First, want to apologize if I am posting in the wrong thread. In my previous thread, where I was comparing Matrix Sabre DAC to Mytek DAC+, there was a suggestion that MiniDSP can replace and likely perform better than the analog active crossover I had from Marchand. I couldn’t resist and pulled the trigger on the fully loaded MiniDSP DDRC-88A/88BM with Dirac live.
Before going any further, here is my setup.
Mini PC running Roon Core kit, to Mytek DAC, to Marchand Electronics active crossover, to 3 Amps (W4S ST 1000 20-300hz, Hypex NC 400 monoblocks 300-3500 hz, and McIntosh MC275 mk6 tube amp above 3.5k hz). Speaker drivers are the original Klipsch RF7ii 10” woofers, Scanspeak 12MU midrange and Pioneer/TAD PT-R7Y beryllium ribbon tweeters.
I had no complaints, but decided to try the MiniDSP instead of the Marchand. When I got the MiniDSP unit, I went through all the set up procedures and calibrations using the Umik-1.
now back to the reason for this thread. My Pioneer tweeters have 96db sensitivity. As such, in my system, I can hear a faint hiss from the tweeters when my ear is about 0.5 ft away from them. Not an issue when listening to music. Interestingly, when MiniDSP was introduced into the chain this hiss got significantly louder and annoying. I could hear it within 2-3 ft. So I decided to do some basic crude measurements. I do not have the fancy equipment Amir possesses, but the simple microphone measurements confirm what I hear.
When measuring full bandwidth (20-20000 hz) dB levels, no difference could be seen. I had to narrow the bandwidth to 3-30khz to see the difference. First, mic is about 4ft away, showing the background noise, next Marchand in the chain and the mic about 2-3 inches from the driver, and next is the MiniDSP in the chain. Kind of disappointed, to say the least. Also not impressed by Dirac, but that is another topic altogether.
Before going any further, here is my setup.
Mini PC running Roon Core kit, to Mytek DAC, to Marchand Electronics active crossover, to 3 Amps (W4S ST 1000 20-300hz, Hypex NC 400 monoblocks 300-3500 hz, and McIntosh MC275 mk6 tube amp above 3.5k hz). Speaker drivers are the original Klipsch RF7ii 10” woofers, Scanspeak 12MU midrange and Pioneer/TAD PT-R7Y beryllium ribbon tweeters.
I had no complaints, but decided to try the MiniDSP instead of the Marchand. When I got the MiniDSP unit, I went through all the set up procedures and calibrations using the Umik-1.
now back to the reason for this thread. My Pioneer tweeters have 96db sensitivity. As such, in my system, I can hear a faint hiss from the tweeters when my ear is about 0.5 ft away from them. Not an issue when listening to music. Interestingly, when MiniDSP was introduced into the chain this hiss got significantly louder and annoying. I could hear it within 2-3 ft. So I decided to do some basic crude measurements. I do not have the fancy equipment Amir possesses, but the simple microphone measurements confirm what I hear.
When measuring full bandwidth (20-20000 hz) dB levels, no difference could be seen. I had to narrow the bandwidth to 3-30khz to see the difference. First, mic is about 4ft away, showing the background noise, next Marchand in the chain and the mic about 2-3 inches from the driver, and next is the MiniDSP in the chain. Kind of disappointed, to say the least. Also not impressed by Dirac, but that is another topic altogether.
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