Home Theater Forum and Systems banner

Minidsp quality - high end stereo

10K views 21 replies 9 participants last post by  tane0019 
#1 ·
Hello everyone. I was wondering if minidsp is appropriate for a reasonably high end two channel system. I listen to vinyl and cd. The system is a Cary CDP, Michell Orbe turntable, Herron phono stage, Supratek pre, Bryston amp and B&W 802 speakers. Is the minidsp of the same quality?
Thanks.
 
#2 ·
The miniDSP DDRC-22 series stereo processors will not degrade your sound. They have 24/96 resolution, and can be inserted between amp and preamp/source (analog version) or DAC and preamp/amp(digital version). If you don't like the idea of digitizing your vinyl while you listen, you can always bypass the miniDSP on its remote. If you get the digital-only version, you can avoid two conversions by feeding it the digital output from your DAC.

Sent from my iPad using HTShack
 
#4 ·
Lou didn’t say or infer that the miniDSP would have a detrimental effect on vinyl. He only said “if you don’t like the idea of digitizing your vinyl.” The mini should not have any audible effect beyond any settings you program into it, but some people with high end systems don’t like the prospect of converting the signal out of the pre-amp to digital (i.e. the miniDSP) and then converting back to analog, to go to the amplifier.

Regards,
Wayne
 
#22 ·
I'm currently also looking into minidsp DDRC22 series alongside other alternatives.
Seem that the max spec the current market have is 24Bits/96KHz.

My idea setup of course is to put one between my pre and power (which give my flexibilities of having multi-sources, but unfortunately need to go throu extra round of AD-DA conversion).


Not at all. The A/D-D/A conversion inside the miniDSP is handled by top-notch DACs.
BTW, what AD-DA are actually being use in 22A ?

In the miniDSP forum, it seem that after passing throu the 22A, there will have a slight hissing sound at the background. Didn't manage to get anything out from their tech support the root cause(s) for this :huh:
 
#6 ·
Thanks Wayne and Lou. I guess the key question is - Is the minidsp transparent? Is the system sound quality the same in these two situations:
1. No minidsp
2. Minidsp between pre and the amp with no equalization set.

I assume there must be some degradation given that there is an extra component in the chain but is it significant? I know there is only one way to find out if it will suit me i.e. try it myself. However I was hoping to find out if it is worth trying before spending $900 to do so. I understand from another post in the forum that the Behringer is inappropriate for a good stereo system. Given this, I wondered how the minidsp would perform.
 
#7 ·
Thanks Wayne and Lou. I guess the key question is - Is the minidsp transparent? Is the system sound quality the same in these two situations: 1. No minidsp 2. Minidsp between pre and the amp with no equalization set. I assume there must be some degradation given that there is an extra component in the chain but is it significant? I know there is only one way to find out if it will suit me i.e. try it myself. However I was hoping to find out if it is worth trying before spending $900 to do so. I understand from another post in the forum that the Behringer is inappropriate for a good stereo system. Given this, I wondered how the minidsp would perform.
A review of the miniDSP DDRC-22D Dirac Live can be found here. You can skip over the measurement stuff to get to the listening session at the end. I don't want to lead you astray, because I have no direct experience with the outboard unit. Maybe someone else does, and will check in here to help. I can tell you that it would be easy enough to totally bypass the unit by disconnecting it. I know that's a hassle, but once you hear what Dirac can do for the sound, you'll want to leave it hooked all the time. How do I know that? My AVR has Dirac Live processing, and it works wonders for room and speaker deficiencies.

Sent from my iPad using HTShack
 
#8 ·
I have been in some situations where it sounds a little better going digital all the way until after your DSP. It all depends on your DAC quality. In some situations, it would be hard to tell. Just as my personal rule of thumb, I always go digital all the way then analogue just to the amps and speakers. I have a good friend who is an audiophile. He recorded all this vinyl with a quality turn table down to lossless files on his massive hard drive he has. He said he can't tell the difference and his vinyls won't wear out. Just food for thought.

Regards,
David

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note II
 
#9 ·
Great thread here! I'm also contemplating the use of a high end EQ device for my 2ch setup with subs. My concern is the following:

If using high res files playing through Jriver on a PC, into a USB parasound Zdac dac, into parasound JC2 preamp, then into a parasound A21 amp, would the miniDSp products limit me or degrade the sound in anyway? My goal is simple, I need to crossover the mains to 80hz and send the remaning lows to the sub.....no other EQing or room correction. I'm guessing the DDRC -22a offered the best sound quality?

I guess the thought of adding in another a/d conversion before the amp scares me.
 
#10 ·
I’ve never heard of anyone complaining about the miniDSP sound quality, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t be happy with it. Another A/D conversion isn’t an issue with a quality device, but if it concerns you there’s no shortage of professional-grade electronic crossovers to choose from. The DDRC-22a seems like an expensive waste in your situation, if all you need is a simple crossover.

Regards,
Wayne
 
#11 ·
Thanks Wayne. Out of curiosity, what other devices offer XO and sub capability other than the mini dsp? My concern is that the mini dsp and HD version only sample up to 48khz-96khz respectively. I have high res files with sample rates up to 192. So technically there would be some conversion and theoretically a chance for a loss in sound quality.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top