MINIDSP Adept ADC & Phono Preamp Review

[stefanovesa]

Aren’t you going to make them replace the remote or whole unit with one that works?

I'm waiting Audiophonics where I purchased it, to know what they want to do. Honestly the unit seems fine, I'd prefer to change the remote only.

 

[stefanovesa]

I'm waiting Audiophonics where I purchased it, to know what they want to do. Honestly the unit seems fine, I'd prefer to change the remote only.

OK, they asked me to send back the whole package, going to do that. Thanks all for the support!

 

[Roland68]

I'm waiting Audiophonics where I purchased it, to know what they want to do. Honestly the unit seems fine, I'd prefer to change the remote only.

OK, they asked me to send back the whole package, going to do that. Thanks all for the support!

It makes sense to replace both, since no one can say for sure whether the remote control or the receiver in the device is faulty.

If it's an infrared remote, have you checked if it's even sending a signal? You can easily test this with your phone's camera; a faint red light should be visible on the display. If not, it could also be a contact problem with the batteries; try cleaning the contacts.

 

[stefanovesa]

It makes sense to replace both, since no one can say for sure whether the remote control or the receiver in the device is faulty.

If it's an infrared remote, have you checked if it's even sending a signal? You can easily test this with your phone's camera; a faint red light should be visible on the display. If not, it could also be a contact problem with the batteries; try cleaning the contacts.

good advice. The remote works. I can see the red light using the phone camera, anyway the unit doesn't react. Flashed again the firmware but no way.

 

[Roland68]

good advice. The remote works. I can see the red light using the phone camera, anyway the unit doesn't react. Flashed again the firmware but no way.

That's a real shame, and nothing lights up on the device when you use the remote control?
Then it's very likely a problem with the device itself.

 

[stefanovesa]

That's a real shame, and nothing lights up on the device when you use the remote control?
Then it's very likely a problem with the device itself.

No, it doesn't. As you mentioned, even if the remote was disabled, the unit should react to the IR beam and a light should blink. This is in the manual. I'm following RMA procedure.

 

[deercreekaudio]

yes. Already tested, doesn't work. The remote is dead or the IR receiver is faulty. Luckily I don't need to tune digital volume. MC gain is already set at MAX and the Vendor stated that digital volume is maxxed already at default. In this situation with a cartridge that outputs 0,3 mV, I'm far from clipping so no need to reduce anything. Anyway I would suggest the developer to add an alternate way to set digital volume. My case apart, if the remote fails somewhen, you have no chance to set it. Is there a way to set digital volume acting somewhere on the PCB, opening the box?

Have you requested a replacememt IR Remote form your vendor?

 

[stefanovesa]

Have you requested a replacememt IR Remote form your vendor?

Remote seems working, at least the IR beam works, tested with phone camera, as suggested here, so probably the issue is inside the box. The Distributor has accepted RMA, I'm going to arrange the ship back.

 

[stefanovesa]

Adept replaced and the remote work at last! I confirm that with a 0.3 mV MC cartridge the digital signal level sent to the DAC is quite low.
I guess you will have better chance with some beefy MM cartridge with about 5-6 mV output.

 

[nothingman]

Adept replaced and the remote work at last! I confirm that with a 0.3 mV MC cartridge the digital signal level sent to the DAC is quite low.
I guess you will have better chance with some beefy MM cartridge with about 5-6 mV output.

Please submit a ticket and tell them they are being overly conservative with the gain settings and should give us more control over the signal. Like I said, I have a 4mV cart and MM gain is way too low.

Submit a ticket

support.minidsp.com

 

[stefanovesa]

Please submit a ticket and tell them they are being overly conservative with the gain settings and should give us more control over the signal. Like I said, I have a 4mV cart and MM gain is way too low.

Submit a ticket

support.minidsp.com

ticket submitted. Advised to check the gain implemented by Michael Fidler PRO series.

 

[morillon]

See the first message here...46db gain ...is not low for MM stage...
It's actually in a fairly high range...

As a reminder, we maintain a significant margin of error in terms of skill level in case of an ADC, etc. Seem here 12dbfs at 5 mv

 

[nothingman]

See the first message here...46db gain ...is not low for MM stage...
It's actually in a fairly high range...

As a reminder, we maintain a significant margin of error in terms of skill level in case of an ADC, etc. Seem here 12dbfs at 5 mv

I see Amir’s measurement, but that simply doesn’t translate to real life.

My ideal gain for this particular cart is 40db. I previously used two analog phono preamps which had 36db and 40db of gain. The Adept is significantly below them while in high gain mode.

As an example, I run the digital signal out of the Adept on toslink into a WiiM Ultra. The Ultra has a “pre-gain” slider for each input to allow for level-matching. I have that pre-gain set to its maximum of +10db and even then the signal from digital sources like streaming is more potent than what I’m getting from the turntable. +10db!

Note that miniDSP do not publish a gain spec, they just list the max recommended cartridge output at each gain level. miniDSP’s recommended max is a 4.2mV cart for high gain and I have 4mV. I’m right on the line and the gain is just way off the mark.

I would have been forced to return the damn thing for a loss if the WiiM Ultra didn’t give me a +10db digital boost.

 

[Sokel]

I read these last posts and I wonder:

The ones who report low levels, are absolutely certain that you use the right input (RCA, only) right setting (MM or MC) and right gain?

I had it for a while on my bench and I tested pretty much anything, levels are ok, tested with MC (0.4 mV) cartridge as well.

 

[markstein]

My ideal gain for this particular cart is 40db. I previously used two analog phono preamps which had 36db and 40db of gain. The Adept is significantly below them while in high gain mode.

As far as I understand the Adept, there is two gain settings: analog gain prior to A/D conversion (low/ middle/ high) and a digital gain setting as well (to avoid clipping after digital RIAA EQ).
Did you set the proper digital gain?

Fine-tuning gain structure - miniDSP ADept User Manual

docs.minidsp.com

Technical details - miniDSP ADept User Manual

docs.minidsp.com

 

[nothingman]

I read these last posts and I wonder:

The ones who report low levels, are absolutely certain that you use the right input (RCA, only) right setting (MM or MC) and right gain?

I had it for a while on my bench and I tested pretty much anything, levels are ok, tested with MC (0.4 mV) cartridge as well.

As far as I understand the Adept, there is two gain settings: analog gain prior to A/D conversion (low/ middle/ high) and a digital gain setting as well (to avoid clipping after digital RIAA EQ).
Did you set the proper digital gain?

Fine-tuning gain structure - miniDSP ADept User Manual

docs.minidsp.com

Technical details - miniDSP ADept User Manual

docs.minidsp.com

I’ve got the thing maxed out. MM, high gain, and volume via the remote at max. I’d eat my shoe if it’s user error.

 

[stefanovesa]

I read these last posts and I wonder:

The ones who report low levels, are absolutely certain that you use the right input (RCA, only) right setting (MM or MC) and right gain?

I had it for a while on my bench and I tested pretty much anything, levels are ok, tested with MC (0.4 mV) cartridge as well.

my setup.

1) source: Dynavector DV20x2 MC Low: 0,3 mV
2) MiniDSP Adept: MC input: High gain, Impedance LOW, Capacitance LOW. Digital volume maxed out, set to 32 bit/192 kHz
3) SPDIF COAX connection
4) DAC RME ADI-2 FS: variable volume, Autoref (from -5 to +13dBu to maximize gain)
5) XLR connection
6) Topping LA-90 discrete, low gan, volume bypass. (used as pure power amp)
7) Elac DBR-62

normally I use Classic Audio MC PRO as pre phono, direct to LA-90, with volume pot active in LA-90 and the gain is absolutely fine ( measured 85 dB in my listening spot with Topping pot at 11-12 o'clock).
With Adept I can barely reach 75 dB in my listening spot with RME digital volume at -3 dB from MAX.

 

[markstein]

Then I am glad I decided against the Adept and got the Waxwing despite worse measurements. Very flexible gain setting (both analog and digital) and peak level indication (both analog and digital) which makes gain fine tuning very straightforward.

 

[thecity2]

Can I use this to connect a Pro-Ject turntable to my Eversolo DMP-A6 and use that as a digital preamp essentially?

 

[stefanovesa]

Can I use this to connect a Pro-Ject turntable to my Eversolo DMP-A6 and use that as a digital preamp essentially?

You can. You can experiment with toslink or coax digital from Adept to Eversolo to see which suits better your needs. The different connections could only impact the ground path from the turntable to the next links of the chain, because toslink is galvanically isolated