The RIAA correction is performed using Rob’s proprietary digital filters. However, archiving is not necessary Channel D Pure Vinyl also allows one to listen in real time. The digital archiving part was a secondary feature that came along “for free.” Once an LP has been archived, playback is akin to playback of a ripped CD, though with the added benefit of Channel D Pure Vinyl’s patented –and I might add, superb - graphical interface. Those of you who read my interview with Rob will recall that Channel D Pure Vinyl was originally conceived and developed as a way to overcome one of the major quality bottlenecks to LP playback: the RIAA filter. (I learned from Rob that the active crossover feature has been part of Pure Vinyl since its development began in 2003 - it was not something added later -though at that time he used a different multichannel DAC.) As should go without saying, Rob chose the Hilo not just because of its four channels and built-in ADC, but also because he likes its sonics (about which I will have more to say later). For some time now Rob has been using the Lynx Hilo AD/DA Converter for his own system, which is actively bi-amped. Because high and low frequencies are separated in the computer - that is, before the D-to-A converter (“DAC”) - it is necessary to use a DAC with four outputs (i.e., left high, left low, right high, right low), rather than the usual two. As I will discuss later, Fab Filter offered another important function that is applicable to all systems, not just those with an active cross-over.Ĭrossing-over in the computer solved one problem - the Behringer - but created another (actually, two others). Importantly, Pure Music and Pure Vinyl are designed to work with a variety of Plug-ins, making interaction between the two programs seamless. For this latter function Rob recommended a plug-in from Fab Filter (), which I promptly ordered. Rob had explained that Pure Music or Pure Vinyl would provide the cross-over functionality, but not the “shelf function” which was needed to correct for dipole cancellation. #Pure music system macI ordered a Mac Mini to use as the music computer rather than buying a second Mac, I purchased an iPad to use for remote control. Rob uses a Mac Mini for the music computer, and controls it remotely (and wirelessly) with a MacBook, via the built in Screen Sharing feature of the Mac OS. #Pure music system softwareThis article will not be a review of a particular product rather, it will be more of a systems review, the goal of which is to share my exploration in the hope that it will prove beneficial to others.Ĭhannel D software (i.e., Pure Music and Pure Vinyl) does not run in PCs, so I first had to get an Apple computer. Rob was kind enough to bring a system (see below) to my home for me (and Merrill, and others in my local audiophile circle) to audition I was so impressed I pulled the trigger. I interviewed Rob a few years ago and while I had some familiarity with his products, I had no idea of their flexibility and broad utility. Rob suggested what proved to be an elegant solution using his Pure Vinyl (or Pure Music) software. Merrill also owns the Sanders Sound speakers, and mentioned to Ron Robinson of Channel D audio our interest in replacing the Behringer. However, credit for the path I ultimately took goes to Merrill Wettasinghe of Merrill Audio, whose Veritas monobock amplifiers are my current reference ( for a recent review by my fellow dagogoan Ray Seda). I also tried another, more expensive digital crossover, in the hope that it would have better sonics than the Behringer (it did). I first learned there are a number of commercial enterprises (all quite small, I would imagine) that modify the Behringer, though I never got so far as to actually try any of them. In an effort to improve on this, I explored a number of options. In my recent review of the Sanders Sound Model 10c speakers (interested readers may also want to read my interview with Roger Sanders ), I mentioned that the one perceived weakness was a mechanical quality to the sound that both I, and visitors to my listening room, attributed to the Behringer active cross-over that is included with the speakers.
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