Dude these MiniDSP SHD videos are a God sent. I was so so so lost and you’ve made most of it so much clearer. I’m trying to stream into my McIntosh C-500 tube preamp/controller and having issues with the DAC. My turntable sounds great but any digital signal sounds 🤮

Thank you so much for doing this video, I am going to order the Mini DSP SHD Studio after my pre amp returns from getting an upgrade at VAC in a week or two. I am willing to try this DSP in my 2CH system. (No subs)

When Dirac corrects the impulse response, it is also, by definition, correcting phase response. Perfect impulse response means flat amplitude and phase responses.

Regarding phase shift, at the crossover region there is already phase shift due to the crossover design. 1/4 wave per -6 db slope type. -24 LR actually fixes phase shift by one full cycle. but it's still off by one cycle at the crossover point. But throughout the crossover region, there could be many phase issues. EQ can fix those issues throughout the entire crossover region. The right EQ actually fixes the phase shift problem. In my experience, Getting EQ perfect to the nearest .1 DB is critical and the sound can open up and sound more natural and real as Danny at GR research always talks about. When this happens, every very frequency from bottom to top sounds clearer, with better tonality, and increases the dynamics when it's done right when all the drivers are working in perfect time and phase. You can get even better results using ALL pass filters when doing the measurement sweeps, but it's complicated to explain. I switched from the Umik-1 to the Umik-2 and got results that made my system 10 entire levels better. But you have to: 1. Tell the computer to use the Umik-2 as the primary sound card. 2. Download the driver that opens up the choices on the computer to select 32 bit 192. Without that driver you are limited to 24 bit 96Khz. Maybe you are aware of all this? In fact the more precise you position the microphone during the sweeps, the better the results.

@AudiophileJunkie

Жыл бұрын

Good info...I actually just got done using Clio measurements after the fact and the EQ to further fix things. I was already doing it before, but JR with WallyTools came by and had even more experience with Clio. As you mentioned, crossover slopes matter and we did some adjustments there in my system to dial things in further. I will have a new video soon to share and specific application to my system.

@hiresaudiocosta873

Жыл бұрын

@@AudiophileJunkie Awesome!!! Looking forward to the new video. I believe that you have the best content which aligns with my philosophy with regards to two channel stereo reproduction. I can tell that you are very intelligent and are open to learning new tricks which may lead to a better listening experience. In 2016, I flew across the country from Massachusetts to California to audition the Magic Bus ( Jon Whitledge creation ) and audition all the vendors at T.H.E SHOW where Jon introduced me to Steve McCormack at the beginning of my Audiophile journey. I thoroughly enjoyed music all my life without realizing what a sound stage was. I was 48 when I first heard separation around instruments as my system started getting more precise. It took me about 1 full year to get use to listening to music that way and I listen daily. I'm interested in Joining your channel, as I'm hungry to learn as much as possible. The system I've been putting together for the last 11 years finally has a huge stage and it's strongest point is instrument separation and layering. On some tracks some instruments sound like they are 30 plus feet back while at the same time the center image is really close. Thank you again for all the information, tips, and tricks you have learned over the years of experience and thank you for sharing with us.

Awesome videos I'm really enjoying this series. I pulled my watch Dog 2 subwoofer out of the mix yesterday. I just did a sweep with my sashes. I'm struggling to get some of the unwanted bass out of my room. I'm chatting to GIK acoustics at the moment and a company here in Australia. With the intent to get my room treated. At that point I guess I will re-introduce the sub and get the integration correct, which I'm struggling with at the moment. The one thing that is still happening when I sweep my room with Dirac is the curtain is sitting at just under 200 hz this time. I think it's just setting itself there because of my room. I can pull the curtain back out to 20 Hz, but the frequency response doesn't ramp up before 40 Hz on the sweep. There's definitely a lot of comb filtering and frequency cancellation in this room. And I'm not sure if Dirac live is actually functioning properly. It's all a bit confusing and I am feeling out of my depth a bit, and hoping I'm getting this all right but not confident I am to be honest.

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah...it sounds like Dirac is self-regulating itself with the curtains. I've been using it since the early days when that wasn't a feature, so it may have been added to address the issues I brought up previously. It's frustrating getting your room right, but the payoff is more than any XYZ brand name switch in gear can do. You've obviously got great equipment, so it's now just a matter of going through the steps to get optimal performance from them. Good luck and hope some of the tips helped.

@shanestephenson8423

2 жыл бұрын

@@AudiophileJunkie absolutely I'm enjoying everything you produce. I have learnt heaps along the way. I'm a fan of the channel and will continue to be so always looking forward to the next thing that you produce. There's no doubt Daric has already made a big difference to the presentation as I said earlier. But I'm always striving for as close to perfection as I can get it. And of course enjoying the journey to get there. 👍😁🎧

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

That's the perfect attitude to have in this hobby. It's so much more fun when you start finding things that make REAL improvements. Then it gets exciting to see how far you can go as well as learn new things along the way. I'm still learning and enjoying the hobby so much more with that mindset. The key was getting a level of knowledge and experience to filter out good advice versus all the bad advice out there. That's one of the missions of my channel... To help others shortcut the learning curve I had to go through taking bad advice. Glad you're enjoying the channel and best of luck on your room treatments.

@shanestephenson8423

2 жыл бұрын

@@AudiophileJunkie yeah that's where i feel lucky having a channel like this to learn from. I teach young kids an apprentice program my trade is automotive refinishing. I do big dollar high-end car restoration work. And I work very much on the same process and philosophy you seem to. Which is teaching the right way the first time so you don't make the common mistakes everyone makes through lack of experience. I'll keep you posted on how the room treatment process goes. 🎧😁👍. Thanks again for taking the time and keep up the great work.

I have Roon too but I also use the embedded Volumio instance for radio/podcasts... and Spotify (for my better half, personally I use Qobuz in Roon). I wish it could run the Roon core!

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

Agree ...Volumio is ok, but not in the same league as Roon

Good stuff. I saw an interview with a Dirac guy who was keen on the multi-sub approach of Geddes/Toole...sounded like that was their next step. Am I right that you would need one of the minidsp Dirac processors in addition to the SHD to accommodate the 3-4 bass channels plus the two mains channels?

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

You could daisy chain extra subs from the same channel...kinda like REL does with the arrays and just use the sub controls to do further adjustments per sub.

Thanks!

One of my DACs only has a USB digital input (no AES, Coax, Optical). Is it possible to connect the SHD Studio?

@Audiophile Junkie: Will the SHD allow me to take an XLR analog input and then output via XLR & RCA at the same time? I would use my balanced DAC XLR output into the SHD, then use (2) XLR output to a power amp for speakers, and (2) RCA outputs to my 2 subs. Just not sure if it will allow mix/match the balanced input/outputs with RCA input/outputs

@AudiophileJunkie

Жыл бұрын

You should be fine. It has 4 output channels that can be used RCA or XLR.

Is there a sonic 'penalty' running Dirac and DSP on the analog signal (post external DAC processing) vs doing the DSP all digitally (pre external DAC)?

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

I would do everything in the digital domain at the same time. That's why this piece is so awesome.

Are you using it as a preamp or all in the digital domain? Is it's the latter, how do you control the volume of the sub? Thanks for the great insight.

@AudiophileJunkie

Жыл бұрын

Yes I use everything except the built in streamer

Saw this for the first time yesterday nad subscribed. Amazing. You convinced ne to buy the SHD. Plus I saw on one of your videos yesterday that they were using the SHD in one of the listening rooms at the show. Two questions. 1. I'm going to run my Merrill Turntable with Eminent Technology ET II arm and an Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 cartridge to a Audible Illusions IIIA tube pre-amp into the SHD am I going to lose a lot of sound quality going into the SHD? I wanted it for the Dirac. 2. Can I connect a Cambridge Audio CXC v2 transport CD into it and using it as the DAC?

@AudiophileJunkie

Жыл бұрын

Everybody I know with a turntable and DSP uses the DSP with the analog too. They say there's no trade-off or any trade-offs are far more offset by the advantages.

@DrAlanWeinstein

Жыл бұрын

@@AudiophileJunkie ​ Perfect and it will act as a DAC for the CD transport? Sending you a Super Thanks!

@DrAlanWeinstein

Жыл бұрын

@@AudiophileJunkie Is there anyway to use the same sub woofer and L & R front speakers in both the AVR theatre mode and then as a two channel with sub stereo system using the SHD miniDSP so I have Dirac in the two-channel stereo system and my higher end pre-amp and mono amps are not being degraded by the AVR receiver when listening to audio only? Thanks

@AudiophileJunkie

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes it can be the DAC

@AudiophileJunkie

Жыл бұрын

As for the sub question, I'm not exactly sure of your hookup options but here's what I do... My sub has both .1 inputs and balanced. Thus, my SSP uses the .1 input into the sub while the SHD uses the XLR. Depending on what you are playing at the time, the sub will use that input. Alternatively on another sub, I have outputs from the SHD and SSP going into an XLR switch box. I have to manually flip the switch when I choose one or the other, but it's not a huge deal for me. Hope that helps.

Have you ever tried/compared it to something from the DEQX product line? If so/no, thoughts on that?

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

I have heard the deqx but haven't done a formal comparison in my system. I just tried the DSPeaker Anti mode 2.0 product in my friend's system and will have some feedback on that soon.

I think I missed it. But, are you running 2 subs in Mono or Stereo for the EQ and crossover stuff? 80hrz and below they say you can’t localize it. Thanks for all the help.

@AudiophileJunkie

Жыл бұрын

Mono...I crossover low but also use a steep 48db slope

@mudnsavy

Жыл бұрын

Wow. That was fast. Thanks so much. Happy Listening.

Hi I am sure that you have used a lot of DAC/pre units over the years. How does the sound of the MiniDSP SHD stand up or compare? I mean by listening not by measurements. Note, this with the DSP and crossover functionality disabled, i.e., not considered. Regards Dag

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah.. I've had up to $15k DAC and preamps. This is the most neutral and silent. No added sweetness like some tubes pre/DAC I've had, but I wouldn't swap this one out for any other... Especially when you add in all the other features. It's probably the biggest steal I've ever bought.

I'm a newbie to all of this and will likely be ordering the SHD this week to try DIRAC in addition to my primary desire, which is better integrating my stereo pair of subs. I have a denafrips DAC that I like, it's also new so I'm not ready to give it up. My plans using the SHD is that I'll connect my bluesound node via coax to the SHD, then use digital coax out to the denafrips DAC for my mains. I'll then use the internal DAC of the SHD and two of it's analog outs to go RCA to my LR subs. I'm wondering about delay. I know the SHD can accommodate this, but should I expect that my DAC will have a delay processing the signal? If that's the case, I should expect my subs to be firing 'ahead' of the signal to my mains which first go through my external DAC, then off to my integrated amp (also adds delay?) I'm guessing my rel subs and it's class AB amps will also add some delay between signal processing and amplification. Am I over-complicating all of this? Will it simply be a matter of doing some impulse response test and I'll get a reported delay (delta) between the two systems? (E.g. system 1 being DAC, integrated amp and mains. System 2 being the 2 subs with active amplification) . I'm hoping this isn't the big deal that I'm imagining it could be. I remember someone discussing how the r2r DAC was not good for movies/tv because the signal processing delay was enough to offset the timecode and alignment between audio and video. I'm strictly 2 channel in this example, or rather 2.2 but am starting to build this out and it's coming clear that the "2" and the ".2" are really separate systems in their own right, and hoping this will help to integrate them sonically, not drive them further apart. The use of two DACs in the chain also worries me from sonic matching standpoint and possible time delay issues stated above. I'm hoping that a better crossover point, near-perfect time and phase alignment, measured gain control, and PEQ for my room mode at 40Hz will all be so significant that it negates any potential downside from introducing a different 'flavor' of DAC for my subs.

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

It should definitely help your situation one you are able to dial things in with proper settings. However, I personally wouldn't use an external DAC for the concerns you noted. It might be fine, guy you can A/B the DAC in the SHD and I bet you'll find it every bit as good as the Denafrips. Even if you like the "color" of the Denafrips, you can modify the SHD settings to give you that same "flavor" with the EQ. The key is having patience and fun dialing in the settings exactly to your tastes. Dirac defaults will help immediately if you follow some of my tips, but ultimately your specific tastes may lead you to fine tune EQ and crossover settings in the SHD to what you prefer. I've saved over 30 modifications I've made gradually dialing things in more and more over time. It's time consuming, but rewarding as you hear the improvements that can be made to tailor your system to the room and your tastes.

@erics.4113

2 жыл бұрын

@@AudiophileJunkie thanks for the help! I suppose my worst case is to use the SHD as a pure analog processor (after my denafrips) if I really can't go without the denafrips in the system. If there is a sonic penalty vs the all digital route using the SHD DAC I can reconsider from that point. I could save a lot of money if I knew the answer and go with 2x4 hd (with or without Dirac) if I really wanted to save money. But who wants to save money if they can get better sound? Lol So the full SHD may ultimately have more features than I'll use, or expose my $900 DAC as an extraneous and unneeded expense if I get better results from a pure SHD setup. I suppose the bluesound could also fit in there as well since the streamer options are also built into the SHD. . It's going to be difficult to not add personal prejudice against the SHD DAC since I invested in the denafrips. I'll try my best though! Very excited if not a little overwhelmed with taking this next step. I'm fully aware of the sheer number of possible setup and config options down this road. All for learning and better sound. Couldn't be happier to spend the time with it

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

Best of luck... It will be fun and rewarding for sure.

@phillipmorris9847

9 ай бұрын

​@@erics.4113 update ? Did you try the shd

@mikeb.6626

7 ай бұрын

Hey Eric, I'm about to implement the same setup:external DAC after the SHD and analog out to a REL sub. How did it work out for you?

Unless you have an insanely highly treated room built to exacting specs; It is not ‘dogma’ to espouse the view equalization is mandatory at low frequencies………..it is science. I admit the efficacy of eq is debatable at high frequencies but 20 hz - 120hz; as a practical matter there really is no other way to go.

I wish MiniDSP would offer a 30 day return policy, they don’t except returns on any of their products 🙁👎

@AudiophileJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

Didn't know that and I can understand that it seems less attractive. However, return policies add high costs to everyone else buying. You'd be surprised how many people take advantage of return policies... Just ask anyone who works are a department store like Saks... Whatever dress is bought on Friday gets returned Monday by a large percentage of people. If it means the base price is lower for minidsp products, then that's an overall win for those who are serious buyers. It also makes people research and understand the product better before buying, which is also a net positive. You still have a warranty, and there are enough reviews to show measurements and engineering quality such that there isn't much risk. If it were a dubious tweak product, I would be more concerned.

Good review but you talk too much

Thanks!