Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

[LiviuTM]

I chose the cables based on MiniDSP recommendations:

Flex Balanced connectivity: Which TRS to RCA cable should I use?

The Flex balanced is balanced in/out. If you'd like to use an unbalanced amplifier (e.g. Powered subwoofer) downstream of the Flex series, here is the recommended TRS to RCA cable to minimize detrimental effect on the audio quality. Note how...

support.minidsp.com

I'm using a TRS to RCA stereo cable and not getting any signal on my subwoofer. Why is that?

You've received your Flex TRS unit and you're excited to connect it up to your system for a 2.1 setup. You didn't purchase miniDSP's TRS cable but instead used that TRS to RCA stereo cable. It's most likely looking like this. You connect e...

support.minidsp.com

This is how I understood it should be done, with a dual mono cable, as Flex is outputting mono signals anyway. I'm by no means no expert, maybe I got it wrong. It worked for me, though.

 

[antcollinet]

I chose the cables based on MiniDSP recommendations:

Flex Balanced connectivity: Which TRS to RCA cable should I use?

The Flex balanced is balanced in/out. If you'd like to use an unbalanced amplifier (e.g. Powered subwoofer) downstream of the Flex series, here is the recommended TRS to RCA cable to minimize detrimental effect on the audio quality. Note how...

support.minidsp.com

I'm using a TRS to RCA stereo cable and not getting any signal on my subwoofer. Why is that?

You've received your Flex TRS unit and you're excited to connect it up to your system for a 2.1 setup. You didn't purchase miniDSP's TRS cable but instead used that TRS to RCA stereo cable. It's most likely looking like this. You connect e...

support.minidsp.com

This is how I understood it should be done, with a dual mono cable, as Flex is outputting mono signals anyway. I'm by no means no expert, maybe I got it wrong. It worked for me, though.

Mono cables usually have TS connectors on - not TRS connectors as shown in the Mini DSP Document.

Or are you talking TRS to 2xRCA, and only using one of the RCA, as described in the subwoofer document?

How many contacts are on the connector? 2 (Tip and sleeve) or 3 (Tip ring and sleeve). If 3 you should be fine. If 2 you are short circuiting the output.

 

[rainbowzebra]

No no problem. If it wasn’t sold out this one would work.

Amazon.com

Has anyone used another RCA to TRS cable or adapter that has worked for inputting a turntable into a balanced Flex? I see many RCA to TS options, and split RCA to TRS options, but am having trouble locating mono RCA to TRS in the configuration I understand is best (with the tip and ring of the TRS connected to the red and black, respectively, and the shield of the TRS not connected to the RCA's red or black).

 

[antcollinet]

Has anyone used another RCA to TRS cable or adapter that has worked for inputting a turntable into a balanced Flex? I see many RCA to TS options, and split RCA to TRS options, but am having trouble locating mono RCA to TRS in the configuration I understand is best (with the tip and ring of the TRS connected to the red and black, respectively, and the shield of the TRS not connected to the RCA's red or black).

On the input I use a simple RCA to TS for a turntable. It works fine, and performance will exceed the levels vinyl is capable of.

 

[FranZe]

Flex would be a good choice - you could either get the analogue, then Node>toslink>flex>Analogue> Rega and Subs


Or you could get the digital version, go with toslink from flex to Rega - and if you get subs with digitial inputs, could use digital connections to them - or get a dac for analogue subs. Digital to subs would have the advantage of not being suceptible to ground loops which can be a problem with them being remote from the source.

As @antcollinet said flex is a great option. But IMO makes sense if you someday plan on buying a UMIK mic and doing room correction - EQ or dirac. Otherwise, it's overkill.

If you want to do a simple crossover and don't have a sub already, KEF's own KC62 & KF92($$$) have a high pass to match the frequency response of your speakers along with some rudimentary EQ. So, Node (volume control) -> analog out -> KC62 -> analog out (high pass) -> Rega -> R3

The problem with all options is that your integrated Rega amp isn't going to control the volume of the sub/s. So your volume control is going to be flex or Node if you don't go with flex and go kef subs instead.

Oh, and yes welcome to ASR.

Thanks for the welcome and feedbacks.

But when i have a integrated amp will it be ideal with minidsp? I do then gets 2x preamp? Best way is minidsp —> poweramp? Or does it work okay? In my mind i do want the shd version, because of the connections options. By the way, my plan is to change to a poweramp later.

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks for the welcome and feedbacks.

But when i have a integrated amp will it be ideal with minidsp? I do then gets 2x preamp? Best way is minidsp —> poweramp? Or does it work okay? In my mind i do want the shd version, because of the connections options. By the way, my plan is to change to a poweramp later.

Mini DSP isn't really a preamp, it just implements digital volume in case you want to use it with a power amp.

Nothing wrong with outputting to an integrated amp (Mine feeds an AVR).

If changing to a power amp later, it might be worth considering a model with balanced outputs.

 

[Sparkles]

Thanks for the welcome and feedbacks.

But when i have a integrated amp will it be ideal with minidsp? I do then gets 2x preamp? Best way is minidsp —> poweramp? Or does it work okay? In my mind i do want the shd version, because of the connections options. By the way, my plan is to change to a poweramp later.

Yes Flex works straight to power amp no problem.

 

[Robocop]

New software update available now Device Console V 1.1.16.

Updated my balanced Flex all good and operational.

Robert

 

[diablo]

New software update available now Device Console V 1.1.16.

Updated my balanced Flex all good and operational.

Robert

I was looking at basic PEQ settings earlier on my Flex 8 today, hoping it had a 'high shelf' option. It didn't.
Though the new version has it.

 

[Robocop]

Not sure on Flex 8 but my Flex has always had Filter Types on PEQ page: Low/High shelf on right hand side in separate box along from frequency settings at bottom.

 

[Calypso1]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and have been ready through all the posts (1/3 way through), reading the device specs, and also the extremely helpful documents on the miniDSP website. I have summarized in the drawing my understanding today on how to integrate the miniDSP into a 2.1 system but I am still unclear in some areas, such as, volume management.

If you have a moment, please review my drawing and let me know what I missed or misunderstood. Thanks.

 

[Robocop]

Run minidsp at 0 db volume. Thats what I do and control volume from preamp. Its worked for me the same as your drawn circuit.

 

[antcollinet]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and have been ready through all the posts (1/3 way through), reading the device specs, and also the extremely helpful documents on the miniDSP website. I have summarized in the drawing my understanding today on how to integrate the miniDSP into a 2.1 system but I am still unclear in some areas, such as, volume management.

If you have a moment, please review my drawing and let me know what I missed or misunderstood. Thanks.

Hi

It will work fine as drawn.

The only thing you could consider - if you are not using the preamp for phone pre (ie if your phono pre is separate sending line level to your preamp), then you could dispense with the preamp, and put all three sources into the Mini DSP flex (as long as you have different interface options for CD and Streamer), then using the MiniDSP for volume.

Personally I run the MiniDSP at -3dB just to eliminate any risk of interasmple overs. But this is probably un-necessary.


EDIT - I see the preamp has a phono input that I guess you are using, so you can ignore this suggestion.

 

[Calypso1]

Hi

It will work fine as drawn.

The only thing you could consider - if you are not using the preamp for phone pre (ie if your phono pre is separate sending line level to your preamp), then you could dispense with the preamp, and put all three sources into the Mini DSP flex (as long as you have different interface options for CD and Streamer), then using the MiniDSP for volume.

Personally I run the MiniDSP at -3dB just to eliminate any risk of interasmple overs. But this is probably un-necessary.


EDIT - I see the preamp has a phono input that I guess you are using, so you can ignore this suggestion.

Thanks for the tips. Yes, correct the only reason today for keeping the preamp is for phono input support; mc and mm. I may remove it later. Will definitely take your suggestion and run the MiniDSP at -3dB or at least listen for a difference.

 

[Robocop]

Personally I run the MiniDSP at -3dB just to eliminate any risk of interasmple overs. But this is probably un-necessary.

I believe this issue was solved with this update from minidsp web site:

18/09/2023 - Rev 1.1.11 18/9/2023, 1:00:56 pm
DSP Firmware
- [All Models] Volume control moved before ASRC in DSP chain to help against potential distortion caused by intersample peak.

 

[AaronJ]

Run minidsp at 0 db volume. Thats what I do and control volume from preamp. Its worked for me the same as your drawn circuit.

Agree with this advice. This is how I use my minidsp flex, except it’s in the pre-out-main-in loop of my integrated. One other word of caution is I recommend placing a high quality analog pot between the flex and amplifier to protect your speakers. My flex has output max volume when making some changes in Dirac live which is problematic when fed directly into a power amp. Something like a Schiit Sys, JDS Labs OL switcher, or even a Nobsound switcher are all good choices for the application. I use the JDS Labs at 12 o’clock.

 

[antcollinet]

I believe this issue was solved with this update from minidsp web site:

18/09/2023 - Rev 1.1.11 18/9/2023, 1:00:56 pm
DSP Firmware
- [All Models] Volume control moved before ASRC in DSP chain to help against potential distortion caused by intersample peak.

That only helped by allowing you to turn the volume down a little to avoid them. Previously turning the volume down when it was later in the DSP chain couldn't help.

Having said that - I've never heard anything I could attribute to inter-sample overs in my life. I suspect they are one of those things audiophiles worry about for no reason.

 

[mdsimon2]

I believe this issue was solved with this update from minidsp web site:

18/09/2023 - Rev 1.1.11 18/9/2023, 1:00:56 pm
DSP Firmware
- [All Models] Volume control moved before ASRC in DSP chain to help against potential distortion caused by intersample peak.

They reverted this behavior in later updates as some users had noise issues. I am not sure if the ASRC gain structure update is still on the table.

I also confirmed that the newest firmware still clips when feed intersample overs, regardless of volume position.

Michael

 

[Robocop]

They reverted this behavior in later updates as some users had noise issues. I am not sure if the ASRC gain structure update is still on the table.

I also confirmed that the newest firmware still clips when feed intersample overs, regardless of volume position.

Michael

Interesting I'm also not sure and never got a reply from minidsp about reinstating ASCR gain at update Rev 1.1.14. I personally never had any problems when they did move the gain and in fact felt it sounded slightly better(1.1.11). Update 1.1.11 appeared to cause problems with some older other models.

Did you ever measure this at the time of this update 1.1.11 to see if it clipped?

Have to say I have never heard it or if its infrequent enough to.

Robert

 

[mdsimon2]

Interesting I'm also not sure and never got a reply from minidsp about reinstating ASCR gain at update Rev 1.1.14. I personally never had any problems when they did move the gain and in fact felt it sounded slightly better(1.1.11). Update 1.1.11 appeared to cause problems with some older other models.

Did you ever measure this at the time of this update 1.1.11 to see if it clipped?

Have to say I have never heard it or if its infrequent enough to.

Robert

I tested the beta firmware before it was released. With the beta firmware you could send a +3 dBFS signal and if you reduced the main volume by 3 dB it would eliminate intersample over clipping. Important to note it was only the main volume control that had this effect, changing the gain on the input or output channels would not.

I never had a chance to test the released 1.1.11 update.

Michael