DAC before miniDSP
 

My digital source is digi out only.

As the miniDSP 2x4 re-digitises the analogue signal for DSP processing, how important is choice of DAC prior to the miniDSP?

Will I hear differences between DACs etc etc?

Ideally you want to avoid going from digital -> analog -> digital because each conversion is a lossy process. Using a stacked board such as the MiniDIGI you can feed your digital signal directly into the MiniDSP. Then you can decide if you want to use all 4 of the analog outputs, or if you want to use loop-back mode to send some of the channels to the digital output which you can then run through your DAC.

- Matt

i am also currently using a DAC before miniDSP and i see its not performing good. simple analog out from my mp3 player sounds better than the one when audio is fed thro DAC. i guess redundant conversion takes away the quality

Will have to look into the miniDIGI

Your mp3 player has to convert digital files to analogue (DAC) for that analogue output to exist, so its not a redundant conversion. Rather a necessary one if you dont have the miniDIGI. It seems your outboard DAC is not a good match - mp3's wont help matters either