active external crossovers

soundfreak1

I am biamping my system and am looking at options for external xovers. Anyone else doing this and what xovers are you using and differences between various offerings. Have used a rane a23 in the past and looking for better or other suggustions. Thanks.

BlueMDPicker

Check out Marchand.

soundfreak1

I looked at their site and the adjacent xovers were beyond my budget.

[Deleted User]

There are these:
http://www.parts-express.com/cat/active-crossovers/581?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=A_Cats_B&utm_group=active-crossovers_581_B

soundfreak1

Finding a variety of units and pricing isn't an issue. Just trying to get some input on brands in current use and feedback on users experiences with them.

[Deleted User]

While it's been quite a few years since I operated a bi-amped or tri-amped system I venture that all of those crossovers, I listed above, sound pretty limited and would negate any of the advantages gained from this approach.
The best one to try and find would be the vintage Pioneer SF-850 crossover which show up on eBay fairly regularly. In all likelihood the only thing needed would be to clean the level adjustment pots. If you're at all handy the power supply and coupling caps could be updated. In terms of versatility and sound character the Pioneer is going to beat anything less than the Marchand.
I've used the venerable Sony TA-4300F in the past with fine results, but that could be harder to find. There was a Pioneer Series 20 crossover which was excellent but impossible to find.
Then there's always Audio Research crossovers, but they're selling for more now then when they were new. Classic vintage gear will be the one to think about.

FTGV

I have a Bryston 10B LR and several diy'ed units I have built from various blank PC boards depending upon specfic needs.I also have a DSP based Mini DSP 2x4.While not the sonic equal of my pure analog units it is by far the the most versatile.The cost of admission is very low and fun factor is high and a good way to get your feet wet in the active crossover bi-amping game. https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-2x4

soundfreak1

I've been biamp ed for about 1 year or so with the krell, Mac 2120 and the rane and have been amazed with the improvement in the bass impact, I am going to a lot more power and dampin in with a bigger amp to replace the mac so I thought an improvement in xovers was in order. Would prefer vintage if I can find one as I have a fantastic tech to do any upgrades needed of wanted.I will ck out the suggustions you mentions but I know the Bryson is way out of the ballpark $wise ( I've seen them in the thousands I believe.)

soundfreak1

Will mention that since I'm using RTA12c's for the mid and highs I've left their internal xovers alone and just send about 1k and above to them from the krell amp ( which I think they do a good job with) 1k and below has been sent to a separate pair of JBL L123a's (12" drivers out of the old L100 century speakers) in their own cabinets curently driven with the 2120 mac amp. This amp will be replaced with a 200+ watt adcom 555ii witch I feel will add a lot more "punch" over the mac. The rane has been doing fine (however I have no reference point to compare with other xovers as it is the only one I've used so far) but I know I can improve here easily. Just inexpiereanced with other choices of xovers to choose from.

erniejade

I have had a rane ac22 for years. I use it in my dj rig. Mine is the xlr version. Its surprisingly quiet.

If you want something that does more for a reasonable amout also check out dbx pa2 or venus. Otherwise more on the home end might wind up costing a bit more.

[Deleted User]

Here's information on the Pioneer Series 20 equipment including the crossover:

http://www.thevintageknob.org/pioneer-Series_20.html

soundfreak1

KennethSwauger wrote: »

While it's been quite a few years since I operated a bi-amped or tri-amped system I venture that all of those crossovers, I listed above, sound pretty limited and would negate any of the advantages gained from this approach.
The best one to try and find would be the vintage Pioneer SF-850 crossover which show up on eBay fairly regularly. In all likelihood the only thing needed would be to clean the level adjustment pots. If you're at all handy the power supply and coupling caps could be updated. In terms of versatility and sound character the Pioneer is going to beat anything less than the Marchand.
I've used the venerable Sony TA-4300F in the past with fine results, but that could be harder to find. There was a Pioneer Series 20 crossover which was excellent but impossible to find.
Then there's always Audio Research crossovers, but they're selling for more now then when they were new. Classic vintage gear will be the one to think about.

Thanks Ken those pioneers look beautiful, but the 850 appears to be a 3 way.

txcoastal1

soundfreak1 wrote: »

KennethSwauger wrote: »

While it's been quite a few years since I operated a bi-amped or tri-amped system I venture that all of those crossovers, I listed above, sound pretty limited and would negate any of the advantages gained from this approach.
The best one to try and find would be the vintage Pioneer SF-850 crossover which show up on eBay fairly regularly. In all likelihood the only thing needed would be to clean the level adjustment pots. If you're at all handy the power supply and coupling caps could be updated. In terms of versatility and sound character the Pioneer is going to beat anything less than the Marchand.
I've used the venerable Sony TA-4300F in the past with fine results, but that could be harder to find. There was a Pioneer Series 20 crossover which was excellent but impossible to find.
Then there's always Audio Research crossovers, but they're selling for more now then when they were new. Classic vintage gear will be the one to think about.

Thanks Ken those pioneers look beautiful, but the 850 appears to be a 3 way.

Each crossover has the same frequency cut off selections

http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/pioneer/sf-850.shtml

[Deleted User]

Here's the owner's manual:

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/908286/Pioneer-Sf-850.html?page=4#manual

You can use it as either a 2-way or 3-way crossover, it has three selectable crossover slopes as well as the ability to adjust the crossover frequencies. They recognized the need for low phase distortion and low harmonic distortion and high signal/noise ratio.

soundfreak1

Thanks ken. Very cool looking unit.

[Deleted User]

If you've been a really good boy this year, you could ask Santa for one of these:

https://passlabs.com/products/preamplifiers/speciality/xvr-1

soundfreak1

Nice, don't think I've ever been that good. LOL

[Deleted User]

Me neither...!

soundfreak1

If I ever get what I deserve, God help me!

soundfreak1

It looks as I will have to keep the rane for a while longer (as I figured) it sees the cost to "up grade" is going to be substantial apparently. Crap! LOL.

GlennDog

KennethSwauger wrote: »

If you've been a really good boy this year, you could ask Santa for one of these:

https://passlabs.com/products/preamplifiers/speciality/xvr-1

Howdy Freak,

Wondering if you ever made a move on the active XO . . .

There's one local and I'm debating if I wanna work that hard (and spend that much $$) for nirvana

Rock On!

soundfreak1

Yes I got lucky and found a vintage Nakimichi EC 100 with external powere supply. I had it recaped and rechiped. Fantastic sound.

GlennDog

soundfreak1 wrote: »

Yes I got lucky and found a vintage Nakimichi EC 100 with external powere supply. I had it recaped and rechiped. Fantastic sound.

ok!
All-in-all ... was it/is it worth the effort dialing it in?
It appears to take a lot of patience i.e. trial and error

TIA for your input!

soundfreak1

No problem "dialing it in as you just set the crossover point (according to your speakers) and balancing gain output by volume. Easy peasie

mhardy6647

I've been thinking (as much as I ever actually think about anything when it comes to hifi) lately about active crossovers myself, though I still know next to nothing about them.

The Rane XOs get good press.

One of the local vacuum tube hifi gurus says (very) nice things about the Electrovoice (pro audio, of course) XOs. There were several models, and apparently they can be a bit confusing, but as I understand it they are quite configurable (although some DIY may be required). One model was the EV XEQ-2 (two way, methinks), which, according to the aforementioned guru, was a rebranded Altec component.

http://alteclansingunofficial.nlenet.net/proelectronics/prosignalprocessing/1631A-Manual.pdf

These offer (again, according to said guru) "time delay for driver alignment, totally configurable crossover points, slopes, and horn eq, and pretty neat bass sculpting."


borrowed image from www.hifido.co.jp

EV manual at: http://www.electrovoice.com/binary/XEQ-2_Engineering_Data_Sheet.pdf

I'll be honest: cheapskate that I am, I've thought (more than once) about buying one of the truly cheap Behringer 2- or 3- way stereo XOs

A final "thought" (I really shouldn't even pretend to know anything about this subject!) -- my impression is that any of the vintage "brand name" consumer XOs, on the used (eBAY!) market are outrageously expensive. Many of the big names offered 'em, but they are uncommon and collectable. I also wonder how good they really are (independent of pretty high-end components like the Series20 Pioneer line Ken mentioned).