Audient ORIA Mini - 2.1 DAC & Room Correction System (powered by Sonarworks)

[neRok]

Just spotted the Audient ORIA Mini: https://audient.com/products/monitor-controllers/oria-mini/overview/

It's seems similar to a MiniDSP 2x4, except it has balanced (TRS) analogue inputs (2.0) and outputs (2.1), along with S/PDIF input. The DAC performance appears good too. It unfortunately doesn't have USB audio input though, which would have been handy!

I get the impression that companies like this are deliberately making audio interfaces without such features in order to sell you more equipment. Another example is Arturia Audiofuse X8 OUT, which runs from a quite capable XMOS XU316 chip, and even has a USB header behind the faceplate for firmware updates, but doesn't allow USB input or on-device DAC. Presuming this ORIA Mini is also running on a similar chip, it begs the question why they didn't put a little more effort in feature wise. If this had USB audio input, a digital volume knob, and a toslink output that could do s/pdif or adat — it would be killer! Imagine that. 2 channel s/pdif in, and 8x DSP'd digital channels out, which would be good enough for DIY active 3-way speakers and 2x subs.

 

[Xombul]

Should be easy to turn the spdif in into a usb-c in with a smsl PO100 interface.

 

[EasyC]

I've just ordered one, because of the cons stated here (on the Sonarworks website):

Can I use the standalone app with my DAW?​

Yes, the SoundID Reference app driver can be used as your DAW output instead of using the SoundID Reference DAW plugin format. There are notable advantages, as well as trade-offs.

Pros​

• You don't have to remember to bypass the plugin before rendering your mix (the render-bypass workflow), as the calibration takes place outside of your DAW (no risk if imprinting the calibration EQ on the exported audio).
• No levelling issues associated with the Safe Headroom feature (no volume jumps that are generally associated with the render-bypass workflow with the DAW plugin)

Cons​

• Using the standalone app with your DAW and audio interface may add latency (up to 50 ms, depending on the driver in SoundID Reference), which can be problematic for zero-latency monitoring, unless using the ASIO-to-ASIO driver mode. While the standalone app has the same Zero Latency filter mode as the DAW plugin, it introduces additional latency due to its operation in the OS's audio engine chain.
• Using the standalone app as your DAW output may lead to stability issues. Introducing the SoundID Reference virtual audio driver complicates audio configuration due to varying sample rate formats and output management settings. This can cause unexpected behavior during key actions like adding/removing devices, launching or quitting the DAW, or changing sample rate, etc.

It is generally recommended to use the SoundID Reference DAW plugin format for your critical production work in DAW, as it is purpose-built for DAW use. While it is possible to use the standalone app as DAW output on both macOS and Windows, stability issues are expected. The Virtual ASIO-to-ASIO driver (Windows) is the only recommended and purpose-built format for using the app as DAW output instead of the plugin format.

It's making life a lot easier by just connecting this and storing the SW profile (+3 ) on it.

 

[bungle]

Should be easy to turn the spdif in into a usb-c in with a smsl PO100 interface.

Doesn't it do it in reverse, aka turn USB to SPDIF?

 

[Reborn]

Just spotted the Audient ORIA Mini: https://audient.com/products/monitor-controllers/oria-mini/overview/

It's seems similar to a MiniDSP 2x4, except it has balanced (TRS) analogue inputs (2.0) and outputs (2.1), along with S/PDIF input. The DAC performance appears good too. It unfortunately doesn't have USB audio input though, which would have been handy!

View attachment 495443

I get the impression that companies like this are deliberately making audio interfaces without such features in order to sell you more equipment. Another example is Arturia Audiofuse X8 OUT, which runs from a quite capable XMOS XU316 chip, and even has a USB header behind the faceplate for firmware updates, but doesn't allow USB input or on-device DAC. Presuming this ORIA Mini is also running on a similar chip, it begs the question why they didn't put a little more effort in feature wise. If this had USB audio input, a digital volume knob, and a toslink output that could do s/pdif or adat — it would be killer! Imagine that. 2 channel s/pdif in, and 8x DSP'd digital channels out, which would be good enough for DIY active 3-way speakers and 2x subs.

I'm sure it has a USB-C input, support Win/macOS and it's powered by usb supply. So I think it can replace DAC though you can only remote by app.

 

[neRok]

I'm sure it has a USB-C input, support Win/macOS and it's powered by usb supply. So I think it can replace DAC though you can only remote by app.

Afraid not. This is from the manual;

 

[Reborn]

Afraid not. This is from the manual;
View attachment 495992

Thank u, it was my misunderstanding.

 

[marked sound]

Just spotted the Audient ORIA Mini: https://audient.com/products/monitor-controllers/oria-mini/overview/

It's seems similar to a MiniDSP 2x4, except it has balanced (TRS) analogue inputs (2.0) and outputs (2.1), along with S/PDIF input. The DAC performance appears good too. It unfortunately doesn't have USB audio input though, which would have been handy!

View attachment 495443

I get the impression that companies like this are deliberately making audio interfaces without such features in order to sell you more equipment. Another example is Arturia Audiofuse X8 OUT, which runs from a quite capable XMOS XU316 chip, and even has a USB header behind the faceplate for firmware updates, but doesn't allow USB input or on-device DAC. Presuming this ORIA Mini is also running on a similar chip, it begs the question why they didn't put a little more effort in feature wise. If this had USB audio input, a digital volume knob, and a toslink output that could do s/pdif or adat — it would be killer! Imagine that. 2 channel s/pdif in, and 8x DSP'd digital channels out, which would be good enough for DIY active 3-way speakers and 2x subs.

If you wanted, could you use a splitter for the subs connection for dual subs? Or would that mess with the room calibration system?

 

[neRok]

If you wanted, could you use a splitter for the subs connection for dual subs? Or would that mess with the room calibration system?

You could, and the calibration system wouldn't know the difference because it only "hears" the total response. But if you added a second sub to an existing calibration, then it could negatively impact the response (because then the "total" sub response is not what it was). But if you "tune" the subs to work together as best as possible and then do the room correction, it should work good.

And by tuning them, I mean doing things like adjusting their positions slightly within room, adjusting their phase settings to get them in-phase with each other, etc.