TOPIC:

Hello,

what are the differences to the SHD Studio? Ok, the AES/EBU input and outputs of the SHD Studio. Anything else?

Gert

gbr wrote:

Hello,

what are the differences to the SHD Studio? Ok, the AES/EBU input and outputs of the SHD Studio. Anything else?

Gert

Difference between an SHD Studio and what? An SHD? If yes the the huge difference is the SHD Studio is digital only, whereas the SHD has analogue inputs and outputs (curtousy of its built in 4 channel DAC).

I've just spotted this was in a new Flex section that I hadn't realised existed! You were presumably comparing to this. In which case it in part depends which  of the three Flex models you were asking about from an inputs and outputs perspective. The SHD Studio is also a streamer, and has a better DSP chip.

 

Yes, Sorry, I have forgotten to mention that I am comparing the SHD line to the flex line.

The SHD Studio probably is compared best to the digital Flex. So the Flex does not have a streamer. I was not aware of this. But the Flex has an analogue input. 

I cannot find the information which DSP is built into ths SHD. Why does a new device use a less good DSP? If the DSP was the same (or better in the Flex) this would be an interesting alternative to the SHD Studio if you own another streamer. But ok, currently I am using the AES/EBU outputs of the Studio.

Bluetooth in the Flex is another difference that SHDs do not have.

gbr wrote:

I cannot find the information which DSP is built into ths SHD. Why does a new device use a less good DSP? If the DSP was the same (or better in the Flex) this would be an interesting alternative to the SHD Studio if you own another streamer. 

I think you've answered your own 'why?' question there - the SHD and SHD Studio are more expensive products that miniDSP would not want to undercut. I'd view the FLEX as a replacement for the 2x4 HD and DDRC-24 rather than the SHD series. The Flex models use the same DSP chip as the 2x4 HD (the details are on the respective product pages). It will be interesting to see how the measured DAC performance compares but that's not relevent to you if your only interest lies in the digital domain.

I've just been doing a bit of nosing out of curiousity and it might be that the two different DSP chips in question could be the following:

www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/Analog-De...252BM3eiKDaOHw%3D%3D

www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/Analog-De...Z2P9dBTbTNrCtw%3D%3D

I'll add that if there are actually more than one ADSP 21489 chips that run at 400 MHz then the Flex and 2x4 HD ones could be different. 

The Flex clearly states that the internal sample frequency runs at 48 kHz when using Dirac Live. The SHD studio only refers to an internal sample frequency of 96 kHz. It would be interesing to know for certain whether the SHD series run Dirac Live at 96 kHz or not as that would be a clear performance difference if they did.

For info. I own both a 2x4 HD and an SHD, and comparing both with matched EQ (and not using Dirac Live) the SHD sounds better to me. Whether that difference lies in DSP or DAC performance I can't be sure although the performance data on Audio Science Review points to it being DAC performance I think.

 

I was interested if the new flex model was any better then the DDRC-24 as far as I can see all they have done is re-cased the DDRC-24 in a metal box. I was hoping for some improvement since my dac and hires service is running at minimum 96k. I see the DDRC-24 downgrading my source resolution, however my system sounds better with than without (with Dirac).

Bill
 

wirewiggler wrote:

I was interested if the new flex model was any better then the DDRC-24 as far as I can see all they have done is re-cased the DDRC-24 in a metal box. I was hoping for some improvement since my dac and hires service is running at minimum 96k. I see the DDRC-24 downgrading my source resolution, however my system sounds better with than without (with Dirac).

Bill

 

As well as the new case the key differences of the FLEX are the addition of the screen (a BIG improvement in some use cases) and the Bluetooth connectivity. I've not seen anything from miniDSP so far to suggest they think there are sound quality improvements over the DDRC-24 though.

If you're using an external DAC then might an SHD Studio be a viable option for you? It's not that much more expensive than the FLEX and would remove your concern. You'd have a better chance of picking up a second hand one too if that appealed. Note the Studio lacks analogue inputs if that is important to you though.

 

Flex has more input and output combinations.

flex has the same DSP chip as far as abilities go.

it’s a 400mhz clock, not a 300some mhz  like some older ones. The shd may be clocked higher at 450mhz, that could be for various reasons. Nothing I would be concerned with as there both 96k dsps.  They both have sharc dsp. There’s a few different sharc dsps for different architecture, none of them are better then the other just different. 

400mhz floating point is nothing to scoff at. And with fir filters like a 2x4hd (which could also explain the clocking). 

i just got my flex today, pretty nice sounding dsp 

I’ll be using mine as a non Dirac , rephase linear crossovers dsp.  Output eq for driver eq and input eq for room eq…. 

this is a very impressive little dsp. 

I do use the analog in and use it to drive my subwoofer and speakers as a crossover. 

Razom wrote:

wirewiggler wrote:

I do use the analog in and use it to drive my subwoofer and speakers as a crossover. 

 

Doesn't it malfunction with you? Why is it that with my connection it always fails.

What exactly is the problem that you have experienced?