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Reducing Number of Electronic Devices

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Nicoff

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I am in the process of relocating my electronic devices into a cabinet. I currently have five (5) devices as follows:
  • Turntable
  • Phono-Preamp (Parasound JC3 Jr)
  • Raspberry Pi 3 (running Ropieee for Roon and Spotify)
  • DAC (T+A DAC8 DSD)
  • Preamp (Topping Pre90)
While I can fit these 5 devices into the cabinet, I am looking for suggestions in how to reduce the number of components/devices to avoid clutter (and heat) while adding functionality (like DSP room correction) WITHOUT degrading the signal path. For example, it looks as if I could use an Okto dac8 stereo DAC to replace two devices (Rpi3 and T+A DAC) with one (1) device.

One requirement is that the output to the amps must be balanced connectors.

Appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you!
 
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DLS79

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Just a side note, make sure the cabinet has good ventilation so you don't hot box your equipment!
 
Timcognito

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Sorry this one has all the same stuff as the one above except the amps. Read both reviews because the ASR one is old.
www.audiosciencereview.com

Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

This is an update to the review of minidsp SHD that I did a couple of years ago. My tests have evolved since then and company has stated that they fixed a few issues I found in that test. The SHD costs US $1,195 and includes a USB DAC, streaming engine (based on Volumio) and of course, DSP...
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com
 
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Nicoff

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DLS79 said:
Just a side note, make sure the cabinet has good ventilation so you don't hot box your equipment!
Click to expand...
Thank you! Yes, taking that into account. I am able to keep the cabinet door open when listening to music.
 
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Nicoff

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Timcognito said:
Sorry this one has all the same stuff as the one above except the amps. Read both reviews because the ASR one is old.
www.audiosciencereview.com

Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

This is an update to the review of minidsp SHD that I did a couple of years ago. My tests have evolved since then and company has stated that they fixed a few issues I found in that test. The SHD costs US $1,195 and includes a USB DAC, streaming engine (based on Volumio) and of course, DSP...
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com
Click to expand...
Thank you for the clarification. Would this one device (MiniDSP SHD) replace three components (Phono Preamp, Raspberry Pi, and DAC)?
The only thing I see missing is a 12v trigger to turn on the amps but there might be a way around that.
 
Timcognito

Timcognito

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Nicoff said:
Thank you for the clarification. Would this one device (MiniDSP SHD) replace three components (Phono Preamp, Raspberry Pi, and DAC)?
The only thing I see missing is a 12v trigger to turn on the amps but there might be a way around that.
Click to expand...
The only issue is the phono amp as the SHD has only digital inputs but there those use phono preamps with digital outs and say its great. Remember LP playback has lots of quirks. Read the SHD Power review and tests and forget the amp part. People also like the WiiM Pro but it has a less sophisticated DSP.
 
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Nicoff

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Timcognito said:
The only issue is the phono amp as the SHD has only digital inputs but there those use phono preamps with digital outs and say its great. Remember LP playback has lots of quirks. Read the SHD Power review and tests and forget the amp part. People also like the WiiM Pro but it has a less sophisticated DSP.
Click to expand...
The SHD does have analog inputs. I could connect my phono preamp to it. So technically, it could replace two devices (Rpi3 and DAC). However, the SHD lacks a 12v trigger.
 
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NAD M66 is expensive but it could replace everything but the turn table.
 
Timcognito

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Nicoff said:
However, the SHD lacks a 12v trigger.
Click to expand...
Smart plugs or power strip? I think they make them where it senses power and turns on/off some additional outlets.
 
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Timcognito said:
Smart plugs or power strip? I think they make them where it senses power and turns on/off some additional outlets.
Click to expand...

This would be my my personal choice as well, ideally linked to Alexa (or something similar), so I can set up more complex routines.

Edit: Ideally with everything protected behind a properly rated surge protector!
 
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Nicoff

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JustJones said:
NAD M66 is expensive but it could replace everything but the turn table.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Will look into it. So this one can replace the phono preamp? (I have a MC cartridge on my TT)
 
Ron Texas

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Nicoff said:
Thank you! Will look into it. So this one can replace the phono preamp? (I have a MC cartridge on my TT)
Click to expand...
The M66 takes MC natively. I hope your budget can handle it since the M66 costs $5500 plus sales tax.
 
Last edited:
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Nicoff

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Ron Texas said:
The M66 takes MC natively. I hope your budget can handle it since the M66 costs $5500 plus sales tax.
Click to expand...
Thank you for confirming. The net cost would be lower since I could sell three components (preamp, phono preamp, and DAC) to help pay for it.
Any objective reviews on the M66?
 
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Fred H

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Timcognito said:
Smart plugs or power strip? I think they make them where it senses power and turns on/off some additional outlets.
Click to expand...
I tried this approach with my Flex Digital, but it didn't draw enough current to turn the amp on. So I use a remote control outlet to do so.
 
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Nicoff

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Fred H said:
I tried this approach with my Flex Digital, but it didn't draw enough current to turn the amp on. So I use a remote control outlet to do so.
Click to expand...
I was wondering about that. Thanks for sharing your experience.
 
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