Help with DSP/Processor/Pre-Amp configuration

[Epos7]

I have a multipurpose setup I use for TV/movies, video games, and music. Sources include a record player, PC, Nvidia Shield. It's currently a two-channel system with two subwoofers, but I plan to add a center channel in the next year or two.

My current conundrum is figuring out how to add DSP to my setup while allowing for the flexibility to add a center channel in the future. I have a UMIK-1 and would like to use REW. I think the MiniDSP HTx is what I want, but I have some questions.

Current equipment:

• Denon X3700H AVR
• Parasound Halo P6 pre-amp
• March Audio P452 power amp
• (2) Rhythmik F12SE-XLR3 subwoofers

1) Am I correct in thinking that if I added the HTx, I'd want to output multichannel PCM from my X3700H over HDMI into the HTx?

2) To add a center channel, would I then need to add a separate pre-amp and power amp for the center? I don't believe I'd be able to feed the center channel output from the HTx back into the amplifier section of the X3700H.

3) Would I be sacrificing anything using the subwoofer outputs on the P6 over the HTx? Having the subs connected to the P6 would allow me to use the phono input on the P6 for my record player.


Thanks in advance, I appreciate any input. I've been putting this system together over a few years, but getting close to having the setup I want.

 

[Rednaxela]

How about @OCA’s Audyssey One?

 

[Chrispy]

Why are you using both a pre-amp and an avr? Is the Audyssey dsp with editor app not working for you or ?

 

[dualazmak]

Just for your possible interest...

My PC-DSP-based ("EKIO" as system-wide DSP center) multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active audio setup using OKTO DAC8PRO 8-Ch DAC would be somewhat (more or less) of your reference, I assume. You would please find the latest system setup here on my project thread.

 

[Epos7]

Why are you using both a pre-amp and an avr? Is the Audyssey dsp with editor app not working for you or ?

I primarily bought the AVR for its (non-DSP) processing features. I wish there was something smaller without the amplification, but the dedicated processor options available when I purchased were both more expensive than the X3700H, and they were the same size. I don't think they would have performed much better, if at all.

The P6 has a home theater bypass feature, which makes it quite flexible. It was recommended to me by Rythmik for that feature among others. I'm not married to it if it makes more sense to just use the Denon pre amps for everything.

I haven't been left with a great impression of Audyssey so far. Maybe I need to give it more of a chance, but my understanding has been that Dirac is a far superior option. Maybe things have changed recently?

 

[Chrispy]

I primarily bought the AVR for its (non-DSP) processing features. I wish there was something smaller without the amplification, but the dedicated processor options available when I purchased were both more expensive than the X3700H, and they were the same size. I don't think they would have performed much better, if at all.

The P6 has a home theater bypass feature, which makes it quite flexible. It was recommended to me by Rythmik for that feature among others. I'm not married to it if it makes more sense to just use the Denon pre amps for everything.

I haven't been left with a great impression of Audyssey so far. Maybe I need to give it more of a chance, but my understanding has been that Dirac is a far superior option. Maybe things have changed recently?

What features would those be particularly? There are pre-pros but generally no performance advantage over just using an avr as pre-pro.

Adding in two ch gear is just duplicating stuff with no clear advantage. Home theater bypass, meh. What did Rythmik say is the particular advantage? Are you using Audyssey just in the avr? Editor App? MultEQ-X? Audyssey One?

 

[Epos7]

What features would those be particularly? There are pre-pros but generally no performance advantage over just using an avr as pre-pro.

Adding in two ch gear is just duplicating stuff with no clear advantage. Home theater bypass, meh. What did Rythmik say is the particular advantage? Are you using Audyssey just in the avr? Editor App? MultEQ-X? Audyssey One?

Decoding of various Dolby audio formats. I have a Plex server I play TV and movies from. Like you say, there was no advantage in buying a pre-pro that cost more than the X3700H, so I bought the AVR.

The HTx wasn't available at the time, and Audyssey on the Denon was underwhelming. I was considering the MiniDSP SHD so I could use Dirac with my music (stereo) sources and Audyssey for TV and movies. HT bypass would have let me use both. It looks like there may be additional options since I last looked into it. I was using Audyssey with the editor app, I don't believe MultiEQ-X or Audyssey One existed yet.

 

[Chrispy]

Decoding of various Dolby audio formats. I have a Plex server I play TV and movies from. Like you say, there was no advantage in buying a pre-pro that cost more than the X3700H, so I bought the AVR.

The HTx wasn't available at the time, and Audyssey on the Denon was underwhelming. I was considering the MiniDSP SHD so I could use Dirac with my music (stereo) sources and Audyssey for TV and movies. HT bypass would have let me use both. It looks like there may be additional options since I last looked into it. I was using Audyssey with the editor app, I don't believe MultiEQ-X or Audyssey One existed yet.

Hard to know what your expectations were as to why it was underwhelming. The whole separating music from other content as needing something different is not my experience. You could just bypass Audyssey to replicate a bypass I'd think (or you mean the avr L/R bypass feature, which really isn't audyssey's?)

 

[Epos7]

Hard to know what your expectations were as to why it was underwhelming. The whole separating music from other content as needing something different is not my experience. You could just bypass Audyssey to replicate a bypass I'd think (or you mean the avr L/R bypass feature, which really isn't audyssey's?)

Sorry for the very delayed response. Other things took over.

I forgot to mention in my previous posts one of the other reasons for the P6 is to connect my record player. It has a decent photo stage. Thought was, with the HDx, I'd be able to EQ that input as well. I realize that involves A-D-A conversion, but I thought it might be a nice option to have.

Still not opposed to cutting out the P6, at least for now.

 

[Chrispy]

LOL 6 months later (imagining one of those nice cartoon memes)...

Forgot to ask, what is HT-x? Or is it HDx? I have a phono stage in my avr and use it, it's fine. Generally you can set things up per input with an avr to an extent, or setup different profiles. ADA conversion is trivial.

 

[Epos7]

I think they call it a thread necro
miniDSP Flex HTx is an 8-channel DSP. I think HT = home theater. Figured I would need that one if I wanted to incorporate a center channel, as other products like the SHD are geared toward stereo. I wondered if it may also allow for additional subwoofer control beyond just the crossover point, but I didn't get that far.

First I plan to try Audyssey One as suggested earlier. That wasn't an option when I first purchased my X3700H. I'll try to follow up a bit sooner this time

 

[Chrispy]

I think they call it a thread necro
miniDSP Flex HTx is an 8-channel DSP. I think HT = home theater. Figured I would need that one if I wanted to incorporate a center channel, as other products like the SHD are geared toward stereo. I wondered if it may also allow for additional subwoofer control beyond just the crossover point, but I didn't get that far.

First I plan to try Audyssey One as suggested earlier. That wasn't an option when I first purchased my X3700H. I'll try to follow up a bit sooner this time

I prefer the convenience of the avr over that miniDSP unit. I haven't tried Audyssey One or whatever current versions are called myself, it changes so often....not even sure where to start any more. I get good results just using the editor app on my 4700, but didn't have that option on my 4520 and 3808 so maybe its just that additional flexibility that I needed. I started with 2ch gear long ago, prefer the multich capabilities and orientation these days (altho content is still on the sparse side aside from movies)

 

[Epos7]

That's good to know. Seems I'll have to do some digging to see what my options actually are. When I bought the X3700H, options were much more limited, and the consensus here seemed to be the options available through Denon were not great. Glad to hear that's improved, even if it means too many options.

I started with stereo a long time ago too. Saved up money picking strawberries in high school. My first speakers are the ones I'm still using - Epos M15.2. Had them shipped to my dorm room freshman year of college LOL.

Haven't dipped my toe into multichannel yet but I'm really interested in adding a center channel for dialog purposes. Eventually I may add surrounds, but my medium-term goal is to end up with a good 3.2 system. Going to upgrade my mains at some point and move the trusty Epos into a second system. Trying to get my ducks in a row before I go speaker shopping in the next few years.

 

[Epos7]

I'm back again

I tried out the Android version of Audyssey MultiEQ Editor app (version 1.13.0). Easy enough to run the tests and apply the recommended adjustments. If I wanted to further manually tweak the curve, it's not very functional. Requires you to use the touchscreen to create and move points on the curve, but the interface is pretty bad. I won't be making any manual changes using the app.

I'll likely set up my UMIK and REW to see how the response looks after MultiEQ's auto adjustments.