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miniDSP Tide16 - Holy Grail with 16 Channel Atmos/DTS:X, high SINAD

Keith_W said:
That is correct, but it will cost MiniDSP $0 to remove the Dirac license and sell it separately for US customers. Hopefully that's what they will do.
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Do tariffs not apply to imported software?
 
-Matt- said:
I wonder if this device will be able to display it menus as an overlay upon the current video stream?
(This is a nice feature that most AVRs offer).

On that topic, one of the minor annoyances of using eARC (e.g. to overcome the lack of 4k 120Hz with a games console) is that connection via eARC prevents you from being able to see such menu overlays.

Hopefully the web interface will be good enough for that to become the main method of remote control. (Allowing you to operate it without needing the menus to be displayed on the tv).
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Have a feeling it would be barebones and disappointing for anyone use to traditional AVR. I imagine primary control will be via PC/Mac USB for setup. Remote will be pretty basic they might even get away with the remote they currently use for their other minidsp devices. It's kind of annoying actually because I have a Flex HTx and a 2x4HD that I use to extract signal data to make a graphical vu meter and the same remote controls both of them.
 
-Matt- said:
Do tariffs not apply to imported software?
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How does one "import" software? Besides, you're not buying software. It's just a license to use software.

Besides, are we tariffing the Swedes now too?
 
Dirac ART is included in the $3.5k, so yes, in a way we will be paying tariffs on it. Hypothetically, if they didn’t bundle it with Dirac, they could charge something like $3k, but there is a possibility that the bulk pricing I’m sure they’re getting outweighs the tariffs.

Dirac ART costs for the consumer $800. The Tide 16 as it is now (bundled with ART) will be around $4200 with tariffs (tariffs taken from my recent HTx purchase). If miniDSP were getting ART functionality wholesale for $500, and they then reduced the price of the Tide 16 to $3000, the price with the same tariff rate would be $3600. Add the direct-to-consumer Dirac ART price at $800, and you get $4400, higher than the Tide 16 cost originally with ART included.

At the same tariff rate, miniDSP would need to reduce the ART-less Tide 16 price to $2834 (a $666 drop) or less in order for US costumers to break even or save money when purchasing ART after the fact (($2834*1.2)+800=$4200.8).
 
I’m not sure why there’s so much whining about the HDMI. The 2.1 stuff is just dumb. It can pass Dolby Vision et al. As for sources, in the real world people don’t have tons of sources any more. There’s often just an AppleTV or (not and) Roku etc. I feel like we’re outliers, and 3 HDMI ports is still plenty (AppleTV that’s used all the time, Sony 1100ES disk spinner that has maybe 15 hours of use in 5 years, Mac mini that in practice is only used for measurements.

The big flaw right now seems to be lack of Auro support. Maybe they will remedy that, but as of now (and as with AudioControl) that’s a dealbreaker for music. No word yet on loudness, but given some of the folks who have their ear maybe we’ll learn good news. Also one has to wonder if it will be controllable with a Harmony remote.

The sad part is still no apparent effort to modernize the Dirac functionality of the whole rest of their lineup. Don’t love the “no ART for you” language in their update blast.
 
jhaider said:
I’m not sure why there’s so much whining about the HDMI. The 2.1 stuff is just dumb.
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Uh, ok. It's "just dumb". Thanks for the insight I guess?
 
kyuu said:
Uh, ok. It's "just dumb". Thanks for the insight I guess?
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People see a pointless number and think that it’s not the newest one so it’s bad.

Instead, think about what it does. I see 4k HDR/DV and so on. That’s consistent with normal video usage. Anything else is just like whining about how the 121 dB SINAD whatever is obviously better than last year’s junk 119 dB SINAD whatever.
 
jhaider said:
I see 4k HDR/DV and so on. That’s consistent with normal video usage.
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4K/60 10-bit 4:4:4, it cannot even do. This is nothing very fancy. It will have issues running a modern streamers user interface. 18Gbps is really ancient by now.

And games also have multichannel audio…

But not all is lost. The HDMI board seems to be modular, so I would expect upgrades at some point.
 
rzrike said:
Dirac ART is included in the $3.5k, so yes, in a way we will be paying tariffs on it. Hypothetically, if they didn’t bundle it with Dirac, they could charge something like $3k, but there is a possibility that the bulk pricing I’m sure they’re getting outweighs the tariffs.

Dirac ART costs for the consumer $800. The Tide 16 as it is now (bundled with ART) will be around $4200 with tariffs (tariffs taken from my recent HTx purchase). If miniDSP were getting ART functionality wholesale for $500, and they then reduced the price of the Tide 16 to $3000, the price with the same tariff rate would be $3600. Add the direct-to-consumer Dirac ART price at $800, and you get $4400, higher than the Tide 16 cost originally with ART included.

At the same tariff rate, miniDSP would need to reduce the ART-less Tide 16 price to $2834 (a $666 drop) or less in order for US costumers to break even or save money when purchasing ART after the fact (($2834*1.2)+800=$4200.8).
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So I thought this and will buy the HTX without DIRAC. And then add online after I get it. I don't know that will get round it ( it shouldn't - technically) but we will see
 
rzrike said:
The HTx is not adding anything to the system you described, other than an overkill way to get bass management. Just use the pre-outs from the receiver directly with your amps if you’re fine with the distortion performance and unbalanced connectors.
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...and DIRAC. whcih is what I want. Plus the ability to use DIRAC on a two channel setup out of the same set up as 5.1
 
Mort said:
Tell me about it.
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:)

If it's as good as what I expect their current Flex series to be, the Tide16 will definitely be on top of my list and I'm sure I won't be the only one. ;)

Hoping Amir can get hold of one for review asap. Fully expecting it to top the home theatre processor SINAD list. At this price, just wow!
 
As MiniDSP is a niche brand with niche products, the ones that are looking for a separate DSP device, instead of the AVR or Integrated Amp typical solution, I hope they spread all this research (atmos/Dirac Art) to new/existing products.

I’m a 2.2 guy, but loved to have Dirac Art and nice translation of HDMI Dolby from my TV to my stereo setup. Instead of my MiniDSP Flex Digital I’d love to have a product with these specs…

Required:
-4 channel for 2.2 layout
-hdmi 8K input (at least one for my AppleTV)
-hdmi output (eARC with CEC for TV control)
-Dirac ART license
-Atmos to stereo downmix without issues
-I2s output for external DAC
-coaxial output
-12v trigger out
-external PSU

Desirable
-6 channels for 2.4 layout/ 8 channels for 4.4.
-RCA input
-digital input (toslink/coaxial or both)
-WiFi remote access via App/miniDSP console
-Ethernet for Dante
-AirPlay

Optional
-internal multichannel DAC with external clock inputs.

I prefer to have the separate PSU and DACs. A MiniDSP SHD studio with hdmi and Dirac ART
 
-Matt- said:
Do tariffs not apply to imported software?
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They do not, mostly. Especially true if cloud based. They would likely apply on cross border shrink wrapped boxed software for instance, but that's rare these days.
 
sam_adams said:
@amirm, is this on the test bench? Don't hold out on us, man.
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It's not been released yet. Minidsp used to send most everything in for testing as a matter of practice but this might need a buyer.
 
As for tariffs and invoicing, MiniDSP can simply add a separate cost item for the licenses on the invoice, so you only pay for the hardware.
 
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