AudioSmile - Behringer Modification, DEQ2496

AudioSmile Modifications for the Behringer DEQ2496

The DEQ2496 is an affordable digital equaliser with the ability to help correct room issues in the modal range (<250Hz). For the best performance most users operate it with the digital input and an external DAC. However, with the right changes, the DEQ2496 is itself capable of very high quality sound. In fact, we recommend this unit for use as a high quality DAC in its own right, with the added benefit of room correction.

The 'dynamics' menu of the DEQ allows it to act as a digital volume control with -30dB of attenuation (0.5dB steps) so that it can be connected directly to a power-amp. Due to the 24bit ADC and DAC this volume control can be performed without loosing a single drop of resolution from a 16bit CD.

The Standard Input / Output Stage is the main bottleneck in the quality of the DEQ2496 and other similar Behringer products. As everyone knows, the more components a signal goes though, the more it is degraded. So, it is understandable that the sound quality is not at its best when the high quality signal from the DAC chip has to pass through as many as three low quality op-amps (small amplifiers) and a large number of other low grade components before it can reach the output. (see circuit left)

In modification, the entire standard output stage is removed from the signal path. The audio signal is then taken directly from the output of the high quality DAC chip and passes through only one resistor (with a capacitor in parallel) and a single transformer per channel. The components used are of the highest quality - the transformers are made in England specifically for audio use, the resistors are 0.1% high tolerance and the capacitors are high grade polypropylene. These changes improve every aspect of the sound.

AudioSmile now offer similar modifications for the analog inputs. By replacing the analog input circuit with high quality transformers coupled directly to the ADC chip, the DEQ becomes incredibly transparent, and could be used with the best turntables or other analog sources.

The Power Supply is the next weakest link in the DEQ2496. Switch-mode power supplies as found in the DEQ, emit high frequency switching noise which can contaminate the purity of the power and leak in to the audio signal. Making matters worse in stock form, critical sections of the DAC, ADC and Input Receiver chip (affects jitter) are run from a completely unregulated line shared with the electrically noisy DSP chips.

To remedy this, AudioSmile add LC filtering to the output of the critical supply lines, greatly reducing transient high frequency switching noise. The digital sections of the DAC and ADC and the analog section of the Input Receiver are isolated from the standard supply and each fitted with separate regulated supplies powered from the new filtered PSU outputs.

Recommendations for compatibility:

Source impedance feeding the analog modified inputs should be <1K ohms.

Load impedance being driven by the analog modified outputs should be >10K ohms.

Cost:

A brand new...

DEQ2496 with PSU, input and output mods £479 inc.VAT

DEQ2496 with PSU and either input or output mods £399 inc. VAT

Send us your unit...

PSU, input and output mods £278 inc. VAT

PSU, input or output mods £198 inc. VAT

(VAT on brand new modified unit, is chargeable only to EU customers. VAT on modification services only, is applicable to all customers)

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During modification all attempt is made to keep stored settings. All rear connectors are retained, with floating balanced output via XLR and single ended outputs available by shorting XLR pin 3 to ground. The unit even gains a lovely solid bronze AudioSmile badge to show it is an upgraded unit :) These modifications are not available as a kit with instructions.