HDP-3™ Preamp processor

Unlike other DSP room correction designs that include room acoustic effects in their measurements, DEQX processors (or preamp/processor) measure and correct a speaker's native anechoic response so that frequency-related phase, group-delay and frequency response errors are corrected before measuring again at the listening position and compensating for room acoustics.

The Platform

The HDP-3 is a stereo digital processor than can be installed between preamp and amplifier or as a preamp/processor. It's packed with innovative, patented speaker and room compensation technology. Almost half a million lines of code refined by our engineers over twelve years is what distinguishes DEQX from other digital processors and crossovers! Connected to a PC running DEQX software during setup, the HDP-3 first measures and corrects your speakers and subwoofers using its largely automated wizard-driven measurement, analysis, and correction software.

The HDP-3 features SPDIF, AES/EBU, unbalanced analog and balanced analog inputs. Standard outputs on the three channels per side are unbalanced RCAs. Optional outputs include balanced or digital outputs. Multiple HDP-3s can connect for multichannel surround configurations such as 4.2 and 5.1 to 7.7.

When using the HDP-3 as a stereo preamp as well as a processor – avoiding unnecessary conversions – you can be sure its audiophile quality all the way through. The balanced and unbalanced analog inputs are built around highly transparent Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) running at 24-bit/96kHz resolution. Two SHARC 32-bit floating-point DSPs provide internal processing resolution on the order of 160dB followed by 24/96 Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) and six 256-step resistor-ladder analog volume control chips that maintain full dynamic range even at low listening levels. Nine separate power-supply regulation stages, including four that provide the main analog rails deliver extremely low measured distortion for fatigue-free listening.

While the DEQX HDP-3 can also be a set-it-and-forget-it experience, the remote provides volume control, input selection, four different speaker and room correction profile selections, plus low-, mid- and high-frequency tone controls. Even without a PC connected you can store 100 different EQ settings for different recordings or simple room EQ! You can use the bass, mid and high default settings, or for more precise control, move a band's center frequency across 10 octaves, with semitone resolution, while its bandwidth can be adjusted from just one semitone to four octaves with cut/boost in one dB increments.

The remote control also selects inputs: Two analog and two digital. One of the analog inputs might be connected to a phono preamp, an analog preamp or surround decoder, with one of the digital inputs connected to a CD or DVD player.

Calibration

If not working with a DEQX Agent in your home or studio and want to measure and correct the speakers and room yourself or via remote connection to a US Agent you'll need either the Standard Calibration Kit or Reference Calibration Kit. For the highest performance speaker correction DEQX recommends the Reference Calibration Kit with Earthworks microphone. The Standard Calibration Kit's Beringher microphone has a 20kHz top-end correction limit while the HDP-3 passes up to 40kHz. The HDP-3 also comes with DEQX Cal Software and Firmware.

The Method

Other "room correction devices" simply adjust amplitude response – uneven output at different frequencies – to offset room modes. But they don't address phase or group-delay timing issues that exist in all real-world speakers.