DEQ2496 Modifications - ADC / DAC / with DRC

The Standard SRC2496

The Good:

The SRC is essentially a DAC and ADC in one box, that also offers up-sampling. If the sample-rate is the same the ADC and DAC can run simultaniously, processing differnt signals. There is also a headphone output.

Connections: 1 pair XLR analog out, 1 AES/EBU digital out, 1 Toslink digital out, 1 RCA digital out. 1 pair XLR analog in, 1 AES/EBU digital in, 1 Toslink digital in, 1 RCA digital in.

A Problem:

The features of SRC mentioned above are superb, however there is an achilles heel; the analog inputs and outputs have relatively high distortion compared to the best alternatives.

 

The solution - Modification

In fact, the DAC and ADC chips inside the SRC are high-end items from AKM and Cirrus Logic. Much of the music you listen to will have been recorded using these same converters, as they have been used inside audio interfaces from industry leader ProTools.

The distortion of the SRC is created by the analog signal conditioning circuits, not the converters themselves. Unfortunatly, simply replacing the op-amp chips in the exisiting circuit does not correct the distortion issues. The solution is to replace the analog circuits in their entirety with new circuit designs.

Upgrade circuits availible from BehringerMods are offered as a self-install kit or with installation provided by BehringerMods for those less confident at soldering.

These new upgrade circuits allow the signal converters in the SRC to reach their full potential with low distortion and noise of all kinds.

Upgrade Circuit - The BehringerMods upgrade PCB conviniently handles both analog input and output conditioning on a single board.

The input section is implimented using a fully differential op-amp from Texas Instruments (LME49724), purpose made for driving audio ADC chips. The circuit can be fed from either a single-ended or balanced input. A dedicated voltage reference is used to provide bias for the ADC, allowing for the lowest possible noise level.

The output section is designed to emulate the behaviour of a transformer coupled circuit, enabling it to provide active noise cancellation whether connnected single-ended or balanced. The design is built around Texas Instruments 'SoundPlus' OPA1652 op-amps allowing the full performance of the DAC chip to be heard.

The circuit comes with through-hole mounted DC blocking and power smoothing capacitors from arguably the most respected brand Panasonic.

The Behringer SRC when modified with this new circuit is capable of less than 0.0005% THD and IMD from analog input to output. 

The input and output signal level for 0dBFS digital is 3.5V RMS. The input gain knob will no longer funtion after upgrade, it will only adjust the LED meter levels.

Learn more about the distortion types exhibited here: Proof of Upgrade Performance

Short FAQ here.

Pricing can be found in the the Online Shop

 

 


 

DEQ Upgrade PCB

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: ONLY the newest version of SRC is supported. Check PDF guide for details.

SRC Install Guide
BehringerMods SRC Install Guide