TOPIC:

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to have your collective opinion on my contemplated setup - I'll use this for both HT and hifi (which nobody seems to be doing - also curious to know why).

For movies & such:
HTPC ==hdmi==> TV set ==toslink==> miniDSP SHD

For music:
Me : Roon streaming on SHD
Anyone else : BT digital output adapter connected to SHD

Downstream :
SHD ==rca==> Nuprime STA9 (x2 later) ==> Speakers

I don't use (nor want to in the future) x.1 setup or more than 1 subwoofer.

Is that a sensible set-up? Do you see any shortcomings or errors there?

Thanks a lot !

I use my system for a mix of music and 2.1 movies . In order to get a true 2.1 movie experience I use an unusual setup though, and how well what you have proposed will work will depend on if you are confident that the full LFE channel data is included in the stereo downmix that you'll need to use. It often isn't.

The limitation of the SHD is that it has 2 input channels rather than the three that a true 2.1 system requires.

Thks for this answer - and this downmixing burden is borne by my TV I guess in my specific case?

Or by my htpc maybe (kodi)?

Ytzelf wrote:

Thks for this answer - and this downmixing burden is borne by my TV I guess in my specific case?

I'm not sure on this last point, in that you might have the option of the HTPC doing this too? I'm the wrong person to ask as I use the analogue outputs on an OPPO Blu-ray player.

I'm pretty sure it can be done my my HTPC - i'll check kodi doc - and then if the signal in and out of TV is digital it shouldnt be modified in any way I guess

I am also contemplating a 2.1 setup that is compact.

I have a DAC so the SHD studio will work. The DAC does not have AES inputs and would need another DAC for the sub. Can AES be converted to USB or is it just best to use another digital output.

USB is helpful because I can use an inexpensive in-line dac to drive the sub.

- Rich

Hi,
2.1? So with a sub... How do you intend to link everything up? No point your DAC before the SHD. So assuming SHD Studio -> DAC. Then what? DAC to power amp or integrated and where does the sub get its feed from?

SHD Studio -> DAC -> AHB2 amplifier
-> USB DAC (inline) -> Subwoofer

- Rich

I'd look for a DAC that accepts RCA or AES digital signals myself.

AES and USB signals are totally different so my guess is that conversion eithet isn't possible or would be exoensive. (USB to AES convertors are available but I can't quickly find AES to USB).

Having a quick google image search that amp looks all analogue in out. Does it contain a ADC/DAC?

Also it looks like it has a mono analogue out. Can’t you use that for your sub and do away with the second DAC?

asx77 wrote:

Also it looks like it has a mono analogue out. Can’t you use that for your sub and do away with the second DAC?

The SHD Studio has no DACs. The SHD solves the problems but it is a small shelf so it is a little tight and I wanted my choice of DACs.

- Rich

asx77 wrote:

Also it looks like it has a mono analogue out. Can’t you use that for your sub and do away with the second DAC?

That would prevent proper subwoofer integration since the SHD Studio's crossover and delay functions couldn't be used independently for the sub.

Two stereo DACs are needed for proper subwoofer integration with an SHD Studio. If one hasn't already been bought then as above it's a strong reason to buy an SHD instead.

Ah yes talk about missing the obvious! I was thinking SHD! Sorry.