THE Crossover Thread

[Mohawk]

 

[George S.]

Absolutely! I bumped the output gain up to 2V RMS. Exactly as you said, a huge improvement in dynamics.
Also increased the input sensitivity up, but it was too high. With the preamp volume all the way down, what little signal it still passed was getting amplified and heard on the speakers.
The system is dead quiet with the lower sensitivity setting.
I really like this.
And thanks for sharing the photos of your fantastic system.

 

[George S.]

Lot of unused component markings on that board.

Yup, they also made a 10X10 HD version using the same board.

 

[George S.]

The 4x10 HD is out of production and has been replaced by the flex series.
Apparently a dramatic improvement in the AD converter.
The reviews I have read tend to agree.

https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-flex-eight

Yup, every review I read agrees.
This will get me further down the road on my active crossover journey.
And it is better than my old first generation 2x4.
The difference in sound quality when watching videos like DUST on YouTube is much better.

 

[Mohawk]

What I don't like about the Flex series....... the flex 8 doesn't have an analog input anymore !
and it's in a tiny box...

I wish they, (MiniDSP) put the flex series "guts" into the 4x10HD rack mountable case.....

I'm thinking I will need to build a high quality AD converter so I have a analog input option.




https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/inte...cm1804-rca-to-spdif-24bit-192khz-p-17047.html

 

[Bob Boyer]

I like the looks of the basic minidsp Flex as long as you're just bi-amping.

 

[laatsch55]

So....if you guys are digital inputs , no analog pre eh? Just digital source?

 

[Hexis22]

Digital sources, quality DAC, analog pre, monster amp…

 

[Mohawk]

The "old" Minidsp 4x10 HD has an analog input....
The DSP that replaces it, the Flex series does not !

ARG......

 

[mr_rye89]

Not Linux compatible so that can be annoying, might give the software a go in virtualbox.

The 2x4 looks like a good fit for my system as I have more analog than digital sources.

 

[George S.]

I bought the old original 2X4 right after they first went on sale many years ago. That 2X4 was superseded by the 2X4 HD, and the now newer DDRC-24. The DDRC-24 is supposedly a 2X4 HD upgraded with Dirac Live software for room correction.
Yup, I use the unbalanced RCA jacks on the 4X10 HD. It has one pair of RCA inputs for the PL2000 pre, and four pair of RCA outputs which will drive four amps.
It can also operate as a preamp if I unlock the Master Volume Control in the software. That single knob on the front has multiple functions.
I keep the the MVC locked on 0 dB unity gain, and use the PL preamp volume control.
Truth is, the 4X10 HD is old tech. Check out the DDRC-88A with Dirac and optional Dirac Bass Management. It's not available due to parts shortages. Look at the one that's been on eBay for several weeks
Minidsp has some interesting stuff. Unfortunately, they have no good offerings right now for what I want other than running dual 2X4 HD to drive four amps via RCA. Yes, one can easily run multiple MiniDsp products in one system.

 

[mr_rye89]

I'm also looking at the Dayton DSP-408. It has an optional bluetooth thingy and control with iOS and Android. I'm thinking aside from an active crossover I'd like a touch of EQ and some time alignment for my drivers. A DSP seems like the least destructive way to get there.

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayto...sor-for-Home-and-Car-Audio-230-500?quantity=1

 

[mr_rye89]

There’s also the freetard route

https://freedsp.github.io/

The MiniDSP 2x4 ain’t gonna cut it cuz I’m gonna need 6 outputs to run subs. I kinda want to replace the preamp with the DSP as well

 

[George S.]

Damn! This might be the ultimate solution. Thanks Kyle.

 

[George S.]

Think I'm going to pass on pursuing a "freedsp". Looks like the project ultimately fizzled out, and there are now issues with getting the parts.
Appears there is also a fairly steep learning curve with the software.
All in all, really cool, but more work and $ than I want to dedicate myself to.

 

[Gepetto]

Think I'm going to pass on pursuing a "freedsp". Looks like the project ultimately fizzled out, and there are now issues with getting the parts.
Appears there is also a fairly steep learning curve with the software.
All in all, really cool, but more work and $ than I want to dedicate myself to.

One of many take the money and run projects

 

[mr_rye89]

Yeah I went cross eyed looking at that. If they had boards available it might be worthwhile unless the software was deprecated.

I’m leaning towards the Dayton. I downloaded the app and it looks pretty good. I’ll likely need my phone to control the volume remotely. If only MiniDSP had a 2x6……

 

[George S.]

Got the Budwig feet installed on the MiniDsp 4X10 HD.
Reviews stated the chassis are thin and flimsy, but I don't find that true at all. This one is very heavy rigid steel.
It's a big improvement over the 1st generation 2X4 and I really like it. Going to upgrade again to the latest if it becomes available.
Yup, they're built to a price point, but I think you get a lot for the money.

 

[laatsch55]

Not bad amongst all that silver...

 

[George S.]

Yup, not bad. Having equal spacing with the same feet on all pieces helps.