MiniDSP Flex HTx

[tetragrammaton]

The Behringer UMC1820 is designed for use in a professional audio environment (+24 dBu). The MiniDSP is designed for use in a home audio environment (+2 Vrms / +4 Vrms). Your statement is kind of like saying my Honda CR-V can't carry a 4 ton load of bricks in the back, but that a Ford F350 pickup truck can do that easily.

I guess you have some point, but AFAIK even mid-level Denon receivers do 4Vrms on their pre outs, and that is on unbalanced. And I guess we as consumers buying such products enable them to continue doing so.

Regardless, I think it's a shame MiniDSP has balanced audio levels comparable to a 100-130€ interface.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I guess you have some point, but AFAIK even mid-level Denon receivers do 4Vrms on their pre outs, and that is on unbalanced. And I guess we as consumers buying such products enable them to continue doing so.

Regardless, I think it's a shame MiniDSP has balanced audio levels comparable to a 100-130€ interface.

Your last point does raise a valid feature comparison point on MiniDSP (though your attitude is a bit annoying to read through). And your conclusion is correct, go buy a device that meets your need.

The MiniDSP only supports 2 Vrms on unbalanced output, even though many devices now are supporting 4 Vrms (and even up to 5 Vrms) on unbalanced output. That is a reasonable feature request to pass on to MiniDSP. And subsequently for you to decide whether the other features and cost/benefit of MiniDSP meet your need, or if you should look at a different product.

But your original point about the 4 Vrms being too low is entirely different. Very few amplifiers in the home audio sector are equipped to handle professional-level input (12.3 Vrms | +24 dBu). If your speakers (amplifiers) are designed for that source input level, then you may want to take a close look at (a) what level of attention is built into the end speakers, and (b) your end-to-end gain stage for managing SNR. I have quite a few input sources that are 2 Vrms... but I also have professional-level (+24 dBu) stereo mixer, ADC/DAC preamp, and studio speakers in my audio chain. I don't have any issue of hiss coming from those unbalanced consumer-level source devices.

 

[terryforsythe]

Hello, I bought the HTx but I am having lots of trouble with it.
Sometimes the software does not recognize it, sometimes it asks me to unplug and plug again and sometimes the audio signal is not there.
I have been puzzling over this for a few days. Now my main idea of the guilty bit is the USB cable: Seems problems arise when I use a 5m cable. Have tried 2 passive ones and 1 active extension with the miniDSP provided cable. All not same problems with added issues with the active extension (Type A to Type A 3.0, 3m).
I am at a loss now: can anyone suggest a good, reliable cable to fit my needs?
Much appreciate your help on this.

Thank you everyone for your kind help.
I will try a few fixes and if I find anything noteworthy I will let you know here just for future reference.
Best

I also had an issue with my miniDSP SHD using a long USB cable - it actually caused a software corruption issue and I had to reflash my SHD.

I bought the active cable below and used it with the miniDSP provided cable. It solved the issue. It also works with my miniDSP HTx:

https://a.co/d/glZXwyM

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

I guess you have some point, but AFAIK even mid-level Denon receivers do 4Vrms on their pre outs, and that is on unbalanced.

Are you sure about that? Any evidence about that ?
Denon's and marantz AVRs pre-outs from tests here and as reported on av forums and other sites are more around 1.2-1.4V.

 

[tetragrammaton]

Are you sure about that? Any evidence about that ?
Denon's and marantz AVRs pre-outs from tests here and as reported on av forums and other sites are more around 1.2-1.4V.

I guess I wasn't. My mistake, I apologize. What a disappointment, then, on both ends (mine and the AVRs).

I wasn't aware consumer audio sucked this much

Your last point does raise a valid feature comparison point on MiniDSP (though your attitude is a bit annoying to read through). And your conclusion is correct, go buy a device that meets your need.

The MiniDSP only supports 2 Vrms on unbalanced output, even though many devices now are supporting 4 Vrms (and even up to 5 Vrms) on unbalanced output. That is a reasonable feature request to pass on to MiniDSP. And subsequently for you to decide whether the other features and cost/benefit of MiniDSP meet your need, or if you should look at a different product.

But your original point about the 4 Vrms being too low is entirely different. Very few amplifiers in the home audio sector are equipped to handle professional-level input (12.3 Vrms | +24 dBu). If your speakers (amplifiers) are designed for that source input level, then you may want to take a close look at (a) what level of attention is built into the end speakers, and (b) your end-to-end gain stage for managing SNR. I have quite a few input sources that are 2 Vrms... but I also have professional-level (+24 dBu) stereo mixer, ADC/DAC preamp, and studio speakers in my audio chain. I don't have any issue of hiss coming from those unbalanced consumer-level source devices.

The hiss I mention is completely unrelated to the signal chain and is simply from the studio monitors at a higher gain setting on their amp.

 

[IamJF]

I guess you have some point, but AFAIK even mid-level Denon receivers do 4Vrms on their pre outs, and that is on unbalanced. And I guess we as consumers buying such products enable them to continue doing so.

Regardless, I think it's a shame MiniDSP has balanced audio levels comparable to a 100-130€ interface.

You are on a totally wrong way here - higher is for sure not better!

You need to fit the level of the D/A converter to your power amp/active speaker! Many power amps only need 2Vrms for full output power. Even 4Vrms symmetrical is already to much for nearly all home used amps. Every single dB your D/A converter has higher output level as your power amp is a wasted dB in S/N ratio.
Google gain staging!

Your setup - you should use the digital input of the DSP. Do as little conversions as possible.
That your active speakers need 6dB additional gain with 4Vrms is unusual but a good move when you consider output levels of mixers and interfaces. But this only means you didn't thought about gain staging in the first run, that's not the fault of home audio gear ...

Considering the Behringer as studio level gear ... it's more in the 2x4HD league.
If you want the best performance/price ratio for monitoring - get a pair of KH120ii and use the digital input! Add MA1 room "correction" and don't tinker with gear you will sell in 2-3 years anyways ... it's wasted money.

 

[tetragrammaton]

You are on a totally wrong way here - higher is for sure not better!

You need to fit the level of the D/A converter to your power amp/active speaker! Many power amps only need 2Vrms for full output power. Even 4Vrms symmetrical is already to much for nearly all home used amps. Every single dB your D/A converter has higher output level as your power amp is a wasted dB in S/N ratio.
Google gain staging!

Your setup - you should use the digital input of the DSP. Do as little conversions as possible.
That your active speakers need 6dB additional gain with 4Vrms is unusual but a good move when you consider output levels of mixers and interfaces. But this only means you didn't thought about gain staging in the first run, that's not the fault of home audio gear ...

Considering the Behringer as studio level gear ... it's more in the 2x4HD league.
If you want the best performance/price ratio for monitoring - get a pair of KH120ii and use the digital input! Add MA1 room "correction" and don't tinker with gear you will sell in 2-3 years anyways ... it's wasted money.

2Vrms, since I use the 2x4HD currently. I don't have a single "home use" amp in my setup, the closest to that would be my subwoofer plate amps. The speakers in my setup are Neumann KH120A and Kali IN8-v2.

Gain staging or not, with 2Vrms I lose ~6dB of headroom going 4Vrms into 2Vrms inevitably. Gain staging would just be in this case to have my output going into the MiniDSP at -6dB lmao.

I don't understand your last paragraph, especially the "you will sell in 2-3 years" part. I've had my Kalis and my subs for almost that long already (the Neumanns are a recent addition) and I'm not planning on selling either anytime soon, kind of a nonsensical remark.

 

[IamJF]

Gain staging would be to use a 6dB passive XLR Filter before the Mini DSP. Not just turn down the level.

Last paragraph is about the Behringer interface you thought about buying/using.
Check out the KH120ii - I also used the older analog version, it's a good step up.

 

[Rahan]

I finally found a solution for the décoding problem ( absence) of this devis. There are on the market a few BR players that come with analogue 7.1 output. the denon dn-500bd mkii (no 4k) , the tascam bd-mp4k and the panasonic dmp-ub820. I bought the denon used (I have no 4K BR disc for now)

It works flawlessly and makes me save a decent amount of money on an AVR processor. (I really don't understand the price tag of AVR device...)


Mini dsp flex HTX + BR player with analogue 7.1 output is a great combo for a raisonnable price.

 

[voodooless]

I finally found a solution for the décoding problem ( absence) of this devis. There are on the market a few BR players that come with analogue 7.1 output. the denon dn-500bd mkii (no 4k) , the tascam bd-mp4k and the panasonic dmp-ub820. I bought the denon used (I have no 4K BR disc for now)

It works flawlessly and makes me save a decent amount of money on an AVR processor. (I really don't understand the price tag of AVR device...)

This player does seem to have quite a few caveats though. I think it can only decode the lossy Dolby and DTS codecs and does not support Atmos. And what about audio from streaming services? No 4k support either.

 

[kadajawi]

Yeah I don't get it either. You are going the analog route too, which I'd want to avoid, because the signal is converted to analog, then to digital, then to analog. Also, why go for a device with HDMI then?

Just get the Apple TV 4K or, if you're fine with just using Kodi, an Amazon Fire TV. Cheap, works. Unless you need support for discs. Or you watch TV over the air / satellite or cable. But is that surround anyway?

 

[Rahan]

I just needed a BR player. I have no need for atmos, just 5.1. I don't want anymore to use a computer for movies I prefer a physical support. Nowadays an extra conversion is not audible at all. But I get your point. It won't fit everybody 's need, It fits mine and

 

[kadajawi]

Ok, if you need BR you could add a BR drive to the computer or go this route, true.

 

[GXAlan]

Ok, if you need BR you could add a BR drive to the computer or go this route, true.

Tough part is that you really don’t get UHDBD support on a PC. There is a very specific window of time when you had Intel integrated graphics with the right content protection.

Edit: I love streaming as much as anyone else, but buying a disc of Star Trek Strange New Worlds and Andor really highlights how much of a visual difference there is between streaming bitrates and disc bitrates (on a 75” LCD). The audio mix is likely different with Star Trek seeming to have a much better LFE as well. UHD discs are still a great choice for those special occasion movies and shows.

 

[Rahan]

I'm done with streaming. Hardware is the way

 

[kadajawi]

Tough part is that you really don’t get UHDBD support on a PC. There is a very specific window of time when you had Intel integrated graphics with the right content protection.

Edit: I love streaming as much as anyone else, but buying a disc of Star Trek Strange New Worlds and Andor really highlights how much of a visual difference there is between streaming bitrates and disc bitrates (on a 75” LCD). The audio mix is likely different with Star Trek seeming to have a much better LFE as well. UHD discs are still a great choice for those special occasion movies and shows.

In that case just download them illegally... cause then you get all the quality and none of the compatibility issues. Jesus.

And Paramount+ is impressive in how poor their bitrates are. In Germany you won't even get 4K...

 

[citysoundman]

I'm looking for a multichannel Dirac Live processor with balanced analog connections for my audio post studio. I can't seem to find a used miniDSP DDRC-88A, so this Flex HTx looks like it will fit the bill. Does anyone know if this unit would be an improvement over the DDRC-88A, regarding analog I/O quality and Dirac Live processing?

 

[GXAlan]

I'm looking for a multichannel Dirac Live processor with balanced analog connections for my audio post studio. I can't seem to find a used miniDSP DDRC-88A, so this Flex HTx looks like it will fit the bill. Does anyone know if this unit would be an improvement over the DDRC-88A, regarding analog I/O quality and Dirac Live processing?

How many channels do you need? Would the Trinnov nova work for you?

 

[citysoundman]

How many channels do you need? Would the Trinnov nova work for you?

I need 6 channels, for a 5.1 system. Trinnov is way out of my budget though!

 

[GXAlan]

I need 6 channels, for a 5.1 system. Trinnov is way out of my budget though!

Got it. Yeah, if you look at the specs, they advertise a better SINAD.

You should consider drop shipping the Flex HTx to Amir for testing to know for sure. No really good AVP’s in that price point with balanced outs.