Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

[mdsimon2]

Hey, can you please elaborate on the reasoning behind avoiding slopes higher than 24dB/octave?
Thanks!

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ew-updated-dsp-dac-streamer.18681/post-779299

Also some good info on Linkwitz on crossover phase distortion.

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/phs-dist.htm
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/faq.htm#Q19

Dirac should have the ability to correct some crossover phase distortion but will quickly run out of processing power if you use steep, low frequency filters.

Michael

 

[navrsale]

No, I just boxed it up as the owner wants it back immediately.

Flexibility-wise, is it possible to replace Volumio with other player options like MPD, HQPlayer, Squeezelite, Roon endpoint?
Also, why did you choose not to test network input? It does not make sense if only 25% of inputs were tested (it would make sense if there is an option to select just that input that you tested preferably).

 

[navrsale]

I love my shd studio, which works perfectly fine as a Roon endpoint. I'm not really sure what people's issue is with the Roon aspect. I believe there is a Roon endpoint plugin that you just download.

The issue could be that Amir did not test network input and that network input has catastrophic fallacies (MSB recommends all sorts of things to mitigate problems with their Analog DAC network input). I think the vendor is hiding something big time, otherwise they would enable Amir to test this more thoroughly.

 

[navrsale]

The "little baby" doesn't have a DAC. It's not comparable.

Connect it to $750 SMSL M400 (also measured favorably by Amir) and the combo beats the big brother big time for just $100 more.

 

[Dj7675]

The issue could be that Amir did not test network input and that network input has catastrophic fallacies (MSB recommends all sorts of things to mitigate problems with their Analog DAC network input). I think the vendor is hiding something big time, otherwise they would enable Amir to test this more thoroughly.

What basis do you have that the network input has “catastrophic fallacies”? And what do you mean MiniDSP would enable Amir to test this more thoroughly? Amir chooses what/how to test. The units are sent in by owners Not from the vendors.

 

[navrsale]

I am in the EU as well and I found out that you can order directly from miniDSP for 30$ delivery fee.
The SHD is cheaper on their website https://www.minidsp.com/products/streaming-hd-series/shd

The photo looks like it was made back in 1984. Does this unit have analog Balanced XLR outputs?

 

[alont]

Connect it to $750 SMSL M400 (also measured favorably by Amir) and the combo beats the big brother big time for just $100 more.

Still doesn't have an ADC

 

[navrsale]

I've been in a similar boat. It amazes me how there really is nothing like the SHD. I really don't know of any other ways you can get remotely in the ballpark of the same SINAD performance coupled with ability to do 10 bands of hardware PEQ. Further, that amazement extends to the HiFi market's lack of demand for hardware level DSP and PEQ abilities in general. It makes so much bigger a difference in sound than most upgrades you can do in your chain, yet most still crave a few dB in SINAD instead; let alone those still financially enslaving themselves to specless boutique products.

Is the DAC inside SHD worth $350 (a difference between SHD Studio and SHD)?

 

[Dj7675]

Are you dumb? I said: The issue could be that Amir did not test network input and that network input has catastrophic fallacies (MSB recommends all sorts of things to mitigate problems with their Analog DAC network input). I think the vendor is hiding something big time, otherwise they would enable Amir to test this more thoroughly.

I always assume the worst until someone like Amir measures proving me the wrong. Now, Amir did NOT measure network input, did he?

Appreciate the insult. So based on nothing, you think the manufacturer is hiding something. The product is catastrophically broken because Amir didn’t test it..... Claiming something is broken without any evidence makes no sense. But rather than argue, it is easier to add you to my ignore list.

 

[Sonnie]

Are you dumb?

How disrespectful... only 5 posts and you are already insulting members?

I think the vendor is hiding something big time, otherwise they would enable Amir to test this more thoroughly.

Now who's dumb? He just got thru telling you that Amir decides what to test, and the vendor did not supply this to Amir. This SHD unit actually came from me. You have zero basis for your speculation... and you are apparently a troll. I think Dj is right... you'll get a lot of ignores here with that kind of attitude.

Amir chooses what/how to test. The units are sent in by owners Not from the vendors.

 

[BDWoody]

@navrsale
Dial it way back...

 

[navrsale]

What basis do you have that the network input has “catastrophic fallacies”? And what do you mean MiniDSP would enable Amir to test this more thoroughly? Amir chooses what/how to test. The units are sent in by owners Not from the vendors.

Is it a discussion by arguments or who gives more money his argument wins?

 

[BDWoody]

Is it a discussion by arguments or who gives more money his argument wins?

What are you talking about? Who is giving money?

 

[AdamG]

I’m jumping second in line for the money giveaway.

 

[navrsale]

What are you talking about? Who is giving money?

Supposedly forum donors? They probably donated 5 bucks so they can enjoy freedom of action that poor men James Bonds can only dream about.

 

[xykreinov]

Connect it to $750 SMSL M400 (also measured favorably by Amir) and the combo beats the big brother big time for just $100 more.

No it doesn't. Despite your obvious displays of Dunning-Kruger towards other members, I'll humbly explain. The DSP processor comes after the DAC in the signal chain, therefore its SINAD overrides the SINAD of the DAC. The SMSL M400's SINAD of 120 dB doesn't matter if the SHD's SINAD is 112. Further, MiniDSP claims the SHD Studio has 112 dB SINAD like the SHD, but a measurement by Amir would likely reveal the SHD Studio to perform worse than the SHD, given how MiniDSP previously inflated the SHD's SINAD.
Plus, the SHD Studio only outputs to 2 channels compared to the SHD's 4, and the Studio's need of an external DAC doesn't help space savings with its already chunkier form factor.

 

[Daverz]

Plus, the SHD Studio only outputs to 2 channels compared to the SHD's 4, and the Studio's need of an external DAC doesn't help space savings with its already chunkier form factor.

The Studio has two 2 stereo outputs, either SPDIF or AES/EBU, so the same 4 channels.

 

[xykreinov]

The Studio has two 2 stereo outputs, either SPDIF or AES/EBU, so the same 4 channels.

That's two separate digital stereo outputs, not four channels that can operate at the same time.

 

[navrsale]

No it doesn't. Despite your obvious displays of Dunning-Kruger towards other members, I'll humbly explain. The DSP processor comes after the DAC in the signal chain, therefore its SINAD overrides the SINAD of the DAC. The SMSL M400's SINAD of 120 dB doesn't matter if the SHD's SINAD is 112. Further, MiniDSP claims the SHD Studio has 112 dB SINAD like the SHD, but a measurement by Amir would likely reveal the SHD Studio to perform worse than the SHD, given how MiniDSP previously inflated the SHD's SINAD.
Plus, the SHD Studio only outputs to 2 channels compared to the SHD's 4, and the Studio's need of an external DAC doesn't help space savings with its already chunkier form factor.

According to Hans Berkausen DSP processor comes before the DAC not after.

 

[Daverz]

That's two separate digital stereo outputs, not four channels that can operate at the same time.

I'm not sure what you're saying here. There are two stereo digital outputs that can operate at the same time.

EDIT: this is the routing diagram for all the SHD devices: