Brickwall PCM Filter

Audio Components DACs
1

Hi all -

Just curious, if anyone has any experience with the Brickwall PCM filter setting on a DAC?

thanks in advance…

2

It’s my favorite setting for all around listening. For me it’s the best choice for full orchestra or really bombastic music. Also for Alice in Chains, Porcupine Tree, etc.

4 Likes
3

I recall you saying that you liked the Brickwall filter on another thread. Isn’t it similar to a fast linear filter?

4

It has a very fast transition, it can be linear phase or minimum phase, you’d have to check your documentation on that.

2 Likes
5

I appreciate all the information your providing on this subject.

What can i expect to hear between minimum phase vs linear phase

also, slow vs fast

6

Different people care about different things. Linear phase preserves waveshape better, that’s most apparent on transients, especially sharp ones on percussion, for example. There might be a little more drive.

Slow vs fast: slow is appropriate for small ensembles, trios, sing voice, etc. where the very high audio frequencies don’t matter a lot and there are already a lot of room cues, etc. It may chop off some aliasing or other artifacts from earlier in the production chain and sound clearer.

3 Likes
7

Maybe i’m imagining things after listening for too long, but I thought vocals were more recessed using a minimum phase setting.

Also, the apodizing setting, seemed to make everything sound dull.

8

I’d try each for, say, a week, after using one for a while when you go back to the first you’ll either say “ahhh” or “bletch”

2 Likes
9

i’ve been trying that method, and am finding the brickwall setting to be pleasing (at least for this week)

10

Interesting. I’m exploring this a bit tonight, albeit not for extended one week periods… yet.

I’m not using a PS Audio DAC, but on mine the “apodizing fast rolloff, linear phase” sounds naturally live, energetic and detailed, while brickwall sounds rather flat and unnaturally smooth.