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?