Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

[deercreekaudio]

If you're not using the DACs get the Node and save some money. As a digital transport it will be identical to the Icon and still offer DIRAC Live.

If you have a 2.1 or 2.2 setup, the SHD gives you two (high pass) digital outputs for your DAC and main speakers, plus two (low pass) analog outputs for your subwoofers.

 

[deercreekaudio]

We have a new Tech Blog on integrating subwoofers using SHD: Subwoofer Integration: Take Your Stereo to the Next Level

 

[FitmanNJ]

If you have a 2.1 or 2.2 setup, the SHD gives you two (high pass) digital outputs for your DAC and main speakers, plus two (low pass) analog outputs for your subwoofers.

If you have a 2.4 system (four subs), is there a MiniDSP model that you can recommend? My preference would be USB in from my digital server, balanced out to the two mains and unbalanced out to the four subs. Thanks.

 

[deercreekaudio]

The miniDSP HTx is a great Dirac enabled solution for a 2.4 system: https://deercreekaudio.com/products/ols/products/minidsp-flex-htx

 

[ac3dtsthx]

Hi,
I have a Benchmark Dac3 with an output of 12.28 volts going to a LA4 to a Minidsp SHD to 2 AHB2 amps. If the SHD is not in the chain, it is straightforward and gain is not affected. My problem is that the SHD is rated at 4 volts output at -6dB which is my settings right now. The AHB2 are at the middle gain setting to accept 4 volts. I am wondering to get maximum s/n ratio which is at the low setting in the Ahb2, can I set the SHD to 0dB? Will it not distort the Shd? I am using the SHD as a PEQ and crossover to my mains and subs.

 

[deercreekaudio]

As you are using the excellent DACs in the miniDSP SHD, you should go digital in, this way you will avoid a double conversion, see: The Best Ways to Avoid Unnecessary Digital to Analog

 

[Stoutblock]

Hi,
I have a Benchmark Dac3 with an output of 12.28 volts going to a LA4 to a Minidsp SHD to 2 AHB2 amps. If the SHD is not in the chain, it is straightforward and gain is not affected. My problem is that the SHD is rated at 4 volts output at -6dB which is my settings right now. The AHB2 are at the middle gain setting to accept 4 volts. I am wondering to get maximum s/n ratio which is at the low setting in the Ahb2, can I set the SHD to 0dB? Will it not distort the Shd? I am using the SHD as a PEQ and crossover to my mains and subs.

You don’t actually need the DAC3 as the SHD has a good DAC.

If you want to use the DAC3 anyway: Do you use 2 channels or all 4 channels of PEQ on the SHD? If you use just 2 channels, I would use the DAC3 after the SHD (not before). Connect SPDIF (coax) digital out from the SHD for channels 1-2 to the SPDIF input on the DAC3. Connect all your digital sources to the SHD directly. This will bypass the internal DAC in the SHD and the DSP digital source coming out of the SHD will be converted to analog by the DAC3. This setup is superior to converting twice with two DACs.

If you also use channels 3-4 out of the SHD (for subs etc), you can still use the analog output from the SHD for these channels to the amps/subs but you may have some timing sync problems with channels 1-2.

 

[deercreekaudio]

If you wish to retain the Benchmark DAC you could use a miniDSP SHD Studio or Flex Digital which are both digital in and out. You would put that in the chain before the DAC3. One drawback to that solution would be that it would require a second two channel DAC if you have subwoofers. miniDSP Flex Digital.
The key point here is you want to avoid doing a double conversion.

 

[Antônio Souza]

If you wish to retain the Benchmark DAC you could use a miniDSP SHD Studio or Flex Digital which are both digital in and out. You would put that in the chain before the DAC3. One drawback to that solution would be that it would require a second two channel DAC if you have subwoofers. miniDSP Flex Digital.
The key point here is you want to avoid doing a double conversion.

He can use the regular SHD, as it has 4 digital outs. He can use the external Dac after the Shd`s Digital Out 1 (Both LR out) , and use the analog out 3 and 4 for Subs as explained by Stoutblock. He can use the digital delays for time align Mains and Subs outs!

 

[terryforsythe]

He can use the regular SHD, as it has 4 digital outs. He can use the external Dac after the Shd`s Digital Out 1 (Both LR out) , and use the analog out 3 and 4 for Subs as explained by Stoutblock. He can use the digital delays for time align Mains and Subs outs!

but you may have some timing sync problems with channels 1-2.

With the potential timing sync issues, I see no compelling reason to use an external DAC with the SHD. The SHD DACs are very, very good. I highly doubt the DAC3 will sound any better. To the contrary, it may sound worse due to the timing sync issues.

 

[terryforsythe]

I highly doubt the DAC3 will sound any better.

Confirmed. It won't sound any better.

Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

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

Review and Measurements of Benchmark DAC3

This is a review and detailed measurements of Benchmark DAC3 and headphone amplifier. The unit is on kind loan from member Dallasjustice and is highly anticipated evaluation by myself and I am sure many of you. As of this writing the DAC3 retails for USD $2195 from Benchmark site. Others...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Antônio Souza]

Confirmed. It won't sound any better.

Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

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

Review and Measurements of Benchmark DAC3

This is a review and detailed measurements of Benchmark DAC3 and headphone amplifier. The unit is on kind loan from member Dallasjustice and is highly anticipated evaluation by myself and I am sure many of you. As of this writing the DAC3 retails for USD $2195 from Benchmark site. Others...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I just want to explain that he can use diferent Dacs in the future (better future ones) , if he wants to!!! Timing issues he will have anyway, even using Shd`s all analog outs, as the subs has Dsp inside (with latency) , resulting in timing issues. Also the subs can be used in diferent places inside the room, also causing timing issues!!!! So he will definitely use the Delay Control inside the Shd!!!

 

[terryforsythe]

Timing issues he will have anyway, even using Shd`s all analog outs, as the subs has Dsp inside (with latency) , resulting in timing issues.

Good point.

Then, just use a Flex Digital, add a streamer, and save a lot of money while getting the same performance. If the subs do not have digital inputs, then use a DAC for them, and still save a lot of money.

I just want to explain that he can use diferent Dacs in the future (better future ones)

Good DACs have been proven to be audibly transparent. Better measuring DACs may come out, but they won't sound any better.

 

[thegeton]

Better measuring DACs may come out, but they won't sound any better.

Word.

 

[silver12]

Want to add room control to my setup. Im just stuggling with few things here...
1. How good is a streamer inside, is comparable with lumin, lindemann...
2. mini dsp shd + dac or. good streamer + Ronn + plug in room control + dac
3. mini dsp shd + dac or. good streamer +minidsp flex + dac

What to choose?

 

[RosalieTheDog]

Want to add room control to my setup. Im just stuggling with few things here...
1. How good is a streamer inside, is comparable with lumin, lindemann...
2. mini dsp shd + dac or. good streamer + Ronn + plug in room control + dac
3. mini dsp shd + dac or. good streamer +minidsp flex + dac

What to choose?

I suspect most people on this forum will recommend a fourth option.

4. Whatever streamer fits your needs with a digital output => Minidsp Flex => Your amplifier

The reason being that both the SHD and the Flex have audibly transparant DAC implementation. If you use the digital output of a streamer into the Minidsp Flex, you don't need to worry about the 'quality' of the sound of the streamer, just about its functionality.

I think you should give some more information about your set-up to get better advice. Do you have an integrated amplifier, a power amplifier, powered speakers? Do you have a stereo system or a system with a subwoofer?

 

[silver12]

Thanks for reply. I have Merason frerot dac+pow1, and Cayin cs 55 tube amplifier then to speakers...Before i had a lindeman bridge streamer, which i want buy back, second version...and now i have 1 sub, but think to buy 2 Bk electronics...

 

[Antônio Souza]

I would choose a Shd ( the regular or the studio if you want to use external dac) then use Roon as the Shd is roon ready, then to amplifiers. You will need a Computer Server for Roon. The Shd has Dirac function. You can use up to 2 subs with this system!

 

[Ultrasonic]

Note that one technical advantage of the SHD models is that they still using a 96 kHz internal sample rate in combination with Dirac Live, whilst a Flex with Dirac Live uses a 48 kHZ internal sample rate.

I use my SHD as a streamer but have never used an alternative to compare. The Volumio user experience certainly could be improved on but it does allow me to stream music via Qobuz without issue.

 

[JustJones]

Want to add room control to my setup. Im just stuggling with few things here...
1. How good is a streamer inside, is comparable with lumin, lindemann...
2. mini dsp shd + dac or. good streamer + Ronn + plug in room control + dac
3. mini dsp shd + dac or. good streamer +minidsp flex + dac

What to choose?

If you don't use the dac in the SHD or Flex you would need either 2 outboard dacs or a dac with 4 channels or outputs to incorporate 2 subwoofers and 2 channel amplifer. Minidsp recommends if you use this approach the 2 dacs be exactly the same or you might get drift between the subwoofers and the amplifier.