Desktop headphone and 2.1 setup with DSP - advice needed

[Wookie-Stew]

Hi all,

I'm upgrading my desktop setup (mainly gaming and music, some movies), and I'd appreciate your supreme audiophile help.

I've landed on a 2.1 setup consisting of Genelec G3s (purchased) and an SVS PB1000 Pro (purchased), along with headphones (have an AKG 712 Pro and Schiit Modi/Magni stack, might upgrade at some point) for quiet time. I'd really like to include DSP in this setup (likely Dirac via MiniDSP) and speakers/sub with appropriate high/low pass filters. My only source is my PC.

I am very torn on how to route this system. Mainly I'm concerned about an additional AD/DA conversion if I route my DAC pre-outs to the MiniDSP. MiniDSP can have digital in, but I can't seem to find a headphone DAC with digital out.

I've drawn some options below, please provide advice on how you'd do it and why. I think option 2 is my preference if I can get a DAC that has a TOSLINK or SPDIF out to the MiniDSP (and if this doesn't degrade the signal somehow (sample rate??)).

I kind of feel like 2.1 with DSP + headphones is kind of the desktop end game for non-professionals (configuration wise), I'm surprised I haven't been able to find out much about how to do it well.

Now:
PC to Schiit Modi 3 to Schiit Magni 3. Headphones plug into Magni. Magni pre-outs go to PB1000 Pro which can do it's own low-pass filter. Line outs from PB1000 Pro to Genelec G3s. Volume control done by Magni.
Upsides: Could get Dirac on PC and call it there, only 'issues' are speakers getting full-range signal, and clunky profile switching via PC. Simple on-desk setup (one box or matching stack).
Downsides: G3s are given full range signal, volume mismatch when switching between headphones and speakers, unbalanced, complicated wiring from Amp to sub to speakers as I have a standing desk (I could use y-splitters to make it easier).

Option 1:
PC to MiniDSP Flex 8, 2 outputs to a headphone amp, 1 to the sub (LFE in) and 2 to the speakers.
Upsides: can apply EQ in MiniDSP for headphones and 2.1
Downsides: slightly more actions to change output on MiniDSP (push wheel, turn, wait a second, then takes a few seconds to load new profile), unbalanced, two boxes on desk.

Option 2:
PC to DAC/Amp, with output to MiniDSP which feeds 2.1 system.
Upsides: Easy to switch between headphone and speakers, can hide DDRC-24 under desk, balanced possible with MiniDSP Flex, possible to get digital (TOSLINK or SPDIF) out from DAC to MiniDSP to avoid AD/DA conversion???
Downsides: Additional AD/DA conversion, unbalanced, unable to EQ headphones with MiniDSP, higher cost.

Option 3:
PC to DAC/Amp & MiniDSP via USB. MiniDSP then to 2.1 system
Upsides: Balanced possible
Downsides: Need to switch outputs on PC, two boxes on desk, no EQ on MiniDSP for headphones, higher cost

 

[Darkatomz]

I use the MiniDSP Flex + Topping L70 to do exactly this with my desktop PC setup, driving Genelec 8030C's and two SVS subs near field, as well as having 2 balanced and 1 unbalanced headphone outputs.

The Flex acts as the singular DAC (you have 4 programmable presets, so I have one that is calibrated for the speaker+sub, and another output that I switch to for headphones and IEMs), and the L70 acts as a preamp + HPamp.

 

[Wookie-Stew]

I use the MiniDSP Flex + Topping L70 to do exactly this with my desktop PC setup, driving Genelec 8030C's and two SVS subs near field, as well as having 2 balanced and 1 unbalanced headphone outputs.

The Flex acts as the singular DAC (you have 4 programmable presets, so I have one that is calibrated for the speaker+sub, and another output that I switch to for headphones and IEMs), and the L70 acts as a preamp + HPamp.

Could you please describe or draw the way you have these connected? It sounds like a great solution, I'm just not sure how exactly it works.

Do you have the "normal" MiniDSP Flex?

 

[Darkatomz]

As far as wiring goes, I use a Flex Balanced (XLR everywhere where possible) connected to my PC, outputs #1 and #2 go into the L70, and out to the Genelecs. Outputs #3 and #4 go directly to the subs. The front of the L70 has a XLR, 4.4mm, and 3.5mm output. Let me know if that's not clear.

You will need a UMIK-1 to use the Dirac Live room correction. From the control panel, you can adjust the gains, delay, PEQ, and crossover. It is pretty much mandatory to learn how to use/read Room EQ Wizard with your room measurements and to integrate and implement the crossover properly.

You can then use Equalizer APO + Peace to implement system wide PEQ for both your speaker and headphone setups.

 

[Wookie-Stew]

Thanks so much! This makes sense now! I hadn't considered this solution, and it's all balanced too

Two last questions for you:

Does volume control on the Topping affect the Genelecs? If so, are you finding you are always fiddling with volume between headphones and 2.1?

How do you like the system overall?

 

[Darkatomz]

For optimal performance, I lock my DAC gain and the L70 gain both at -0 in all modes. I don't touch the master volume or the gain setting per channel in MiniDSP control panel after I perform speaker and subwoofer level matching (find out what is acceptable max volume to you with music player/Youtube/Twitch/etc volume controls maxed). I don't touch the pre-amp gain in Peace after I set it up with EQ modes. I personally do not adjust the volume in Win11 volume mixer either.

Alternatively to all of the above, you can just adjust the volume knob on the L70 since the device can memorize volume setting when toggling between speaker and headphone modes which is nice.

No real complaints I can think of, been using this setup for a few years now.

 

[Wookie-Stew]

Thanks, I think I understand. You have everything at 0db/unity/100% and use the knob on the MiniDSP to control volume?

Why do you use Equalizer APO + Peace to do EQ? Couldn't the MiniDSP do that per profile for the same result?

Sorry for all the questions, very excited to finally decide on a way forward.

 

[Darkatomz]

Not quite, I leave the Flex and L70 volume knobs alone at max volume (0dB) to get full scale performance, all volume control I do is via my mouse scroll wheel in MusicBee/Youtube/Twitch, that's it. I have the MiniDSP and Peace pre-amp gain settings reduced so that I never blow out my ears even with max volume regardless of music and video player, for both the speaker setup and the headphone setup. In speaker mode, I use Peace to add a sub-bass shelf boost, otherwise I would simply leave it flat/off.

Equalizer APO and Peace is pretty much the standard for doing headphone EQ on PC, and you can have unlimited profiles and bands. Flex can only let you store up to 4 configs (at least one of which will be reserved for the speaker+subwoofer with Dirac) with 'only' 10 bands. I have a locked PEQ and gain config for each headphone and IEM I use.

There's a fairly steep learning curve when it comes to understanding how to make use of REW, as well as how to properly implement the active crossover for the speaker setup and how to do proper EQ. But the payoff is quite nice, so hope this helps.

 

[Wookie-Stew]

Thanks again, good explanation. I only have one set of headphones, and an a total noob when it comes to EQ, so I'd probably use the MiniDSP EQ initially, even if it is limited compared to Equaliser APO and Peace.

I don't like the idea of software volume control. Am I able to use the MiniDSP physical volume knob to control the 2.1 volume without signal detriment? I'd assume so because the MiniDSP outputs analogue, but I've been wrong before. Having read the L70 manual, I'd control the headphone volume using the L70 while in headphone "output mode" and it would remember my setting for that and for the XLR "output mode" which I wouldn't touch once speaker/sub volume was balanced.

I assume for the subs you use a standard TS to RCA cable into the LFE input (i.e. unbalanced)?

I've drawn a diagram of what you've described to help me picture things (with only 1 sub):

 

[Darkatomz]

Yes, there will be no audible impact by adjusting the L70 volume knob. And yes, the SVS sub does not have XLR so it is unbalanced, although I will probably be upgrading my HT setup to the Arendal 1723 1V in the near future which does have XLR. That 7band PEQ is calling my name...

Once you get everything up and running, here is an EQ for the AKG 712 Pro to try.

 

[Wookie-Stew]

Thanks. Never even heard of that sub! We don't have much sub variety in Australia.

I've just ordered a MiniDSP Flex Balanced and some cables. I think I'll try running it set up as per my "Option 3" for a bit, using SoundSwitch to swap between HP and the 2.1 side. If I like it that way, I'll keep it like that, as it gives me more options for HP amps, and only one button to change routing, though it does mean I need a DAC on the HP line as well so a bit more expensive.

Thanks for the EQ recommendations! Will give them a go!