Hypex DSP module(s)

[sek]

Digital audio processing is slowly coming to the modern DIYers. Whenever someone plans to build a preamp, an active speaker system or a multichannel room setup, DSPs are an alternative to the well established (and widely accepted) active or passive crossovers using RC-filters.

The goal of this thread is to summarize the possibilities (and possible deficiencies) of current and future DSP products and developments of Hypex Electronics B.V. from Groningen in the Netherlands. Other manufacturers' products, such as the Mini DSP line by DSP4YOU Ltd., are already covered in some other threads.

Current DSP-based Hypex products (as of this writing) are the AS2.100 (Digital) and the (still preliminary) PSC2.400 (for the more professionally minded).

A standalone DSP board was anounced a while ago. Matthijs Oskam (of Hypex) made a comment about it's development over here:

Originally Posted by Matthijs_Hypex

We restarted the development of the 6-channel (DLCP) last month and have one person working on it full time. We are also looking for the most flexible setup for this board

So, currently no separate DSP unit is available form Hypex, yet the platform seems to work well, as users of the aforementioned AS2.100 acknowledge.

What's everyone's requirement in an integrated module?
What's everyone's requirement in a separate DSP unit.

Cheers,
Sebastian.

[sek]

Well, as I'm already here, I can even go first.

In an integrated module (as in fully equipped) I don't look for much more than the anticipated PSC2.400, as I'm advocating balanced signal handling as well as professional connectivity. I'll have to criticize the panel size, though, as the mounting dimensions are way too large in order to fit into a compact stage speaker box or monitor - at least according to my taste.

The lineup would indeed have to be completed by an accompanying subwoofer module, though. I can see this coming as soon as Hypex managed to finish their higher power SMPS products.

A module with a three way configuration for full range speakers would be nice, too. But Hypex already knows this from many DIYers...

------------

As far as my requirements go, it's the DSP module development that bugs me here. Hypex already has got a well done implementation of a dedicated audio DSP (with reduced computing power and fixed audio firmware) integrated into ready made products like the AS2.100, but has no plans to release this one as a separate product.

I can see an opportunity missed here. I would buy it. Many speakers don't require full-fledged six-channel universal processing. OTOH, many speakers require their own built-in module, though.

A six-channel board couldn't go into an active speaker (or subwoofer), as this wouldn't make a lot of sense when it comes to signal routing and cabling. Thus, it would be a product for a preamp or an integrated multi-channel amplifier.

So, basically, I foresee a gap in the lineup. Speaking of me, I won't buy the AS2.100 for hifi speakers, as I'm never going to use a two-way setup without a woofer - either as a third crossover way in the box or in a separate subwoofer enclosure. OTOH, just buying many AS2.100 can't be the solution for DIY hifi, as this would be way more complicated (and less DIY) than just buying ready-made amplifiers and buying the DSP unit(s) from another manufacturer.

I'd wish for the small two-channel DSP module (and the accompanying digital I/O module) to be released separately.

But that's just me.

Cheers,
Sebastian.

[Matthijs_Hypex]

Originally Posted by sek

A six-channel board couldn't go into an active speaker (or subwoofer), as this wouldn't make a lot of sense when it comes to signal routing and cabling. Thus, it would be a product for a preamp or an integrated multi-channel amplifier.

So, basically, I foresee a gap in the lineup. Speaking of me, I won't buy the AS2.100 for hifi speakers, as I'm never going to use a two-way setup without a woofer - either as a third crossover way in the box or in a separate subwoofer enclosure. OTOH, just buying many AS2.100 can't be the solution for DIY hifi, as this would be way more complicated (and less DIY) than just buying ready-made amplifiers and buying the DSP unit(s) from another manufacturer.

I'd wish for the small two-channel DSP module (and the accompanying digital I/O module) to be released separately.

But that's just me.

Cheers,
Sebastian.

Thanks, that's one thing we are searching for. The perfect solution to use the "same" board also as 2 two and 4 channel. And besides this we will also have to look for a good solution to make the board compatible/configurable with all of our other products, UcDxxxST/UcDxxxHG/ and OEM series together with either a linear or a switched mode power supply.

We do want to take some time for this so we won't have to disappoint some first buyers for missing features on they product.

[Colin]

Regarding streaming devices (from the AS2.100 thread), a standard computer and wireless connection will work fine. I use a Mac connected via Toslink to the digital input of a receiver. Others use an Airport Express to achieve the same, using the AEX optical out. There are lots of PC solutions out there too.

There are regular discussions of this on the HDD Audio Forum board.

[qusp]

I for one would also be interested in a small 3 way board to be mounted in small monitors, that will be my next project whether it is hypex or another (perhaps a bit more DIY) solution. the hypex stuff does indeed sound and work great (not an owner, but friend of one) but I like to have more to do with something than just wire it up, but thats just me.

oh one bit of off topic, I recently bought a hexateq used chassis that quite handily included the softstart, I cannot find any documentation on how one would hook up 2 separate transformers, each with single 240V primaries. what little documentation there is of the product is very specific to the hypex transformers which all have multiple primaries for global use. just wondering if it will cope and what the correct dip switch settings would be; I am not using the link terminals, but want 240v operation without frying relays.

anyway sorry bout that, I started a thread about this and got not a single reply. I really am interested in this product though

[qusp]

thats the hypex softstart of course

[Henkjan]

my wish-list for the perfect stand alone DSP module:

• full preamp replacement, so volume and source selection, plenty analog and digital inputs, the latter in all available formats (CD, SACD, DVD-A) and connections (coax, optical, USB, hdmi, etc) analog balanced and unbalanced, all high quality connectors enabling the use of high quality cables
• a few presets (like audiophile, movie, party) for the DSP part selectable with the remote, with the chosen one remembered for each input
• in the DSP a delay large enough to also use it with a corner woofer sat/sub system, so some 1 or 2m difference in location between channels
• remote trigger for powering on the amps, an (optional) relais switched power strip would be nice for this, or something in the other Hypex products to communicate with the DSP
• expandable to a 7.1 (7.2) system for HT, accepting digital in from DVD or BR and able to decode the usual suspects as Dolby D, DTS, etc
• the software has either a built in measurement module, and/or a good interface with e.g. Arta is possible, and/or good importing of measurement data (not only impulse, but also FRD). possibility to use averages of multiple measurements.

[sergiof]

adding to the wishlist, it should have a digital out. that would give us at least two big advantages:
- the chance of using a digital amp
- the chance of using the ADC (backing up our LP/analog tape collection).

[Matthijs_Hypex]

Originally Posted by Henkjan

my wish-list for the perfect stand alone DSP module:

• full preamp replacement, so volume and source selection, plenty analog and digital inputs, the latter in all available formats (CD, SACD, DVD-A) and connections (coax, optical, USB, hdmi, etc) analog balanced and unbalanced, all high quality connectors enabling the use of high quality cables
• a few presets (like audiophile, movie, party) for the DSP part selectable with the remote, with the chosen one remembered for each input
• in the DSP a delay large enough to also use it with a corner woofer sat/sub system, so some 1 or 2m difference in location between channels
• remote trigger for powering on the amps, an (optional) relais switched power strip would be nice for this, or something in the other Hypex products to communicate with the DSP
• expandable to a 7.1 (7.2) system for HT, accepting digital in from DVD or BR and able to decode the usual suspects as Dolby D, DTS, etc
• the software has either a built in measurement module, and/or a good interface with e.g. Arta is possible, and/or good importing of measurement data (not only impulse, but also FRD). possibility to use averages of multiple measurements.

Thank you all.

Preamp replacement: We want to set up the board in blocks, on block is the DSP (2/4/6 channels) to which other universal boards can be connected to. For example a input routing board, for example one board with 1x Analogue and 1x AES inputs. And maybe an other board with 4x Analogue (balanced and unbalanced) in and 4xAES in etc. With this setup the user can even make his own dedicated input boards.
This should also be done for the other parts, compatibility with our SMPS-es, and control boards, with display or not, and different sizes.

Because we use an other DSP we are also able to increase the delay so that won't be a problem.

remote trigger > noted

expandable to a 7.1 > we are at the max of 6 outputs, we will not increase the number of channels

the software has either a built in measurement module, and/or a good interface> we will go for the seconds option, we want to make it FRD format compatible

it should have a digital out > I'm sorry but I don't think we will go for this option, at least not for now

[Henkjan]

well, that's a lot of checkmarks on my list I go and buy a larger piggy bank

on the 7.1: how about 5.1 then? what I mean is that is is able to decode movie sound from a DVD...