Avantgarde Acoustic UNO XD: Faultless Furnishing

[nicoludio]

I've not really got to grips with XD software yet, but as I understand it, it is not an extra processing stage, more a tone adjustment system and therefore shouldn't spoil the life and sparkle of Avantgardes. So, I plan to use Dirac to measure but XD to adjust. Certainly I prefer Dirac filters off.

It’s never really been highlighted by AG but it is an analog to digital conversion, DSP-ed, followed by a digital to analog conversion.

But only for bass / signals fed to the powered woofers.

Similar to what AG uses for the Zero XD but more sophisticated and powerful.

 

[Hear Here]

It’s never really been highlighted by AG but it is an analog to digital conversion, DSP-ed, followed by a digital to analog conversion.

But only for bass / signals fed to the powered woofers.

Similar to what AG uses for the Zero XD but more sophisticated and powerful.

I had assumed that this may be the case, but I believe with XD (unlike most other DSPs) the signal has no additional processing in its path resulting from XD. In other words, the signal for the bass is ALWAYS converted twice whether XD is adjusted not Do you think I'm right in this assumption?

I assume also that the signal for the bass section is always first digitised, then a digital crossover weeds out the higher frequencies and the bass is manipulated as set by XD before being converted back to analogue. This seems to be the case as one can choose the crossover type (Bessel, Butterworth, etc) and its slope which couldn't be done in an analogue XO. It also means that there should be zero deterioration of the signal. Peter

 

[nicoff]

....
I assume also that the signal for the bass section is always first digitised, then a digital crossover weeds out the higher frequencies and the bass is manipulated as set by XD before being converted back to analogue. This seems to be the case as one can choose the crossover type (Bessel, Butterworth, etc) and its slope which couldn't be done in an analogue XO. It also means that there should be zero deterioration of the signal. Peter

From what I have read, my assumption is that the entire analog signal is being digitized internally (ADC). Then DSP is applied to a portion of that digital data (the lower frequencies). The digital data is then converted back to analog.

There is a paradox here in my view. Some purist would consider anathema to mess around with the analog signal that they have carefully generated using a fancy turntable and cartridge, an expensive preamp, plus cables/interconnects and other equipment. Yet here is a top notch speaker company that has successfully altered that fully analog signal by first converting it to digital, then applying DSP and converting it back to analog. The result being an improvement in the sound heard by the listeners. There are many ways to skin a cat, and this example reinforces my view that when used judiciously today's digital tools allow the listener to affordably improve the quality of the sound in ways that were not possible before.

 

[Hear Here]

From what I have read, my assumption is that the entire analog signal is being digitized internally (ADC). Then DSP is applied to a portion of that digital data (the lower frequencies). The digital data is then converted back to analog.

There is a paradox here in my view. Some purist would consider anathema to mess around with the analog signal that they have carefully generated using a fancy turntable and cartridge, an expensive preamp, plus cables/interconnects and other equipment. Yet here is a top notch speaker company that has successfully altered that fully analog signal by first converting it to digital, then applying DSP and converting it back to analog. The result being an improvement in the sound heard by the listeners. There are many ways to skin a cat, and this example reinforces my view that when used judiciously today's digital tools allow the listener to affordably improve the quality of the sound in ways that were not possible before.

I don't think the top and mid frequency sections are digitiesed - only the bass that is digitised, amplified with a digital amp, converted to analogue and sent to the bass drivers. I'm confident in that belief because the speaker cable goes to the mid horn and there's certainly no DAC / ADC there to manipulate the sound. Likewise I'm sure the top end is not digitised. It's only the bass that is digitised so those who shudder at the mention of digitising shold rest easy! Peter

 

[puroagave]

From what I have read, my assumption is that the entire analog signal is being digitized internally (ADC). Then DSP is applied to a portion of that digital data (the lower frequencies). The digital data is then converted back to analog.

There is a paradox here in my view. Some purist would consider anathema to mess around with the analog signal that they have carefully generated using a fancy turntable and cartridge, an expensive preamp, plus cables/interconnects and other equipment. Yet here is a top notch speaker company that has successfully altered that fully analog signal by first converting it to digital, then applying DSP and converting it back to analog. The result being an improvement in the sound heard by the listeners. There are many ways to skin a cat, and this example reinforces my view that when used judiciously today's digital tools allow the listener to affordably improve the quality of the sound in ways that were not possible before.

Your assertion is incorrect. The main horn and treble horn are direct connected to the amp output and never gets near a digital meat grinder. The low bass input takes the signal at a high level (from power amp). That signal passes through an A/D to D/A conversion for the DSP. Depending on model the XD series has a built in 500-1000 w class-d amp driving the bass woofers.

 

[mep]

There are many ways to skin a cat...

And the cats don’t like any of them.

 

[Ritmo]

:lol:

 

[nicoff]

And the cats don’t like any of them.

Agree!! Or maybe some cats are in denial!