Any info on the miniDSP?

[SeisTres]

Ok, just sold my dbx drpa and was thinking about ordering the miniDSP. However, after going through their website, I'm not sure if it will do everything I need it to do. It seems that after I order the kit, I have to pay individually for each app to run it.

All I basically need it to do is to run my two sla's (stereo, of course) and be able to eq my TT to get rid of the room nodes. I already have the dayton measuring mic and will soon start playing with REW. However, a quick look through hometheatershak and I see no mention of the miniDSP.

I now i've seen it mentioned here a few times but does anyone here have any hands on experience with it? And yes, i am going to get the balance version. (well, if i do decide to get it)

[trumpetbri]

I have the MiniDSP and MiniAmp modules driving a pair of SLA's and a T18. I really like it. 10 watts on the mains and 20 watts on the sub is more than enough to have my wife come yelling for me to turn it down.

I use the crossover with a low pass and high pass for the sub and then high pass for the SLA's. I do a little messing with EQ but not much. I can just as easily make it sound worse as better. I've set delay on the sub since it's right behind my listening position, across the room from the SLA's but you can only do up to 7.5 ms of delay so it's limited value there. The whole things very small too.

Not sure what your concerns are - unit's fabulous for a home sound system. I don't think it'd substitute for a dcx2496 because it doesn't limit. Other than that you can do a whole bunch of processing for not much money. I got the 2.1 crossover PEQ as the plug-in to drive the MiniDSP. If you were gonna do something else with it, you'd buy one of the other plug-ins.

-Brian

[SeisTres]

Thanks for the info. What was confusing me was that thing with the plug-ins and all the options they have. It seems i will have to pick between the parametrics or graphic, but I'll read more on it and see what's offered.

And yes, I was actually going to order the balanced version so it will basically replace my dbx drpa in case I ever need to do pro sound again. But for sure, it's main focus will be home audio which in reality will be very similar to what I will run in my new prosound set up.

However, since I have my measurement mic, I'll run some tests and see how the speakers/room measure up and go from there on what I need.

[trumpetbri]

I don't think they have a 2.1 plug-in with 31 band graphic EQ. With 6 bands of parametric, on both input channels and all 4 output channels, with fully adjustable q from .5 to 50, I can't image you being unable to eq your sound.

-Brian

[DJ Funke]

I have the unbalanced minidsp. The main drawback for using the unbalanced version with pro amps is that the max output signal voltage of the minidsp is .9v and many pro amps need up to 2v. Not a problem for me as my amps reach max power at 1v.

As far as limiters, the minidsp has gain adjustments for the left and right input channel, as well as for all four output channels. I guess you could hook a volt meter up to your amp and set the gain where you want it?

[el_ingeniero]

I have the unbalanced minidsp. The main drawback for using the unbalanced version with pro amps is that the max output signal voltage of the minidsp is .9v and many pro amps need up to 2v. Not a problem for me as my amps reach max power at 1v.

As far as limiters, the minidsp has gain adjustments for the left and right input channel, as well as for all four output channels. I guess you could hook a volt meter up to your amp and set the gain where you want it?

-1

Gain control and limiting are 2 different things.

MiniDSP does not sell a limiter module. Until they do, it is unusable for BFM pro subs.

I'd happily get one to drive a dual TT+Tlah home system though. That OpenDRC box looks killer.

[Ashigari]

Would it be possible to use the DSP+AMP combination and configure it so that only the low frequencies get sent to the amp while the highs go to the outputs of the DSP?

This would allow me to use my two active boxes I currently own together with a TT...

edit: And for some reason my registration is not welcome on their site...and again the question about the power supply: will the 50 vs 60Hz in US Europe be problematic?

[bitSmasher]

question about the power supply: will the 50 vs 60Hz in US Europe be problematic?

Since both the MiniDSP and MiniAMP run on DC, power supplies shouldn't be an issue.
I'm very keen to get my MiniDSP going for a battery-powered system. Hopefully it's reliable and good quality, will make for a powerful and useful tool. Interested in the MiniAMP too, but it's 3x as much as other cheap tripath amps so I'll do more research before buying one...

[Ashigari]

Sent them a mail and they confirmed that when stacking the DSP and AMP the DSP sends the signal to both the amp and the RCA outs. Pretty good customer service

What other tripath amps did you look at? i can't seem to find a decent / cheap option that runs on european power supplies

[bitSmasher]

There are a bunch of different options on ebay, all cheap modules from China.
I'm looking at 12v/24v stuff which is DC so you can use a power adapter to suit your own country's supply.

[duder1982]

I too was looking at a Mini dsp, Since I am still new at this which one would I need and which plug in would I need. I will be running 2 ttls.
THanks
duder