Tips for next pre-amp?

[huba]

Hi,

I currently have a setup with a minidsp shd, connected to a subwoofer and digitally connected to a rme adi-2 dac fs, feeding a dual mono apollon hypex, powering the front speakers.

I use crossover and eq features, but I don´t use dirac. Happy with the sound, but wondering if there are «better» solutions for my 2.1 system. Good eq and crossover functionality is a must.

 

[staticV3]

The SHD is a fully transparent DSP+DAC with preamp function, so in terms of hardware there's nothing more to upgrade, and even the ADI-2 doesn't serve much function here.

A software upgrade then is the only part you could look into, with DLBC or Dirac ART being the obvious (but definitely not the only) candidates.

 

[voodooless]

but wondering if there are «better» solutions

Define "better"?

 

[Sernyl]

On the reverse side :
My setup is a bit different : ADI-2 pro-fs-be (!) to Boxem + Dynaudio subs.
If Dirac is not used, why add a mini dsp ?
Regards,

 

[voodooless]

why add a mini dsp ?

Your RME has multiple outputs; the one @huba has is only 2-channel.

 

[Sernyl]

Ah, sorry...
I use the crossovers included in the 9S subs.
Just simpler for me than using multiple outputs (which I have tried).

 

[voodooless]

Ah, sorry...
I use the crossovers included in the 9S subs.
Just simpler for me than using multiple outputs (which I have tried).

That means no high-pass for the speakers, and no separate EQ for the sub. Probably not ideal.

 

[Groovy]

Minidsp Flex?

 

[Sernyl]

That means no high-pass for the speakers, and no separate EQ for the sub. Probably not ideal.

Not exactly.
The two 9S are active, with filters:
" Adjustable lowpass filter to set the perfect crossover frequency.
SAT output with defeatable highpass filter. "
More here :

https://dynaudio.com/faq/subwoofer-9s-manual.

...and easy to chain multiple ones, when I'll get the money :-(

 

[huba]

Define "better"?

Maybe purer signalpaths. Now; two separate dacs one for sub and rme for mains. SHD processes audio internally at a fixed rate, which typically involves reclocking and resampling the input signal to a set sample rate (24/96?). Then sent to rme dac. If the rme had a sub out with crossover ( i have some issues with room nodes, so need proper tools to get this good), i would let the shd go. There is Trinnov, but expensive.

 

[voodooless]

I would not worry about "purity". Almost any form of DSP involves resampling to a fixed rate. This process is generally fully transparent.

The RME that @Sernyl has has multiple outputs, so that could possibly replace your RME+SHD. But the EQ options are fairly limited. You can also just ignore the RME. As @staticV3 already mentioned, the SHD is already respectable by itself.

You may also consider a WiiM Ultra. It has EQ/room correction and sub-out, streamer, HDMI input, etc..