Integrating Minidsp into my system

[knownunknown]

hey, i just ordered a minidsp-ddrc and think i might have screwed up my thinking on how to connect my sources

right now i have two sources:

1. turntable —> phonostage —> amp (line 1)
2. wiim mini —> dac (topping e30) —> amp (line 2)

so i thought about putting the minidsp before the amp.

1. turntable —> phonostage —> minidsp (analog in) —> amp
2. wiim mini —> dac —> minidsp (???) —> amp

the topping e30 only has rca out, so i don‘t know right now how to connect it to the minidsp. should i ditch it and just connect the wiim mini to the minidsp? is there a dac in the minidsp and is it good enough? or should i put the dac after the minidsp?

thanks for your help in advance

 

[LarsF]

can't you use the miniDSP as an DAC? I have a similar solution in my system, but I use a miniDSP Flex

 

[MAB]

hey, i just ordered a minidsp-ddrc and think i might have screwed up my thinking on how to connect my sources

right now i have two sources:

1. turntable —> phonostage —> amp (line 1)
2. wiim mini —> dac (topping e30) —> amp (line 2)

so i thought about putting the minidsp before the amp.

1. turntable —> phonostage —> minidsp (analog in) —> amp
2. wiim mini —> dac —> minidsp (???) —> amp

the topping e30 only has rca out, so i don‘t know right now how to connect it to the minidsp. should i ditch it and just connect the wiim mini to the minidsp? is there a dac in the minidsp and is it good enough? or should i put the dac after the minidsp?

thanks for your help in advance

You are fine.
Your two sources can be hooked up as in figure 1 in the user manual's typical-application section, with additional input for USB and additional output for a sub:

miniDSP DDRC-24 User Manual

docs.minidsp.com

You no longer need the e30 for this setup, you can use it elsewhere or sell.

 

[sweetchaos]

To set up your system with the miniDSP DDRC correctly, let's go through the connections and the capabilities of the miniDSP DDRC:

### 1. Turntable Path
Your turntable path looks straightforward:
- **Turntable** → **Phonostage** → **miniDSP (analog in)** → **Amp**

### 2. Wiim Mini Path
For the Wiim Mini, you need to decide how to incorporate your DAC (Topping E30) and the miniDSP. Here's a breakdown:

#### Option 1: Direct Connection without External DAC
You can connect the Wiim Mini directly to the miniDSP DDRC if it has digital inputs (optical or coaxial). The miniDSP DDRC does have a built-in DAC which can convert the digital signal to analog for the amp.
- **Wiim Mini** → **miniDSP DDRC (digital in, optical or coaxial)** → **Amp**

#### Option 2: Using the External DAC (Topping E30)
If you prefer to use your Topping E30 DAC, you'll need to handle the fact that it only has RCA outputs. The miniDSP DDRC has RCA inputs, so you can connect it this way:
- **Wiim Mini** → **Topping E30 (RCA out)** → **miniDSP DDRC (analog in)** → **Amp**

### Evaluating the DAC in miniDSP DDRC
The miniDSP DDRC does have a built-in DAC, and for most listening environments, it should be adequate. However, audiophiles often have preferences for their specific DACs. Here are a few considerations:

- **Quality Comparison**: The Topping E30 is well-regarded for its price range, offering clean and detailed sound. The built-in DAC in the miniDSP might not match the Topping E30's quality but should still be competent.
- **Simplification**: Using the miniDSP's built-in DAC simplifies the setup and reduces the number of components in the signal path.

### Suggested Setup
Given these considerations, I suggest the following setup for simplicity and maintaining quality:

1. **Turntable** → **Phonostage** → **miniDSP DDRC (analog in)** → **Amp**
2. **Wiim Mini** → **miniDSP DDRC (digital in, optical or coaxial)** → **Amp**

This way, you use the miniDSP DDRC's DAC for the Wiim Mini and the analog input for the turntable. This setup reduces the number of components and connections, making it easier to manage and potentially reducing noise or signal degradation.

### Summary
- Use the miniDSP DDRC's digital input for the Wiim Mini.
- Connect the turntable through the phonostage to the miniDSP DDRC's analog input.
- The built-in DAC of the miniDSP DDRC should be sufficient for most listening needs.

If you find that the built-in DAC isn't meeting your expectations, you can always reintroduce the Topping E30 and adjust the connections accordingly.

 

[knownunknown]

awesome, thank you so much guys!

 

[early rejecter]

If you find that the built-in DAC isn't meeting your expectations, you can always reintroduce the Topping E30 and adjust the connections accordingly.

With only analog output available from the MiniDSP (assuming we’re talking the 2x4) there’s no way to bypass the internal DAC as far as I’m aware? Meaning the Topping would be superfluous in any case.