TOPIC:

I have searched but not found an answer. I have a fairly high-end setup and bought the SHD to try out Dirac in my system. Not really interested using the SHD as DAC nor preamp. My setup is
Streamer->DAC->Preamp->amps->speaker
Looks like the only way to incorporate the SHD before the DAC is by using USB-audio out from streamer (only available) to SHD and then coax out from SHD, correct? What is max output via coax, will it be limiting my USB out from streamer, and if so why not an USB out on the SHD?
If I have the SHD between preamp and my mono blocks then I will get an extra ADC/DAC done which I assume I would not like to have?

Texmo wrote:

I have searched but not found an answer. I have a fairly high-end setup and bought the SHD to try out Dirac in my system. Not really interested using the SHD as DAC nor preamp. My setup is
Streamer->DAC->Preamp->amps->speaker
Looks like the only way to incorporate the SHD before the DAC is by using USB-audio out from streamer (only available) to SHD and then coax out from SHD, correct? What is max output via coax, will it be limiting my USB out from streamer, and if so why not an USB out on the SHD?
If I have the SHD between preamp and my mono blocks then I will get an extra ADC/DAC done which I assume I would not like to have?

Looks like all your worries are solved by using the SHD as DAC and preamp. Maybe you want to reconsider " Not really interested using the SHD as DAC nor preamp" ?

Well, I should maybe rephrase. I will of course try but, maybe a bit biased, I don't think DAC/Preamp in a 1000USD Minidsp will sound better than the combo have.
Back to the question, what is maximum output via coax?

hi..i have a very high end system as well and use the SHD only for the DIRAC as well... But I did at one time use it as a DAC and preamp and it did really perform well. But as we all do in this crazy hobby of ours , I got upgrade-itis and I ultimately did upgrade.. And I do have much better results using a separate dac and pre amp but mind you had , I to spend $ 4 ,500,00 more money to obtain those results. .

But in answer to your question.. yes The SHD can easily handle what you are trying to do. I still use it in my system ...and its configured as a Digital processor only , thus applying the DIRAC algorithm and then passing the digital information on to my DAC.

I go from my streaming source to shd via coax in, and then to my auralic DAC via coax out and then to my preamp via Balanced out. It does a great job and since you're already receiving digital from your streamer, you wont have to worry about over conversion problems .( I also use a turntable and my biggest concern was having to use analog to digital conversion in order to process dirac and then go back from digital-to-analog . ) But thankfully with today's technology and the progress that converters have made, the conversion loss is extremely negligible ...something I can't hear.. and it's something that's almost barely measurable . The sound will simply be processed for the Dirac algorithm and then sent right back out . And it will do so at full high resolution , In both directions. Don't be bothered if for example you're sending 24/384 or higher and SHD spits out 24/96 resolution

High resolution audio is high resolution audio ...most people can't even hear the difference in sound quality between CD quality and Hi Rez not to mention that most music that you are purchasing or streaming ( 9 times out of 10) has been recorded in 24/48. Most studios don't use anything higher and if they do it's 24/96 at best.

Seems like you might want to consider the SHD studio as it does not have a DAC (only digital outputs).

Assuming you are talking about digital coaxial, the maximum output level is 0 dBfs. In the digital audio world 0 dBfs is full signal level. As you are doing volume control in a downstream preamp it is probably a good idea to attenuate the signal in the SHD by about 10 dB as Dirac can boost signal levels and depending on input level this may result in signal levels above 0 dBfs which will result in clipping at the SHD output unless attenuated.

Michael

Texx wrote:

Well, I should maybe rephrase. I will of course try but, maybe a bit biased, I don't think DAC/Preamp in a 1000USD Minidsp will sound better than the combo have.

Do try using the SHD as a streamer as well.

I was thinking resolution output. My output from streamer is DSD and up to 384/32. I assume the output of the SHD is less.

Texx wrote:

I was thinking resolution output. My output from streamer is DSD and up to 384/32. I assume the output of the SHD is less.

Ahh, I see. The SHD uses ASRC to resample all inputs to 96 kHz, digital outputs are 24 bit / 96 kHz as indicated by pages 11-13 of the manual.

In my experience the benefit of Dirac drastically outweighs the benefit of hi-res audio.

Michael