Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

[Hayabusa]

Why is this thing cathegorized as AV processor? It’s just a DAC+DSP.

I must agree, AV kind of implies 5.1 minimal? AC3/DTS.. etc.

 

[respice finem]

@Newman It has USB (see rear pic)

 

[mcdn]

No USB input? Can't be used as a USB DAC with extras?

It has a USB input, it’s marked “audio and control” on the back panel picture in this review

 

[Blew]

If it had MQA support then it'd be perfect. There aren't many options for DSP + MQA sadly.

 

[abdo123]

No USB input? Can't be used as a USB DAC with extras?

Ofcourse there is.

 

[voodooless]

I must agree, AV kind of implies 5.1 minimal?

Not in my book. Stereo can still be fine.

AC3/DTS.. etc.

Codec support and HDMI would be prerequisite in my book.

 

[abdo123]

I have purchased the MiniDSP since release and it has been quite the pleasure to use.

The rotary encoder (or knob) is quite handy and you can pretty much control everything from preset to input to simply muting the device.

I’m a bit concerned about multi-tone and IMD performance, it looks surprisingly weird since digital processing is in floating 32bits, i have no idea where the 16 bit limitation is happening.

The biggest and most important difference this product makes is how silent it is, as long as you pair it with a decent amplifier you will never hear hiss again.

 

[Veri]

If it had MQA support then it'd be perfect. There aren't many options for DSP + MQA sadly.

Well that's because MQA is terrible for DSP. It's one of the main reasons a lot of people are against it.

 

[fordiebianco]

I'm sorry to ask, but can someone please explain the DSP functionality to me and why I would need it? Does it do similar things as Dirac?

 

[abdo123]

Not in my book. Stereo can still be fine.

Codec support and HDMI would be prerequisite in my book.

I use Toslink from my TV to the Flex just fine, in a way it acts as a processor.

So I really don’t mind it being categorized as such.

 

[RndmLstner]

For purposes of some functionality, is this basically the minidsp SHD without the streamer (if you add the Dirac license; the SHD includes the Dirac)? Whereas the minidsp SHD studio is the SHD without the preamp/analog i/o?

As to expanded functionality, is it essentially an upgraded version of miniDSP 2x4HD that provides Dirac (as an option)?

I understand it has additional uses beyond what the SHD/Studio offer (thus my question as to how it relates to the 2x4) but from a basic end-users perspective I'm looking for clarity on its use. I did read the web page and elsewhere. A few comments on other forums also suggest a bit of confusion as to where this product fits vs minidsp's similar offerings?

 

[Rja4000]

Add an optional Dirac license and you'd get an almost perfect package...

 

[abdo123]

For purposes of some functionality, is this basically the minidsp SHD without the streamer (if you add the Dirac license; the SHD includes the Dirac)? Whereas the minidsp SHD studio is the SHD without the preamp/analog i/o?

As to expanded functionality, is it essentially an upgraded version of miniDSP 2x4HD that provides Dirac (as an option)?

I understand it has additional uses beyond what the SHD/Studio offer but from a basic end-users perspective I'm looking for clarity on its use. I did read the web page. A few comments on other forums also suggest a bit of confusion as to where this product fits vs minidsp's similar offerings?

Yeah you’re more or less on point. The Flex also has Bluetooth which is the highlight of the device honestly.

 

[abdo123]

Is this the first time in ASR history where distortion performance was only optimised for single tones rather than multi-tone or music?

I hope MiniDSP catch wind of this review and fix the issue if possible.

 

[voodooless]

I use Toslink from my TV to the Flex just fine, in a way it acts as a processor.

Any DAC can do that. Should they all be in there as well?

 

[abdo123]

Any DAC can do that. Should they all be in there as well?

From recent reports of Topping’s Toslink/SPDIF implementation no not all DACs can do that .

Also not all DACs have features that enable Dirac and bass management.

 

[Newman]

It has a USB input, it’s marked “audio and control” on the back panel picture in this review

Excellent!

My previous MiniDSP gear with USB on the back was for control only. It was a pain.

 

[voodooless]

Also not all DACs have features that enable Dirac and bass management.

Make a category "DSP & active crossover" then.

And why is MiniDSP SHD Power in the list, but not MiniDSP SHD? This makes no sense at all

 

[Blew]

Well that's because MQA is terrible for DSP. It's one of the main reasons a lot of people are against it.

It's only terrible because not many applications support both DSP and MQA like Roon does. It would be fairly simple to do in a DSP + DAC such as this.

 

[Koeitje]

While the performance is good in general, I'm disappointed by the multitone performance.

Also this doesn't compete with AV processors. Because well....it doesn't support the V part of that and for the A part it doesn't support the codecs.