Routing Apollo x6 to Ascilab C8C via miniDSP (Digital vs. Analog?)

[Luken]

Hey everyone,

I just got my C8Cs yesterday and I'm absolutely thrilled with them.

I'm looking for some routing advice. I’m planning to make the switch to Dirac Live and want to integrate a miniDSP into my chain to feed the new monitors.
Up until now, I’ve been running Amphion Two18s with ARC Studio, feeding them via an TRS and XLR from my Universal Audio Apollo x6.

Since the C8Cs offer multiple input options (including digital) and my Apollo x6 features 1x SPDIF I/O and 2x ADAT I/O, I’m trying to figure out which miniDSP unit makes the most sense. I have zero experience with digital connections; I've strictly used XLR and TRS up to this point.

Should I stick to a balanced analog connection (e.g., miniDSP Flex Balanced), or is it better to go digital via SPDIF or TOSLINK (e.g., miniDSP Flex Digital or SHD)?
From what I understand, going digital would bypass unnecessary DA/AD conversions since the C8Cs have SPDIF/TOSLINK inputs. Would this route work properly with my Apollo x6 setup, and is it the superior approach?

I also plan on adding a BX8C extension down the line. Will a digital miniDSP setup still allow me to integrate and cross over the sub smoothly?

Any insights, recommendations, or things I might be overlooking would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Redacted]

Are you producing music or just playing back?

 

[staticV3]

The C8C+BX8C is a closed system, so there's no issue with connecting a Flex Digital with Dirac upstream so long as you don't connect it between a C8C and BX8C.

Personally, for Dirac I'd do either

PC (Dirac Live Processor) -> USB -> Apollo x6 -> SPDIF -> C8C (+BX8C)
or
PC -> USB -> Apollo x6 -> SPDIF -> Flex Digital -> SPDIF -> C8C (+BX8C)

 

[Luken]

Are you producing music or just playing back?

I'm doing mainly mixing and mastering on them, so producing

 

[Redacted]

Hats off to creators.
Forgive my ignorance, but is there no pressure to hear the mixes as most of the intended audience might hear them? I mean, you sound like you could be tuning your playback kit to your room and maybe to your taste, but will it sound as good for the consumers of your art?

 

[Luken]

The C8C+BX8C is a closed system, so there's no issue with connecting a Flex Digital with Dirac upstream so long as you don't connect it between a C8C and BX8C.

Personally, for Dirac I'd do either

PC (Dirac Live Processor) -> USB -> Apollo x6 -> SPDIF -> C8C (+BX8C)
or
PC -> USB -> Apollo x6 -> SPDIF -> Flex Digital -> SPDIF -> C8C (+BX8C)

Thanks. I wasn't a fan of the Dirac Live Processor software when I tried it, so next time I'm definitely going with a miniDSP.
Does the quality of an S/PDIF cable matter, or will a 10€ Amazon cable do the job?

 

[staticV3]

Thanks. I wasn't a fan of the Dirac Live Processor software when I tried it, so next time I'm definitely going with a miniDSP.
Does the quality of an S/PDIF cable matter, or will a 10€ Amazon cable do the job?

The 10€ Amazon cable with do a perfect job, so long as it's a 75 Ohm coaxial (digital) cable.

 

[Dsggolv77]

How about Sonarworks-based Apollo Monitor Correction

 

[Luken]

How about Sonarworks-based Apollo Monitor Correction

That would certainly be the most practical option, but when I compared Sonarworks with ARC and Dirac, it was the worst of the three