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DAC recommendation

Omid

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I’m experimenting with DSP crossovers (using Audiolense). If I’m satisfied with the results I will need to update my system, which I’m hoping you guys may be able to help me with.

Is there a DSP/DAC with the following features:

-at least 1 digital input (USB, HDMI or ethernet input).

-ability to convert and distribute the digital input signal to 3 stereo analog outputs (2 balanced XLR, 1 RCA), correcting each of the 3 outputs with 3 separate Audiolense DSP files (meaning I need to be able to upload my own files on this DSP/DAC).

-bonus feature: 1 RCA analog input (for home theatre bypass), another RCA input for the phono preamp.

The equipment I have so far: a NUC running Roon on Rock OS, benchmark DAC2, AHB2, tannoy sterling GR, velodyne dd12 subwoofer.

I’m happy to hear any suggestions.

Cheers.
 

Olli

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RME ADI-2 Pro. 8 CH DAC with 4 analogue and 4 digital outputs. I am also using it with Audiolense in a 2.2 and a 2.4 setup.
 
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Omid

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Thank you so much for the recommendation. It looks like a great product. I read the manual but did not see any options for uploading the DSP files. How did you setupt your system (source, DSP convolution, DAC Amps etc)?
 

Olli

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Roon has a convolver to load the filters. You don’t need to load them into the DAC.
 
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Omid

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Yes that’s how I’ve implemented my filters so far. Because the source material is 2.0 stereo, I’ve had to have 3 DSP filters (tweeter, woofer, sub) with 3 different zones. The 3 zones are grouped together. My NUC PC running Roon then outputs to 3 zones ie 3 outputs simultaneously (tweeter via USB to xonar U5, woofer via USB to benchmark DAC, subwoofer via audio jack to sub).

It’s a messy way to go about it. I’ve had to measure and adjust for the varying delays and volumes of playback through these 3 channels and DACs.

Because I have Roon installed on a dedicated machine running ROCK OS I don’t think I can install Jriver. As far as I know Roon doesn’t let you upmix a stereo signal to 5.1. If it could I could play 3 stereo streams on a single USB going to an RME dac.

That’s why I was wondering how you’d gone about linking your source to your RME ADI2-pro. What your setup was.
 

Olli

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Got you. So you need at least 6 Channels? You can connect 2 more DACs to the Adi 2 Pro, via SPDIF and/or AES. But that makes the package a bit expensive. I have a Benchmark DAC3/AHB2 for the mains (passive XO) and 4 cascaded (stereo) subs with the ADI 2 Pro.

I also have a MOTO Ultralite MK4, that would be a more affordable option for an active 3 way. Big pro if using AL: It has an integrated Mic Pre. So you don’t need to mess around with different recording/playback streams.

But I don‘t get why u are having that workaround with three zones in Roon. U know this article?

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/ca-a...fers-with-stereo-mains-using-audiolense-r712/
 

Ron Texas

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Someone around is using an ASUS Xonar. It has 6 audio outputs. A fancier solution is the Lynx Hilo.
 
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Omid

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Mitch’s article is what got me started exploring DSP. I got his book too. He uses JRiver and a Hilo lynx Dac.

The way I’ve gone about it, I notice the time delay between the 3 streams varies a tiny bit. Not sure if it’d be audible but it bugs me.

If Roon could have played 6 channels on a single USB by up mixing I’d have a clean synchronized signal. If I use 3 separate USB DACs that are all identical it’d hopefully be pretty close to perfect I suppose.

I guess I could use my xonar U5 for 6 simultaneous channels but it’s a serious step down from a Benchmark DAC2.

I’m going to think about it a bit more, look into the Motu and listen to my active crossover see if the sound is worth the extra costs.
 
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Omid

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Got you. So you need at least 6 Channels? You can connect 2 more DACs to the Adi 2 Pro, via SPDIF and/or AES. But that makes the package a bit expensive. I have a Benchmark DAC3/AHB2 for the mains (passive XO) and 4 cascaded (stereo) subs with the ADI 2 Pro.

I also have a MOTO Ultralite MK4, that would be a more affordable option for an active 3 way. Big pro if using AL: It has an integrated Mic Pre. So you don’t need to mess around with different recording/playback streams.

But I don‘t get why u are having that workaround with three zones in Roon. U know this article?

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/ca-academy/ integrating-subwoofers-with-stereo-mains-using-audiolense-r712/

Olli,

Have you tried your Motu with Roon? My Roon server is on a NUC running ROCK. I read some forum posts about people having some communication problems between Motu DACs and systems running linux. Of course it's hard to know if it's an operator problem, or a real issue.
 

Olli

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Olli,

Have you tried your Motu with Roon? My Roon server is on a NUC running ROCK. I read some forum posts about people having some communication problems between Motu DACs and systems running linux. Of course it's hard to know if it's an operator problem, or a real issue.

I think you are right. My Roon core is on a Mac, I remember that it did not work with my Linux based Audioserver (Audiostore Prestige, OS: Sonicorbiter/Nova)
 
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