Best multichannel DSP amps for active speakers

[Amplifier dude]

Is there any multichannel amps with integrated DSP for active speakers available that measure SOTA? I haven’t been able to find any.

 

[DWPress]

If Hypex meets your standard and you live in the US I would suggest taking a look at Buckey. Search the forum, only available here.

 

[Amplifier dude]

Do they make amps with built in DSP? I can’t find their website.

 

[NTK]

The NAD CI 8-150 may be a candidate. 8 channels (150 W @ 8 ohm) of Ncore with DSP.

CI 8-150 DSP - NAD Electronics

The CI 8-150 DSP is our flagship CI amplifier. Powerful and refined, with 150 watts per channel of audiophile grade amplification, this distribution amplifier will drive anything you need it to without breaking sweat, and it will do it with class leading performance.

nadelectronics.com

The CI 16-60 has 16 channel (60 W @ 8 ohm) and uses Hypex UcD modules.

CI 16-60 DSP - NAD Electronics

Like every NAD product, legendary high performance is at the heart of this 16 channel/8 zone amplifier. Promising reliability, stability and a variety of installer-friendly features, the CI16-60 is a versatile and economical smart distribution amplifier with Audiophile Performance for high...

nadelectronics.com

 

[DWPress]

No onboard DSP. As I mentioned, search the forums here, no website. Buckeye assembles Hypex amps at a very reasonable cost and they have been reviewed here a couple times.

 

[Amplifier dude]

Thanks. I’m kinda looking to see if there’s something available with THD+N of -105dB or better at 1khz/1w. Is something like this available on the market?

 

[Amplifier dude]

I’m actually working on my own, and looking to see what’s available on the market for a reference. So far my amp prototypes measure pretty decent with 100w input.

 

[Daverz]

DIY with Motu Ultralite 5, Buckeye multi-channel amp, Raspberry Pi4 running CamillaDSP.

 

[Amplifier dude]

Cool setup!

 

[Amplifier dude]

I didn’t know a Pi4 had the power to run FIR DSP

 

[Daverz]

I didn’t know a Pi4 had the power to run FIR DSP

Easily. An example on the CamillaDSP web page is:

• A Raspberry Pi 4 doing FIR filtering of 8 channels, with 262k taps per channel, at 192 kHz. CPU usage about 55%.

GitHub - HEnquist/camilladsp: A flexible cross-platform IIR and FIR engine for crossovers, room correction etc.

A flexible cross-platform IIR and FIR engine for crossovers, room correction etc. - HEnquist/camilladsp

github.com

Convolution is just a lot of vector multiplication and addition.

I would recommend something like a FLIRC case to keep the CPU temperature down.

 

[sigbergaudio]

If you don't insist on having DSP and power amplifier in the same box I think your search will become easier.

 

[abdo123]

Hypex fusion plate amplifiers.

 

[abdo123]

I would really stay away from DIY stuff with a raspberry pi. The software is not really reliable (or liable) and a blown tweeter is not worth it.

 

[McFly]

as above, all in one box is still a bit of a pipe dream.

either hypex fusion plate amps are your best option built into your cabinets, or choose your DSP unit and get buckeye amps with channels of your choice.

I'm currently using a dbx driverack PA2 into buckeye 6 channel for my 3-way front LR's.

 

[JRS]

as above, all in one box is still a bit of a pipe dream.

either hypex fusion plate amps are your best option built into your cabinets, or choose your DSP unit and get buckeye amps with channels of your choice.

I'm currently using a dbx driverack PA2 into buckeye 6 channel for my 3-way front LR's.

But we are seeing more products referred to as integrated amps that IMO should consist of streamer + DAC plus amp, or if we wanted to be consistent with older technology that could be considered an int amp while adding a streamer would make it a receiver. An AM/FM tuner might also be included in the "receiver" but I suspect more people use internet radio these days, making inclusion of networking abilities a higher priority than tuner.

 

[NTK]

Thanks. I’m kinda looking to see if there’s something available with THD+N of -105dB or better at 1khz/1w. Is something like this available on the market?

-105 dB is 0.00056%. The only amplifier Amir has tested that (barely) passed it (at 1 W / 4 ohm) is the Benchmark AHB-2 at low gain (9.2 dB gain). The Hypex Ncore NC400, second best measured, is > 0.001% (-100 dB).

 

[Amplifier dude]

The system I’m working on has 3 channels of 400w amps, and 1 XLR sub out. It has built in DSP for crossovers and room correction. It also has an AES67 ethernet input, so multiple units can be clock synced. So 1 box can sit behind or beside each speaker with short speaker wires and minimal clutter.

I’ve been able to measure -108dB THD+N @ 5w output from the amplifier, sending a 1khz test tone from Roon on a remote computer to the box.

 

[dc655321]

1khz pink noise test tone

Uh... Typo?

 

[Amplifier dude]

Yes sorry I meant sine wave. It's actually available on Qobuz.