Setup Confusion. Is there another solution?

[iwantM2]

Hello all, long time lurker, first post. The image below shows the proposed setup I am trying to achieve. To be clear I want the ability to have control over specific channels delay and parametric eq, for properly integrating a subwoofer, hence the miniDSP SHD. But I also want to use RME for output switching purposes as well as loudness and easily adjustable tone controls.

One question I have is, exactly how do I connect the miniDSP SHD to the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R BE? I assume using AES but i'm not sure how that works, and the AES port on the RME seems different?

Another question I have is whether the configuration mentioned above is possible with another device? Perhaps the miniDSP Flex Digital or the miniDSP SHD Studio - saving me quite a bit of money. If so how do cable all this up.

 

[JamesYeomans]

"...the AES port on the RME seems different" are you using the dongle that comes with the RME? That will provide a standard XLR connector for AES-EBU inputs and outputs.

 

[staticV3]

Hi @iwantM2! Welcome to ASR.

Consider using Lucidchart for more readable setup diagrams

Spoiler: Some examples

Anyway, yes you can connect the ADI-2 to the SHD via AES, or via Toslink.
For AES, you'll need an appropriate adapter cable.

You can use other miniDSP products as well, doesn't have to the the SHD.

 

[iwantM2]

"...the AES port on the RME seems different" are you using the dongle that comes with the RME? That will provide a standard XLR connector for AES-EBU inputs and outputs.

To be clear, I don't actually own these products yet. Was simply theorising. I have just watched an uboxing video of the RME and seen the adapter you are referring to, the 9-pin-D-sub to 2x RCA female and 2x XLR Male and Female. So would connecting the RME and SHD be as simple as RME -> 9Pin to XLR Male -> SHD AES EBU port?

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi, would you mind clarifying what your sources are? TV, WiiM, laptop and something else?

There seem to be a lot of devices that can do similar things. You may be able to rationalise.

Have you bought any of this yet?

 

[iwantM2]

Hi @iwantM2! Welcome to ASR.

Consider using Lucidchart for more readable setup diagrams

Spoiler: Some examples

View attachment 394409View attachment 394410View attachment 394411

Anyway, yes you can connect the ADI-2 to the SHD via AES, or via Toslink.
For AES, you'll need an appropriate adapter cable.

You can use other miniDSP products as well, doesn't have to the the SHD.

Thank you for the warm welcome Appreciate the suggestion, you're right, much more readable.

*Edit - Assuming I wasnt to use the miniDSP SHD. Could this configuration work for the proposed setup? MiniDSP 2x4HD Toslink IN (DSP) -> RME Toslink OUT (Preamp) -> RME Toslink IN to source?

 

[JustJones]

What's the RME for? Headphones? Looks a little confusing.

 

[iwantM2]

Hi, would you mind clarifying what your sources are? TV, WiiM, laptop and something else?

There seem to be a lot of devices that can do similar things. You may be able to rationalise.

Have you bought any of this yet?

Sources are TV (movies and television), WiiM Mini (streaming via airplay/bluetooth), Desktop PC (gaming), Laptop (productivity)

What's the RME for? Headphones? Looks a little confusing.

My apologies for the confusing chart. As stated above, in this proposed setup, the RME is acting as a preamp I guess. For the purpose of quick source switching, volume and tone control, and the loudness feature.

 

[iwantM2]

I have just done some reading on the this forum and the RME forum and here is an updated setup:

Can anyone confirm whether this would actually work and function according to my original idea?

 

[Count Arthur]

I have just done some reading on the this forum and the RME forum and here is an updated setup:

Can anyone confirm whether this would actually work and function according to my original idea?
View attachment 394432

It should work.

Do either the TV or the WiiM Mini have a SPDIF out as well as Toslink? If so you could connect one to the RME with SPDIF and the other with Toslink and do away with the Toslink switch.

 

[Count Arthur]

Wait a minute, the MiniDSP 2x4 HD only has RCA out:

If you're using a MiniDSP SHD, I'm not sure that the RME DAC is necessary, unless it's for the headphone amp.

 

[iwantM2]

Wait a minute, the MiniDSP 2x4 HD only has RCA out:

View attachment 394434

Yeah I realised as I posted my comment but couldnt be bothered to change the flow chart hehe. I would have to use XLR to RCA adapter if I was using the 2x4HD.

 

[markstein]

Hello all, long time lurker, first post. The image below shows the proposed setup I am trying to achieve. To be clear I want the ability to have control over specific channels delay and parametric eq, for properly integrating a subwoofer, hence the miniDSP SHD. But I also want to use RME for output switching purposes as well as loudness and easily adjustable tone controls.

One question I have is, exactly how do I connect the miniDSP SHD to the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R BE? I assume using AES but i'm not sure how that works, and the AES port on the RME seems different?

Another question I have is whether the configuration mentioned above is possible with another device? Perhaps the miniDSP Flex Digital or the miniDSP SHD Studio - saving me quite a bit of money. If so how do cable all this up.

View attachment 394403

I have a similar setup, however, with RME Fireface UFX II instead minidsp SHD.

Why do you want to use the SHD downstream an ADI-2?
Why would you not like using the SHD as standalone device, i.e., without ADI-2?

Digital connection between ADI-2 and SHD is plug and play, using either Toslink optical, coax digital or AES digital. The ADI-2 has a breakout cable with coax (RCA) and AES (XLR) connectors.

 

[staticV3]

Yeah I realised as I posted my comment but couldnt be bothered to change the flow chart hehe. I would have to use XLR to RCA adapter if I was using the 2x4HD.

RCA -> XLR cables are fine, but you may want to consider making your own out of regular XLR cables, to avoid mains hum and other ground loop related noises.


For example:

Review and Measurements of Crown XLS 1502 Amp

I have my xls 1502 at home and it works great (so far no hiss issues, it works just fine) How should I set the gain regulators at both sides of the screen? I have them at 25% of their total capacity, is that ok_ In a perfect world, you would determine the optimal output from your pre-outs, and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[staticV3]

Why do you want to use the SHD downstream an ADI-2?
Why would you not like using the SHD as standalone device, i.e., without ADI-2?

ADI-2 offers equal loudness compensation, SHD doesn't.

 

[pjug]

Do you really need usb twith the MacBook Air, instead of ust wireless to the Wiim? Then you just need a dac/preamp with 2 optical inputs and usb, no other input switching boxes. You can still use miniDSP after that.

 

[markstein]

ADI-2 offers equal loudness compensation, SHD doesn't.

I know

Question was for the OP, to understand his motivation for this setup.

The ADI-2 also let's you set bass and treble via remote which is very convenient - not all music is mastered on the same system and in the same room, so I use these settings regularly.

The OP may think about adding a Fireface with Room EQ instead if a SHD. More powerful, however, TotalMix needs some time to be understood.

 

[JeremyFife]

Looks like a lot of effort just to preserve the loudness functionality.

Suggestion;
miniDSP Flex HT
TV to HDMI
WiiM to optical
PC/Mac can share the USB

You get sub integration and good DSP.
Easy enough to apply Loudness via software in the PC/Mac sources - assuming that it's most useful for gaming and movies?

Simple, much cheaper and gives almost everything OP wants.

£2k for loudness... that's a lot.

 

[pjug]

Why do you need the WiiM Mini? Doesn't the miniDSP SHD do the same streaming?

edit: I see. You would then be bypassing the preamp. Seems like having both the RME and miniDSP makes it very hard to have an elegant setup.

 

[pjug]

Does the RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE do all you were requiring of the other RME and miniDSP : preamp/selector with loudness and tone, sub crossover and DSP? Then if you use Wiim Pro instead of mini you will be able to use the RME to select without an extra optical switch box.

​