The most optimal way to upgrade 2.0 to 2.2+DSP (I need help)

[LeChef86]

Hello everyone,

I wish to upgrade to 2.2 + all digital DSP. I currently have a 2.0-powered setup (PC / Shield > D70 > A70pro > LCD5 / 2.0 Kali IN-8 v2).

I was thinking of doing:
a) Shield > miniDSP SHD Studio > D70 > A70pro > 2x subwoofer + 2.0 Kali IN-8 v2 / LCD5.
b) Shield / PC > miniDSP Flex > A70pro > 2x subwoofer + 2.0 Kali IN-8 v2 / LCD5.
c) Shield / PC > D70 > A70pro > 2x Neumann KH750 + 2x Neumann 120 II DSP (and use Neumann's integrated DSP function; the most expensive and the least desirable idea)

Can A70+D70 output 4 separate channels for me to be able to use DSP to its full potential by separately controlling sub-channels? Both A70pro and D70 have 2x RCA + 2x XLR outs.
Can they work simultaneously or it's either/or? Am I missing something here?

I am looking for the best way to integrate DSP into the existing system. As a last resort, I may be able to get rid of D70 with minimal losses if necessary and replace it with a DSP-enabled DAC instead. I don't wish to lose the fidelity of Topping devices by switching to some other 'all-in-one' solution.


What are your thoughts?

Grateful,
Chef

 

[staticV3]

Can A70+D70 output 4 separate channels for me to be able to use DSP to its full potential by separately controlling sub-channels?

No. RCA and XLR always output identical signals.

Can they work simultaneously or it's either/or?

The outputs can be used simultaneously.

Am I missing something here?

Yes, a multichannel DAC. Something like the miniDSP Flex.

 

[LeChef86]

Thanks for the reply.

I just edited the post, adding miniDSP Flex as an idea.

Is 4-channel DSP the best way to go (Dirac x miniDSP)?

Yes, a multichannel DAC. Something like the miniDSP Flex.

How would I integrate a headphone amp in that case? Should I just do speakers / headphones separately then: PC / Shield > Flex > Speakers (USB switch) PC / Shield > D70 > A70pro > LCD5?
Or maybe use miniDSP Flex8 to hook-up A70 to it since it has channels to spare?

 

[Waxx]

I do something similar with a MiniDSP Flex in one of my (diy) setups, and that works flawless. The DAC of the flex is up to par with the top, and it's the easiest way do do a setup like that. I use outboard amps for my bass (sub and midbass covered by one driver) in my configuration, but you could use active subwoofers in your setup with the MiniDSP as preamp/dsp/dac.

And use your D70/A70 dedicated for your headphone system. You can switch output in your computer system by switching between the flex and the D70 in the software. I do that all the time in my office between two systems (hifi on Cambridge DacMagic 100 and my plantronics headset for teams meetings or other internet phone calls (different systems) and that is very easy to do (at least on a windows 10 computer). The system with the miniDSP is in an other room (my living room)

 

[LeChef86]

@Waxx Thank you for describing your system. I find information like this very valuable.

One of the challenges that I am facing is the fact I actually need the system to fulfill 4 different objectives:

1. PC > Headphones (Critical listening)
2. Digital Media Player > Headphones (Movies when it's a bit late)
3. PC > Speakers (Casual listening) - Needs DSP for room correction.
4. Digital Media Player > Speakers (Movies) - Needs DSP for room correction.

I am looking to keep the number of different devices to a minimum (one DAC, rather than two; active speakers, etc...), as I do all of these things from my desk. I just slide the TV closer when it's time for a movie. It's a small space.

The idea is to have both the media player and PC connected to the DAC at the same time and switch the DAC's input using a remote or a button.

Question: The Media Player (Ugoos Am6b+) can output up to 32/192 via S/PDIF Toslink. I heard horror stories about Toslink (optical cables), their lack of bandwidth, and possible jitter, so I am trying to avoid that. Should I go for a USB>COAX adapter or try to find a good optical cable?

Potential solution 1: If the Toslink is a no-go, I was thinking of getting a USB switch, but I am a bit scared of the potential noise it might introduce to the system. What are your thoughts?
Potential solution 2: If the Toslink is a no-go, I can feed the DAC from the Media Player's USB port by using a USB>COAX adapter.
Potential solution 3: Find a good optical cable and use the Media Playe's Toslink port > DAC Toslink port.

Idea: Maybe buy mniniDSP FlexHT, and future-proof myself in case I decide to build a surround system (it has an eARC port)?

Question 2: Is there anything comparable to miniDSP Flex or FlexHT but with balanced analog outs? Just for the commodity of using the full pre-amp potential of it (4 wires(differential cables)>2xvoltage>no SPL penalty>can use lower gain>less distortion)?

 

[Waxx]

MiniDSP Flex exist in an balanced version (with jack connectors, but balanced)

Optical is in theory slower than copper, but for digital audio it doesn't matter as the data transferred never comes near to the physical limits off optical. The Toslink format was limited in bandwith in the past, but the modern version is not anymore and can do 24bit 192kHz. I did send files like that to my MiniDSP Flex over toslink, and it had no issue to play those. DSD and other non PCM formats it won't do (but so not the MiniDSP). But with modern Toslink connectors and cables it should play all standard PCM formats without an issue.

And to be honest, you can't hear a difference between 44.1 or 192kHz. Those higher formats are only relevant during production, and the higher ones (above 96kHz) are even there overkill. 24bit has a theoretical advantage over 16bit, but in reality there is very few analog electronics that has that resolution, so even in 44.1kHz 16bit, with modern high quality neutral dacs and amplification the digital side will not be the limiting factor, your speakers will be it. I myself only use 24bit wav formats for audio production (i'm a former music producer (low level amateur underground) and i'm still a radiohost/producer (local universaty radio station) and all i record is in 24bit because it has to be mixed. But the end file is always 16bit 44.1 or 48kHz (depending if it's music production or broadcast) losless PCM (.wav). In proffessional studio's they mostly record 24bit 88.1 or 96kHz PCM. Higher bitrates are often just oversampled from that recording, not recorded at that higher bitrate.