miniDSP SHD Studio + DDRC for Linkwitz LX521 Reference?

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Tubenstein

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Joined 2011
Hello!
After discussed with my friend and we decided to use both miniDSP SHD Studio + DDRC-88D instead of 4x10HD for the Linkwitz LX521 Reference.

The DDRC-88D allows us to use 4 x external D/A converter such as Tentlabs b-DAC+ (deactivate the volume control) for better quality.

The master attenuation would be control through the SHD Studio.

Any thoughts??

Thanks!
 
T

Tubenstein

Member
Joined 2011
My friend has done research on LX521 Reference as he wants to build one. After he discussed with the miniDSP, here is his plan and pretty interesting.

miniDSP DDRC-88D plus the Apogee symphony I/O 8x8 The apogee unit has volume control. So no needed to use the SHD studio. DDRC-88D has two versions one is AES all the way and the other is SPDIF.

Symphony I/O 8x8 Configuration - Apogee Electronics

Hopefully the DDRC-88D is able to convert single AES signal to 4 x AES internally, so we will go for this trend as Apogee gears sound really good.
 
T

Tubenstein

Member
Joined 2011
Juhazi said:
Accuphase DF-65 price $12.000 used Used for Sale | HifiShark.com
Minidsp 4x10HD price $500

I hope that there will be a difference in performance...
Click to expand...

This is one of the factor put into account but Accuphase not that expensive in Asia, but still not cheap.

After talking to few guys who has built the Linkwitz LX521 Reference or familiar about this setup. I decided to go for miniDSP DDRC-88D with bass management option plus Apogee Symphony I/O 8X8

Apogee digital is one of my favorite after listened at my friend's place back in 90s'
 
T

Tubenstein

Member
Joined 2011
Juhazi said:
A thing to consider is, that with other than Minidsp for LX521 one must set eq, xo, delay and gain parameters oneself. Setting up those is not easy...
Click to expand...

According to miniDSP email response, the DDRC-88D with BM option will be acting like 4x10HD without the D to A converter and volume attenuation, and which would be taken over by the Apogee Symphony I/O.

I go for this track mainly I'm more concern the quality of the DAC of 4x10HD.
 
D

Davey

Account Closed
Joined 2001
Tubenstein said:
According to miniDSP email response, the DDRC-88D with BM option will be acting like 4x10HD without the D to A converter and volume attenuation, and which would be taken over by the Apogee Symphony I/O.

I go for this track mainly I'm more concern the quality of the DAC of 4x10HD.
Click to expand...

You've finally come to the realization of what I told you (and your friend) from the beginning. The LX521 system requires specific equalization for each driver individually, not globally.

Your proposed solution should work......albeit extremely expensive. I just can't grasp the thinking of audiophiles most of the time. :)

Have fun.

My goodness.

Dave.
 
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Juhazi

Juhazi

Member
Joined 2007
Looks like the Minidsp DDRC-88D uses same or similar application as 4x10HD, so SL's settings should apply straight on. Dirac application is optional, not needed IMO.

I'm on par with Davey about the fun of this. I met and discussed with Linkwitz in 2013 and he asked if I really was happy with 4x10HD. I said yes, and besides that my system was voted to give best sound at a diy audio show. It took some years for him to introduce settings for minidsp, obviously he tested it with friends. If the looks of minidsp is disturbing, one can hide it somewhere.

Here are measurements of 4x10HD performance. Remember that this is almost ten years old and cheap technology. Sounds fine to me and my unit has performed flawlessly for more than six years 24/7 now. Only the outboard power supply failed. I replaced it with one survived from some other gadget.
MiniDSP 4x10 HD Performance Measurements.

PS: the only thing common with LX521 looks like the Neutrik speaker connectors! https://www.magiclx521.com/epages/1...Path=/Shops/17940394/Products/"CAB PB6-LX521"
 
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T

Tubenstein

Member
Joined 2011
Juhazi said:
Looks like the Minidsp DDRC-88D uses same or similar application as 4x10HD, so SL's settings should apply straight on. Dirac application is optional, not needed IMO.

I'm on par with Davey about the fun of this. I met and discussed with Linkwitz in 2013 and he asked if I really was happy with 4x10HD. I said yes, and besides that my system was voted to give best sound at a diy audio show. It took some years for him to introduce settings for minidsp, obviously he tested it with friends. If the looks of minidsp is disturbing, one can hide it somewhere.

Here are measurements of 4x10HD performance. Remember that this is almost ten years old and cheap technology. Sounds fine to me and my unit has performed flawlessly for more than six years 24/7 now. Only the outboard power supply failed. I replaced it with one survived from some other gadget.
MiniDSP 4x10 HD Performance Measurements.

PS: the only thing common with LX521 looks like the Neutrik speaker connectors! https://www.magiclx521.com/epages/1...Path=/Shops/17940394/Products/"CAB PB6-LX521"
Click to expand...

I decided to stick with the 4x10HD as it is a 96kHz DSP but the DDRC-99D has 48kHz DSP.

Also, I have pretty good external 12v power supply from Russ Andrews.
 
M

mark100

Member
Joined 2010
Davey said:
You've finally come to the realization of what I told you (and your friend) from the beginning. The LX521 system requires specific equalization for each driver individually, not globally.

Dave.
Click to expand...

Yes...and lord knows not just the LX521 system.

Every system ever made with more than one driver, requires equalization of each driver before summation. Period, amen, end of story, so be it !!! :):D
 
Juhazi

Juhazi

Member
Joined 2007
Tubenstein et a. - feel free to ask me (even PM) about setting up minidsp configurations. I dont have LX521, but a diy 4-way dipole. It was quite a journey to learn to measure and set up dsp, but I just love dipole sound, learned it already in '90s with Gradient 1.3.

I found these pages helpful, another view than SL
Musicanddesing NaO speakers by Kreskowsky (closed now!)
Dipolplus - Alles über offene Schallwände by Finke (English summary available)
HifiZine tech articles by Reekie eg. Prototyping a 4-way open-baffle speaker with the miniDSP 2x4
 
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