Some thoughts on Deqx and their products

Hi all

I have been using both single and dual Deqx systems for several years now. I recently upgraded to the HD3 series including the transformer balanced output boards.
I have learned several things along the way and wanted to share them with you. The following opinion(s) are mine and may not be that of others. If I am wrong in anything I state as fact...please feel free to correct me. I was wrong once before:)

First and foremost...never buy a modified Deqx without talking to their USA Distributor about the mod’s that were done! There are serious timing issues with different through-hole components being used on a surface mount PCB. Stacked op amps combined with exposed wire to connect them act like radio antennae introducing all kinds of hash into each channel. Let’s move on.

Although a believer in the Deqx technology, I find the company itself to be somewhat arrogant and self- serving. They seem to have a marginal sense of responsibility for after-sale service, the current manual is a joke. In no discernible way does it describe how to properly setup or use this valuable tool. It is the embodiment of a poorly written instruction manual. The arrogance is in the fact that they are aware of it's shortcomings but choose not to do anything about it.
Why is that? Read on...

The DIY Market....Not?

The Deqx was never intended to be a DIY product? I have been told they dislike that it is. It was designed by the same people who designed the Dolby Lake Contour. The two products are similar. The Dolby was for the Pro Sound Market and the Deqx for the OEM Speaker Manufacturing Market. It was designed by engineers for engineers. That being said, it would not surprise me if the DIY market has kept them solvent while they continue to court the OEM's. The company will sell to the DIY market, as evidenced by looking at their website, but appear to have minimal interest in supporting it. Hence, the self- serving comment. Common guys, commission someone to create a usable instruction manual. You owe it to us.

A company that will not fully support all customer(s), regardless of type will inevitably drop the ball with everyone. Perhaps that's the reason the couple of collaborations we have seen with Deqx and OEM's seem to have fizzled? Perhaps a corporate attitude is to blame? I am sure it’s not the product.

The product itself…

I and others on this forum have invested countless hours into tweaking a Deqx setup. I would bet most Deqx owners have never heard their system with the Deqx properly tuned? It's only in the last year that I met someone who has an intimate working knowledge of the Deqx Architecture and Software well enough to set it up properly. We setup an internet client so he could take over my pc remotely. I simply setup the microphone where I was told. In a few hours he had it sounding better than it ever had. I wish you could all be here to hear the difference.

I was so impressed with what he had done I arranged an audition of the HD3 system at Westlake Audio. Both of us met in LA and spent 2 days at Westlake Audio. To say the techs at Westlake were impressed is an understatement. For the demo a miss-matched pair of LC8.1’s combined with a Westlake custom subwoofer system were placed in the sound room. A series of measurements were taken and custom correction filters were created with the Deqx software. The correction filters had illiminated the miss-match problem. We then created a set of three room correction filters, each using slightly different crossover points. These were merged with the correction filters and stored in three different profiles. During the listening tests we could switch between the profiles by selecting each one with one click of the remote. The Westlake techs were astonished, stating the system was sounding as good as or better than anyone heard before. This is no small feat. Tuning a Westlake system normally takes several weeks with constant hardware tweaks being done to the passive internal networks. Dozens of man hours go into this process.

The fellow who did the setup understands the nuances of the Deqx software and interprets the resulting data “differently” than anyone else I have seen. The subsequent filters he builds are truly amazing and certainly show what this tool is capable of when used properly.
For those of you that have owned and already have disposed of a Deqx (I know there are many) it’s unfortunate.

For those that have not tried one....go for it....but only if you’re prepared to spend a few hundred bucks setting it up right. I promise you will not regret it.:D

I would be happy to share the gentleman's contact info on a person to person basis. I don't think I should be posting his name here.

In closing let me say, in spite of disappoint with the company’s seeming arrogance and apparent lack of support for an important segment of their customer base, I do have a great respect for what this little box does. The looks on the faces of the senior tech people at Westlake Audio spoke volumes. I believe Deqx will get yet another chance to work with a world class manufacturer. Will they be up to the task? I certainly hope so. What a collaboration that could be!

I hope this has been helpful to someone.

Ken

I trust it will come in handy for some folks Ken,
thanks for sharing....


on a related note,
do you have any experience with the Clair Bros. I/O frame?
I believe it is a OEM, possibly the 'first' dolby lakes made....

a fair amount of units on the 'bay right now...

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Originally Posted by louped garouv

I trust it will come in handy for some folks Ken,
thanks for sharing....


on a related note,
do you have any experience with the Clair Bros. I/O frame?
I believe it is a OEM, possibly the 'first' dolby lakes made....

a fair amount of units on the 'bay right now...

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I have seen them on there for almost 2 years. Support for these versions would be impossible to find. I would definately shy away based on that fact alone. I have never used a Lake....but have been tempted due to the fact they support up to a six-way stereo system. Everything I have heard has been positive....although they are like the Deqx, a bear to setup. You have to use Smaart to set them up properly.

Ken

Hi Ken,

Sounds like its been a long long journey.

Any crossover network beyond being used for the most humble PA system requires an knowledge of audio engineer and more specifically loudspeaker engineering to make it work properly.

Any tool is only as good as the user as abserved from your recent experience.

I guess you now know why NASA is not marketing diy rocket trips to Mars

Good to see you are back on the scene.

Hey, how about trooping over to Selenium and seeing if you can export from JBL drivers for us ?

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Originally Posted by Ian Mackenzie

Hi Ken,

Sounds like its been a long long journey.

Any crossover network beyond being used for the most humble PA system requires an knowledge of audio engineer and more specifically loudspeaker engineering to make it work properly.

Good to see you are back on the scene.

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To tell you the truth Ian I thought I had the Deqx(S) sounding pretty good till Larry did his magic. He took a great deal of time studying graphs before making changes. In many cases the changes were ever so little but with excellent results. I am pleased to say my Eq settings are minimum with no cut or boost exceeding a 2-3 db. When I run a room measurement the results are pretty impressive. I will post a current one in this thread if anyone is interested.

I should also mention the HD3 series is a significant improvement in terms of overall sound quality. I am not suggesting that the 2.6P is bad...far from it but the HD version is a nice upgrade.

Not sure I will be around much...but thanks for the hello. Nice to see you as well.:D

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Originally Posted by Ken Pachkowsky

To tell you the truth Ian I thought I had the Deqx(S) sounding pretty good till Larry did his magic. He took a great deal of time studying graphs before making changes. In many cases the changes were ever so little but with excellent results. :D

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I guess that is the point of your initial post.

The mistake many people make is just trying to eq the reponse flat particularly in the crossover region without an understanding of what the bumps and notch's mean and how they go there in the first place.

Often the apparent eq does more harm than good.

Just reverse the phase of the horn to determine if the reponse was in fact summing at the crossover point or not. If the reverse phase shows a symetrical notch of 25-30 db then the crossover is working properly regardless of the in phase on axis reponse.

Hi Ken, GLAD to hear your doing well, and HEARING the BEST thus far from your WESTIES! What you say about DEQX NOT liking the DIY market does not surprise me, hey look at JBL, and HOW MUCH of a business in DIY and legacy products forums like these created! And yet, JBL wants to offer NO SUPPORT for people and places like us.

It seems to me, that the established names in audio, would rather sell complete systems, not individual items, and why I don't really know. But it seems this way. I can tell you that I have been looking into the Dolby Lake Pro, this year, I am seriously considering going ALL DSP processing, and ALL balanced connection throughout my system, and was surprised after enquiring about the Dolby Lake Pro that Dolby stopped making the Lake Pro last year, sold the rights to Lab Gruppen, and IF I want the DLP, you have to buy the Lab Gruppen LM-26 now. However, the people I contacted answered me quickly, and were helpful with no attitude that I could detect, and the online brochures, manuals, and descriptions of the products were comprehensive and very in depth. And I emailed service support at Lab gruppen, they responded to me quickly and have a freindly and helpful sounding tone in their respsonses.

I sometimes wonder when I hear things like this if people or the companies in their entirety become fed up with the DIY market because of the fact that their gear offers so much user defineability to the point that it becomes incredibly easy to get it wrong and so hard to actually get it right, and after a while the company just gets fed up with hearing complaints, and being asked millions of questions by people who just don't have the skill to get it right? The DLP, and now the Lab LM-26, offer so much more than just selecting the filters, and slopes, EQ and whatever else we or a designer, or manufacturer desires. These pieces offer us the ability to create our own, never before done filters, and corrective measurres. To me, the ultimate in user defineability but also the ultimate in user fuckupability!

Even you state, you had gotten good results from your DEQX units, but at the hands of a skilled pro, what you got is now incredible. I could see where a company, not to defend them, could be aware of HOW GOOD their gear is, used properly, but how fed up they are over people using it not understanding enough about what they are doing to get what the DEQX is capable of. And, gear like DEQX can get a bad name from things like this because people using it do not really know how to achieve what this unit is capable of doing. again, not to defend the company, but, always remember that you are dealing with humans, just as you or I are human. And human nature, flaws, faults, positive attrributes and negative, is what it is, human nature.

However, on searching the DEQX manuals, I find that it is the complete opposite when it comes to dolby lake pro, and now, the LAB GRUPPEN LM-26, the online brochures and manuals and HOW TO is INCREDIBLY THOROUGH and COMPREHENSIVE!

Ken, put yourself in DEQX shoes for a minute, and let's say you have 10,000 units sold and out there operating, but, of these 10,000 units, only 20 users are able to achieve the results YOU KNOW the unit is more than capable of. and the other 9,980 users are always calling, emailing, badgering, and cheppering you for answers. And some even bad mouth your extremely well designed product, not because it doesn't work, but because they don't know HOW to get it to work! How would you feel after while of dealing with this?

There is always more than one side to every story.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by louped garouv

I trust it will come in handy for some folks Ken,
thanks for sharing....


on a related note,
do you have any experience with the Clair Bros. I/O frame?
I believe it is a OEM, possibly the 'first' dolby lakes made....

a fair amount of units on the 'bay right now...

---

To add to what has been said, always keep in mind that besides these units having been there for a while now, they were in fact custom units for and by Clair bros. Clair has a great engineering dep't, and these units, IMO, are/were designed to be used with their speaker systems. And,this means you, with different amps and speakers than Clair had designed them to be used with and for, might not be able to achieve anything like or near what they are capable of!

I think the current asking price per unit is $1490 at this time, very cheap for Lake, but also very expensive if in fact these units will not work properly with any thing other than what they are designed to have been paired with.

The fact that they are using more than 3 letters in their name makes them truly groundbreaking and interesting. Not many other manufacturer's have come up with a product worthy of a fourth letter....:duck:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scott fitlin

Ken, put yourself in DEQX shoes for a minute, and let's say you have 10,000 units sold and out there operating, but, of these 10,000 units, only 20 users are able to achieve the results YOU KNOW the unit is more than capable of. and the other 9,980 users are always calling, emailing, badgering, and cheppering you for answers. And some even bad mouth your extremely well designed product, not because it doesn't work, but because they don't know HOW to get it to work! How would you feel after while of dealing with this?

There is always more than one side to every story.

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No question Scott. I believe this is valid point and have thought about it. A proper instruction manual would solve many of those issues. They obviously want the DIY market with yesterday's introduction of the Deqx Express at 1950.00 AUS. However, their description of it compared to the HD3 is somewhat vague.

I to have been tempted to go Lake. I had an opportunity to buy a new LP4D12 for 4k plus shipping. Thats a rediculous price. It will support up to a stereo 6-way system all in one chassis. The Deqx is limited to stereo 3-way unless you add a second unit. Cost prohibitive for most.

I wish the Lake had a Pre-Amp version.....but understand why it does not.

Real good to see you Scott. Thanks for your input and all the valid points.

Ken

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Originally Posted by Tim Rinkerman

The fact that they are using more than 3 letters in their name makes them truly groundbreaking and interesting. Not many other manufacturer's have come up with a product worthy of a fourth letter....:duck:

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Kudo's

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Originally Posted by Ken Pachkowsky

No question Scott. I believe this is valid point and have thought about it. A proper instruction manual would solve many of those issues. They obviously want the DIY market with yesterday's introduction of the Deqx Express at 1950.00 AUS. However, their description of it compared to the HD3 is somewhat vague.

I to have been tempted to go Lake. I had an opportunity to buy a new LP4D12 for 4k plus shipping. Thats a rediculous price. It will support up to a stereo 6-way system all in one chassis. The Deqx is limited to stereo 3-way unless you add a second unit. Cost prohibitive for most.

I wish the Lake had a Pre-Amp version.....but understand why it does not.

Real good to see you Scott. Thanks for your input and all the valid points.

Ken

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Always good to see you too, Ken, and read about your doings. Especially when it's going GOOD!

IMO, the digital gear, and recording technologies have arrived. One thing I like about the stuff available now, is in fact the ability to make such fine and precise adjustments. Of course, careful set up and proper gear at all stages of ones system still rules the day. The dsp processors, they have good things available today, and I'll tell you this, what I read about you getting something our of your set up being OMG phenomenal, just reinforces my own feelings about my getting back into dsp processing.

Unfortunately, I, like you, or anyone with ears that really cares about what we hear, are forced to buy the BEST, and the best don't come cheap! At all.

Very interresting quotes about DEQX capability , provided you are lucky enough to be able to get in touch with them and have them help you ( you pay for that ) and get the best out of your machine . I purchased a DEQX HDP Express and only had the chance of beiing answered politely but not effectively .
Regards

I'm sorry you had that experience . I purchased a deqx unit and found them to be very helpful.

Did you buy direct or from a dealer ?

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Originally Posted by jphaggar

Very interresting quotes about DEQX capability , provided you are lucky enough to be able to get in touch with them and have them help you ( you pay for that ) and get the best out of your machine . I purchased a DEQX HDP Express and only had the chance of beiing answered politely but not effectively .
Regards

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They do offer Deqxpert service now......Not cheap....but nothing Deqx is. If your system is going to stay in one place....its a few hundred bucks well spent. If you are a gypsy like me...it can get expensive every time you move.

Rich...nice to see you.:D

Hi,
I'm new to this forum but not new to Deqx.
This is a great product but the software is a total head f*ck.
Also, of course, understanding the graphs is a science I cannot grasp.
Does anybody have the contact details for the guy that Ken was so enthused about?
I guess it would not be appropriate to post the guys details on the net so a PM would be better.
I really need someone that knows what they are doing in order to get the best out of it.
Recently, I had some help from a quite experienced user who took control over the net, and he did a pretty good job but I'm sure it can be improved on.
One of the main discoveries was that using the calibration templates really screwed up the sound. Removing it and just using the speaker correction is miles ahead and way more natural.
I'm wondering whether this is a software issue?

Thanks in advance,
Pete

Deqx has done it again....

These guys are so transparent its pathetic.

I recently put my Deqx HDP-3 and 2.6P HD up for sale. In my description's I suggested those interested go to the Deqx website. I was shocked to receive an email from a potential buyer

saying there was no information on the Deqx Website.

Yep, you got it.....

With the introduction of the HDP-4 this company has removed all but very (very!) minor information re their previous DSP's, even though the HDP-3 is and was being sold just a couple of months ago.

An obvious move to make it difficult for current customers to sell off their HDP-3's and 2.6P HD's. Turns out they don't want to compete against the re-sale market.

Yet another example of how self serving and short sighted this company is.

Your customers are your partners!

Kim Ryrie and company, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AussiePete

Hi,
I'm new to this forum but not new to Deqx.
This is a great product but the software is a total head f*ck.
Also, of course, understanding the graphs is a science I cannot grasp.
Does anybody have the contact details for the guy that Ken was so enthused about?
I guess it would not be appropriate to post the guys details on the net so a PM would be better.
I really need someone that knows what they are doing in order to get the best out of it.
Recently, I had some help from a quite experienced user who took control over the net, and he did a pretty good job but I'm sure it can be improved on.
One of the main discoveries was that using the calibration templates really screwed up the sound. Removing it and just using the speaker correction is miles ahead and way more natural.
I'm wondering whether this is a software issue?

Thanks in advance,
Pete

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Hi Pete

I think you are one of the guys I put in touch with the right guy?

If not, let me know.

Ken

It could be they are afraid of competition, or just a poor website. The information on their site about the HDP-4 is very lacking in detail. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I had a clear idea it would do what I need.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fpitas

It could be they are afraid of competition, or just a poor website. The information on their site about the HDP-4 is very lacking in detail. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I had a clear idea it would do what I need.

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Spend a hundred and a half bucks on a miniDSP and see if it will do what you need. If it does what you need, then consider upgrading the electronics to something like a DEQX. Or a Crown for an extra grand with a whole bunch of power included.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 4313B

Spend a hundred and a half bucks on a miniDSP and see if it will do what you need. If it does what you need, then consider upgrading the electronics to something like a DEQX. Or a Crown for an extra grand with a whole bunch of power included.

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The DCX2496 I have does everything I need. It sounds pretty good too, after I replaced the coupling caps with decent ones. If I go to something else, I'd want state of the art circuitry etc.

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Originally Posted by fpitas

The DCX2496 I have does everything I need. It sounds pretty good too, after I replaced the coupling caps with decent ones. If I go to something else, I'd want state of the art circuitry etc.

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Ah! Well, there you go. It's only five grand. :)

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Originally Posted by 4313B

Ah! Well, there you go. It's only five grand. :)

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The price isn't a huge problem if I had a precise idea of what the thing does. For example, can I set or duplicate the EQ curve I've already determined by measurement? The DEQX description only mentions letting it perform measurements, and auto-setting EQ. Supposing I let it do that, can I tailor that EQ? None of it is clear to me.

Well, if you cared enough you'd probably call them and ask them? If they don't want to talk to you then you saved yourself five grand. :)

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Originally Posted by 4313B

Well, if you cared enough you'd probably call them and ask them? If they don't want to talk to you then you saved yourself five grand. :)

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Yeah, I could try that. Even so, I'd want everything written out on a datasheet so I could study it. I keep hoping I'll find detailed technical data online, but that may not happen.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fpitas

...can I set or duplicate the EQ curve I've already determined by measurement? The DEQX description only mentions letting it perform measurements, and auto-setting EQ. Supposing I let it do that, can I tailor that EQ? None of it is clear to me.

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I haven't used these newer generation DEQX models, but with the original version yes, you could duplicate a curve by using a very respectable GUI and parametric or graphic EQ. As I recall you could not tailor the left and right channels independently, but it worked quite well. With my experience a small mini monitor with sub configuration worked well with their automated scheme, but for my large four way multi amped system with crazy delays due to horn lengths etc... I found I could get a more accurate reproduction by taking numerous MLS measurements and manually tweaking the parametric controls.

Over all I was pretty happy with the digital performance of the DEQX PDC 2.6P... it was the A to D and D to A parts that left me wanting better performance. It is my understanding that the DACs have been significantly improved since my time with DEQX quite a few years ago.


Widget

Hi Ken,

l have no affilation with deqx but l think you are a wee bit sensitive given the rapid life cycle of this category.

l am not sure why anyone would buy an inferior older model, unless it,was sold at door stopper prices. No of this stuff is expensive new anyway.

Assuming you have the manuals and applicable warranty what is the issue?.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Widget

I haven't used these newer generation DEQX models, but with the original version yes, you could duplicate a curve by using a very respectable GUI and parametric or graphic EQ. As I recall you could not tailor the left and right channels independently, but it worked quite well. With my experience a small mini monitor with sub configuration worked well with their automated scheme, but for my large four way multi amped system with crazy delays due to horn lengths etc... I found I could get a more accurate reproduction by taking numerous MLS measurements and manually tweaking the parametric controls.

Over all I was pretty happy with the digital performance of the DEQX PDC 2.6P... it was the A to D and D to A parts that left me wanting better performance. It is my understanding that the DACs have been significantly improved since my time with DEQX quite a few years ago.


Widget

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Thanks Widget. What you said about the large multi-way is what I suspected. I'd still like to see a datasheet or owner's manual of some sort, but it sounds like it's worth pursuing.

Hello from DEQX,

Thanks Ken for your thoughts, and my apologies for the missing historical data to date. To clarify a few issues mentioned here, our new web site remains under construction and legacy products will be listed next month. It hasn’t been a priority because the HDP-3 ceased production about eighteen months ago and the PDC-2.6 many years before that as you may know. A new FAQ will be going up next week.

Since introducing the on-line DEQXpert install service we try to promote that vs DIY installs to avoid some of the issues mentioned on this thread. There is a recently revised manual but many installation issues (mainly getting the best measurement in an almost infinite number of scenarios) can't deal with all contingencies. The Lake box by comparison does not attempt anechoic measurement/calibration, so its much easier to write a comprehensive manual. BTW, I grew up next door to the late Bruce Jackson, designer of the Lake box, in Sydney. He helped me market Fairlight in the US in the late 70’s but was not involved directly in DEQX or Fairlight. Later, Lake’s founder Brian Connolly asked me to help them commercialise what is today called Dolby headphones (Dolby end up buying Lake). I introduced Bruce to Lake when he moved from the US back to Sydney. BTW, Bruce also founded Apogee Electronics that virtually wrote the book on digital jitter, which in the early days of digital was barely acknowledged.

We do not actively discourage DIY’s from doing their own installation, but it does take up a fair bit of our uncharged support time. These days we encourage DEQX sales to include installation by the dealer/installer or DEQXpert online installation (from about $399), which is increasingly popular with existing DEQX owners and DIY customers. We answer many specific installations questions including from those planning to buy second-hand units. We also supply user manuals on request allowing potential DIY customers to understand the capabilities of DEQX in more detail and indicate the level of expertise required for DIY installation.

To maximise the value of legacy designs we endeavour to allow backward compatibility of software features. Apart from audio transparency, I/O and other design improvements, recent products are similar or identical in functionality to prior models and we have traditionally offered an industry leading trade-in policy for DIY users wishing to upgrade; historically about 50% of original cost credited towards new models after four years for example.

Cheers from Sydney!

You may access all previous versions of the DEQX website here:
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.deqx.com/

Hello,

Have a DEQX PDC-2.6P and enjoy it very much, although still don't have it performing up to capability - that's more testament to the very high ceiling of performance, and the difficulty in getting good measurements to achieve that rather than anything else. That said, if I were to spill coffee on it, I'd probably look at the new miniDSP 4 x 10HD, which seems to accomplish much of the same utility sans the linear-phase (ie: perfect) speaker (and room) correction. Was recently released, and at a reasonable $500 price point: http://www.minidsp.com/products/mini...inidsp-4x10-hd

Just my $0.02. The products are certainly aimed at different market segments, but perhaps for the weekend DIYer, the miniDSP would prove more appropriate.

cheers,
-Tal

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Originally Posted by KimRyrie

Hello from DEQX,

Thanks Ken for your thoughts, and my apologies for the missing historical data to date. To clarify a few issues mentioned here, our new web site remains under construction and legacy products will be listed next month. It hasn’t been a priority because the HDP-3 ceased production about eighteen months ago and the PDC-2.6 many years before that as you may know. A new FAQ will be going up next week.

Since introducing the on-line DEQXpert install service we try to promote that vs DIY installs to avoid some of the issues mentioned on this thread. There is a recently revised manual but many installation issues (mainly getting the best measurement in an almost infinite number of scenarios) can't deal with all contingencies. The Lake box by comparison does not attempt anechoic measurement/calibration, so its much easier to write a comprehensive manual. BTW, I grew up next door to the late Bruce Jackson, designer of the Lake box, in Sydney. He helped me market Fairlight in the US in the late 70’s but was not involved directly in DEQX or Fairlight. Later, Lake’s founder Brian Connolly asked me to help them commercialise what is today called Dolby headphones (Dolby end up buying Lake). I introduced Bruce to Lake when he moved from the US back to Sydney. BTW, Bruce also founded Apogee Electronics that virtually wrote the book on digital jitter, which in the early days of digital was barely acknowledged.

We do not actively discourage DIY’s from doing their own installation, but it does take up a fair bit of our uncharged support time. These days we encourage DEQX sales to include installation by the dealer/installer or DEQXpert online installation (from about $399), which is increasingly popular with existing DEQX owners and DIY customers. We answer many specific installations questions including from those planning to buy second-hand units. We also supply user manuals on request allowing potential DIY customers to understand the capabilities of DEQX in more detail and indicate the level of expertise required for DIY installation.

To maximise the value of legacy designs we endeavour to allow backward compatibility of software features. Apart from audio transparency, I/O and other design improvements, recent products are similar or identical in functionality to prior models and we have traditionally offered an industry leading trade-in policy for DIY users wishing to upgrade; historically about 50% of original cost credited towards new models after four years for example.

Cheers from Sydney!

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thanks for chiming in. I am unfortunately one of those who had a DEQX and sold it off when I decided that a tri-amped active system was too much for me and I could not get the results I hoped for form the DEQX unit. I remain positive about the technology and company however, because I strongly believe you guys have attempted to make a significant contribution to the audio industry. trail blazers always suffer a bit. Now that you offer the online installation it should make this technology more accessible for those of us who are not engineers. I may even try it all over again! warm regards from sunny El Salvador, Tony

Kim

I am thrilled you replied. I will gather my thoughts and post a reply very soon.

Ken

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Originally Posted by KimRyrie

Hello from DEQX,

Thanks Ken for your thoughts, and my apologies for the missing historical data to date. To clarify a few issues mentioned here, our new web site remains under construction and legacy products will be listed next month. It hasn’t been a priority because the HDP-3 ceased production about eighteen months ago and the PDC-2.6 many years before that as you may know. A new FAQ will be going up next week.

Since introducing the on-line DEQXpert install service we try to promote that vs DIY installs to avoid some of the issues mentioned on this thread. There is a recently revised manual but many installation issues (mainly getting the best measurement in an almost infinite number of scenarios) can't deal with all contingencies. The Lake box by comparison does not attempt anechoic measurement/calibration, so its much easier to write a comprehensive manual. BTW, I grew up next door to the late Bruce Jackson, designer of the Lake box, in Sydney. He helped me market Fairlight in the US in the late 70’s but was not involved directly in DEQX or Fairlight. Later, Lake’s founder Brian Connolly asked me to help them commercialise what is today called Dolby headphones (Dolby end up buying Lake). I introduced Bruce to Lake when he moved from the US back to Sydney. BTW, Bruce also founded Apogee Electronics that virtually wrote the book on digital jitter, which in the early days of digital was barely acknowledged.

We do not actively discourage DIY’s from doing their own installation, but it does take up a fair bit of our uncharged support time. These days we encourage DEQX sales to include installation by the dealer/installer or DEQXpert online installation (from about $399), which is increasingly popular with existing DEQX owners and DIY customers. We answer many specific installations questions including from those planning to buy second-hand units. We also supply user manuals on request allowing potential DIY customers to understand the capabilities of DEQX in more detail and indicate the level of expertise required for DIY installation.

To maximise the value of legacy designs we endeavour to allow backward compatibility of software features. Apart from audio transparency, I/O and other design improvements, recent products are similar or identical in functionality to prior models and we have traditionally offered an industry leading trade-in policy for DIY users wishing to upgrade; historically about 50% of original cost credited towards new models after four years for example.

Cheers from Sydney!

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Hi Kim

So nice of you to reply.

I have been struggling with whether or not I should post a reply. Let me explain.
To be clear, I have purchased both factory new and used Deqx systems.

If you read through my comments you will see I am a believer in Deqx.
However, I do have reservations about your company's commitment to the very people
who provide the financial support for your endeavors.

The intention for starting the thread was to share my experience as a user/owner both positive and negative.
The Deqx can be astonishing when setup correctly. I have sat in on your demo's at RMAF. Your company does
a stellar job of creating a buzz showing how great the technology can be but in my opinion drops the ball. I recently had
a lengthy conversation with a new USA dealer who spent hundreds of dollars getting the system setup remotely using Deqxpert over a 2 day period.
What he has since discovered is that every time he makes a slight change in the system (as dealers do) it requires Deqxpert service again. He wished he had
a tool that could guide him through the process of doing it himself. His interest has been lost.

In your reply you made reference to hours of unpaid customer support. I believe much of this could have been avoided
by supplying a video showing the entire setup process. This was requested by users and dealers many times. One can only speculate why these requests were never addressed
or even officially acknowledged. Perhaps, in the short term these tools would not have produced income but as more users had successful results, it may have increased business.

It's been suggested that 5 or 6 grand is not much money for a piece of equipment. I respectfully disagree.
In fact, my setup required twice that investment.


It's interesting that I came across your reply while searching google for a DIGITAL OPTION BOARD for the HDP-3 or 2.6P.

I was sorry to discover with the introduction of your new model 4 the company abruptly dropped the production of this important option board?

You would have to agree that a four/five way system integration would be impossible using HDP-3's or 2.6P's without it?

What happened to Legacy support?

Actually, the only way it could be done now is by substituting either the HDP-3 or 2.6 with a new 4.0?

Anyway, you see where I am going with this.....makes it hard not to be cynical? Don't you agree?

Your reply stated a link to legacy products would be added to your homepage almost a year ago? I could
not find it. Yes, I see one is posted here.....good luck finding this link elsewhere...why isn't one prominent in the support section of the deqx website?

In searching for a Dig Out Board I spoke with many dealers across the USA. These complaints are not unique.

I called long distance to Australia and left a message (twice) that I was looking for a part. I did not say what part.
Did I get a reply?
Sorry to say, No

In closing, great product Kim. I hope the criticism helps illuminate problems that create a serious customer retention problem.

Respectfully,
Ken Pachkowsky

Sorry to hear of your frustrations, Ken - seems a real head-bonker.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr. Widget

... I found I could get a more accurate reproduction by taking numerous MLS measurements and manually tweaking the parametric controls.

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(and delays). I do this, sometimes daily, using Smaart and xta's DP448. It takes time, and best possible conditions, but it sure works.

Not that it will help you DEQX'ers... :(

The xta seems to cost about the same, and it's nearly infinitely changeable, and with a very powerful user interface. The only additional cost, here, is Smaart and that experience. If you can make-do with a lesser-cost measurement system, going the xta route will bring great satisfaction. The sound is amazing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boputnam

Sorry to hear of your frustrations, Ken - seems a real head-bonker.

(and delays). I do this, sometimes daily, using Smaart and xta's DP448. It takes time, and best possible conditions, but it sure works.

Not that it will help you DEQX'ers... :(

The xta seems to cost about the same, and it's nearly infinitely changeable, and with a very powerful user interface. The only additional cost, here, is Smaart and that experience. If you can make-do with a lesser-cost measurement system, going the xta route will bring great satisfaction. The sound is amazing.

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Always great to see your name on a message BO. I hope this finds you happy and well.

I have been quite ill the last 2 years but after a couple of surgery's am feeling much better.

The XTA's are excellent.....but do require the expertise to setup properly. No easy path when it comes to this stuff.

Take care bud...say hi to your lovely wife. I hope our paths cross again one day.

I am seriously involved with resonessence.com so check reviews and our products out. Will be at Newport Beach show end of May and RMAF this fall......doing CES as well.

Middle of night....hope this reads ok..lol

Ken

My friend and colleague KEN PACHKOWSKY and his girlfriend were killed in a motorcycle accident in rural Manitoba on a sunny Sunday morning, July 20, 2014.

As this was the last thread that Ken posted on these fora, I thought I would place this notice here in the hopes that his friends might find it.

Attachment 63164

http://passages.winnipegfreepress.co...th_Pachkowsky/

Oh man.

That is just tragic , tragic news .

I really liked Ken. Such a loss .

RIP Ken .

So sad. The assumption from what I've read is that Ken and his girlfriend died doing what they liked, taken from their lives by an inattentive oncoming driver. As a motorcyclist now for over 44-years, I struggle with this news too frequently.

My heart goes out to their families who lost loved ones far too soon, and so senselessly.

Thank you for letting us know... very sad indeed.

I am shocked... Way too damned early!


Widget

Awful news.

A great guy who will be missed.

Awwwww - just too sad.
The circle grows yet smaller ...

lost another good one!

Regards, Ron

Quote:

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So sad. The assumption from what I've read is that Ken and his girlfriend died doing what they liked, taken from their lives by an inattentive oncoming driver. As a motorcyclist now for over 44-years, I struggle with this news too frequently.

My heart goes out to their families who lost loved ones far too soon, and so senselessly.

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I could not say it any better.

So,so very sad …. I was just looking at my skype contacts and thinking about him the other day …… My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Richard

Hello folks,


It's eerie how footprints last forever on the internet. I found this site awhile back in August when I was researching my Dad and his equipment, I planned to come back and inform you of the events of the accident when I was in a better headspace. I apologize in advance if I over share, I’m sipping a dram of Lagavulin 16, typing away on this with my Mac and listening to some Pink Floyd on these gorgeous Westlakes. Honestly things are a little emotional lol. I write this for those of you that knew Ken and called him a friend.


I suppose I should introduce myself, I'm Ryan, 34 years old and Ken was my father. Me and my partner own a very small a/v & automation company here in Winnipeg, MB. I spent most of the day today with a few of my installers setting up my Dad's amazing Westlake speaker system in one of the empty rooms in my office. It was a difficult experience but also a bit cathartic. As I'm sure most of you know Ken really loved music, and it was a love we both shared. I visited this site again today to add a post about the accident and it was heartwarming to see the messages of support and condolences added to this thread. I didn't know my Dad very well for most of my life (I'm his son from a previous marriage long ago) but about 6 years ago we reconnected, and once he moved back to Canada we became very close.


For those that would like to know I can say that my Dad’s passing was very sudden and without suffering. He was riding out to the lake on his Harley Soft Tail Classic with his girlfriend (soon to be finance) Della. He was at a very happy point in his life. Back home close to family, healthy and in a loving relationship. It was at 11:30am Sunday that he struck the passenger side of an oncoming truck that was turning left off the highway onto a connecting road. The other driver was an 80 year old man and his 68 year old wife, they were both sober and just simply didn’t see them. The elderly couple were released from hospital with only minor injuries. I have since forgiven them for the accident as it was simply that, an accident. I feel the spiritual and emotional burden of having taken someones life senselessly is far greater than any anger I could have for them.


As his friends in this community I felt you all should know some further details, and see that his beloved audio system is in good hands. This equipment will be taken care of, added to when needed and passed down to my family. I should note that I’m nowhere near the audiophile my Dad was, so I may post here from time to time and call on some of you for advice if thats alright lol. I've also got a large amount of hobby audio parts and gear to go thru and don't know alot about it, I would love to get some information on it from those of you that posted below. So please PM me if you're interested in helpin me out :)


I’ve attached a photo taken just after setup.


Take care guys,


Ryan

Boy Ryan, you sure look like your dad!!

Some months back I spoke with your grandmother and some of your aunts and uncles.

I left a voice-mail for you at the time on a number given to me by your grandmother but haven't heard back from you. But I'm wasn't even certain I dialled correctly and have been considering trying again.

Your dad and I had reaquainted after many years and been making some fairly big plans at the time he died.

My number is listed below. If you are up for a conversation or a coffee, please call me.

Michael.

Ran across Ken's posts with a RIP 2014, and found this thread / and post about his accident. Also found info on same in this article:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manito...rash-1.2713300

And his Obituary:
http://passages.winnipegfreepress.co...th_Pachkowsky/

I was heartened that Ken was doing better health-wise and had found a new love. I am saddened that both died that day in July.

RIP Ken, and to all our other brothers who are no longer with us.

Bart

So sorry to say that I had not read this thread and did not know what happened to Ken Pachkowsky until today. Ryan I am very sorry for your loss. I knew Ken when he lived in the Palm Springs area years ago, before Baja. I met with him several times, as he sold a fair amount of audio for me on ebay. We would unload my car, then chat and listen to his fine system featuring the Westlakes. It was a different pair then, wider than they were tall. Then there was the magnificent day we met up with Ken Haerr (Upland Speaker Service) and drove to Westlake Audio to spend hours with speaker designer Glenn Phoenix. Ken P. had set the whole thing up.

I had always wondered why Ken had disappeared from the forum. He was sincere, a "truly fevered" audiophile, fun to be around and meticulous in his business dealings. He was a born salesman, he really loved it and excelled, while I have always run the other way. I still have a subwoofer cabinet in my back yard that housed a JBL 18" driver that he delivered to me the last time I saw him.

Just reminded of Ken and also Scott both in this thread, and of the 3 years since Ken left us and now 7 years since Scott has been gone too.

live life to the fullest each day.

Bart

Another 3 years has passed so I’m pulling this thread up again to remember Ken, Scott, and all the others we have lost. Perhaps we should have an In Memorium thread similar to one on AudioKarma that memorializes our fallen members. In this crazy 2020 year, we really need to remember all the great members who are no longer with us.

Take care everyone and and stay safe.

Bart

:thmbsup::thmbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mech986

Another 3 years has passed so I’m pulling this thread up again to remember Ken, Scott, and all the others we have lost. Perhaps we should have an In Memorium thread similar to one on AudioKarma that memorializes our fallen members. In this crazy 2020 year, we really need to remember all the great members who are no longer with us.

Take care everyone and and stay safe.

Bart

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