Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

[ALex_hha]

The DAC performance, putting aside Jitter, is top tier with little to apologize for compared to even $500 desktop DACs.
I wonder if miniDSP can look into the jitter issues and make some revision to reduce them.
...
Kudos to the company for taking our criticism to heart and revising the design. As such, it is my pleasure to strongly recommend the Minidsp SHD.

I'm considering to buy miniDSP SHD, so does anyone know if the jitter issue was fixed ?

 

[Ultrasonic]

I'm considering to buy miniDSP SHD, so does anyone know if the jitter issue was fixed ?

Just checked back... So the point of this thread was to show the improved performance of the revised version, demonstrating the issue you were referring to was 'fixed'?

 

[ALex_hha]

Just checked back... So the point of this thread was to show the improved performance of the revised version, demonstrating the issue you were referring to was 'fixed'?

Sorry didn't get you. Could you rephrase it ?

Do you want so say that during updated revision jitter was much lower ?

 

[mikela]

Note that with any DSP applied including a boost (which Dirac Live does) it is a bad idea to run the SHD at 0 dB, unless attenuation has been applied somewhere else in the miniDSP settings to provide attenuation rather than via the master volume.

Not sure this applies in my situation although it may. I have used DL in the past and adjusted accordingly. However, I am now using BACCH-ORC. The room correction is measured at the ears and applied within the BACCH software. This is output from the Mac to the SHD as PCM via USB. I assumed that there was no issue outputting the full PCM signal (0db) to my Peachtree GaN 1 amplifier which directly converts the PCM signal into PWM.

 

[mikela]

Maximum 87db peaks? I'm curious: would you please provide the room size?

18' wide by 20' deep with a pitched ceiling to second story height. Back of the room is open to the rest of the house. I am using Roon Volume leveling and BACCH room correction which have the effect of reducing the volume level. I am also using a Peachtree GaN-1 amplifier with no preamp. I can't find any specific gain for it but it is believed to be around 20 to 25db.

 

[Ultrasonic]

Sorry didn't get you. Could you rephrase it ?

Do you want so say that during updated revision jitter was much lower ?

The first post of this thread shows two jitter graphs. The first is from the original 2018 review (showing the minor issue) and the second is the one for the 2020 revision that this thread is about, showing that the jitter performance has improved.

For info. there is a newer revision subsequent to the one this thread was about but miniDSP say there is no difference in performance between them:

Which version of the SHD do I have?

There are indeed two versions of the SHD that were released due to the streamer module becoming End of Life. We call the older generation of the SHD "neo2" and the newer generation "neo3". You will be able to tell the difference by the color of t...

support.minidsp.com

(There are a couple of functionality differences though, with the Neo3 allowing a Microsoft Surface Dial to be used as a volume control and lower standby power consumption.)

 

[Ultrasonic]

Not sure this applies in my situation although it may. I have used DL in the past and adjusted accordingly. However, I am now using BACCH-ORC. The room correction is measured at the ears and applied within the BACCH software. This is output from the Mac to the SHD as PCM via USB. I assumed that there was no issue outputting the full PCM signal (0db) to my Peachtree GaN 1 amplifier which directly converts the PCM signal into PWM.

I think you should be OK. As I said, it's specifically applying any DSP boost with the SHD itself that is the issue, as there is no digital headroom to accommodate these applied automatically.

 

[ALex_hha]

The first post of this thread shows two jitter graphs. The first is from the original 2018 review (showing the minor issue) and the second is the one for the 2020 revision that this thread is about, showing that the jitter performance has improved.

got it, thx for the info

 

[EJ3]

18' wide by 20' deep with a pitched ceiling to second story height. Back of the room is open to the rest of the house. I am using Roon Volume leveling and BACCH room correction which have the effect of reducing the volume level. I am also using a Peachtree GaN-1 amplifier with no preamp. I can't find any specific gain for it but it is believed to be around 20 to 25db.

I was unaware that BACCH had the effect of reducing the volume level.

 

[dukeside]

is SHD still the best option for music? I would love to pick up a Flex or HTx but I also need the 12v trigger for my amp. I would have already got one but the tariff situation is awful.

 

[pollock0424]

Get something with PEQ and Streaming. Dirac is overrated imho!

 

[Stoutblock]

is SHD still the best option for music? I would love to pick up a Flex or HTx but I also need the 12v trigger for my amp. I would have already got one but the tariff situation is awful.

After almost five years of using the SHD, I have yet to find another product that has the functions I need and with great performance.

 

[Ultrasonic]

is SHD still the best option for music? I would love to pick up a Flex or HTx but I also need the 12v trigger for my amp. I would have already got one but the tariff situation is awful.

The SHD doesn't have a 12 V trigger though.

As I'm replying to this thread anyway I'll just mention that Qobus Connect support has now been added to the SHD, which is a nice step up from having to deal with Volumio.

 

[Stoutblock]

The SHD doesn't have a 12 V trigger though.

As I'm replying to this thread anyway I'll just mention that Qobus Connect support has now been added to the SHD, which is a nice step up from having to deal with Volumio.

Agree a 12v trigger would be nice. I don't use the streamer or DAC in the SHD. I wish miniDSP made a version that just had digital input, their excellent ADC (XLR and RCA input), their excellent DSP (with Dirac Live) with only digital output. Without the other functions I don't need it could be a bit cheaper.

 

[Ultrasonic]

Agree a 12v trigger would be nice. I don't use the streamer or DAC in the SHD. I wish miniDSP made a version that just had digital input, their excellent ADC (XLR and RCA input), their excellent DSP (with Dirac Live) with only digital output. Without the other functions I don't need it could be a bit cheaper.

A Flex Digital plus their Pocket ADC would cover most of this.

Note the SHD has 4 DAC channels, so anyone wanting to use its full power for sub integration would need two stereo DACs if going down the all-digital route. In my own setup I use an external DAC for my main speakers but the SHD DAC for my sub.

 

[Carlton80@0]

The SHD doesn't have a 12 V trigger though.

As I'm replying to this thread anyway I'll just mention that Qobus Connect support has now been added to the SHD, which is a nice step up from having to deal with Volumio.

As for 12v trigger on the SHD, there is an option to use the usb port on the SHD. The use of this option requires the later production units.

 

[rvsixer]

Get something with PEQ and Streaming.

Like maybe a miniDSP SHD

 

[Stoutblock]

A Flex Digital plus their Pocket ADC would cover most of this.

Note the SHD has 4 DAC channels, so anyone wanting to use its full power for sub integration would need two stereo DACs if going down the all-digital route. In my own setup I use an external DAC for my main speakers but the SHD DAC for my sub.

Need XLR balanced and the SHD has a better DSP.

 

[Mort]

Need XLR balanced and the SHD has a better DSP.

We all would like only the exact features we want, so we'd pay a lower price. That just isn't how it works.

 

[Stoutblock]

We all would like only the exact features we want, so we'd pay a lower price. That just isn't how it works.

Maybe someday…