It's your choice. I would use the WiiM for volume control, using the remote control that comes with it. (EDIT: or use the volume knob on the WiiM, or use the WiiM app volume control). In that case you can set the Flex to a set volume. E.g., leave it at 0dB, -5dB, or whatever you prefer.
But, if instead you want to use the Flex for volume control, you can do that with its remote control. In that case, just disable the WiiM volume control using the WiiM app on your mobile phone or tablet.
MiniDSP options for stereo analog output, including Dirac Live and a measurement microphone:
1. miniDSP DDRC-24. It costs $449 and includes a measurement microphone and Dirac Live:
WiiM (analog out) --> DDRC-24 --> amplifier/subwoofers
But, with digital sources you are going D/A with the WiiM, then A/D and D/A again with the DDRC-24. Each D/A conversion introduces noise and distortion. It looks to be based on the 2x4 HD, for which Amir stated in his review "the miniDSP 2x4HD has OK performance" and "you would be compromising some performance to gain the benefits of its equalization."
This is a brief review and measurements of miniDSP 2x4 HD Processor and USB DAC. I purchased this online and seems like the price as of this writing is USD $207 as of this writing. This is a USB DAC with Toslink optical input and analog/digital in, four channel digital signal processor (DSP)...
www.audiosciencereview.com
2. miniDSP Flex. It costs $769 after you add Dirac Live and a measurement microphone:
Wiim (digital out) --> Flex --> amplifier/subwoofers
That way, there is only one D/A conversion for your digital sources in comparison to the DDRC-24. In his review Amir stated "What a nice combination of functionality, usability and performance! As with many DAC companies, it is clearly Minidsp has put strong focus on chasing away sources of noise and distortion."
This is a review and detailed measurement of the Minidsp Flex audio signal processor. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $475 for unbalanced and $550 for balanced that I tested. Flex borrows the interface from SHD and puts it in a compact package. Seeing how I really liked that...
www.audiosciencereview.com
3. miniDSP SHD. It costs $1,299 and includes a streamer, a measurement microphone and Dirac Live:
SHD --> amplifier/subwoofers
The SHD is miniDSP's flagship stereo DSP unit. It includes a streamer, which I found to work well for my needs.
It has an analog input, but not a phono stage. So, you would need to use a turntable that has an integrated phono stage, or add a phono stage between the turntable and the SHD analog input.
EDIT: I just remembered that you have two analog sources, your turntable and your tuner. You would need to add an A/D converter for one of those, e.g.,
https://www.minidsp.com/products/us...zi-Q9sk3KJiZ_Mo-FDtNyThSKqJTWkKCCH0LLQX9p9pKp
Or, you could use a phono stage with a digital out.
In his review Amir stated "With distortion and noise at or below threshold of human hearing, the Minidsp provides competitive performance to some of the best desktop and high-fi DACs yet provides a ton of extra functionality they do not".
This is an update to the review of minidsp SHD that I did a couple of years ago. My tests have evolved since then and company has stated that they fixed a few issues I found in that test. The SHD costs US $1,195 and includes a USB DAC, streaming engine (based on Volumio) and of course, DSP...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Yes, except you would not even need a WiiM if you went with the miniDSP SHD. See above.
