Taramps Pro 2.4D Dynamic Peak DSP Crossover Full Digital Signal Processor and Equalizer with 4-Channel Out, 5-Band Input Equalizer 12 preset, Peak Limiter Function

This review is intended primarily for shortwave listeners or amateur radio operators or GMRS or CB radio users.At about 1/3rd the price of other devices known to the amateur radio community, that offer some functional overlap, I have found the Taramps Pro 2.4D is a very capable and portable (12VDC) audio DSP. It is designed for use with automotive car stereo systems, having a configurable, 4-channel Crossover (four stereo outputs), a 5-band EQ for each of the Crossover outputs, and best of all, an easily-configured Volume Limiter for each of the Crossover outputs - among several other features that hams might find useful.Again, even though it’s made for car stereo installations, it appears to be adaptable for use with any transceiver or receiver having a mono or stereo output jack, by placing it in between the radio's external speaker jack and a powered external speaker or speakers.In my primary application, it sits between my HF transceiver’s external speaker jack and a repurposed pair of old, powered PC speakers that operate on 12VDC with a built-in stereo audio amplifier, tone control and volume control. I'm only using one of the Pro 2.4D's stereo Crossover outputs - to send a line-level stereo signal to the self-powered PC speakers - having converted the mono output of the radio's external speaker jack to dual-mono (stereo), by using an inexpensive, mono-to-stereo 3.5mm plug-to-jack adapter, at the radio.My main purpose for buying the Taramps Pro 2.4D was to take advantage of its Volume Limiter function. I cannot count the number of times my receiver has been blasted by a sudden incoming S9+100 signal – especially, when I am attempting to pull out a very weak DX station, with my RF gain and/or Audio gain adjusted to be "just right" for most signals I am hearing from competing stations that are heard in a pile up. But then, along comes somebody running 600W or 1500W RF into a 3-element beam or quad that is too close for comfort. My transceiver’s AGC can't deal with these monstrous signals and I can never reach the RF gain knob fast enough.This very product has put an end to those situations, limiting the sound pressure levels heard from my external speakers. This is not the same effect as simply using an attenuating patch cord between the radio and the external speaker(s) - which would attenuate all voltages equally. The DSP-controlled volume limiter allows lesser signal levels (lesser voltages) to pass, unattenuated, while applying a hard ceiling to any signal voltage that exceeds your specified maximum.My ears are much happier now, when working weak signals, as I no longer have to worry about somebody hitting my receiver with S9 +100 or whatever. LOLI could share the settings I've specified in the Taramps Pro 2.4D, but that would be of little use, given the very low probability that a reader of this review would be using the same powered PC speakers that I'm using. I will share, however, that my installation setup is as follows:---1) A 3.5mm TS Mono Plug to 3.5mm TRS Stereo Jack Adapter is plugged into my radio's external speaker jack (as mentioned above). See: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-107128-Stereo-Adaptor-Plated/dp/B002N1XMPO2) A short, 3.5mm TRS male to 3.5mm TRS male, shielded stereo patch cord is connected to the mono-to-stereo adapter. See: https://www.amazon.com/Syncwire-Auxiliary-Braided-Headphone-Stereos/dp/B091Y9RK1F/3) A 3.5mm Female to 2 RCA Male Stereo Audio Y Cable connects the stereo patch cord to the stereo RCA jacks labeled "Inputs" on the front of the Taramps Pro 2.4D. See: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCR898PNote that items 2) and 3) could be replaced with a well-shielded 3.5mm TRS male to dual RCA male cable, but finding well-shielded audio cables that will not ingest stray RF is difficult. (My HF antenna is an indoor, elevated ground-plane vertical, located only 6 meters from my bench, so your mileage may vary.)4) A second 3.5mm Female to 2 RCA Male Stereo Audio Y Cable connects the stereo RCA jacks for only one of the four Crossover channels, labeled "Outputs 3." See: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCR898P5) Lastly, a second, short, 3.5mm TRS male to 3.5mm TRS male, shielded stereo patch cord sends the output of the Taramps Prio 2.4D to the 3.5mm input jack of my self-powered PC speakers. See: https://www.amazon.com/Syncwire-Auxiliary-Braided-Headphone-Stereos/dp/B091Y9RK1F/---That, above, describes the audio signal path from the radio to the Taramps Pro 2.4D, and from there to the self-powered PC speakers.Note that another set of stereo audio signal inputs are available at the rear of the Taramps unit, but I found everything to work much better for my amplified signal coming from the radio, when (surprisingly), I made use of the RCA inputs that are intended for un-amplified, line-level signals. Feel free to experiment, with your setup.For 12VDC power, I am making use of the outermost two of four screw terminals that are located at the right rear of the Taramps unit.Important note: Given that this device was designed for installation under a seat or in the trunk of a vehicle, in between the "head unit" of a car stereo, and as many as four external amplifiers driving four sets of speakers (via its four-channel crossover), THERE IS NO POWER SWITCH. It's designed to turn on automatically, whenever an audio signal is detected at one of its two inputs. This feature, is however, very dependent on the both the low voltage and high impedance of an incoming line-level signal. The external speaker jack of my radios (and yours) put out a low-impedance, high voltage (already amplified) audio signal. I was unable, therefore, to make use of the automatic power on feature.Here is an undocumented solution for easily attaching an external SPST power switch (as provided via email, by the excellent customer support staff at Taramps - located in Brazil - and I mean EXCELLENT. They are awesome.):---Using this rocker switch with power leads already attached: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G17HWW8Connect one lead to the 12VDC + screw terminal (sharing that terminal with the conductor coming from + side of your 12V battery or power supply) -AND- connect the other lead to the terminal that is right next to the 12VDC - screw terminal. Looking at the four screw terminals from above, the 2nd terminal from the left will not be in use, power will come in on the leftmost and right most terminals, and the external power switch will be connected to the leftmost terminal and the terminal that is the rightmost of the middle pair of terminals.---I always start by turning on my radio, then turning on the Taramps Pro 2.4D, then turning on the self-powered speakers.I will leave it at that, to avoid making this review any longer, but if interested, you can download and peruse the very well-written user manual, from the manufacturer’s website.

Great

EXCELENTE 👌