Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

[samysound]

View attachment 104379

So where is the Trigger out for the power amplifier?

- Rich

the SHD does not have one...

 

[rvsixer]

Smart power strip for the entire setup...done.

 

[RichB]

Smart power strip for the entire setup...done.

I don't like pulling the power on the power amp for normal usage.

It amazes me that DAC/Preamp/Streamer devices forgot to add a trigger.

- Rich

 

[rvsixer]

I don't like pulling the power on the power amp for normal usage.
It amazes me that DAC/Preamp/Streamer devices forgot to add a trigger.

Is there a device, other than the amps, that is only needed for the other than normal usage? If so, you can use that as the trigger device, and the amps won't come on for normal usage case. That's how I had mine setup (and in addition, my amps consume ~10W at idle, so even if I had to have them on while the rest of the system is in use it would not make much of an energy/heat hit).

 

[Sonnie]

Got the SHD connected and setup today. No issues with Roon. I did not connect or setup Volumio (unless Amir did when he had it). All I did was connect my Ethernet and clicked on Roon, and I was able to Enable the SHD, although it does show Uncertified, which doesn't affect anything.

Looks like a good signal path...

 

[win]

Got the SHD connected and setup today. No issues with Roon. I did not connect or setup Volumio (unless Amir did when he had it). All I did was connect my Ethernet and clicked on Roon, and I was able to Enable the SHD, although it does show Uncertified, which doesn't affect anything.

View attachment 104947

Looks like a good signal path...

View attachment 104948

Thanks for verifying!

 

[Kaspers]

I am away on holiday currently so can't be sure but I seem to remember that worked fine... I will check when I eventually get home and set up (moving house as well). Maybe someone else can check if it works and get back to you faster?

Mike, don't want to bother too much, but in the case you're back home again, are you, by any chance, willing to have a look at this one?:

Mike, could you tell me if it's possible to adjust the volume of the SHD, by making use of the hardware buttons on your phone, while using the Spotify APP on your phone, controlling the music on the SHD?

 

[RichB]

Got the SHD connected and setup today. No issues with Roon. I did not connect or setup Volumio (unless Amir did when he had it). All I did was connect my Ethernet and clicked on Roon, and I was able to Enable the SHD, although it does show Uncertified, which doesn't affect anything.

View attachment 104947

Looks like a good signal path...

View attachment 104948

Very nice. Is this an older unit or is Roon officially supported?

- Rich

 

[Sonnie]

Very nice. Is this an older unit or is Roon officially supported?

- Rich

It's a new unit that just shipped from miniDSP to Amir then to me. It's still uncertified, so I can't say it officially supported yet. I do have developer status on my HTP-1, so it may be that on my copy of Roon it unlocks any brand, but I'm not really sure.

 

[beefkabob]

For the money, Roon should be less of a hassle. Nah. No hassle.

 

[ex audiophile]

Got the SHD connected and setup today. No issues with Roon. I did not connect or setup Volumio (unless Amir did when he had it). All I did was connect my Ethernet and clicked on Roon, and I was able to Enable the SHD, although it does show Uncertified, which doesn't affect anything.

View attachment 104947

Looks like a good signal path...

View attachment 104948

Hi Rich, what amp(s) are you using and how are you "activating" them given that the unit apparently doesn't have a trigger?

 

[Sonnie]

Hi Rich, what amp(s) are you using and how are you "activating" them given that the unit apparently doesn't have a trigger?

This is Sonnie... I have the Benchmark AHB2 amps running mono. They are powered on via my HPT-1 processor which has an SHD input on it that is not used when the SHD is powered on. That input selection has no input and the HTP-1 unit is muted. It means my multi-channel amp stays powered on, but it was powered on when I was using the HTP-1 without the SHD, so I don't worry about it.

For now I've been disconnecting the XLR cable from the HTP-1 and connecting them to the SHD to listen to music, until my XLR switcher comes in. My subs have dual XLR inputs, so I can connect the subs pre-outs for the HTP-1 and the SHD at the same time.

 

[ex audiophile]

This is Sonnie... I have the Benchmark AHB2 amps running mono. They are powered on via my HPT-1 processor which has an SHD input on it that is not used when the SHD is powered on. That input selection has no input and the HTP-1 unit is muted. It means my multi-channel amp stays powered on, but it was powered on when I was using the HTP-1 without the SHD, so I don't worry about it.

For now I've been disconnecting the XLR cable from the HTP-1 and connecting them to the SHD to listen to music, until my XLR switcher comes in. My subs have dual XLR inputs, so I can connect the subs pre-outs for the HTP-1 and the SHD at the same time.

jeez, sorry. I must have covid syndrome. we need a new syndrome to blame for our failings lol. Thanks for the info.

 

[RichB]

Hi Rich, what amp(s) are you using and how are you "activating" them given that the unit apparently doesn't have a trigger?

I do not have an SHD yet. It is not clear if/when Roon will be supported so I have held off.
For a trigger, I can cram a Niles CD12V power sensing trigger device into my in-wall cabinet but it is an annoyance.

- Rich

 

[win]

I do not have an SHD yet. It is not clear if/when Roon will be supported so I have held off.

I'm not really sure how much more clear it gets than people buying it, very recently, and having no issues getting Roon to work on it. Myself included.

 

[Sonnie]

jeez, sorry. I must have covid syndrome. we need a new syndrome to blame for our failings lol. Thanks for the info.

No problem... I've been called much worse... not that Rich is bad.

I do not have an SHD yet. It is not clear if/when Roon will be supported so I have held off.
For a trigger, I can cram a Niles CD12V power sensing trigger device into my in-wall cabinet but it is an annoyance.

- Rich

Roon is supported, just not certified... which is not really a big deal at this point as it doesn't affect anything.

I'll have to check out that Niles... that might be a solution for me, if it will still work in combination with my triggers so that I can continue to use them with the HTP-1.

 

[RichB]

No problem... I've been called much worse... not that Rich is bad.

Roon is supported, just not certified... which is not really a big deal at this point as it doesn't affect anything.

I'll have to check out that Niles... that might be a solution for me, if it will still work in combination with my triggers so that I can continue to use them with the HTP-1.

I have the Niles but it appears to be discontinued.
I thought the Roon does not work for uncertified devices unless you are a DEV. Can anyone get a developer waiver?

- Rich

 

[RichB]

I'm not really sure how much more clear it gets than people buying it, very recently, and having no issues getting Roon to work on it. Myself included.

Did you get a developer waiver thingy?

- Rich

 

[win]

Did you get a developer waiver thingy?

- Rich

Nope. Bought it new in November, configured it, selected the Roon plugin, done.

 

[Sonnie]

I have developer status for my HTP-1, but I did not get it for the SHD. All I did was turn it on and enable it in Roon. It shows Uncertified, but it works like a charm.

Yep... that Niles model appears to be discontinued. I know there are some similar devices out there.