MiniDSP Flex Eight vs Flex HTx? Will be sending in for measurements

[chef_]

Thoughts on minidsp flex eight vs flex htx? I don't believe either has been measured on this forum. I figure the HTx likely measures better given some of their other balanced processors measure a bit better than their unbalanced, and generally prefer balanced as I'll have some long(ish, up to 3m) cable runs, but curious for opinions before I splurge for the more expensive model. Amps are 3e Audio A5 with balanced and unbalanced input.

Regardless of which one I get, I'll be sending it in for review - is there a process for this or do I just DM Amir?

 

[Guddu]

Thoughts on minidsp flex eight vs flex htx? I don't believe either has been measured on this forum. I figure the HTx likely measures better given some of their other balanced processors measure a bit better than their unbalanced, and generally prefer balanced as I'll have some long(ish, up to 3m) cable runs, but curious for opinions before I splurge for the more expensive model. Amps are 3e Audio A5 with balanced and unbalanced input.

Regardless of which one I get, I'll be sending it in for review - is there a process for this or do I just DM Amir?

Just DM @amirm

 

[chef_]

Done, thx

 

[Keith_W]

All you need to do is DM Amir.

FWIW don't choose based on which has better measurements. The quality of the DAC's is likely to be inconsequential and inaudible. Choose based on the features that you need. THE major difference is that the Flex HTX has 8 analog inputs, which is great if you have a HT source and you want to DSP each channel separately. The Flex Eight only has stereo inputs, which is all you need if you have an active multiway speaker.

 

[chef_]

Source right now is digital stereo, might do some surround sound for home theater later (which would need the 8ch hdmi in for the HTx) but not really planning for that yet, that's a long way off. Is there any difference between a 10ft RCA run and a 10ft balanced run in terms of noise they pick up?

 

[Keith_W]

The whole point of balanced is noise rejection. But that's if you have verrrrrrrrrrrrry long cable runs. 10ft is nothing! I suppose there may be marginally less noise in a typical domestic setting with balanced vs. RCA ... but I have never seen any testing to prove/disprove this. Maybe we need to bother Amir to go do that test

Having said that, I prefer balanced for a few reasons. (1) The pro audio equipment i'm using are all balanced, (2) the connectors are more sturdy, (3) I standardized on balanced many years ago and I have a huge collection of balanced cables.

 

[charlielaub]

The whole point of balanced is noise rejection. But that's if you have verrrrrrrrrrrrry long cable runs.

Balanced connections are not just a solution for a situation that involves long cable runs. The balanced interconnection has superior rejection of common mode noise and interference, ground loops, etc. In some instances it is nearby equipment that is generating the noise, e.g. a computer or other electronics. This can be the case even when the distance is short.

Here is my experience: I do all my DSP in software on small PCs or ARM based computers. Some of these generate electronic noise that can easily be picked up by single ended interconnections especially where there are multiple ones present. A multi-channel DAC connected to one or more amplifiers forms lots of little loop antennas! I got so sick of trying to track down and solve hum and noise problems of this nature that about 10 or 12 years ago I converted all of my audio interfaces to balanced interconnects. I have not had a noise problem since then.

OTOH, in general (according to Douglas Self at least) a naive implementation of balanced circuitry can be much noisier than an unbalanced one in the absence of any external noise sources. He writes "a standard balanced input using 10k Ohm resistors is 14dB noisier than the unbalanced input" source: Design of Active Crossovers, 2011, p467. This is due to the circuitry of the balanced interconnect itself. But careful design can make the balanced connection about as low noise as an unbalanced one. It is up to the buyer to verify the performance of any particular piece of equipment.

 

[chef_]

Turns out Amir has one on hand and will at some point get to it in his backlog. From the measurements of the Flex balanced it seems like minidsp does suitably well implementing balanced outputs, and this will be surrounded by quite a few (audio and other) electronic components as it's not in a dedicated listening room. I'll go ahead and go with the Flex HTx as it seems like it's better at least in some ways - potentially noise rejection and ground loop prevention, as well as eventual use of 8-channel inputs for home theater - and I'm willing to pay the small amount of premium for that. Only thing it's missing is Bluetooth input, but it seems like old raspberry pi's are a great solution for better streaming. Thanks for your responses everyone!

 

[ZeDestructor]

Turns out Amir has one on hand and will at some point get to it in his backlog. From the measurements of the Flex balanced it seems like minidsp does suitably well implementing balanced outputs, and this will be surrounded by quite a few (audio and other) electronic components as it's not in a dedicated listening room. I'll go ahead and go with the Flex HTx as it seems like it's better at least in some ways - potentially noise rejection and ground loop prevention, as well as eventual use of 8-channel inputs for home theater - and I'm willing to pay the small amount of premium for that. Only thing it's missing is Bluetooth input, but it seems like old raspberry pi's are a great solution for better streaming. Thanks for your responses everyone!

Fantastic. I've been eyeing the HTx myself as part of replacing my now almost 20 year old Creative S750 speakers with a set of very shiny, very new Genelec hardware at my computer (which has a 7.1 setup for videogames and movies)