Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

[Karu]

My cable provider does everything via its Apple TV app, so all my TV/Movies go via TV’s optical out to SHD, and the Apple TV sound calibration is a must, otherwise the delay in sound is annoying.

 

[nick-v]

Yeah sure, it doesn't have the certification, but you can use it after installing roon bridge. There aren't any more sound glitches since last update.

Does it do full RAAT? I use Roon throughout the house in every system, is it able to "Group" with other systems as it is currently? I'm assuming it's currently a standalone solution.

 

[radix]

Does it do full RAAT? I use Roon throughout the house in every system, is it able to "Group" with other systems as it is currently? I'm assuming it's currently a standalone solution.

It uses the Roon plugin for Volumio. I'm not sure of the compatibility level, but it is a certified driver.

 

[Epos7]

Are there any options for adding additional inputs to the SHD? I have ordered a Parasound P6 to use as a preamp, primarily for its home theater bypass function. However, I want to add Dirac to my system eventually, and was have been considering adding a 2x4 HD to the subwoofer outputs on the P6.

I'm realizing that I may be better off with an SHD, as it would give me full DSP. The major things it may not provide are more than two analog inputs, and home theater bypass type functionality. While it may not have a featured named as such, I wonder if one of the inputs could effectively be configured that way?

 

[ebslo]

I'm realizing that I may be better off with an SHD, as it would give me full DSP. The major things it may not provide are more than two analog inputs, and home theater bypass type functionality. While it may not have a featured named as such, I wonder if one of the inputs could effectively be configured that way?

No, it can't. It only has 2 logical input channels. You can select a single source (RCA, XLR, TOSLINK, SPDIF, USB, etc) for these two channels, but all four outputs can only be derived from these two channels. There is no way to simultaneously drive, say, out 1+2 from XLR and out 3+4 from RCA.

 

[Stoutblock]

Are there any options for adding additional inputs to the SHD? I have ordered a Parasound P6 to use as a preamp, primarily for its home theater bypass function. However, I want to add Dirac to my system eventually, and was have been considering adding a 2x4 HD to the subwoofer outputs on the P6.

I'm realizing that I may be better off with an SHD, as it would give me full DSP. The major things it may not provide are more than two analog inputs, and home theater bypass type functionality. While it may not have a featured named as such, I wonder if one of the inputs could effectively be configured that way?

I made an external switch box for use with the SHD. It has 4 XLR source selections and 4 RCA source selections with independent outputs for both to the SHD. I used quality Goldpoint switches and OFC wire. I then use the SHD for XLR or RCA input selection. I added redundant outputs to the switch box to use for analog recording which is very convenient.

 

[bartgign]

Hello all ! I Just have a question about Mini DSP SHD. I have one and i love it.

When usine REW, on the EQ section, i have to chose a Mini DSP filter at 96Khz ?

Is it correct ?

Thanks

 

[ebslo]

Hello all ! I Just have a question about Mini DSP SHD. I have one and i love it.

When usine REW, on the EQ section, i have to chose a Mini DSP filter at 96Khz ?

Is it correct ?

Thanks

No, select "miniDSP 2x4 HD" as the eq section in the SHD is compatible with that device.

Reference: See the list of key settings for REW just under the plot in Section 2 of the Sub Integration with the SHD guide.

 

[bartgign]

Thanks for your answer. I will try to change because i made a mistake.

Regards

 

[Photony83]

quick question... I been itching to try a new DAC like the denafrips line to see it makes any difference.. Can I somehow connect the denafrips to my SHD? or do I have to get something like the Studio to allow for different DACs?

 

[ebslo]

quick question... I been itching to try a new DAC like the denafrips line to see it makes any difference.. Can I somehow connect the denafrips to my SHD? or do I have to get something like the Studio to allow for different DACs?

SHD has 2 SPDIF outputs (4 channels total), so yes, you can use an external DAC.

 

[Photony83]

SHD has 2 SPDIF outputs (4 channels total), so yes, you can use an external DAC.

DNLA -> (wired network) -> SHD -> (spdif) external DAC -> amp -> speaker

would volume control still work with Volumio? does that bypass Dirac processing of the signal?

 

[tw99]

quick question... I been itching to try a new DAC like the denafrips line to see it makes any difference.. Can I somehow connect the denafrips to my SHD? or do I have to get something like the Studio to allow for different DACs?

What sort of difference are you expecting ? The SHD is already measured as transparent. If you want to tweak the sound, use PEQ or Dirac. Adding another DAC is just pointless.

 

[Photony83]

What sort of difference are you expecting ? The SHD is already measured as transparent. If you want to tweak the sound, use PEQ or Dirac. Adding another DAC is just pointless.

im hoping for no difference in reality. just another repeatable test to myself to make sure I can't hear a difference. ordered a denafrips Pontus ii. easy to sell that if I can't hear the difference

 

[Stoutblock]

im hoping for no difference in reality. just another repeatable test to myself to make sure I can't hear a difference. ordered a denafrips Pontus ii. easy to sell that if I can't hear the difference

I use a Gustard x26pro in front of my SHD with an analog XLR interface. I recognize this results in an extra ADC/DAC conversion but the SHD does not process DSD files of which I have many in my library.

Technics ST-G30 > Gustard x26pro > SHD (ADC>DSP>DAC) > VTV Purifi Dual Mono

I have tried bypassing the SHD using the Gustard and its volume control. Except for the lack of DSP and Dirac Live, I really can’t say I hear any detrimental effects? If there are any it is more than made up by SHDs ability to correct room response with Dirac Live. Subjectively I do believe the Gustard x26pro DAC is an improvement over the SHD internal DAC but the SHD DAC is certainly a capable performer (except no DSD).

 

[eisenb11]

In (very remotely) related news - I finally managed to order a Schiit Freya+ to plug between the SHD and NC252. Really curious to hear the combo, should be interesting pairing for the P3ESRs and the KC62 (that won't be going through the Freya).

I‘m thinking of pairing a Freya+ with my SHD… how did your experiment go? Sounds great? Plays well with Dirac?

 

[Antônio Souza]

I‘m thinking of pairing a Freya+ with my SHD… how did your experiment go? Sounds great? Plays well with Dirac?

You use shd's volume control, that's correct? Otherwise you will get volume imbalance with with the Subs.

 

[kokoon]

I‘m thinking of pairing a Freya+ with my SHD… how did your experiment go? Sounds great? Plays well with Dirac?

I hooked it all up, didn't touch Dirac config (which, tbh does need updating cause I moved the speakers a bit) and it sounds good. The stock tubes, however, sometimes seem to emit a noticeable hi-pitched whine, which means I haven't been using the tube mode a lot.
I've since ordered and received different tubes, but haven't yet had the time to do the rolling.

At first, I didn't have another pair of balanced cables to connect SHD and Freya, so I used single ended... It was noisy as hell. Now with balanced interconnect it's perfect. I listen 10+ hours through this, Freya in passive mode. I'll post an update there when I switch out the tubes.

 

[Photony83]

ok so my current set up:

SHD - Digital 1&2 output Coax output to Denafrips Pontus II ; analog 3 & 4 output to 2 Rythmik subs.
-bought a Bluesound Node to see if that is a good interface.. not really so that's going back
-I signed up for Apple Music and playing HiRes lossless audio via Airplay straight into the SHD. this seems to work well but not entirely convinced the playback is getting top signal like 192kHz. I checked Volumio app while it was supposed to play a 192kHz track but it only showed 44.1khz.
-TV attached via optical input as well

volume set at -10db on the LAN input for airplay and playback volume controlled via Apple Music volume control.

So end result: it sounds different: overall better, deeper soundstage, clearer instruments, female voice seems more real, less fatiguing but the biggest thing for me is that my wife noticed a difference and she never notices a difference... ugh sound like a YouTuber.. but I would be lying by saying it sounded the same as the set up prior. I have to rerun Dirac since I am running the previous settings.

not sure how to explain this to my rational side but the sound is better, in the end maybe about 5%-10%. my thought is that my system and room are not perfect. I have glass and mirrors built into this rooms I can't get rid of. my equipment is not top of the line. all these imperfect things have to work together by the time the sound gets to me, who might be the most imperfect thing in the room. it just gels better to my ears after its has passed through the denafrips than without it.

 

[mdsimon2]

Nice anecdote and I am sure that you hear a difference but from what you done so far you have no idea why there is a difference. Likely explanations include:

1) Level difference between Denafrips and SHD DAC
2) Phase differences affecting main / sub crossover as a result of different delays between Denafrips and SHD DAC, especially as the Denafrips has a FIFO buffer
3) Expectation bias

In addition if you are using airplay hi-res sources will be resampled to 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.

Michael