[Suggestions] Related MiniDSP HT Integration with Stereo System

[kevin645]

Hey ASR!

I have been lurking for quite awhile now on the forums and I have learned a lot. Thank you for all your posts and this community.

I built a system initially with the Sim Audio by Moon Amps and Dac+Streamer. I ended up with a need for a center in my movie listening space not just stereo listening.

Stereo Listening Music Signal Chain:
SimAudio Moon 280D with MIND2 Streamer --<Mogami RCA Interconnects>--> SimAudio Moon 250iV2 Integrated AMP --> Audiovector QR3
Phono:
Audiotechnica Turntable --<Mogami RCA Interconnects>--> SimAudio Moon 250iV2 Integrated AMP Phono Input --> Audiovector QR3
Home Theater:
Apple TV 4K --> LG GX 65in --<eArc>--> MiniDSP HTx --<Amazon RCA Interconnects>--> SimAudio Moon 250iV2 Integrated AMP --> Audiovector QR3
--> Fosi Audio V3 Mono Power Amp --> Audiovector QRC

miniDSP HT Presets:
1. 3.0 Listening no Dirac Enabled
2. 2.0 Listening no Dirac Enabled

I haven't tuned my system for Dirac yet or ran UMIK-1 correction in the space all!

Current Issues:
1. Level Matching when switching from Stereo, HT, or Phono at the 250iV2 Integrated is quite annoying between all sources.

Questions:
1. Should I centralize my Preamp to be the MiniDSP HT and have several presets?
a. Sell the Moon 280D, in favor of some other network streamer that supports SPDIF/Coax Out? WiiM Pro? Feel free to provide suggestions
b. Move away from the Phono Input on the Integrated Amp and use some ADC from MiniDSP to a coax/spdif input?
2. Keep the system as is, and use RS232 protocol on the Moon devices to automate level matching between all the Stereo, HT, and Phono? I found the entire datasheet and I can use minidsp-rs also automate and manage presets as well if needed to some Homebridge automation with a small microcontroller computer.

Overall System Impressions:
1. I barely can really hear a DAC difference between miniDSP or the Moon 280D when I play some Stereo music through either. Both sound great. Even with tidal comparisions higher sampled frequencies don't really make difference. I might need to actually bring out a UMIK with proper level matching accuracy to truly verify. Not huge a priority so far.
2. Why did I get a center? I live in a rather small space and the Phantom Center effect was too much in 1 listening spot, Movies sounded odd without the Center speaker balancing out the effect.
3. Why did I not get a traditional AVR? I thought about it but I have 1 rule. It must all fit in my TV stand without ugly AV racks.
4. Initially I was looking at the Moon ACE but it was hard to find at a reasonable price in the used market. Moon 340i was the only one with HT Bypass/Fixed Inputs but it's clearly not worth the cost, even on the used market to me.
5. Why Moon Products? Because it has no screen and buttons never go out of style nor break. Last thing I want is a crappy piece of legacy software screen 5 years down the line.

Also, don't worry I bought everything used from different people over the past few months! I won't lose much on any resale.

 

[Keith_W]

Welcome to ASR. The normal suggestion is to use your MiniDSP Flex HT as the preamp where all sources connect to it, and it does volume control and DSP before sending output to amps that power the L, C, R speakers and subwoofer(s) if any. The problem is:

The MiniDSP Flex HT does not have any analog inputs. Digital inputs only. This would be fine if your Simaudio Moon 280D had digital outputs, which it does not. So it looks as if some kind of hardware purchase is unavoidable for you. You will need:

- A phono preamp / ADC combo. MiniDSP makes one - MiniDSP ADept. Connect this to one of the digital inputs.
- A new streamer that supports digital out. As you mention, Wiim Pro is a good choice. This means your Simaudio 280D will become redundant, so you can sell it.

I'm not sure about the RS232 volume matching on your Simaudio Moon. Regardless, you have no way of sending digital output from the 280D to your MiniDSP unless there is something I overlooked.

 

[Sokel]

Welcome to ASR. The normal suggestion is to use your MiniDSP Flex HT as the preamp where all sources connect to it, and it does volume control and DSP before sending output to amps that power the L, C, R speakers and subwoofer(s) if any. The problem is:

View attachment 461475



- A phono preamp / ADC combo. MiniDSP makes one - MiniDSP ADept. Coverlooked.

Can also get away with the simpler PocketADC if doesn't need phono.

 

[Keith_W]

It seems as if he needs phono. Actually I just realised that the MiniDSP Adept has analog inputs, not just phono. So maybe that's all that he needs.

 

[Sokel]

It seems as if he needs phono. Actually I just realised that the MiniDSP Adept has analog inputs, not just phono. So maybe that's all that he needs.

If its about ditching Simaudio, yes.
If keeping it, its own phono and the rest can be used and what's only needed is a digital output.

Either can become handy.
(Adept can measure stuff too, that's what I would get, it's a good overall device if it measures as advertised)

 

[kevin645]

The RS232 serial signal lets you send packets to increase the volume/decrease. If MiniDSP/AppleTV turns on I can auto switch it to the TV input, and change the volume + inputs. Similarly any change inputs can be detected to set the volume for different use cases. The volume levels would be determined using UMIK.

It's more of a question of it's worth it doing all that work in the first place and additional USB wires to a Pi.

So it's basically what I am seeing is
1. Get a network streamer with Digital Output and sell the Moon 280D. Phono on Integrated Amp
Cost: WiiM Pro: ~$150 USD
2. Purchase Pocket ADC: from Moon280D --> Pocket ADC --> MiniDSP HT Digital Input, Leave Phono on Integrated and deal with fully pre-amp for Phono
Cost: PocketADC: ~$100 USD (After Tariffs)
3. Purchase Adept ADC: from Moon280D --<XLR interconnect>--> Adept ADC --> MiniDSP HT Digital Input, Phono --<RCA + GND>--> Adept ADC --> MiniDSP HT.
Cost: Adept: ~$400 USD (After Tariffs)
4. Leave as is.

I think the question is also valid is does it make sense to do the additional ADC + DAC Conversion by keeping the Moon 280D dac in the signal chain?

Seems like the cleanest solution is just Option 1. It's not a big deal to have to adjust volume for Phono when in use.