Genelec 8331A Powered SAM Studio Monitor Review (by Erin)

[Orpheus2016]

8331A will accept digital audio signal up to 24 bits / 192 kHz.

Source: https://assets.ctfassets.net/4zjnzn...aa0993bf352e4e95bfa/8331_operating_manual.pdf

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Thanks Ilkka, grateful for this point. Would you consider the connection of a DAC like the Chord Qutest which only has RCA outputs to be detrimental or clearly worse than a direct digital connection, even while using a cable such as the one described here: https://support.genelec.com/hc/en-u...ment-How-do-I-connect-my-monitors-8xxx-series

There are some reasons why I would prefer this, also including the possibility of playing back some formats such as DSD.

 

[Marc v E]

For volume there is also this wireless remote: https://www.genelec.com/9101b-wireless-volume-controller

 

[Ilkka Rissanen]

Thanks Ilkka, grateful for this point. Would you consider the connection of a DAC like the Chord Qutest which only has RCA outputs to be detrimental or clearly worse than a direct digital connection, even while using a cable such as the one described here: https://support.genelec.com/hc/en-u...ment-How-do-I-connect-my-monitors-8xxx-series

There are some reasons why I would prefer this, also including the possibility of playing back some formats such as DSD.

Having an external DAC will always add an unecessary D to A conversion compared to direct digital connection. Many people describe that option less ideal and lower quality than having their digital source device connected directly without an external DAC. RCA or XLR type of connection does not make any difference there.

 

[Orpheus2016]

Having an external DAC will always add an unecessary D to A conversion compared to direct digital connection. Many people describe that option less ideal and lower quality than having their digital source device connected directly without an external DAC. RCA or XLR type of connection does not make any difference there.

Thanks again. Just so I understand what actually occurs inside the speaker, is everything converted or processed in the digital realm prior to sound reproduction? So an analogue signal going in would be always subject to ADC and then passed on?

 

[Ilkka Rissanen]

Thanks again. Just so I understand what actually occurs inside the speaker, is everything converted or processed in the digital realm prior to sound reproduction? So an analogue signal going in would be always subject to ADC and then passed on?

Yes, that is 100% correct conclusion.

 

[Orpheus2016]

Yes, that is 100% correct conclusion.

Thanks for clarifying so quickly, it helps a lot to make things clearer for me.

I assume next step is to think about a digital source, am I right in saying that one could start with a budget option such as https://www.wiimhome.com/wiimpro/overview and making use of the digital coax out, with the appropriate cabling? Or would you really rule out anything which doesn't have an AES out from the start?

 

[Mort]

Thanks for clarifying so quickly, it helps a lot to make things clearer for me.

I assume next step is to think about a digital source, am I right in saying that one could start with a budget option such as https://www.wiimhome.com/wiimpro/overview and making use of the digital coax out, with the appropriate cabling? Or would you really rule out anything which doesn't have an AES out from the start?

That works with the right cable for 2ch.

 

[Ilkka Rissanen]

Thanks for clarifying so quickly, it helps a lot to make things clearer for me.

I assume next step is to think about a digital source, am I right in saying that one could start with a budget option such as https://www.wiimhome.com/wiimpro/overview and making use of the digital coax out, with the appropriate cabling? Or would you really rule out anything which doesn't have an AES out from the start?

Source with an S/PDIF (digital coax) output can be connected to the speaker's digital input without any issues as long as the cable length is less then ~5 meters / 20 ft. If longer cable is required, an AES3 source is recommended.

 

[Marc v E]

Source with an S/PDIF (digital coax) output can be connected to the speaker's digital input without any issues as long as the cable length is less then ~5 meters / 20 ft. If longer cable is required, an AES3 source is recommended.

Very helpful. Thank you

 

[KaLam1ty]

Very helpful. Thank you

I've also gone the SPDIF "hack" and can confirm I've not had any problems yet receiving SPDIF (COAX) input from my SHD:

To add to Ilkka's point, you can also use impedance matching converters as recommended in the support page, if you are noticing drops. My system was fine without one, but I added one for peace of mind.

There are appropriate active solutions to convert to AES, but I wasn't keen on adding another box. And in a domestic environment with short runs, I doubt you'll have any issues.

These converters usually receive BNC though, so you'll have to use an appropriate SPDIF cable with that COAX-BNC termination. The support page also mentions Neutrik, but Canare also has an equivalent option - as shown.

 

[Orpheus2016]

So I am trying a pair of 8331, with no GLM yet. I have placed both rotaries to -6db, and activated the -10db dip switch. Source is a simple USB to Coax digital converter, with an Neutrik 75-110 Ohm impedance converter on the path. So its a digital signal going into the speakers, as per the recommendations on this thread, with XLR digital passthrough between the speakers.

The issue that I am having is that no matter what I do, the sound level is quite high and needs to be attenuated considerably. I am using software volume attenuators (I am aware that its imperfect, compared to GLM), and on both clients (Squeezelite and JRiver), I cannot quite go over 15% or so, or at least -50db attenuation, otherwise the volume becomes too loud for my small environment.

Is there anything I can do,via dip switches or the source, to correct this, and would the GLM volume control result in a similar situation? It is quite different from my headphone and other setups, where I am more accustomed to keep volume at around 45-50%.

Many thanks for any advice!

 

[Mort]

So I am trying a pair of 8331, with no GLM yet. I have placed both rotaries to -6db, and activated the -10db dip switch. Source is a simple USB to Coax digital converter, with an Neutrik 75-110 Ohm impedance converter on the path. So its a digital signal going into the speakers, as per the recommendations on this thread, with XLR digital passthrough between the speakers.

The issue that I am having is that no matter what I do, the sound level is quite high and needs to be attenuated considerably. I am using software volume attenuators (I am aware that its imperfect, compared to GLM), and on both clients (Squeezelite and JRiver), I cannot quite go over 15% or so, or at least -50db attenuation, otherwise the volume becomes too loud for my small environment.

Is there anything I can do,via dip switches or the source, to correct this, and would the GLM volume control result in a similar situation? It is quite different from my headphone and other setups, where I am more accustomed to keep volume at around 45-50%.

Many thanks for any advice!

Imo, the Genelec rotary is a well designed device but it won't help. I think you are kinda stuck unless you want to send it out to an external DAC. Hopefully someone else knows a solution.

 

[Orpheus2016]

Imo, the Genelec rotary is a well designed device but it won't help. I think you are kinda stuck unless you want to send it out to an external DAC. Hopefully someone else knows a solution.

Thanks. I assume that the GLM kit's volume control won't affect things too much here? The other solution would of course be a classic analogue pre-amp, but I assume that's not the way to feed the 8331s...

 

[Mort]

Thanks. I assume that the GLM kit's volume control won't affect things too much here? The other solution would of course be a classic analogue pre-amp, but I assume that's not the way to feed the 8331s...

Oh I misunderstood. You are getting GLM? Then yes. You can easily limit the max volume from GLM software.

 

[Orpheus2016]

Oh I misunderstood. You are getting GLM? Then yes. You can easily limit the max volume from GLM software.

Thanks, Would this be different from attenuating the way I am doing at the moment? In other words, would volume be over 15-20% if I were to switch to GLM volume control?

 

[Mort]

Thanks, Would this be different from attenuating the way I am doing at the moment? In other words, would volume be over 15-20% if I were to switch to GLM volume control?

Only the 'stored' dipswitch works once you switch to GLM. GLM will replace what you are doing now.

GLM has a volume control and a max volume in the software. One or the other will let you use the PC sliders more intuitively.