Is DEQX a game changer?

Hi Al ...anything to report?

Bruce, no, as it turned out I didn't get a chance to re-do the speaker measurements this week. And I've got a number of other things scheduled for the next several days. So it might be another week or so before I'm able to do the measurements.

Meanwhile, though, the HDP-5 continues to please just as a preamp and DAC upgrade, used in either bypass mode or with the one fairly conservative speaker correction profile I indicated early on was superior to the others.

Best regards,
-- Al

Al,

Logically, I should probably try going "sans" Ref 5 SE (linestage) too and solo it with the PreMATE as my preamp (like you). But I can't bear to part with my beloved ARC gear. I think ... but am admittedly not sure ... that inserting the Ref 5 SE into the signal path does little harm. So it stays.

At some point, my speaker curiosity may get the better of me, but for now I am standing down on that upgrade. I have no way of meaningfully and reliably making a decision unless a dealer is willing to permit a home audition. And even then, I'd have to reconfigure my PreMATE. Too much of a PITA. So, I'm holding where I am for now.

Maybe ... I'll take a run up to John Rutan's shop in Verona, NJ and do some serious listening to a pair of Vandy Quatro CTs. Anything larger will not fit in my basement. I'm thinking about Vandies because they are purportedly time coherent. Also, Johnny R is an ARC dealer and can hook an ARC amp to the Quattros to effect a better sound comparison. And, I've read very good reports on the Vandy CT (carbon fiber) tweeter.

Anyway ... just my late Saturday night ramblings.

Looking forward to reading an updated report when you get a chance to turn back to your HDP-5.

Regards.

BIF

Hi Bruce,

The Quatro CT does seem intriguing to me, with respect to your circumstances. Presumably there would be no need with it to go to the trouble of doing speaker calibrations with the DEQX, and of course doing room corrections is a much simpler process that does not involve moving the speakers. Also, I would think you could do away with the sub you are using. So there would be some nice simplifications, albeit for significant $.

On the other hand, though, JA's measurements of the earlier version of the Quatro raise some caution flags in my mind, starting with the sensitivity measurement that is significantly lower than specified.

Best regards,
-- Al

Yeah Al,

I see what you mean. Not too concerned about sensitivity. My amp is pretty muscular. Also, the low end uses a self powered woofer which should take heat off the amp.

Some of the other measurements raise yellow flags for me as well. That said, the DEQX might be able to smooth out some the Quatros' FR aberrations. I wonder how the Quatro CT specs out??

I surmise that "real audiophiles" might say, "ignore the specs; use your ear." Not sure I buy 100% to that position.

In any case, let us know how you make out.

Regards,

BIF