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

Krillin said:
My understanding is that this is not required to the same extent with Trinnov, and I was simply wondering whether the addition of Dirac ART changes that for miniDSP. In other words, does ART make in-room active speaker integration substantially easier, or is it still basically the same miniDSP workflow underneath?
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I don't believe active speaker integration is high on Dirac's list of things to add (for ART or any other license). Their propensity to want things locked down means introducing as few variables as possible so that they don't get a poor reputation from "over tinkering".
 
Krillin said:
I was referring specifically to points 3 and 4 in the miniDSP link below. miniDSP itself notes that the room significantly affects measured response below about 600 Hz, which is why outdoor measurements, nearfield measurements, or other special techniques are often used when integrating active speakers.

https://www.minidsp.com/applications/digital-crossovers/active-speakers-dirac-live

My understanding is that this is not required to the same extent with Trinnov, and I was simply wondering whether the addition of Dirac ART changes that for miniDSP. In other words, does ART make in-room active speaker integration substantially easier, or is it still basically the same miniDSP workflow underneath?

Lsc is probably correct that these deeper loudspeaker-integration features are still mostly Trinnov territory. That is not meant as criticism of miniDSP; it is just the reality that capability has to be viewed in light of price. Trinnov costs about as much as a low-end Toyota, so some difference in functionality is to be expected.
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Do you have active speakers?
 
Krillin said:
I was referring specifically to points 3 and 4 in the miniDSP link below. miniDSP itself notes that the room significantly affects measured response below about 600 Hz, which is why outdoor measurements, nearfield measurements, or other special techniques are often used when integrating active speakers.

https://www.minidsp.com/applications/digital-crossovers/active-speakers-dirac-live

My understanding is that this is not required to the same extent with Trinnov, and I was simply wondering whether the addition of Dirac ART changes that for miniDSP. In other words, does ART make in-room active speaker integration substantially easier, or is it still basically the same miniDSP workflow underneath?

Lsc is probably correct that these deeper loudspeaker-integration features are still mostly Trinnov territory. That is not meant as criticism of miniDSP; it is just the reality that capability has to be viewed in light of price. Trinnov costs about as much as a low-end Toyota, so some difference in functionality is to be expected.
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Yes, that link makes it very clear. So with Tide16 the Dirac suite (Live, DLBC, ART) is a next step after implementing active speakers. Dirac product offerings do not differentiate between active and passive speakers.
 
Billy Budapest said:
Still, every other manufacturer of Home Theater hardware does not seem to have been affected by supply chain issues related to HDMI 2.1 chipsets.
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While I have no “loyalty” toward MiniDSP, I’m trying to understand where you are going with this.

The Tide16’s hdmi capabilities at launch is as advertised. The woulda shoulda coulda argument doesn’t change this fact. So obviously if this is a deal breaker for anyone then this release won’t meet your requirements.

Isn’t it as simple as this? Unless you are making your own unit, it’s just a matter of putting your money where you see fit. No HDMI 2.1, no DTS Xpro, no IMAX, no DSD, no auto crossover eq incorporating Dirac, not enough HDMI inputs, not enough channels, too many channels etc etc…no dice!

Maybe wait for the next one or something else?
 
It's a valid complaint, but it's been said at least 10 times in this thread. No new information is being added. It is what it is.

My two cents. I like miniDSP a lot.

They have always made affordable high measuring gear for what they call 'special case' units.

Have you ever actually looked at their catalog of products? It's huge selection of corner case audio gear.

They aren't known for beauty, polish, bells and whistles. They function well and do things you can't do at the same price point.

I have no idea why they don't have 2.1, but it doesn't shock me in the least. I'll still be getting one the moment it's released.
 
Billy Budapest said:
Still, every other manufacturer of Home Theater hardware does not seem to have been affected by supply chain issues related to HDMI 2.1 chipsets.
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Go and read the history in this thread I’m not going to rake over it again other than yes all the other manufacturers *have* been affected, fully working (except for QMS) chips did not appear until 2024 and working with QMS chips until 2025. So no it’s not been the standard for 9 years that is just how long ago the HDMI forum published the first version of the spec.

The relevant version to the discussion about QMS support or 2.1a wasn’t published until 2022
 
@Krillin There's a REW integration in the MiniDSP filter designer- but it is primarily a frequency range flattener (Output PEQ automation). You'll still want to figure out your filters, phase, input and/or global EQ. With REW (Free) and a minidsp UMIK-2, you have a ton of measurement power, but it is a lot to absorb if you're not vetted in the process, and hardly automated.

I currently use a MiniDSP Flex HTx which is similar, can do 2.1, or multichannel PCM over eARC, and has 8 output channels. For me, it's a 2.0 system with 4 ways plus rumble. The MiniDSP is a godsend and I'm optimistic that the Tide16 will be similarly quiet. Right now I have no noise from my horns run direct to amps. What are you hoping to set up?
 
Any update of when this will be available on their site? Still shows out of stock.
 
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HDMI 2.1 Compatibility

It's a frustrating question to hash out repeatedly but it's one of the first things I noticed too and it's not surprising people would pipe up their concern/confusion without digging too deep. If you HAVEN'T read the thread, HDMI video 4k 120/8k60 isn't supported- you might have to have your TV do the switching using eArc for audio, or VERY worst case, add an HDMI pre-processor.

Why doesn't this matter?

This isn't a direct competitor to marantz, but a "pro-sumer" unit for power users who are focused in the audio domain and system installs of active speakers at real-world scale. It's a hobbyist speaker designer's holy grail to use their creations in an HT and designed as such (or for integrators/system installers)- but it just so happens to spec out so well that it gets interest as a pure pre-pro.

I don't use my nice Denon receiver. It's in storage; because I'm an active speaker guy, and have enough complexity without adding another HT Pre-Pro at this time. The very similar, but fewer-channel (and no atmos etc) Flex HTx was an absolute godsend for my system designs, so much so that I use 2 at home for multiway stereo systems. It stands alone as a pre/pro/crossover with sufficiently low noise for almost any speaker setup, even nearfield horns with no passive crossovers, as I use currently.
 
Badman said:
This isn't a direct competitor to marantz, but a "pro-sumer" unit for power users who are focused in the audio domain and system installs of active speakers at real-world scale. It's a hobbyist speaker designer's holy grail to use their creations in an HT and designed as such (or for integrators/system installers)- but it just so happens to spec out so well that it gets interest as a pure pre-pro.
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I think some folks will disagree in the other thread that compares the Tide16 favorably against the AV20 and APR-16. I don't agree w/the sentiment either that it's apples to apples but that's why segmentation exists: always trying to bite into a little bit of the overlap for that additional coin!

Included Dirac ART is one of the biggest audio "honeypots" if I've ever seen one!
 
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