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.
-
Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
We have a new Tech Blog on integrating subwoofers using SHD: Subwoofer Integration: Take Your Stereo to the Next Level
FitmanNJ
New Member
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.
The miniDSP HTx is a great Dirac enabled solution for a 2.4 system: https://deercreekaudio.com/products/ols/products/minidsp-flex-htx
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.
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.
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
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2021
- Messages
- 151
- Likes
- 186
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.
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.
The key point here is you want to avoid doing a double conversion.
Antônio Souza
Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2020
- Messages
- 67
- Likes
- 18
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
Major Contributor
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.
Last edited:
terryforsythe
Major Contributor
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
Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2020
- Messages
- 67
- Likes
- 18
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!!!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...
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...
terryforsythe
Major Contributor
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.
Good DACs have been proven to be audibly transparent. Better measuring DACs may come out, but they won't sound any better.
Word.
Similar threads
