MOTU Ultralight MK5 VS MiniDSP Flex

[widemediaphotography]

Hello;
I was wondering, for my next 3-way active speaker system, focusing solely on sound performance, which would be better:

• MiniDSP Flex Eight,
• MOTU UltraLite mk5 audio interface, and software like Equalizer APO / CamillaDSP - REW?

I already have:

• sonarworks SoundID Reference calibred microphone and audience iD14MKII
• Fanless audio-pc i7
• smsl DO300 DAC

Thank you

 

[Sokel]

Have a look at this thread first:

DSP Measurements and Rising Noise Floor

In several threads related to DSP platforms I've seen requests for measurements with filters engaged. I thought it unlikely that implementing filters in a DSP would have measurable effect on noise / distortion other than the obvious change in the fundamental, however @Sokel recently mentioned...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[widemediaphotography]

Other question
Is there a way to duplicate an analog output of the smsl DO300 DAC?
Using the MOTU Ultralight MK5 for a 3-way active system, I would use the MOTU DAC, making the smsl DO300 unusable, as it only has 2 analog outputs, when instead 3 would be needed and well synchronized. Is there a way to duplicate them without compromising the signal quality?
Thanks

 

[gfinlays]

Hello;
I was wondering, for my next 3-way active speaker system, focusing solely on sound performance, which would be better:

• MiniDSP Flex Eight,
• MOTU UltraLite mk5 audio interface, and software like Equalizer APO / CamillaDSP - REW?

I already have:

• sonarworks SoundID Reference calibred microphone and audience iD14MKII
• Fanless audio-pc i7
• smsl DO300 DAC

Thank you

I would also consider Mitch Barnett's Hang Loose Convolver for hosting the filters. You can switch seamlessly between filters with zero delay for comparison purposes.

 

[Keith_W]

The two options are not the same.

MiniDSP Flex Eight: IIR biquads with limited number of FIR filter taps.

Motu Mk.5 + REW + EqAPO: anything you like, including linear phase FIR filters with thousands of taps. It is also far more flexible since you can use any software you like, not just the two you mentioned. The disadvantage is that it is not as robust or as seamless as a MiniDSP, and the software chain can get quite complex.

Whether you think that linear phase FIR sounds better than minimum phase IIR ... well that is a separate debate entirely. I think that linear phase FIR sounds better, but there are plenty of people on ASR who disagree.

 

[concorde1]

I notice Ultralite mk5 only has 4-band parametric EQ in CueMix.

I didn't know it would work with Equalizer APO as an alternative.

Excuse some beginner questions . . .

• Will Equalizer APO see all ten separate line outs on the Ultralite mk5?

• Can Equalizer APO sum stereo to mono for some outputs on Ultralite mk5? (For use with subs.)

• How about these 2 questions for EasyEffects (or other EQ software) in Linux?

• I've noticed on motherboard audio, Equalizer APO EQ actually works for Cubase (DAW software), but only if I use Steinberg ASIO driver. Will this driver work with Equalizer APO for Ultralite mk5 too?

 

[Noricha]

I'm reviving this thread rather than starting a new one.

In my case, it's about filtering a subwoofer and two speakers. Simple high-pass and low-pass filters are sufficient for now. (I've already tested this with an old PC and an old sound card.)
Ideally, I need a USB input and two digital inputs.


I've always used a PC for this purpose.
But in recent years, with the advent of streaming and the need to connect the TV via optical output, the PC has become obsolete.

I'm hesitating between a Wiim Ultra Pro streamer, which has a filterable subwoofer output.
And a Mini DSP Flex.
Motu ultralite... maybe but out of budget...

I'm looking for reliability, sound quality (I think they both meet these requirements), and stability (no bugs).
What would your choice be?

Probably an important detail: I adjust the volume at the conversion stage; there's no preamp, only power amplifiers directly on the source.
I'm open to other equipment besides those mentioned. Budget approximately €500-600

This is a Google translation; my English is too rough. Thank you for your effort in understanding.

 

[Keith_W]

Bonjour! Here is a comparison of your options:

Wiim: has HDMI, optical, and analog inputs. Although it has a USB port, careful reading of the Wiim webpage suggests this is USB OUTPUT and not input! Strange decision!! Also limited to only 2 speaker outputs and one sub output. This will limit future subwoofer upgrades. The DSP isn't as configurable as MiniDSP.

MiniDSP Flex 2x4: has SPDIF, optical, USB, and Bluetooth inputs. Has four analog outputs and four digital outputs on USB (it only has one USB port).

Motu: has optical, SPDIF, and USB inputs. Switching between inputs requires routing of the audio in the mixer software. It's possible, but inconvenient. With the other two options, it's a simple button press on the remote. IT DOES NOT HAVE BUILT-IN DSP. You will need an external processor (RPi, PC, Mac, etc) in the signal chain. The Motu is a very powerful and flexible piece of hardware. You could use it to record audio from a microphone or almost any source, route audio from one channel to another (or multiple outputs), do loopback recordings, use it as a headphone amp, etc. Acting as a multichannel DAC in a DSP setup is only one of the things it can do. The only question is whether you need all of its capabilities and whether it is worth putting up with the inconvenience.

I would eliminate the Motu from your use case because of the inconvenience of switching inputs and the necessity of having a computing device in the signal chain. This is yet another point of failure, and PC's aren't known for their reliability. Macs and RPi are different, of course. Of the two remaining options, the Wiim is eliminated because it does not have a USB input. The only option that remains is the MiniDSP.

 

[Noricha]

MiniDSP installed.
Very simple to configure.
Now the brain can stop trying to do better and just enjoy the music.
Perhaps the hardest thing when you have a DSP.