TOPIC:

I have a blue sound node that I use to stream content to an SHD.  I am thinking of adding a quality DAC between the node and SHD. I would be using the analog inputs on the SHD. Does this setup make sense? All else equal, will the invest in the DAC improve the quality of the sound? I just am not certain about what the SHD does to the signal. Thank you 

gjh011 wrote:

Does this setup make sense?

Not really to be honest. The SHD has an excellent 4-channel DAC builit into it already. If you really did want to use a different DAC then it would make more sense to do so by connecting it to the digital outputs of your SHD than the analogue inputs. Signals fed into the latter are converted back to digital for the Dirac (any any other) processing. 

If you are using more than two independent oututs on your SHD (e.g. for a subwoofer or if acting as a 2-way active crossover) then you'd need two external stereo DACs to replace the 4-channel DAC already in the SHD.

What sort of improvement to sound quality are you looking for? In the first instance I'd be looking at what you're currently doing with Dirac to do so...

No it does not make sense.

You want to use the BS's digital output to a DAC, outputing analog, and then have the SHD convert the analog back to digital, process it, and then it will convert to analog again. It will certainly degrade the sound. Best is to connect the BS's coax output to the SHD's digital input, then it will at least stay in the digital domain.

 

You will need a dac of at least a 1000 dollars/euros to better the sound of the SHD. I have SHD Studio with Denafrips Ares and power amp. That's a nice combination. Don't know if it sounds better than SHD dac. I presume just a bit different.
Always put the dac between SHD and amplifier. 

Why do you use Bluesound? The only reason I can think of is you liking BlueOS better than Volumio. 

I am currently using RME Adi-2 DAC which I enjoy very much and would like to keep using. The DAC is part of a Bi-Amp setup with an active analog crossover. My main interest in miniDSP products is room correction. I am debating between the SHD studio or the new Flex. What would be the best solution for me?

Eitan wrote:

I am currently using RME Adi-2 DAC which I enjoy very much and would like to keep using. The DAC is part of a Bi-Amp setup with an active analog crossover. My main interest in miniDSP products is room correction. I am debating between the SHD studio or the new Flex. What would be the best solution for me?

I'm not sure but bear in mind that it would be the digital version of the Flex you'd want if you decided to go that way, which hasn't quite been released yet.

Whether the streaming capability of the SHD appealed could be a consideration.

Ultrasonic wrote:

Eitan wrote:

I am currently using RME Adi-2 DAC which I enjoy very much and would like to keep using. The DAC is part of a Bi-Amp setup with an active analog crossover. My main interest in miniDSP products is room correction. I am debating between the SHD studio or the new Flex. What would be the best solution for me?

I'm not sure but bear in mind that it would be the digital version of the Flex you'd want if you decided to go that way, which hasn't quite been released yet.
 

Maybe it is also an option to have Flex after RME ADI-2?
RME ADI-2 has a digital output, Flex has a digital input.
Then you would be using the DAC from Flex rather than from RME ADI-2,
and that version of Flex is already available.
 

RME Adi-2 DAC doesn’t have a digital output. Besides that it is an excellent DAC that is worthwhile using. 

Eitan wrote:

RME Adi-2 DAC doesn’t have a digital output. Besides that it is an excellent DAC that is worthwhile using. 
 

Sorry, my mistake.
Only RME ADI-2 pro does have the digital output.