Yes, the lack of analog output, and as @USER mentions, the odd selections of loading options are curious. Not show stoppers, but a bit disappointing. Analog output would add cost, and for many would not be a show stopper, as most folks these days have a DAC. And I suppose you could EQ out the impact of less than the best loading? Don’t see myself replacing my Apt Holman, but if I didn’t have that, I’d certainly consider this and the Waxwing as options.
| Introducing ADept, a pocket size audiophile Analog to Digital Converter | |
| The miniDSP ADept is a compact high-resolution A/D (analog-to-digital) convertor that accepts single-ended (RCA) or balanced (on XLR) audio signals. The digital output is available on SPDIF coaxial and TOSLINK optical connectors, and can also be recorded to a computer or mobile device via the USB-C connector. Adept combines low latency, high sample rate and extremely low noise floor performance to provide optimal digitization of your favorite analog audio content. The miniDSP ADept is also a phono preamp (with a turntable connected to the RCA inputs) with accurate phono equalization for moving magnet or moving coil cartridges. In addition to the standard RIAA phono equalization curves, we've used the power of DSP to provide additional curves that will be of interest to the keen collector of older vinyl. A range of input gain, resistance and capacitance values are provided to optimize for any cartridge and can easily be saved and recalled in your favorite preset. So why did we come up with ADept? Because we couldn't find a pocket size converter that has audiophile performance (117dB SINAD/123dB SNR), that can be controlled with an IR remote for a wide range of modes (phono/preamp) and doesn't break the bank. It truly is a multi-use box with applications from hifi/studio all the way to audio measurements. | |
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| ADept is now available for 299USD on our shopping cart, a very attractive price to rival current ADC offerings. Check out the product's datasheet and user manual for more details and feel free to contact our team if you have any questions! |
It's an ADC. Why would you run your audio through your computer's DAC into the ADept's ADC, back into your speakers' DAC? Makes no sense.
I'll add, this is essentially a $300 product intended to digitize vinyl records. If you're not doing that, its probably not for you.
So you can room correct the sound, it just like many do with their digital sources. Those who would use it like to play vinyl, but do not view the ADC>DAC path as an issue. It's a similar product to the Parks Audio Waxwing https://parksaudiollc.com/#next, which is fairly widely used by the vinyl folks around here. If I didn't have an Apt Holman Pre, I'd probably buy the Waxwing, but would also consider this product.
I do not see any reference to room correction in the ADept product description. Additionally, the user I was replying to specifically mentioned using a PC as the source. If you want room correction on a PC, you can buy Dirac Live and run it on said PC. This user was talking about sending a digital stream from said PC to this box only to send the same digital stream on to his active speakers.
Do you see an advantage over the competition here?
Sorry, I replied to the wrong comment. My point was towards the utility of the device. More specifically, that the ADC aspect allows the option of feeding the phono signal to whatever flavor of room correction you prefer, be it Dirac on a PC, Dirac Live on a DSP device, Trinnov, Room Perfect, ARC,….
I think it's a very useful product and quite unique. I feel it checks a lot of boxes like unbalanced RCA inputs for one, and it has both line AND phono inputs (so it's good for tapes etc. as well as a phono preamp). Not to mention it can handle either moving magnet OR moving coil input. YAY! To cap it off, it has a USB output so I can finally digitize (and preserve) some of my old vinyl from the 70's and 60's that were never released on CD or other digital formats on something other than a cassette tape. Laugh if you will, this thing is an important missing link type of product and I applaud it's arrival. Kudos to miniDSP!!! Now, let's see how it sounds... The good people at miniDSP have informed me that they have already sent one to Audio Science Review for testing so fingers crossed!!!
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