Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

[diablo]

I will likely skip Dirac for now. If I not wrong, I understand that Dirac is easier and perhaps will give better fine tuned results, but and the moment I think that manual configuration will help me better understand the EQ kitchen

I was very impressed with Dirac when I first used it (though that was on a DDRC24). For example I could hear individual voices in a choir, rather than them being mashed together.
I later realised the importance of exact timing, which Dirac is good at. I still use Dirac to set timings, even when using REW EQ. It can be done with REW itself, though you need to know where to look and do some sums. So I get the same clarity without Dirac.

 

[catch22]

I was very impressed with Dirac when I first used it (though that was on a DDRC24). For example I could hear individual voices in a choir, rather than them being mashed together.
I later realised the importance of exact timing, which Dirac is good at. I still use Dirac to set timings, even when using REW EQ. It can be done with REW itself, though you need to know where to look and do some sums. So I get the same clarity without Dirac.

So Dirac will help to set the benchmark for yourself, what level of improvement in sound CAN be achieved. And even if later you switch it off and do manual steps, at least you have learned from Dirac already
Do you know if Dirac licence can be added later if a unit is purchased without? A quick look at minidsp product portfolio doesn't show a separate item for Dirac licences.

 

[diablo]

I've purchased Dirac Live separately from them before. Though the procedure has changed - you now do it through the new Control Panel software -

Flex Dirac Live upgrade

Online shopping for innovative DSP products has never been easier @ miniDSP.

www.minidsp.com

 

[keiron99]

I'm very keen to try out dirac and the minidsp flex seems the way to go.

My listening is almost exclusively vinyl.

Could I plug my phone stage into the minidsp, and then connect that to the HT bypass of my Rotel 1592 integrated?

Edit: turns out there is no HT bypass! Oh well. Nevermind.

 

[staticV3]

Could I plug my phone stage into the minidsp, and then connect that to the HT bypass of my Rotel 1592 integrated?

You can definitely do Phono Pre->Flex (Dirac)->Rotel.

Not sure what HT bypass is. The only bypass on the RA-1592 is Tone bypass.

 

[plusforce]

I read as much as I could about balanced and unbalanced versions but couldn't understand which one is better for me. I want to do room correction. (sorry I am not an expert). Can someone help me?
I have a Marantz 6007 amp, two Revel M16 speakers, and an SVS-sb1000 sub.
The input will be toslink from the TV.
Thanks!

 

[staticV3]

I read as much as I could about balanced and unbalanced versions but couldn't understand which one is better for me. I want to do room correction. (sorry I am not an expert). Can someone help me?
I have a Marantz 6007 amp, two Revel M16 speakers, and an SVS-sb1000 sub.
The input will be toslink from the TV.
Thanks!

The Flex Balanced doesn't make sense, as neither your Amp, nor your Sub has balanced inputs.

Either the Flex RCA, or the Flex Digital would work in your case:


With the Flex RCA, you'd be forced to use the Flex's remote to control volume. The Marantz would need to be kept at a fixed volume.

With the Flex Digital, you can use either the Flex remote, or the Marantz remote.

The Flex HT/HTx would also work.
With those, you could use either the TV remote, or the Flex remote.

 

[staticV3]

Thanks! I did not consider Flex Digital because I thought the miniDSP DAC has higher quality than the DAC in the Marantz. Maybe I was wrong?

The Flex DAC has better measurements, but I wouldn't expect audible differences.

Actually, on second thought, even with the Flex RCA you should connect your sub to the Marantz. Not to the Flex:


That way, you can still use the Marantz remote to control volume, and you don't have to worry about accidentally changing the Marantz's volume, which with the sub plugged into the Flex, would change the relative level between mains and sub (annoying!)

Is there any downside if I get the balanced version in case I decide to upgrade my amp in the future?

Plugging an RCA Amp into a balanced output is not really straightforward and can lead to performance degradation. Generally not recommended.

Topping D10 Balanced Review (USB DAC)

It looks (in my case) ,that the onboard switching power supply + 5.65V / -5.6V, which supplies the output analog circuits (3 OA) behind the DAC, fails / does not start ..). That PSU is powered from 5V inputs. The all other onboard sources (3.3V, 1.2V, 1V) start up normally, they are linear (not...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping Pre90 Review (preamplifier)

All devices which use a transformer in the output. Very rare today, I think. RME UCX II, for example, has servo-balanced outputs. Those require shorting the negative pole to ground when connecting unbalanced: The short circuit protected, low impedance line outputs of channels 1 to 6 are...

www.audiosciencereview.com

An RCA DAC on the other hand, can be plugged into both RCA and XLR Amps without performance degradation.

With the right cables, you can even make the Flex RCA impedance balanced, which comes with all the noise cancelling and ground loop breaking attributes of native XLR/TRS:

Topping DX3 Pro+ Review (DAC & Headphone Amp)

Nice, have not seen that error thought but i dont play loud or have demanding headphones. Will wait until some ppl in this thread can confirm the update works without issue until i update. Well, I've updated and do not notice any difference. (Used windows 11, turned the DAC on and simply ran...

www.audiosciencereview.com

So if you want to be prepared for both RCA and XLR Amps, then I'd choose the Flex RCA if you can do custom impedance balanced cables, or the Flex HTx if you want hassle-free connections with default cables.

Or the Flex Digital as you can combine it with the right DAC for your use case.

 

[Ze Frog]

Probably a silly question, I'm pretty new to DSP stuff...but does the DSP have noticeable effect on sound quality that anyone has noticed?

I'd be using it to cross to subwoofers, so in my mind any miniscule degradation if any would be well and truly out of any of the more important areas. Trying to decide if I want to go this route or just let my speakers play down and add subwoofers from high level. Are there any particular benefits to either aside from headroom with mains?

My current speakers have no issues with playing with full range signal, just wondering if relieving them from such extensions might improve midrange even more so. Or would a DAC with higher SINAD etc make more of the difference?

Trying to get the absolute best I possibly can quality wise as once it's done, that's it, absolutely final. I will never need to upgrade DAC as it's pretty much just for CD transport, no streaming really at all.

 

[anotherhobby]

Probably a silly question, I'm pretty new to DSP stuff...but does the DSP have noticeable effect on sound quality that anyone has noticed?

Yes, it improves sound quality by applying crossovers in the digital domain and also (should you so choose) by doing room correction (manual or Dirac). I gather you are probably more concerned with the inverse though, so no, it also does not degrade audible sound quality.

I'd be using it to cross to subwoofers, so in my mind any miniscule degradation if any would be well and truly out of any of the more important areas. Trying to decide if I want to go this route or just let my speakers play down and add subwoofers from high level. Are there any particular benefits to either aside from headroom with mains?

My current speakers have no issues with playing with full range signal, just wondering if relieving them from such extensions might improve midrange even more so. Or would a DAC with higher SINAD etc make more of the difference?

Applying crossover to mains does increase headroom and improve mid-range quality, especially if the mains are only 2-way.

 

[plusforce]

If I hook up the subwoofer straight to the miniDSP in a 2.1 speaker setup, I'll get way better room correction than if I connect it directly to the amp?

 

[staticV3]

If I hook up the subwoofer straight to the miniDSP in a 2.1 speaker setup, I'll get way better room correction than if I connect it directly to the amp?

You'll get precise control over phase and crossover frequency/steepness.
That's something that either you or Dirac can make use of for better subwoofer integration.

But then you can no longer use the Marantz remote to control volume.

 

[dave999z]

I sure wish the Flex had an IR input jack. (Not that anyone else cares. Just really close to buying this thing, but it's challenging to integrate into my setup. I have a Broadlink RM4 WiFi remote set up out of visible range that I use [via Alexa] to turn the whole system on and off, select inputs, etc. But it wouldn't be able to control the Flex. And I can't just put the Flex out of sight, because I'm going to need to use its actual remote to control volume. Hmmm.)

 

[Joffy1780]

I sure wish the Flex had an IR input jack. (Not that anyone else cares. Just really close to buying this thing, but it's challenging to integrate into my setup. I have a Broadlink RM4 WiFi remote set up out of visible range that I use [via Alexa] to turn the whole system on and off, select inputs, etc. But it wouldn't be able to control the Flex. And I can't just put the Flex out of sight, because I'm going to need to use its actual remote to control volume. Hmmm.)

Why wouldn't it control the Flex?

 

[dave999z]

Why wouldn't it control the Flex?

The Broadlink is hidden inside my AV cabinet, not within line of sight to the front of the cabinet (where the Flex would need to be sitting in order for me to also be able to use its own remote to control its volume).

The Broadlink is able to control my TV and receiver, even though it does not have line of sight to those, via an IR repeater that plugs into the rear IR inputs on those components.

 

[Joffy1780]

The Broadlink is hidden inside my AV cabinet, not within line of sight to the front of the cabinet (where the Flex would need to be sitting in order for me to also be able to use its own remote to control its volume).

The Broadlink is able to control my TV and receiver, even though it does not have line of sight to those, via an IR repeater that plugs into the rear IR inputs on those components.

So you would need to be able to use the Flex's remote control for volume, even if the Broadlink could control it?

Couldn't you get an IR extender or blaster for the Broadlink that could sit outside of the AV cabinet?

 

[dave999z]

So you would need to be able to use the Flex's remote control for volume, even if the Broadlink could control it?

I would only use the Broadlink to turn it on and off and select input (as part of an Alexa macro when I say "system on"). But for volume, I need to use the remote in real time (I'm not going to say "Alexa, Flex volume up" all the time ).

Couldn't you get an IR extender or blaster for the Broadlink that could sit outside of the AV cabinet?

Unfortunately it would be too unsightly.

 

[Joffy1780]

I would only use the Broadlink to turn it on and off and select input (as part of an Alexa macro when I say "system on"). But for volume, I need to use the remote in real time (I'm not going to say "Alexa, Flex volume up" all the time )

Well, of course not, pardon me

Unfortunately it would be too unsightly.

They're smaller than my fingertip, you can barely see them if you position them carefully.

 

[dave999z]

Well, of course not, pardon me

I wasn't trying to be snarky. Just explaining that Alexa voice commands is really the only way I have of controlling the Broadlink (and therefore controlling any other device via the Broadlink). Works great for just turning the system off and on, but not much else.

you can barely see them if you position them carefully

I just don't have a place to put them. The Flex would sit on a shelf flush with the front of the AV cabinet. Could possibly place the blaster right above it, but it would be visible and also may not even reach it at that angle. I'm probably OCD and unreasonable on this, but I just don't want to see a little blaster positioned there.


Makes me wonder if the Flex HT would turn on and off via CEC through the eARC HDMI connection. That's how I turn my Roku on and off (the Broadlink turns my tv on via rear IR-input, and the tv automatically turns the Roku on via CEC over the HDMI cable).

Update: Per the website, the Flex HT does support CEC. This could be my answer. I was kind of on the fence between the Flex and Flex HT anyway. (Relying on CEC to work consistently and accurately is probably a fool's mission. But at least it would theoretically work.)

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

Makes me wonder if the Flex HT would turn on and off via CEC through the eARC HDMI connection.

I confirm it does. And as I didn't want that, I had to configure my other CEC enabled devices to not power on/off my Flex HT.