Ways to get more than 8 analog outputs without clock sync issues?

[Tom C]

I don’t know jack, but for a project like this, I’d lean toward something like the following:

RME card

 

[sarumbear]

I want the PC to have enough analog outputs that it can perform crossover and time-alignment duties between drivers. So, I need more than 8 outputs.

I don’t know jack, but for a project like this, I’d lean toward something like the following:

RME card

He said he needs more than 8 analogue outs.

 

[Tom C]

He said he needs more than 8 analogue outs.

Yes, that’s why I referenced. It’s spec is for 32 channels

 

[sarumbear]

Yes, that’s why I referenced. It’s spec is for 32 channels

It can be configured to have up to 8 analogue output channels. The stereo main plus the phones out and 4 outputs on the optional 4 ch analogue output board.

 

[Tom C]

It can be configured to have up to 8 analogue output channels. The stereo main plus the phones out and 4 outputs on the optional 4 ch analogue output board.

Yes. But it’ll put our digital in up to 32, all synced to one master clock.

 

[MAB]

Oh, yeah, I should have mentioned that this will be going into a car

How about this?

C-DSP 8x12 V2.0

The miniDSP C-DSP 8x12 is a multichannel Digital Signal Processor (DSP) targeting mobile/car audio installations. The audio configuration of 8 x inputs (analog and digital) by 12 x outputs is perfect for multi-way setups and easily controllable from Win/Mac platforms.

www.minidsp.com

Or the Dirac version:

C-DSP 8x12 DL

The miniDSP C-DSP 8x12DL is a multichannel Digital Signal Processor (DSP) targeting mobile / car audio installations. The audio configuration of 8 x inputs (analog and digital) by 12 x outputs is perfect for multi-way setups and easily controllable from Win/Mac platforms. The platform support...

www.minidsp.com

 

[sarumbear]

Yes. But it’ll put our digital in up to 32, all synced to one master clock.

I don't understand why the poster will need up to 32 digital inputs when he said he needs more than 8 analogue outputs.

 

[MAB]

Or, this from Alpine:

PXE-X09

Hi-Resolution Digital Sound Processor

www.alpine-usa.com

More expensive than the 12-channel MiniDSP I posted above, but 16-channels.

 

[MAB]

And, lastly, I finally found the review done here at ASR by @Philipp Paul Klose

miniDSP Harmony 8x12 Car Audio Amplifier - Review and Measurements

This is a review and the results of a measurement session from the miniDSP Harmony 8x12 car audio amplifier. The company provided me with a sample. It retails at 1049 USD on the miniDSP site (https://www.minidsp.com/products/car-audio-dsp/harmony-8x12). It is quite a remarkable box that seems...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Harmony DSP 8x12

The all-digital Harmony DSP 8x12 integrated DSP/amplifier features six-channels digital audio input via USB, stereo digital optical input, Dirac Live® acoustic correction, and 12 output channels with up to 480W of power output. Hardware features dedicated to the vehicle environment include an...

www.minidsp.com

This is 12-channels of amplifier plus DSP, with Dirac, and seems pretty remarkable.

 

[josby]

I don’t know jack, but for a project like this, I’d lean toward something like the following:

RME card

Thanks, but another limitation I failed to mention is that the PC will be a little 8"x8"x2" miniature one, so the solution needs to be external via USB.

 

[josby]

How about this?

C-DSP 8x12 V2.0

The miniDSP C-DSP 8x12 is a multichannel Digital Signal Processor (DSP) targeting mobile/car audio installations. The audio configuration of 8 x inputs (analog and digital) by 12 x outputs is perfect for multi-way setups and easily controllable from Win/Mac platforms.

www.minidsp.com

Or the Dirac version:

C-DSP 8x12 DL

The miniDSP C-DSP 8x12DL is a multichannel Digital Signal Processor (DSP) targeting mobile / car audio installations. The audio configuration of 8 x inputs (analog and digital) by 12 x outputs is perfect for multi-way setups and easily controllable from Win/Mac platforms. The platform support...

www.minidsp.com

I had checked those out, but the problem is they aren't USB audio interfaces. The USB port on them is just for configuring the DSP. They only output sound that's come in via their 6 analog jacks or 2-channel SPDIF input. Their optical interface doesn't support ADAT.

 

[josby]

Or, this from Alpine:

PXE-X09

Hi-Resolution Digital Sound Processor

www.alpine-usa.com

More expensive than the 12-channel MiniDSP I posted above, but 16-channels.

Same problem there - the Alpine doesn't function as a USB audio card and its digital input is only stereo.

 

[josby]

And, lastly, I finally found the review done here at ASR by @Philipp Paul Klose

miniDSP Harmony 8x12 Car Audio Amplifier - Review and Measurements

This is a review and the results of a measurement session from the miniDSP Harmony 8x12 car audio amplifier. The company provided me with a sample. It retails at 1049 USD on the miniDSP site (https://www.minidsp.com/products/car-audio-dsp/harmony-8x12). It is quite a remarkable box that seems...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Harmony DSP 8x12

The all-digital Harmony DSP 8x12 integrated DSP/amplifier features six-channels digital audio input via USB, stereo digital optical input, Dirac Live® acoustic correction, and 12 output channels with up to 480W of power output. Hardware features dedicated to the vehicle environment include an...

www.minidsp.com

This is 12-channels of amplifier plus DSP, with Dirac, and seems pretty remarkable.

Yeah, that unit is definitely cool and does function as a USB sound card, but only a 6 channel one, so it can't do 7.1 playback.

I do plan to run Dirac on the PC, though.

 

[MAB]

Yeah, that unit is definitely cool and does function as a USB sound card, but only a 6 channel one, so it can't do 7.1 playback.

I do plan to run Dirac on the PC, though.

Got it. I see. Really good luck, keep us posted!

 

[Tom C]

This one’s for @sarumbear :
Universal Audio

 

[sarumbear]

This one’s for @sarumbear :
Universal Audio

May I ask why you point that device to my attention?

 

[lashto]

Oh, yeah, I should have mentioned that this will be going into a car, ...

In that case your best bet should be specialized in-car processors. You get car-specific DSP and 'everything' else needed in a car.
Here's a list of latest and greatest: https://eisa.eu/awards/in-car-electronics/
The 12 channel flagships Brax and Helix look very impressive (on paper), the specified SINAD is way better than any of the home-theater processors tested around here. No idea about the prices but I would guess "not cheap"

 

[sarumbear]

In that case your best bet should be specialized in-car processors. You get car-specific DSP and 'everything' else needed in a car.
Here's a list of latest and greatest: https://eisa.eu/awards/in-car-electronics/
The 12 channel flagships Brax and Helix look very impressive (on paper), the specified SINAD is way better than any of the home-theater processors tested around here. No idea about the prices but I would guess "not cheap"

The tech in car audio market is phenomenal. Indeed, why would the OP consider anything else than that Brax and Helix unit for the job?

 

[lashto]

The tech in car audio market is phenomenal. Indeed, why would the OP consider anything else than that Brax and Helix unit for the job?

The specsheets of those devices do indeed look 'phenomenal'. Would be great to see one of those things on @amirm's bench

a list with prices https://www.srcartunes.com/shop-processors. Pretty big diffs in prices but don't ask me why, I have no experience with any of those devices

 

[Tom C]

May I ask why you point that device to my attention?

16 channels of audio out.
Edit: Sorry, I meant analog out.