Can't help you as my interests and, therefore, my expertise are focused on discrete multichannel sources and, when I play stereo sources, I don't upmix. I play everything from files via a Jriver or Roon on a WinPC.
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Are stereo and 8 channel DACs too wimpy for you?
- Thread starter SHB
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I have many sources and a PC is not one. NAS / LMS out in the garage yes.
Currently Wiim Ultra as hub, some limited DSP.
If I did want a PC in the audio signal chain, it would be for DSP and routing only. I think RPi can do all that including player / renderer duty.
Just in case that stimulates other members with suggestions...
Currently Wiim Ultra as hub, some limited DSP.
If I did want a PC in the audio signal chain, it would be for DSP and routing only. I think RPi can do all that including player / renderer duty.
Just in case that stimulates other members with suggestions...
DSP and routing, yes, and in mch and high(ish) rez.
charlielaub
Senior Member
Well, bucker up there, Johnnie! DCS has you covered.
They have announced that they are going to make a 16 channel DAC using their latest and most manly technology. According to the press release, this DAC will increase the strength of your pimp hand to Snoop Dogg levels.
dCS to Demo New 16-Channel DAC at Vienna High End
dCS will debut its first multichannel DAC, at the Vienna High End Show. The MCD 16 will be demoed along side Trinnov AltitudeCI, Perlisten S-series speakers, and Grammy-winning producer Justin Gray.www.audioholics.com
Meant only for manly men who do manly audio things.
This has 16 analog channels in and 16 analog channels out:
MOTU 16A (2025)
32 x 34 Thunderbolt/USB/AVB Audio Interface 32 inputs x 34 outputs, Two 3.9" displays for all inputs and outputs, ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC-Technology, DSP-controlled mixer with 64 inputs, 32 busses and DSP effects (reverb, 4-band equaliser, gate,...
www.thomann.co.uk
TBD. My goal would be to keep these 3-4 layers separate
A. Speaker building (ideally "set & forget")
Speaker EQ (as anechoic as possible)
Crossovers including both FR alignment / blending and timing delays / phase tuning
B. Ad-hoc user "preamp" functions, ideally from LP
C. Room EQ / DRC **must** be separate, (versions / parts of) system will often be relocated (not needed when outdoors?)
aka "Modularised DSP ™ "
...
A is where all the I/O ports are needed, I'm thinking 2x8ch in and out is enough, so roughly "L vs R" , if not maybe a third for Centre and overlapping LF units (MSO?) when space allows
I like @OCA 's GSonic Reference's architecture for C but in conjunction with MSO? will need much testing.
Wiim Ultra and/or a miniDSP 2x4 HD in stereo before the multichannel and crossover splitting start front end may participate, at least in testing learning for comparison.
Configurable and automatically variable Loudness contouring coupled to user ad-hoc volume control may need to be independent of B's DSP implementation.
www.audiosciencereview.com
A. Speaker building (ideally "set & forget")
Speaker EQ (as anechoic as possible)
Crossovers including both FR alignment / blending and timing delays / phase tuning
B. Ad-hoc user "preamp" functions, ideally from LP
C. Room EQ / DRC **must** be separate, (versions / parts of) system will often be relocated (not needed when outdoors?)
aka "Modularised DSP ™ "
...
A is where all the I/O ports are needed, I'm thinking 2x8ch in and out is enough, so roughly "L vs R" , if not maybe a third for Centre and overlapping LF units (MSO?) when space allows
I like @OCA 's GSonic Reference's architecture for C but in conjunction with MSO? will need much testing.
Wiim Ultra and/or a miniDSP 2x4 HD in stereo before the multichannel and crossover splitting start front end may participate, at least in testing learning for comparison.
Configurable and automatically variable Loudness contouring coupled to user ad-hoc volume control may need to be independent of B's DSP implementation.
Pre-amps with Loudness - OSD Pre-1 ?
Most of my source-switchers and volume controls are analog-only, which is my preference. I am also frugal, some months actually poor 8-( I like having physical tone controls, and miss the old variable loudness curve feature, ideally automatically coupled with the volume level, but I guess that...
www.audiosciencereview.com
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I see no reason to go higher than 48Hz
I half-follow.
For B, what is an "ad-hoc preamp" doing, and for "LP" do you mean vinyl, (or Low Pass!) and if vinyl, doing ADC, with RIAA done digitally?
How many ADC and DAC conversions get done from source to speaker drivers?
For B, what is an "ad-hoc preamp" doing, and for "LP" do you mean vinyl, (or Low Pass!) and if vinyl, doing ADC, with RIAA done digitally?
How many ADC and DAC conversions get done from source to speaker drivers?
Ok, typo, but is the limit down to what the RPi5 can do? If the RPi was a couple of versions on, would you go 96 or higher to please the people with ultrasonic ears?
Is this a system you are looking to commercialise ?
Not at all, just a noob playing at a hobby.
> Ok, typo, but is the limit down to what the RPi5 can do?
No, I see no objective reason ever - for anyone or any gear - to go higher than 16-bit / 48kHz in a recreational listening context (as opposed to music creation / production)
Yes of course, manufacturers must please the prospective audiofool consumers who think 96kHz is "better" just because the number is bigger, wasting money is the foundation of our economic systems after all...
> ultrasonic ears
is an oxymoron
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Besides Volume/LC which I think will likely be separate at least at first, to be tested.
Power up / down, ideally one button whole system
Source / input switching
Features like tone controls which the user may adjust ad-hoc per album / song, compensate for poor mastering etc - sometimes PEQ based.
Balance, L/R or maybe F/R fader too, turning Center up/down films vs music, sub level / boost off/on
Spatial effects, mono vs plain stereo vs multichannel, down- vs upmixing.
Bypass any of the above, maybe A/Bing different versions / effects, switching a tube buffer in/out
Likely not all these can be done from any one component much less at the LP
which stands for listening position.
> if vinyl, doing ADC, with RIAA done digitally?
I'd use a nice phono preamp, if the Wiim Ultra's did not suffice.
> How many ADC and DAC conversions get done from source to speaker drivers?
TBD but not a concern for now as I plan for each stage to be transparent way past human audibility.
Say at the SQ level of miniDSP Pocket ADC as a benchmark.
Aha, clearer.
If you are thinking about the hifiberry is2 8 channels hats, a pi 4b won't work. You need raspberry pi 5 for those, and the total setup cost for 2xpi + 2xhats isn't that cheap. I bet you can find a USB interface in the used market for the same price, depending where you live, and you have a more versatile device.
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New theory for cost-aware 4-way XO on Rpi5: get the cheapo Behringer UMC1820 and use its analogue outputs for sub bass and bass, but use external stereo DACS (present) for mids and highs, connected to the digital outputs of the Behringer (S/PDIF and ADAT). The Behringer should keep all channels...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Thanks
Yes I'm not ruling out going with a quiet / cool / cheaper PC.
In fact I've been collecting super-cheap I/O boxen based on obsolete interface tech
Do you know of decent 8-ch interfacii for RPi4 ?
If I go RPi5 I might as well try to use these I do love IT challenges 8-D
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-value-for-pc-i-o-as-echo-audiofire-12.69743
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charlielaub
Senior Member
They can do that, indeed. It's just a software solution instead of a hardware one. In fact, via software, you can do much more in terms of room correction (longer FIRs) than most hardware DSPs.