Hi there,
I'm in the process of sorting out all the parts to make a class D plate amplifier.
I'm looking into buying a DSP board so that I can bi-amp rather than using a passive crossover.
I've seen a few options around-
-MiniDSP
-Dayton audio
-Sure electronics
The miniDSP option is about €100, which is a bit pricey as that's about the same as I will be spending on amplifier modules. Then there's a massive gap down to the Dayton and sure boards at about €20-30.
Does anyone know about the relative strengths of these products? It's there a significant difference in the quality of the signal coming from a MiniDSP unit?
And most importantly, does anyone know of any OEM manufacturers who make reasonably priced boards?
Thanks
Peter
I'm in the process of sorting out all the parts to make a class D plate amplifier.
I'm looking into buying a DSP board so that I can bi-amp rather than using a passive crossover.
I've seen a few options around-
-MiniDSP
-Dayton audio
-Sure electronics
The miniDSP option is about €100, which is a bit pricey as that's about the same as I will be spending on amplifier modules. Then there's a massive gap down to the Dayton and sure boards at about €20-30.
Does anyone know about the relative strengths of these products? It's there a significant difference in the quality of the signal coming from a MiniDSP unit?
And most importantly, does anyone know of any OEM manufacturers who make reasonably priced boards?
Thanks
Peter
So my thoughts are you want to keep the signal D|I|G|I|T|A|L for as much of the signal path as possible. Some DSPs take the analog signal, dice it up into words using their own ADC, process it digitally, then put it back to analog using their own DAC. Since DACs are well know to have their own sound, you'll have to like whatever is used in the DSP unit.
Same for the ADC.
One way to circumvent the ADC - if your sources are all digital - is to jump over it using a USB to I2S converter. This basically yields a USB DAC that happens to have 4 outputs and does DSP. Still, you'll have to like the sound of the particular DACs used in the DSP unit.
I use an amplifier called the Zoudio AIO4CH. I've managed to get the signal path for that amp all digital, supposedly right through the PWM itself. I think it's a nice sounding amp - it has DSP which can be used to make a two way system sans hardware crossovers. You'll find it in the Vendor forums under "Vendor's Bazaar".
Same for the ADC.
One way to circumvent the ADC - if your sources are all digital - is to jump over it using a USB to I2S converter. This basically yields a USB DAC that happens to have 4 outputs and does DSP. Still, you'll have to like the sound of the particular DACs used in the DSP unit.
I use an amplifier called the Zoudio AIO4CH. I've managed to get the signal path for that amp all digital, supposedly right through the PWM itself. I think it's a nice sounding amp - it has DSP which can be used to make a two way system sans hardware crossovers. You'll find it in the Vendor forums under "Vendor's Bazaar".
Moved To Digital Line Level.I wonder where you get the prices
Dayton Audio DSP-408 4x8 DSP Digital Signal Processor for Home and Car Audio
miniDSP 2x4 Kit Digital Signal Processor Assembled Board
The Sure requires 2 boards for 40$ plus 100$ programming kit to have the same flexibility as the others.
I would recommend the miniDSP, better quality easy programming and less $$
Dayton Audio DSP-408 4x8 DSP Digital Signal Processor for Home and Car Audio
miniDSP 2x4 Kit Digital Signal Processor Assembled Board
The Sure requires 2 boards for 40$ plus 100$ programming kit to have the same flexibility as the others.
I would recommend the miniDSP, better quality easy programming and less $$
i'm not sure where to start when someone feels $100 is too expensive for an ADC and 4 channel DAC
An option might be the adau1452/ad1938 boards you can find on aliexpress or ebay for about 70$. See this thread.
But you still need an additionnal programmer, which is another 40$. That's fine if you're doing multiple boards, otherwise not so much.
But the minidsp are a known value, with proven software and I would go for them unless you're very confident in getting the Chinese ones to work.
Edit: I see you put the price in €. If you're in the EU, custom fees will make the Chinese pcb relatively much more expensive and I haven't found a source for them in the EU. In the EU, consider the Thomann T-Racks 4x4 mini at 95€: the t.racks DSP 4x4 Mini – Thomann Belgie
But you still need an additionnal programmer, which is another 40$. That's fine if you're doing multiple boards, otherwise not so much.
But the minidsp are a known value, with proven software and I would go for them unless you're very confident in getting the Chinese ones to work.
Edit: I see you put the price in €. If you're in the EU, custom fees will make the Chinese pcb relatively much more expensive and I haven't found a source for them in the EU. In the EU, consider the Thomann T-Racks 4x4 mini at 95€: the t.racks DSP 4x4 Mini – Thomann Belgie
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