Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

[Red_Red]

Thanks Michael, I had read with great interest your tutorials for using cameliadsp.
You are right to suggest using ubuntu for my use. I need to think a little more about all this because it would require me to change some habits. For the moment there is no hurry, as it is my measurement and "research" system, is quite functional. Also The MOTU Ultralite Mk5+ seems to me the most suitable for the multiple use that I could make of it. On my side I have a Focusrite for the setting for the acoustic phasing (in loopback). You are absolutely right to specify the importance of this and the fact that indeed Flex Eight like the DM7 or the nanodigi that I use do not allow this.

 

[juliangst]

Are there any downsites with using MoOde instead of Ubuntu? I tried both and both are stable and didn’t cause any issues.

MoOde just seems to be more ‚noob friendly‘ and gives you all streaming features and external input support.

I haven’t tried it with multichannel DACs like the topping or Motu though.

 

[MCH]

Are there any downsites with using MoOde instead of Ubuntu? I tried both and both are stable and didn’t cause any issues.

MoOde just seems to be more ‚noob friendly‘ and gives you all streaming features and external input support.

I haven’t tried it with multichannel DACs like the topping or Motu though.

Moode's camilladsp can do multichannel 2 in X out, no problem, see here:

Dummy to dummy multichannel DSP on the ultra cheap instructions

Hello guys, I have been reading and asking here and there about how to set up a multichannel system with DSP on the ultra cheap. And even though many of you helped me a lot to understand the implications and requirements and answer all my stupid questions (special thanks for @mdsimon2 in...

audiosciencereview.com

What do you mean with "external input support"? I thought that was not possible (or very limited) with moode

 

[mdsimon2]

Moode's camilladsp can do multichannel 2 in X out, no problem, see here:

Dummy to dummy multichannel DSP on the ultra cheap instructions

Hello guys, I have been reading and asking here and there about how to set up a multichannel system with DSP on the ultra cheap. And even though many of you helped me a lot to understand the implications and requirements and answer all my stupid questions (special thanks for @mdsimon2 in...

audiosciencereview.com

What do you mean with "external input support"? I thought that was not possible (or very limited) with moode

I haven't tried it but it does seem possible these days -> https://www.bitlab.nl/page_id=1103.

Michael

 

[MCH]

I haven't tried it but it does seem possible these days -> https://www.bitlab.nl/page_id=1103.

Michael

Interesting, thanks!

 

[juliangst]

Moode's camilladsp can do multichannel 2 in X out, no problem, see here:

Dummy to dummy multichannel DSP on the ultra cheap instructions

Hello guys, I have been reading and asking here and there about how to set up a multichannel system with DSP on the ultra cheap. And even though many of you helped me a lot to understand the implications and requirements and answer all my stupid questions (special thanks for @mdsimon2 in...

audiosciencereview.com

What do you mean with "external input support"? I thought that was not possible (or very limited) with moode

Didn’t try it out but MoOde has a menu for input selection. Could work with the Hifimediy or something similar

 

[MCH]

Didn’t try it out but MoOde has a menu for input selection. Could work with the Hifimediy or something similar

Check out what Michael has just posted, maybe it tells you how to do it. This is new for me, besides this, I think that the input selection in Moore only works with two devices, see link below. But please, check it out, this is old information, moode had a couple of updates since that:

Add additional input selection

 

[euge_lee]

Since the clock source of the external data is unknown, the DSP usually has its own clock domain, so there will always be resampling involved. No point in letting Roon do it for you. In fact, it's said that resampling to the same rate may actually be worse than differing sample rates, but I haven't seen any concrete evidence of this.

You are indeed correct... as this is what MiniDSP responded as well.

• All our processors require to resample to the DSP clock rate. Even if it's 96k sample rate, it's a different clock. Does this make sense?
  For that reason the ASRC is always active in all cases. It won't make a difference indeed. Our SRC is indeed the same in all case and won't be that different from what Roon does since it's an HARDWARE ASRC on the chipset already optimized for best performance.

 

[DWPress]

All our processors require to resample to the DSP clock rate.

This has been true with miniDSP products for a long time, my old 4x10 processed everything in 24/96 a decade ago. Still best to feed these things with a digital signal to avoid the ADC stage. The good news is even the 4x10 was measured back then and even if not SOTA all concerns were still at or below audible thresholds.

@Red_Red - I use my system to create and measure crossovers/filters for my speakers as well. Not quite as cheap as going with Camilla DSP but maybe more flexible for your needs and another way of going about it using software and audio plugins is linked in my signature. I have a usb Umik mic and analog ones I've used with a pre and loopback but will often just use acoustic timing reference in the wav sweep file through whatever app I'm using for music playback rather than directly in REW.

Lots of ways to break free of the miniDSP ecosystem and its limitations but I do think the Flex is a pretty good piece of kit if it suits ones needs. There will always be more flexibility and control in a multi ch DAC + computer running the show.

 

[euge_lee]

This has been true with miniDSP products for a long time, my old 4x10 processed everything in 24/96 a decade ago. Still best to feed these things with a digital signal to avoid the ADC stage. The good news is even the 4x10 was measured back then and even if not SOTA all concerns were still at or below audible thresholds.

I'm actually a dummy... I used to use a 2x4 HD and SMSL DAC feeding it analog... but recently got the FLEX and am sending it USB and using it as my DAC... so it was somewhat moot to begin with since I was bypassing ADC... but I know it still wants to upsample to 96kHz for DSP... which is fine and I'll let it do its thing.

 

[will.b]

One annoying FLEX issue is if I accidentally try to play a Qobuz file with a resolution of 96Hz or higher most of the time I just get static in the speakers. 44Khz files work fine but lots of HiRes Qobuz files won't play. That issue disappears when I switch in the RME ADI-2 or the D90SE DAC.

I've experienced the same when the audio output is set to Wasapi(Exclusive Mode) in Qobuz.
Change it to normal Wasapi and it's fine.
Works fine with either mode via Roon.

 

[juliangst]

Digital Flex finally available at the right price point

miniDSP 2x4 FLEX Digital-DSP-Modul kaufen

Bestellen Sie den 2x4 Flex Digital online bei SoundImports ✓ Versand am selben Tag ✓ Kostenloser Versand

www.soundimports.eu

 

[kolestonin]

1AMP+1SUB+2passive speakers

Is my understanding on connections correct?
How a 2nd sub can be plugged?

 

[juliangst]

1AMP+1SUB+2passive speakers

Is my understanding on connections correct?
How a 2nd sub can be plugged?

View attachment 233097

You can just use one output to the sub because it’s mono anyway.
I would recommend getting the balanced flex if you amp already has balanced inputs (and balanced inputs only)

 

[sweetchaos]

@kolestonin
Plug the 3rd MiniDSP output to LFE input of the 1st sub.
Plug the 4th MiniDSP output to LFE input of the 2nd sub.

Yes, get the balanced version of MiniDSP Flex, if your amp has XLR balanced inputs.

You can read my guide about XLR to RCA cables here.

 

[mvnchies]

Hi, just picked up one of these with UMIK-1 and wondering a bit about how it works as a pre-amplifier, and which amplifier to choose.
Are there any specifications or whatnot of a power amplifier that need to match? I got the unbalanced version if that matters.
If I decide to use an integrated amplifier instead, should I just max out the volume of said amplifier, if I want to use the remote control of the Flex to control system volume?

I have never used a "power amplifier" before but I was thinking of picking up the HypeX from Audiophonics... but there's a bit of a wait time for these right now it seems.
is there any other good alternative that would work well with LS50 Meta? I don't listen super loud so I'm not sure how much power I realistically need, at 3 meter distance and very reasonable / low volume levels.

I will also have a subwoofer connected to the system but I am not sure if that affects this setup in any way.

This thing seems super cool, I hope to have it all ready for use in a week or two.

 

[CMB]

Maybe you could check for BoXem.

 

[juliangst]

should I just max out the volume of said amplifier

I plan to do something similar with my amp. You need to measure the output voltage and calculate the voltage gain. Most power amp have ~28dB of gain.

is there any other good alternative that would work well with LS50 Meta

A good power amp for the LS50 would be the hypex NC252.
If you high pass the LS50 anyway you could also be fine with a Topping PA5

 

[mvnchies]

Maybe you could check for BoXem.

I was looking at those but the Audiophonics is literally half the price... not sure how much better the BoXem is. Maybe I'll need to exercise that "patience" thing people talk about...

I plan to do something similar with my amp. You need to measure the output voltage and calculate the voltage gain. Most power amp have ~28dB of gain.

A good power amp for the LS50 would be the hypex NC252.
If you high pass the LS50 anyway you could also be fine with a Topping PA5

I do plan to high pass - haven't figured out how high yet though...
PA5 looks nice but the thread on here where people have so many faulty units is a bit concerning.
might have to just go for the HypeX from Audiophonics, since it's only 400 euro.
I do have a few concerns here too though - what is a trigger... do I want a trigger? and also, do these things run hot? I was under the impression class D runs cool but I saw somewhere on here that the power supply might run hot on HypeX ncore. is this universally true?

thank you very much for the super speedy responses.

 

[MCH]

I do use a boxem hypex nc252 with kef ls50 meta. Very fine amp for the purpose.
Advantage of Boxem with your intended setup? Signal sensing auto on. I believe the flex does not have trigger output (i don't know for sure).
Now, my boxem is balanced and the balanced dac i use can output 5+V. After dsp, a little negative gain and so i rarely go above -15db vol, but for a party i would probably need to be at -10db or higher.
You have the unbalanced flex that outputs what? 2V? So this is a couple of db less headroom you will have, but i guess should be ok unless you want to play really loud.

Why not balanced flex?