TOPIC:

Hi all... in these pandemic times I'm sure we're all listening to music more often than not. Let's share pics and talk about how we're integrating our SHD and SHD-Studio into our sound systems.... whether for home or studio use.

I'll start.

I recently sold off all my audio gear to go to a fully active audio system for home use. The goal was to get away from multiple racks of audio gear to a minimalistic setup and retain audiophile quality sound. The SHD Studio is an important component of the new system as it is used as a preamp, and Dirac Live 2.0 digital room correction. It is also used occasionally for TIDAL streaming, though I find myself streaming TIDAL via the MacPro / Audirvana more often.

Cheers.

Hello

This is my setup (the Minidsp SHD is stored inside the sideboard):

Hi... I'm the OP. Would be great to hear how you're using the SHD in addition to the great pic. Thanks for sharing.

In addition to the streamer function via Volumio, I use my Minidsp SHD to digitalize the signal arriving from a Pioneer PL70 / Dynavector DV20x2 / Lehmann Audio Black Cube Decade. The Minidsp then runs Dirac, drives an XTZ subwoofer and is directly connected as a pre to an Accuphase P360 main amp.

Howdy gang, just in the process of setting up a new SHD Studio to serve as a source / controller along with my existing 10x10. Simplified a few things with the source (mainly just the SHD now over the network, unless youtube or something.

So, we go Volumio -> SHD -aes/ebu-> -10x10 (1-2) pwr-ice250 x2 (3-4) so it's aes/ebu up until it hits the power amp section of the pwr-ice 250 plate amps for the main active speakers, and the 10x10 feeds analog signal to the subwoofer amps, the Crest is for the horn subs, I've got a cheap iNuke 6k 4 channel for the 18" midbass woofers. Rearranging the woofers is going to end up being part of this switcheroo, but I'll throw up a pic of how it looked before I started messing with it.

Edit: I guess pics will come one at a time? It doesn't seem to want to cooperate with having 3 attachments.

Second pic (2 of 3)

Third pic (3 of 3)

How it more or less looks normally, I'll get a new pic once I'm 100% done messing with the rack and the new SHD.

@robertofabbri Long live VU Meters! Very nice system... the speakers look to be B&W? A two-way design? Cheers.

supaDean wrote:

@robertofabbri Long live VU Meters! Very nice system... the speakers look to be BMW? A two-way design? Cheers.

They are the first version of B&W 801.
3 way. The little (but hefty) head is made of a special fiber reinforced concrete compound and it hosts the yellow midrange and a tweeter right above.

SHD Studio also core to move to simplified, active setup. SHD acts as Roon endpoint while also picking up CD and TT (which has optical out). SHD is then Coax to Kii 3 Controller / Active Speakers. DSP section of SHD handles Sub X-over and timing difference through a couple of different setups linked to presets and Dirac curves. SHD used as master volume control. Very happy with SHD as Roon endpoint (even better if/when certified) - replaced Sonore ultarRendu.

@gibbo9000 Really interesting setup. I've read a lot about how the Kii 3 technology eliminates the room. How have you found using the Kii 3 and controller on its own compared to using with the SHD Studio? Did you find you needed the sub to fill in the low end? I've seen the Kii BXT subwoofer modules, and perhaps they are overkill for your space (not to mention their cost).

One of my main reasons for going with the Devialet Phantom Reactors was their frequency response. No need for separate subwoofers. It's amazing what Devialet has accomplished. I think the technology that Kii Audio has developed is also impressive, though I haven't had the opportunity to hear in person as there are not any dealers in my area.

Thanks for sharing.

@supaDean - much like the Phantom's, the Kii's are amazing - pretty much flat 20Hz to 20kHz and a real game changer. Sound stage and 'presence' are amazing. To be honest the addition of Dirac curves through SHD is the second highest impact. For my listening (Jazz, vocal, some classical) the Dirac standard curve (2db down 20Hz to 20kHz) adds a little weight and extends sound stage further. And for some classical I also use a 4db down curve across the range. Sub in theory helps a little with SPL for very loud listening where the Kii cabinet size / power begin to be a physical limitation. In practice I have sub X-over at 30Hz with Dirac standard curve and it does very little work. With the 4db decline curve I have X-over at 50Hz and for loud organ, double bass etc. it it just adds that little bit. Sub is a Rhythmik which is solid down to 15 Hz or less. So it just lets you drive the system that little bit harder down low if needed. And SHD plus sub around 10% of cost of BXT - and looks a lot less aggressive/dominating!.
Do the Dirac curves help with the sound of the Phantom's in a similar way?
Gibbo

@gibbo9000... The Phantom Reactors utilize DSP and their own internal DAC, but do not have built-in room correction. This is where the SHD Studio comes it. Dirac Live 2.0 does a great job, and the result is a completely non-fatiguing listening experience. I've eclectic musical tastes and I'm continually amazed how much authority the system has with bass heavy music, either hip-hop or classical when low end bass is present. It's hard to believe a Phantom Reactor 900 weighs a mere 9.5lbs!

I essentially use the SHD as an external sound card / room correction and preamp for the MacPro Server running Audirvana for playback. I've about 40K music tracks on internal SSD drives and the system is very quick.

I find the system sounds better via Audirvana when streaming Tidal, as an example, vs the SHD's version of Volumio. I also find the current GUI of Volumio completely impractical and not very useful (though I understand a new GUI is enroute). Additionally, I've small EQ curves running through Audirvana which I should duplicate into the Dirac curves at some point, but I like being able to make quick EQ adjustments on the fly occasionally.

@supaDean . . All makes sense - sounds like a great setup - and so much simpler than components everywhere. Never thought I would be a die-hard Active fan but I am now!
I agree with your assessment of Volumio from what I have seen. I use Roon so bypass all of that - Roon looks after Tidal and my FLAC library and SHD is simply a network endpoint from that perspective. Roon interface / integration is excellent IMHO. I have some minor corrections in Kii DSPs for Bass Management in the corner with the Sub as that is their speciality, but have moved everything else to SHD.