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My holiday project and present to myself was to replace a Denon x4800h with a MiniDSP Flex HT system for 5.2 home theater. I had a blast doing this project and I’m sticking with the Flex HT. I like the MiniDSP tools much more and I like managing and tinkering with the system.
Should you replace your AVR with the HT Flex? Probably not. Although higher, it’s likely that the sonic/SINAD benefits are in the inaudible range. The Flex HT system probably more expensive, more complex, has more remotes, and lacks features compared to a good mid-range AVR. You are replacing one big box with several smaller boxes. MiniDSP accepts no returns and has no warranty.
Still interested? Here’s what I learned and did.
Despite being called a 'Multichannel Home Theater Processor', the Flex HT needs help to function as an AVR. The issue is that the Flex HT(x) system can only handle surround sound that is license-free, meaning it cannot decode any licensed compression formats like Dolby. To use the Flex HT as an AVR, licensed decoding must be done by a by another device (like an upstream video streamer) and then output in the unlicensed 'Uncompressed Multichannel LPCM' format via eARC to the Flex HT. (Uncompressed Multichannel LPCM can only be transmitted via eARC. )
In practice the above means the $600 HT requires two additional specialty devices (in addition to an external amplifier), raising the total cost another $400
Once you have your devices, the routing is simple. Split the video source with your eARC splitter and route one cable to the TV and one to the Flex HT. Use good cables, eARC can be finicky.
Some tips I can share
Should you replace your AVR with the HT Flex? Probably not. Although higher, it’s likely that the sonic/SINAD benefits are in the inaudible range. The Flex HT system probably more expensive, more complex, has more remotes, and lacks features compared to a good mid-range AVR. You are replacing one big box with several smaller boxes. MiniDSP accepts no returns and has no warranty.
Still interested? Here’s what I learned and did.
Despite being called a 'Multichannel Home Theater Processor', the Flex HT needs help to function as an AVR. The issue is that the Flex HT(x) system can only handle surround sound that is license-free, meaning it cannot decode any licensed compression formats like Dolby. To use the Flex HT as an AVR, licensed decoding must be done by a by another device (like an upstream video streamer) and then output in the unlicensed 'Uncompressed Multichannel LPCM' format via eARC to the Flex HT. (Uncompressed Multichannel LPCM can only be transmitted via eARC. )
In practice the above means the $600 HT requires two additional specialty devices (in addition to an external amplifier), raising the total cost another $400
- A uncompressed multichannel LPCM video streaming source. Not much choice here. The ($149) Apple TV 4k video streamer is the only assured solution for Netflix, Hulu, Max etc... No other streamer works at the moment. Note that newer console gaming devices can also do uncompressed multichannel LPCM for many games and some better DVD/Bluray players also output uncompressed multichannel LPCM. It's just the video streamers that are behind although someone thinks the new Amazon Fire 4k might also work. Confusingly all TVs and streamers do 2 channels of uncompressed LPCM, which leads some people to think it will work multichannel, but it won't. Just get the Apple 4k.
- An eARC splitter. This is a misunderstood and critical device. It doesn’t change the audio or do any decoding for the system. It’s just an active splitter (or switch) that splits the source HDMI (e.g. Apple TV 4k) into two: one 4k HDMI video to the TV display and one eARC HDMI audio to the Flex HT(x). HD Fury devices (cheapest is $249) are recommended but there are cheaper alternatives.
Once you have your devices, the routing is simple. Split the video source with your eARC splitter and route one cable to the TV and one to the Flex HT. Use good cables, eARC can be finicky.
Some tips I can share
- The Apple TV 4k remote can learn 'mute' and 'volume' from the Flex HT, but not ‘preset’ or ‘source’ so you are still likely to use two remotes plus your TV remote. Apparently the minidsp remote codes in the old Logitech Harmony system work if you have one.
- The MiniDSP console software only runs on a computer, something I didn't have in my home theater room. At first, I used a very long cable so I could use a laptop comfortably away from thescreen. Later, I bought a used i3 minicomputer and connected to it with remote control software. That way I can connect to it on my phone as well.
- Down/Up mixing yourself – I had to create a preset on the MiniDSP for up-mixing older 2ch video sources to have a center channel if the dialog isn’t clear enough in stereo. I also created a 5.1 upmix for 2ch games and live sports events.
- If you need a video input switch, the HD Fury VRROOM can be purchased for $550 (used about $425) and it works well, but adds another remote and app.