DAC before miniDSP

JRKO · 10th January 2013, 09:03 PM

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?

slomatt · 11th January 2013, 05:50 AM

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

soundnovice · 11th January 2013, 05:58 AM

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

JRKO · 11th January 2013, 01:42 PM

Will have to look into the miniDIGI

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundnovice

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

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

10th January 2013, 09:03 PM	#1
JRKO diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: U.K.	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? __________________ In the interests of full disclosure JRKO = James Rupert Kingsley Osborne. And yes, my parents will pay for it when I choose their retirement home

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11th January 2013, 05:50 AM	#2
slomatt diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA	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

11th January 2013, 05:58 AM	#3
soundnovice diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2011	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