There is a way to get around channel limitations somewhat. I route most channels from my Denon to Flex HTx but I offload Atmos channels directly to amp. With Denon in pre-amp mode I set crossover / level / distance / eq for Atmos channels in Denon settings. Rest of audio management is Flex HTx. So I am currently 5.2.2 with Flex HTx controlling all audio architecture except for Atmos channels. Latency I believe for Flex HTx is about 4.5ms so I just add it delay on distance for Atmos channels and measure difference with REW.
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miniDSP Tide16 - Holy Grail with 16 Channel Atmos/DTS:X, high SINAD
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Do you DSP adjust your Atmos channels at all?
Unfortunately they do not. Flex HTx controls LCR, surrounds, subwoofers only. Denon has some limited EQ adjustments I can set manually for atmos channel. I compensate for flex htx latency of other channels by adding it to distance (in denon settings not minidsp settings).
One of the attractive traits of the tide16 for me is the lower price so you did well. The other is shared with the AV10, being able to use ART for music listening. I was actually on the fence between the Tide16 and AV20 so the AV10 is a great get!
Krillin
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The miniDSP Tide16 is featured in the March issue of Voice Coil, though it appears to be largely a reprint of what is already on miniDSP’s website. Still, it looks very impressive on paper: a 1.8 GHz quad-core ARM processor and eight ES9017 DACs. I am genuinely considering it as a possible Trinnov alternative at roughly one-tenth the price, and the published measurements look very strong.
My main wish would be for either another version, or a future revision, that includes RCA outputs or perhaps Toslink output. With XLR-only outputs, it becomes less convenient to integrate with tube amplifiers. That is the one limitation that gives me pause, because I would seriously consider the Tide16 for an active speaker setup, with the left, center, and right channels run actively with tube amplifiers, while using more affordable Class D amps for the surround channels.
Also, while 16 channels sounds like a lot, I would actually prefer more. In an active setup, especially with three-way speakers, channels get used up very quickly. So for a conventional system 16 channels may be plenty, but for serious active loudspeaker use, more channel count would be very welcome.
My main wish would be for either another version, or a future revision, that includes RCA outputs or perhaps Toslink output. With XLR-only outputs, it becomes less convenient to integrate with tube amplifiers. That is the one limitation that gives me pause, because I would seriously consider the Tide16 for an active speaker setup, with the left, center, and right channels run actively with tube amplifiers, while using more affordable Class D amps for the surround channels.
Also, while 16 channels sounds like a lot, I would actually prefer more. In an active setup, especially with three-way speakers, channels get used up very quickly. So for a conventional system 16 channels may be plenty, but for serious active loudspeaker use, more channel count would be very welcome.
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A simple wire adaptor is fine- you're not compromising single-ended input performance by taking it from a balanced source. If you really wanna have a hoot you could throw input iron on critical channels on the amp side, it's not like you're talking about a $500 pre-pro here
rolfrander
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It seems there is still a couple of weeks before we get answers to all of our questions. MiniDSP writes this on their own forum today:
I thought the delay was due to supply parts. It’s now the owners manual?
I work for a business software company and we do the same when we can’t meet the delivery date. I personally don’t care what the reason is…make up whatever you want…just give me a date thanks
.I see. I didn’t realize other people actually read owners manuals. Guess I’m not alone
.welwynnick
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Of course you have to read the manual to find out what the product actually does before buying it as the marketing materials aren’t going to say enough and may have important omissions…
Sometimes, writing the manual leads to product improvements when you realize it cannot be easily explainedI see. I didn’t realize other people actually read owners manuals. Guess I’m not alone
Also, the only way to know if a product meets your needs is to try it, the manual helps, but especially with HDMI,..
- Rich
Seems like a killer option. I’m looking to sell my SDP-55 and get something that supports ART. Was also looking at the HTP-1.
The only downsides to this are HDMI in’s. While my current JVC projector can’t make use of 2.1/2.2, my future projector might. Also, I have 5 HDMI devices now (UHD Blu Ray, Shield for local Plex, AppleTV, Xbox, PS5).
The only downsides to this are HDMI in’s. While my current JVC projector can’t make use of 2.1/2.2, my future projector might. Also, I have 5 HDMI devices now (UHD Blu Ray, Shield for local Plex, AppleTV, Xbox, PS5).
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As stated a number of times both here and over at the minidsp official Tide16 forum the Dev team recommend using a HD Fury Vertex2 or Vvroom device for additional HDMI requirements.
If you're using a projector, this splits video and audio outputs and also gives you the access to LLDV if your projector does not support Dolby Vision which can be helpful for some projector models ( see AVS Forum for more on that subject).
Or you can opt to connect sources to your TV and eARC connect them back to the Tide16 for Audio.
If you're using a projector, this splits video and audio outputs and also gives you the access to LLDV if your projector does not support Dolby Vision which can be helpful for some projector models ( see AVS Forum for more on that subject).
Or you can opt to connect sources to your TV and eARC connect them back to the Tide16 for Audio.
Yeah I saw that recommendation.
How seamless is operation with the HD Fury products? E.g. is switching inputs via a Harmony remote really a one command operation?
Obviously projectors can’t handle multiple inputs so not an option for me to use display eARC
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Not bad if you buy the separate remote or use a phone app. Don't know about harmony.
I don't think they can handle 5 hdmi, 3 hdmi on a VRROOM.
NanoGuidingStar
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To be honest, based on my past experience with HDMI splitters/switches, it hasn’t been very good. First of all, these devices introduce additional latency, which may require further audio/video lip‑sync adjustment—and in my previous case, it was simply impossible to correct. Second, they can cause strange EDID handshake issues, which are extremely frustrating when they occur. Finally, their reliability is questionable: sometimes there’s no picture at all, or the results differ between the source and the display.
That said, if you need HDMI 2.1 functionality, then with the Tide 16 your only option is still an HDMI splitter/switch. Unless miniDSP releases a V2 version of the Tide 16 with HDMI 2.1 inputs in the future, modular expansion doesn’t seem to have been part of the original design either. I’d also recommend not trying to save money here—stick with well‑known, higher‑end brands like HDFury, even if they’re more expensive.
That said, if you need HDMI 2.1 functionality, then with the Tide 16 your only option is still an HDMI splitter/switch. Unless miniDSP releases a V2 version of the Tide 16 with HDMI 2.1 inputs in the future, modular expansion doesn’t seem to have been part of the original design either. I’d also recommend not trying to save money here—stick with well‑known, higher‑end brands like HDFury, even if they’re more expensive.