As long as you can get a signal to them either analog via XLR or digital via AES they should work fine. Here is the manual and they will reply to email requests but it usually takes a day due to the time difference.
Thanks - I did email them earlier in the week but no response so far. I think the 5.1 integration will be a problem with volume matching.
They may not be working due to local health restrictions. I had a lot of back and forth with the team there and always got a reply within a day or two depending on the send time.
You can set the volume level of the speakers individually and that may be all that is needed. If your 5.1 preamp can output an analog signal you may be OK. I only have 2.2 channel experience with them.
Yes I assume theyāre under similar pressures as we are so not sweating about when they reply so all good.
Iām hoping I can use my BHK pre to fix the volume issue for 5.1 whilst eliminating it for stereo.
You can individually set the gain in each single D&D 8c. That will then enable your source volume control to do the rest for your complete 5.1 setup.
Let me see if I understand correctly:
If I had two inputs to the 8c speaker, one (analog) from my home theatre pre-pro and one (digital) from my streamer would I be able to set the gain in the 8c to a level that would then volume match the rest of my home theatre speakers and then control volume from the pre-pro when watching movies?
Also, when listening to two channel music, I could control the volume from Roon?
Thanks.
I thought you use your AV controller for everything and wanted to match the D&D with other speaker/power amp combos. I donāt think you can even connect digital and XLR simultaneous. But Dutch & Dutch do publish the user manual if I remember correctly.
Enjoy reading. Let us know if it would work for you.
Thanks Iāve read the manual several times but it doesnāt explain much when it comes to multiple connections. Iāve also sent emails to D&D and never got any response. The US D&D dealers Iāve spoken to donāt know the answer either.
The Dutch & Dutch have:
- 1 XLR input
It can be switched between:
- AES EBU (digital balanced)
- Analog balanced to -10 dB for home audio pre-amps
- Analog balanced to +4 dB for studio gear analog inputs
This means you cannot connect both analog and digital input you have to choose with the selector switch on the back.
-
XLR through (output only):
when AES EBU is selected as input, this is to connect the 2 speakers to a stereo pair with an AES EBU balanced cable. -
XLR Sub (output only):
to connect a subwoofer that is controlled by the D&D DSP -
Ethernet connection:
Currently still only to set all parameters of the Dutch & Dutch through a WEB browser.
Unless you accept a beta version of Dutch & Dutch which seems currently to be under review by ROON, as the ROON Ready label has not been granted for the D&D 8cās yet.
I expect this to be the reason for nobody being able to give a definite answer to your question as there is very little certain about that firmware version.
Perhaps the Ethernet input can be assigned a different gain setting than the XLR input, but that is not certain yet.
But you can not utilize AES EBU and analog input simultaneously, that is certain.
Thanks, this is precisely the info I was looking for.
A couple of notes:
The network cable connection cannot play music (yet). It is not a digital music input.
You do need a network connection to be able to adjust or communicate with the speaker but they only need internet access in order to be updated by D&D which is very infrequently. Once settings are set to your taste you no longer need a network cable connected to the speakers.
D&D will not let general installed customer base use Beta software. They use dedicated Beta testers similar to how PS Audio and others do that type of testing.
You cannot have both digital (AES/EBU) and analog signals connected at the same time as they connect to the same XLR input. Analog signals use a discreet cable to each speaker as you would expect.
AES/EBU uses a pass thru connection between speakers and a termination fitting at the end of the line.
You can change inputs via web browser.
You have to tell each speaker whether it is left or right. This is both for AES and analog input and is used to adjust the onboard DSP settings for front and side wall distance.
You can turn on or off up to 24 DSP filters plus standard ātoneā controls (treble, mid, bass) via web browser.
The volume / gain control is per speaker and not both speakers at the same time. It is adjudted in 0.5db increments.
The web browser is clunky and barely functional but does work and is the only way to make adjustments to the speakers or DSP settings.
The sub out is full range and not adjusted via the internal DSP settings. It can also be used as a full range input for another amplifier. I donāt know why you would want that option but it exists.
The speakers sound wonderful and have been flawless for the 9 months or so that I have owned them. I leave them on 24/7.
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Very useful info, thanks.
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This is a crosspost from the roon forum. I wanted to put it here for those that may not visit there.
I used REW v5.20 beta 58 with my speakers at 1.4.57 last night. I did the recommended 7 measurement average. I donāt like to use superlatives but the difference was truly amazing. The soundstage is wide and deep. Vocals and instruments have separation and are locked in place. The 8cs were great before the filters. Now they are outstanding.
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Hi Baldy
Howās this for a uber simple system
PP15
Auralic Aries G2
DnD 8c
connected via AES xlr
Used in a 6m x 5m room
Best sound I have had in over 40yrs at this game
I will admit to also running four SVS SB16 Ultras with the front two subs doubling as speaker stands.
The 8c have Gia 111 isolation feet
Iām pretty confident you will really like those 8Cs
Blue
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Sounds like my setup. My room is the same size. I have
PP5
NUC running ROCK
USB to Matrix X-SPDIF-2 converting to AES to the 8cs.
When roon support is available I will move the NUC to my server closet and eliminate the Matrix.
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Iām about to upgrade from my BHK pre / bhk250 / spendor d9.2 setup to the Dutch 8c. Looking forward to it!
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Actives are the path to enlightenment.
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All the best. Please tell us how it goes for you.
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Are you going to hang on to the gear you have to compare? I would be surprised if you found that was an upgrade in other than convenience in the long run. Not a criticism - rather, a serious question. Of course if the aim is to cut down on gear and/or get other features the 8cās have, I get it. But speakers aside, that is some very good pre-and-amplification you are trading off vs. whatās in the 8cās.
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Yes, the BHK gear isnāt going anywhere. I do hope the 8cās are a game changer and the BHK gear doesnāt get any useā¦ but weāll see.
The āupgradeā comment was a little tongue in cheek but also me being optimistic because I would love to get rid of all my components and get back to basics.