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Author Topic: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260  (Read 40785 times)

Jens Droessler

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #40 on: April 16, 2007, 06:33:15 PM »

I have (amongst other devices) 6 Behringer UltraDrives now in my rigs. I replaced all analogue crossovers with them. The only thing I had was frying egg syndrome on two of them, which was easy to fix. I also installed many many of them, no problems so far.
One thing: They tend to dislike 96kHz AES/EBU input. Going back to 48kHz input (which will be upsampled internally, so you still got the benefit of higher quality processing and D/A converting (that's where the high sample rate is most useful!).

Converting SPDIF to AES/EBU won't hurt the signal at all. The data stream is compatible, only some additonal flags are present with AES/EBU. The main difference is that AES/EBU is a differential/balanced signal. In fact you don't need to convert coax SPDIF (like from the DJM800) to AES/EBU for the Behringer. It will accept SPDIF!

The third input being also for the aligning feature is not a problem, as you will use it only ONCE per setup. After that you replace the mic with a line signal XLR.

The AutoEQ functions of any hardware device I know (including Behringer UltraCURVE, DR PA and some more) won't work inside rooms that well. If you use it to create setups outside, in a non-reverbant area, it can work really well.... But IMO this is not a feature to look for. A graphic EQ is probably the worst thing you can use to 'tune' a system in the first place. It is ok to draw or push some faders to 'make the room sounding good', but it's NOT a tool to make the speakers sound good. It's a big difference. Parametric EQs are more gentile to the overall performance and much more precise for tailoring response.
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Robert Fielder

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #41 on: April 17, 2007, 09:21:50 AM »

James Duncan wrote on Sat, 14 April 2007 12:02

Plus, I think it is obviously much more convenient to have the ref mic input on the front panel like DBX, Peavey, and others do. This saves having to dig around in the back of the rack to plug in the ref mic when needed.

Depends on how you wire your rack.

The Raxxess S16U is inexpensive, easy to use, and would allow you to have the mic at either the front or back of the rack, easily accessible. XLR connectors and cable is easy to get and easy to put together.

I have one on order so I can put an extra mic, two USB, one Firewire, and two RCA connectors on the front of my rack. Only for stuff that is used occasionally - and you don't want to have to dig around to get the stuff plugged in.
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Robert Fielder
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Robert Fielder

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #42 on: April 17, 2007, 09:52:26 AM »

Interesting comments on the Peavy VSX, and on Behringer.

I agree with the posts about Behringer making crap - but do not agree that all Behringer products are crap. They make some stuff that is OK.

Three that I have used and been impressed with are the CX2310 crossover, FCA202 firewire audio interface, and as of this past Saturday, the DCX2496.

The DCX2496 sounded good, did what I needed, and was moderatly easy to figure out and set up. I have used a DRPA several times, and would prefer the user interface on the DCX2496.

Audio quality was excellent - even raising the levels on the DCX2496 did not create any of the value-added background noise that Behringer is famous for. I did get compliments for my sound, both for music reproduction and for the clairity of vocals on the mics.

I also looked at the control software for the DCX2496, and was impressed with it. It ran well, showed you what was configured, and allowed you to change things easily. What was very, very impressive was that it was happy running on my backup laptop - an ancient Toshiba CDS4010 - P2 266Mhz, 166Mb RAM, XP.

Some concerns have been expressed here about the quality of components in Behringer products. That is not something I can speak to directly. Before buying the CX2310, or testing the DCX2496, I did look for feedback from owners of those products. The responses were very consistent - with the exception of the DCX2496's "frying bacon", there were two responses - those that own one of these products loved them with many in use for 1, 2, or more years problem free. Those that did not own one of these products were down on them, and on Behringer in general.

What was really interesting when I was collecting feedback on the CX2310, comparing specifically to the dBx223XL, was that there were more reports of DRPA and DR260 failures than of CX2310/DCX2496/etc failures!

This was a DJing gig where I was also testing the new Yorkville NX720S sub along with my NX55P tops. Since it was a DJing gig, I did not post the entire review.

My final conclustion - the NX720S will be a purchase as soon as funds permit, and the DCX2496 is on my short list.

I would like to use a DR260 and, if they are available in this area, a Peavey before making a final decision. However, if I had to buy tomorrow, I would not hesitate to put my $$$ down for a DCX2496. I do have strategies to work around component failures, but that is just common sense - even Rane and dBx may have hardware failures.
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Jeff Babcock

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #43 on: April 17, 2007, 11:29:49 AM »

Having used both the VSX26 and DRPA, I will say that the VSX26 stomps the DRPA on almost every level.  I have not used the Behringer, nor do I want to, regardless of how they work for others.  I am simply unable to trust Behringer for anything critical as I have been burned enough in the past with their gear.  If others are willing to use that unit and it works for them, great.  You just won't ever find one in my rig.

I will say as I have said before on this forum that the VSX26 is a very slick unit.  Given that it will soon have a realtime PC and Mac GUI (and already has a non-realtime gui for making presets), it in my opionion is not in the same league as the Behringer or DRPA, they simply can't touch it on a user-friendliness comparison.  

I will also add that for those who actually want to use the RTA, the Peavey gives inordinately better results than the DRPA does.  The Peavey's RTA is actually almost always usable, whereas the DRPA often just makes things much worse.

Also my understanding is that the DRPA starts to sacrifice signal in the top end once you add multiple filters etc in order for it to keep up with the required processing.  I am told that in some cases this can cut off your top end between 14 and 15K. The VSX26 does not have this limitation. Somebody please correct me if I am mistaken.

VSX26, what a great unit at a great price.
Geez, you'd think I worked for Peavey or something.... nope, I just know a great product when I see it.

Cheers
Jeff

Bennett Prescott

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #44 on: April 17, 2007, 11:35:34 AM »

Jeff Babcock wrote on Tue, 17 April 2007 11:29

Also my understanding is that the DRPA starts to sacrifice signal in the top end once you add multiple filters etc in order for it to keep up with the required processing.  I am told that in some cases this can cut off your top end between 14 and 15K.

Please back up this claim with evidence.
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Jeff Babcock

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #45 on: April 17, 2007, 11:47:07 AM »

Bennett,
I haven't had the chance to test this personally, however there was another post on PSW about this very issue.  I will see if I can find it.  If I recall the thread, I think Peavey themselves also discovered this while doing comparison research for the VSX project.

Cheers
Jeff

Stuart Pendleton

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #46 on: April 17, 2007, 11:48:49 AM »

Bennett, I know this is not evidence per se, but in the Peavey VSX forum Don Boomer made the following comments regarding DRPA vs VSX:

"First of all ... better frequency response. The Driverack PA loses top end every time you add anything. By the time you've made a crossover and a little EQ the high end is probably limited to below 14 kHz."

I don't expect marketing to tell the truth, but I do expect that Don wouldn't have made this statement without having something to go on.  Maybe he can enlighten you....
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Jeff Babcock

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #47 on: April 17, 2007, 11:54:50 AM »

OK, I see it was Don B at Peavey who made that statement on their forums, not here on PSW.  Perhaps if Don has any measurements saved from their testing he can post them.  Hopefully he will, but regardless it wouldn't be in Don's best interest to make that claim unless he were absolutely certain, and given his reputation, I believe him.  I would sure love to see the measurements anyway though.

Cheers
Jeff

Bennett Prescott

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #48 on: April 17, 2007, 01:33:32 PM »

Very interesting. I wasn't aware that this limitation existed in the DRPA, and would love to see some more information. I'm relatively sure it doesn't exist in my DR260, as I can't imagine I wouldn't have noticed, given how often I've measured that thing.
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Michael 'Bink' Knowles

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Re: Peavey VSX 26 vs. Behringer DCX2496 vs. DR260
« Reply #49 on: April 17, 2007, 01:38:49 PM »

Stuart Pendleton wrote on Tue, 17 April 2007 08:48

Bennett, I know this is not evidence per se, but in the Peavey VSX forum Don Boomer made the following comments regarding DRPA vs VSX:

"First of all ... better frequency response. The Driverack PA loses top end every time you add anything. By the time you've made a crossover and a little EQ the high end is probably limited to below 14 kHz."

I don't expect marketing to tell the truth, but I do expect that Don wouldn't have made this statement without having something to go on.  Maybe he can enlighten you....




I saw that post by Don but when asked to back it up he didn't post again. I don't know what that means--could be as simple as being too busy to surf LAB. At any rate, I wouldn't give it a lot of weight until we see Don's evidence or proof from another tester.

Hint hint: any other tester. Me, I don't have a DRPA to poke at.

-Bink
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