TOPIC: SHD to power amp

Hi, I'm currently using the SHD Studio with an integrated amp. I use the integrated as power amp sort of by leaving the volume control of the integrated at 2 o'clock setting. I use the SHD Studio remote for volume control. Now I'm thinking about buying a real power amp (Naim Nap 200). I'm concerned though about the volume control. The SHD volume by remote doesn't always behave nicely. Sometimes it gets louder when I want to lower volume. So I'm worried to blow my speakers when that would happen with a powerful power amp. I've no direct experience in this.

I could set the SHD plugin output to -20dB. Would that be enough to prevend full output to the speakers at all times?

Another thing is turning on the power amp. Would it matter in what order I would power on and off the SHD Studio, dac and power amp chain?

jaaptina wrote:
I'd only put your SHD Studio into standby rather than switching it off with the power switch on the back. To avoid clicks through your speakers just always turn your power amp on last and off first.

I'd sort your erratic volume control issue first though. This shouldn't happen and I'd contact support if your haven't already. I saw behaviour like this once but it was solved by replacing the batteries in the remote control.

Oh and yes, setting a fixed output attenuation on your SHD will limit the maximum output level. You might find this restrictive on recordings where you want to turn the volume up more though.

I use a DDRC24 straight into a power amp. I had the same concerns as you about sending too high a signal to the amp but so far so good, I’ve had no problems.

If the remote is a bit flakey try re-teaching it or another remote.

WRT order I believe it’s best practice to turn power amps on last. Turning off you would think would be the reverse i.e power amp off first, and since my DDRC24 never turns off, I actually have no choice but to do it in that sequence. However, at first I was finding a pop sound through speakers whenever I turned the amps off. With experimenting a little this seems to happen less if I change the input on the DDRC24 to an input with no source. Then turn the powered sub off and then turn the amps off. So maybe the general rule is just that.

regarding the remote: could be interference from the TV:
www.minidsp.com/forum/shd-series/18316-v...remote-changes-input

The technically correct way of setting SHD up safely with any power amp is to set the Output Gain to whatever allows you to have the SHD at 0dB at the maximum safe sound level. Then even if your remote control goes completely mad the SHD can never go too loud.

I use a few SHDs into Naim power amps safely. Naim amplifiers always have exactly the same gain, 29dB, unless they are very old.

Personally I would never power down a Naim power amplifier or the SHD. Typical Naim power amplifiers are sealed boxes and require a certain amount of time to reach thermal equilibrium which is required for optimal biasing of the output circuit.

If you must cycle the power on your system, the order is reversed between on and off. For powering on do the sources first and the amp last, for powering off do the amp first and the sources last.

entripy wrote:
Hi, to be sure do you mean the output gain as in "output 1" en "output 2" under "outputs" tab of the SHD plug in?


Thank you!

Yes, those gains in the Outputs tab.

I've assembled a Purifi Eval1 amp. It works fine with Minidsp SHD Studio and fixed volume dac as input. SHD is used as volume control. No plops when turning the amp on or off. With Purifi Eval1 set fixed at 13dB gain it plays as loud as needed with SHD Studio volume at -10dB.