Streamer connection on Genelec 8361

[Jimshoe]

But SHD studio is on fixed output level ? Remote is Genelec 9101 B ?

SHD Studio is fixed or variable. I use the variable option, makes it easy to control in Roon.

The Genelec 9101 B looks handy though. I don't have one of those.

 

[PatriceA]

Don't you lose the "bit perfect" path with volume control active on SHD Studio?

 

[Jimshoe]

Don't you lose the "bit perfect" path with volume control active on SHD Studio?

My path looks like this:

Yes, digital volume control MAY be less than perfect, but I've tried both and could not hear a difference.

FWIW I have it set such that the digital volume is at virtually 100% for normal playback (so I'm guessing any 'loss' is minimal)

Doug

 

[PatriceA]

Thanks a lot. I guess that when Roon / Muse introduce PEQ and resampling, we lose bit perfect. I intend to apply DSP corrections with GLM (V5) kit ; have you an experience with it?

 

[Jimshoe]

Thanks a lot. I guess that when Roon / Muse introduce PEQ and resampling, we lose bit perfect. I intend to apply DSP corrections with GLM (V5) kit ; have you an experience with it?

I'd say GLM is essential with the 8361s. It just makes them 'work'. In my room if I switch off the correction the bass is boomy and all over the place. The response post correction is pretty 'thin' and I do apply quite a substantial bass lift in Roon to compensate but the result sounds great. Plus, if I want to tweak it whilst listening (in Roon) it's super easy.

I've messed about with running Dirac as well but tbh it's just extra hassle for a small benefit.

 

[YSDR]

I guess that when Roon / Muse introduce PEQ and resampling, we lose bit perfect.

With digital input (or analog input with DSP) active speakers (like a Genelec) you will lose bitperfectness anyway, because the internal processing of the speaker works in the digital domain that requires specific resampling of the digital data (or digitizing the analog signal). So no matter how bit-perfect is the signal chain before the speaker, it will be 'lost'. But instead you get proper time alignments and frequency response corrections etc whose are much more important things than bit-perfectness.

 

[MTZ]

I'm using the Genelec 9320a monitor controller in my system with my computer connected to the usb input. I'm using Audirvana with Qobuz on a mac studio. A lot of GLM functions are integrated with the controller and this way it's a fully digital controlled system.

There is an explanation on the Genelec website on the volume control in SAM monitors.

https://support.genelec.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013337160-Where-does-the-volume-control-happen-in-SAM-Systems

 

[PatriceA]

Genelec 9320a is an overkill for my needs. Expensive and a streamer is still needed. Remote 9101 connected on GLM box is the solution for me.

 

[MTZ]

The Remote 9101 will work too. GLM works great on that.

 

[tmtomh]

I was wrong again, SHD studio (not SHD) is less expensive and even more suitable !

Just as an FYI, the MiniDSP Flex is even less expensive - $495 - and it is offered in a digital-output version for the same price. No AES EBU output, but it does have both TOSLINK and coax digital outputs. So you could get what you need for $495 plus the cost of a coas to AES cable or a TOSLINK to AES adapter.

The Studio's $949 price also includes Dirac and a UMIK measurement mic, but since you have GLM with your Genelecs you don't need that. So if you're okay with a conversion cable to get from the Flex to your Genelecs' digital input, you can save about $500 with the Flex Digital version over the Studio (and therefore $800 over the SHD).

 

[Karu]

I am using the original solution from your post - Wiim Pro digital out -> Neutrik adapter -> Ones. Works fine. Was cheaper than getting the SHD Studio

 

[PatriceA]

Just as an FYI, the MiniDSP Flex is even less expensive - $495 - and it is offered in a digital-output version for the same price. No AES EBU output, but it does have both TOSLINK and coax digital outputs. So you could get what you need for $495 plus the cost of a coas to AES cable or a TOSLINK to AES adapter.

The Studio's $949 price also includes Dirac and a UMIK measurement mic, but since you have GLM with your Genelecs you don't need that. So if you're okay with a conversion cable to get from the Flex to your Genelecs' digital input, you can save about $500 with the Flex Digital version over the Studio (and therefore $800 over the SHD).

Yes, you are right; the same applies to the WiiM Pro (coax digital out). As Karu implements it.

 

[Karu]

You probably know, but the Neutrik has a BNC connector on the other end, so you also need to buy the coax/bnc adapter + bnc cable if you don’t have any around.

 

[PatriceA]

Yes, I did notice, I put an order to Music Store Pro for adapter BNC / cables and Neutrik.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Hopefully this will put your mind at ease. I was concerned about this myself before purchasing a pair of 8351b's.

After doing a good deal of reading online and consulting with our knowledgeable members here, though, I felt comfortable not worrying about an AES-EBU output on the digital source that would be feeding the Genelecs' digital input - you really only need to worry about that if you have a very long cable run between your streamer and the speakers, like maybe 15 feet or longer.

So I ordered a special digital coax to AES EBU cable from Sweetwater. It has the standard RCA-style plug used for coax on one end, and the standard XLR-style plug used for AES EBU on the other end - but the cable itself is 110 ohm as opposed to the 75 ohm used for typical analogue RCA to XLR cables.

But my Genelecs were arriving several days before the special cable, and I was impatient so I ordered a 6-foot Monoprice analogue RCA to XLR cable, 75 ohm, from Amazon for $8.98 because I could get overnight Prime shipping.

I hooked up my digital source to the Genelecs using that stop-gap cable, and they sounded perfect: no buffering, no stutters, no lag, no "ticks" or "clicks," no nothing - just a perfect, flawless connection.

The "proper" cable arrived in the mail several days later, but it was stiffer and I didn't like the color (it was only available in a bright blue and I prefer black), so I just left the inexpensive "wrong" cable connected. It's 10 months later and there hasn't been a single issue.

So just get a coax to XLR cable and be done with it. No need to hunt for a streamer with an AES EBU output, and no need to hunt down an optical TOSLINK to AES EBU converter or adapter cable either.

Can you post a link to the Amazon Cable
Thanks

 

[tmtomh]

Can you post a link to the Amazon Cable
Thanks

Sure! Here it is:

Amazon.com

It looks like it's gone up from $9 to $11.

Also, just to be clear, this is an analogue RCA to XLR cable, so its impedance is 75 ohms instead of the 110 ohms preferred for digital interconnect cables. So this is the "wrong" cable. But I only have a 6-foot run and it's been working 100% fine for me for the better part of a year now, so I haven't bothered to swap it for a 110 ohm one.

 

[Esprit]

A computer (Mac mini?), an SMSL PO100 Pro and an RCA to XLR cable should be fine.

 

[tmtomh]

A computer (Mac mini?), an SMSL PO100 Pro and an RCA to XLR cable should be fine.

That's exactly my setup with my 8351b's: 2012 Mac mini USB --> PO100 USB input --> PO100 coax output --> Genelec AES EBU input. No distracting displays, no added noise, no transformer coil whine, no need to even flip an on/off switch, takes up virtually no space, easy and dependable.

 

[PatriceA]

The discussion is about the Coax (RCA) to AES/EBU (XLR) connection. Genelec recommends the Neutrik interface (impedance adaptor) 75 to 110 ohms. It is the best solution (less than 50 €) but not essential. Upstream, whether a PC or a pure streamer is not an issue. A PC adds an interface USB - Coax ...

 

[Esprit]

Genelec recommends an impedance adapter if you exceed 8 meters. A PC is cheap, it's flexible, you control it remotely, it works with Roon. The SMLS interface costs very little.
So if you also look at the total price, evaluate it.
However, as always, these are recommendations and then it is up to the user to choose what is best for him.

Good day to you