some subs, use line-in (RCA) from XDA-1 to sub, set crossover to desired settings, and use line-out to amps, which will then only amplify frequencies above your crossover setting.

Provided your sub has these connections that is.

Hope this helps.

[CrazyBlue]

Doh!

The XDA-1 has both balanced and RCA outs and they're both active at the same time. I called to verify.

So, if your amp(s) or sub(s) have balanced inputs, you can send the same signal to both, one XLR and one RCA. Run your speakers full range and cross the sub over at their roll-off point. 2.1 with XDA-1 as pre, without degrading the signal.

Don't know why it took me so long to catch that. Must have been having a Homer moment.