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A version of this review originally appeared in Australian Hi-Fi magazine. We re-publish it here in a mutual syndication arrangement with the publishers. As is customary for our own reviews, the writer's signature at review's end shows an e-mail address should you have questions or wish to send feedback. All images contained in this review are the property of Australian Hi-Fi magazine or DEQX - Ed.

Reviewer: Edgar Kramer 
Financial Interests: Click here 
Source: AMR CD-77.1 CD player, MacBook with BitPerfect player and AIFF files 
Preamplifier: Supratek Sauvignon with NOS RCA and Bendix tubes; NuForce P9, NuForce P20, Musical Fidelity kW hybrid 
Amplifier: NuForce Reference 18 monoblocks; Cymer Audio Southern Star SE-35 monoblocks; Musical Fidelity kW750 2-box power amplifier 
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia 
Cables digital: Cerious Technologies; Harmonic Technology Magic; NuForce digital cables; ZenSati Seraphim; analog interconnects - Bocchino Audio Morning Glory; Cable Research Laboratory (CRL) Gold with Bocchino XLR and RCA; Cerious Technologies; DanA Digital Reference Silver; Eichmann eXpress 6 Series 2; ETI Quiessence Reference; Exakte IC; Harmonic Technology Magic and Truthlink Silver; MIT Giant Killer MPC; NuForce IC-700; PSC Audio Monolith AG; PSC Audio Pristine R30 Ribbon; ZenSati Seraphim RCA & XLR; speaker cables - Cerious Technologies; ETI Quiessence Reference; Exakte speaker cable; MIT Giant Killer GK-1 loudspeaker cables; NuForce SC-700; ZenSati Seraphim; power cords - Cerious Technologies AC; Eichmann eXpress AC power cables; Exakte AC; Harmonic Technology Fantasy; PSC Gold Power MKII; Shunyata Research Diamondback 
Stands: SGR Signature racks 
Acoustic treatment: Fonic Designer panels 
Sundry accessories: Burson Audio Buffer, Bright Star Audio IsoRock Reference 3 and BSA IsoNode feet; Bocchino Audio Mecado isolation diodes; Black Diamond Racing cones; Stillpoints ERS paper in strategic positions, Shakti On Lines; Densen & IsoTek CD demagnetizer; Auric Illuminator CD Treatment 
Room size: 6.4m wide by 7.1m long with high ceiling and narrow cavity behind speakers. Room has been professionally measured and found to be extraordinarily flat and neutral 
Review component retail in US: $4’995, USB option $495 

Back in 2004, I was one of the very first to tackle the rather daunting task of reviewing one of the first products from Australian digital specialist DEQX - the PDC-2.6P processor. The unit was the company’s then flagship, way ahead of the game and a true Swiss Army knife of digital functionality featuring on-board crossovers, room correction, speaker correction, digital equalization, digital to analogue conversion and more. The review ended up being the most complex and lengthy I’ve ever written. When taking into account the multiple graphs and screen captures, it would not be surprising if it was one of the longest ever published. Boy did I need some recovery time after that literary marathon. It may have even made the Guinness Book of Records. Just sayin’.


Nine years on, DEQX have evolved to offer updated products with similar and more features to that earlier generation but with a simplified operational approach which is profoundly more user friendly. In fact, thanks to DEQX’s splendid customer support and some computer, um… wizardry, very little if anything is required of owners in terms of computer skills. Functionality can be as hands-on or passively inactive as the individual's own spirit of adventure determines. DEQX understand that some users may either be reluctant or outright lack the computer or measuring skills to conduct their own PreMate setup.


Commendably the company offer their DEQXpert service which provides remote Internet measuring, correction and PreMate configuration. All that is required is a test microphone, a computer running Windows, a USB port and broadband Internet access. Help is also available via telephone or email should users prefer to set up the PreMate themselves. Via these avenues DEQX can provide prompt customer support around the world. Contact DEQX for DEQXpert service costing.