MINIDSP Adept ADC & Phono Preamp Review

[stefanovesa]

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.

good news from the MiniDSP support:

ADept currently only has 3 gain step option, no higher gain with current firmware.
You may wait for next firmware update, with 5 gain option and IR control to increase digital gain up to +12dB.

The plan to increase the gain.

 

[nothingman]

good news from the MiniDSP support:

ADept currently only has 3 gain step option, no higher gain with current firmware.
You may wait for next firmware update, with 5 gain option and IR control to increase digital gain up to +12dB.

The plan to increase the gain.

Thanks for getting in touch with them, and happy to hear it. They treated me like I was inept and ignorant when I brought this issue to them a full year ago.

 

[stefanovesa]

Thanks for getting in touch with them, and happy to hear it. They treated me like I was inept and ignorant when I brought this issue to them a full year ago.

Perhaps now there is a critical mass of users reporting the same issue

 

[markstein]

Per my past experience with miniDSP this company is very slow in responding to user complaints and requests (my topic at that time: intersample clipping in SHD ASRC due to missing volume control prior the ASRC). There was zero feedback in their user forum from their development team. This was the major reason I sold my SHD. In the meantime, the issue silently was solved with a firmware update.
Good to see that miniDSP also reacts to this issue related to the Adept. I guess as a miniDSP user you must be patient and be prepared to wait around a year for a fix.
It will be interesting to see how fast bugs in their latest multichannel AVP will be fixed though ;-)

 

[stefanovesa]

After some weeks with the Minidsp Adept, I would say that I'm not convinced that the double conversion ADC/DAC is comparable quality-wise to the original (1).
Spoiler: 2) is sensibly worse.
The comparison is between

1) turntable --> Classic Audio MC PRO --> XLR (3a) --> Topping LA90 Discrete
2) turntable --> Classic Audio MC PRO --> XLR -> MiniDSP Adept (32 bit/192kHz) -> spdif -> RME ADI 2 DAC FS -> XLR (3b) -> Topping LA90 Discrete

Unfortunately I cannot elaborate further because, I cannot measure and compare possible audible differences of the analogue streams (3a) and (3b).
Anyone has measured, done blind testing or has some idea to better match 1) and 2) to obtain transparent results?

 

[dziemian]

After some weeks with the Minidsp Adept, I would say that I'm not convinced that the double conversion ADC/DAC is comparable quality-wise to the original (1).
Spoiler: 2) is sensibly worse.
The comparison is between

1) turntable --> Classic Audio MC PRO --> XLR (3a) --> Topping LA90 Discrete
2) turntable --> Classic Audio MC PRO --> XLR -> MiniDSP Adept (32 bit/192kHz) -> spdif -> RME ADI 2 DAC FS -> XLR (3b) -> Topping LA90 Discrete

Unfortunately I cannot elaborate further because, I cannot measure and compare possible audible differences of the analogue streams (3a) and (3b).
Anyone has measured, done blind testing or has some idea to better match 1) and 2) to obtain transparent results?

Sure. Full analog would be better, but with signal in digital domain I can add some dsp like dirac live

 

[somebodyelse]

Are the levels matched, and are you testing blind?

Here's a test with the original vs. 8th generation through DAC/ADC:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dac-loop-vs-the-original-can-you-hear-it.448/

You could do a test by making a recording from the Adept, then playing back that recording through the RME and recording again with the Adept. You can then compare these with DeltaWave, or do an ABX test to see if you can hear the difference. Note that for the ABX you will have to trim the files so they start and end in the same place, and make sure levels are matched.

 

[stefanovesa]

Are the levels matched, and are you testing blind?

Here's a test with the original vs. 8th generation through DAC/ADC:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dac-loop-vs-the-original-can-you-hear-it.448/

Interesting. I'll study it. Thanks

 

[Per]

As much as I love my RME ADI-2 DAC fs, I have MC cartridges and they cannot be connected to the ADI-2/4 pro SE which is MM only and besides that it relies on digital eq to simulate variable input capacitance, which is not neat if you ask me.

You could insert a step-up transformer between mc output and mm input.

 

[Jimi Floyd]

You could insert a step-up transformer between mc output and mm input.

Step-up transformers and tube amplifiers are not dead, they just smell funny.

 

[nothingman]

good news from the MiniDSP support:

ADept currently only has 3 gain step option, no higher gain with current firmware.
You may wait for next firmware update, with 5 gain option and IR control to increase digital gain up to +12dB.

The plan to increase the gain.

Sure wish we had that new firmware by now.

 

[Rgv250]

Sure wish we had that new firmware by now.

I got mine today. Definitely down on gain with firmware 1.6. I was hoping this would be fixed too.

Also I was under the impression that turning off the remote I would be able to make any settings from the Adept dial instead. Everything is adjustable apart from gain level stepping. I therefore can't gain stage as in step 3 of fine tuning gain in the Adept user manual. The remote needs to be on for this. Turn the remote back on and not only does gain of the Adept reduce, but so does that of my Flex. Unless I'm doing something wrong?

 

[nothingman]

I got mine today. Definitely down on gain with firmware 1.6. I was hoping this would be fixed too.

Also I was under the impression that turning off the remote I would be able to make any settings from the Adept dial instead. Everything is adjustable apart from gain level stepping. I therefore can't gain stage as in step 3 of fine tuning gain in the Adept user manual. The remote needs to be on for this. Turn the remote back on and not only does gain of the Adept reduce, but so does that of my Flex. Unless I'm doing something wrong?

You’ll need to cover the IR receiver on your Flex, e.g. stand up a book against the whole front.

 

[Ruediger]

A couple of questions for those who have this box.

It would be interested to use it for recording to PC, of course monitoring the signal, but also to use it for playback.
Does the PC see it as a sound source (for recording/monitoring) only or is it also useable as a "soundcard" with f.e. toslink out?

When bus-powered by the PC and power goes on and off per usage, will the jog dial need to be set every time or will it boot into the previous setting?

I read about the limited headroom and advice to keep LPs clean in the review. That applies to me with a lot of old material. Not in too bad shape usually, but noise and cracks do happen. Can this be mitigated with a lower input level or would I run into a bit of distortion with "problematic" sources?

Thanks!