Comments on: A tour of the miniDSP 2×8

By: John Reekie

John Reekie — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 13:45:17 +0000

Thanks for the note Brad! I’m afraid that the commenting system is not very sophisticated…

I can confirm that the miniDIGI when piggybacked on the main board doesn’t require a separate supply.

By: Brad Karal

Brad Karal — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 18:24:32 +0000

Oops! Want to clarify something from my above post: If I remember correctly when the MiniDIGI is mounted as a stack on top of the MiniDSP 2×8 board (and with the ribbon cables), it does not require a separate 5V feed. I believe it only requires that when it is not connected to the main MiniDSP board.

Also, sorry if for the typos in my above post. John, please feel free to correct them. (IF only this software allowed you to edit posts).

By: Brad Karal

Brad Karal — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 18:11:17 +0000

Just want to add a source for inexpensive power supply. I’m using the Welland PA-215 that came with my external hard drive enclosure. It works quite nicely. These are available for about $US 12.00 to $15.00 if you search the Web. You might convince a local computer store, but make sure it’s the right model.

It’s a switching adapter. It comes with a 4-pin Mini-DIN connector and outputs 12V @ 1.8A and 5V @ 1.5A, so it’ll supply all the basics for the MiniDSP 2×8. I measured 12.3V and 5.01V with a DMM with no load. A few others reported using these and said they heard no noise. YMMV.

Brad

By: John Reekie

John Reekie — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 01:48:31 +0000

Thanks for the note Brad. It’s a bit buried on the site, here’s a direct link: http://www.minidsp.com/products/accessories/misc-accessories/minidsp-2×8-8×8-box-detail

By: Brad Karal

Brad Karal — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 04:19:52 +0000

Just a reminder that for those who weren’t aware of it, there is a case for the MiniDSP 2×8 available now. It is basically the same case as the 4×10 case. It lists for $99.00 on the company’s website.

By: John Reekie

John Reekie — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:17:24 +0000

Hi George, if it’s all-digital e.g. a computer source with volume control, then you wouldn’t use a preamp. No chassis yet, the miniDSP folks said they would make one a long time ago but none has been sighted yet.

By: George

George — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:46:53 +0000

Sweeet, i’ve been looking for an all digital method to bypass my crossovers for some time and here it is.
2 q’s. 1- do i still need my pre-amp?
2- As it has been a few months since this article, have you found any suitable Chassis yet (prefab) or do i need to make one?
Thank you so much for this write up, I love the site.

By: John Reekie

John Reekie — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:12:53 +0000

Hi Jai, the only PSU I’ve used with the 2×8 so far is a small SMPS, I think it’s a Meanwell. I don’t think the number of outputs being used will make very much of a difference to the current draw. If you’d like to build a linear PSU a 9V transformer with a fullwave bridge and reasonable capacitance should work well, as regulation is on the 2×8 board. Add a 5V regulator for the miniStreamer. That would be what I would prototype anyway.

By: Jai Stanley

Jai Stanley — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:47:04 +0000

I’ve recently read that too.. Thinking about it, I might be able to send the signal to the minidsp via the toslink out from my laptop, and use the ministreamer in single duplex 24/96. That would depend on either windows or REW being able to use two devices at the same time. IE the internal soundcard to output the sweeps and the ministreamer as a recording device. I will have to look into it. I’d like to save the expense of an external soundcard if I can help it.

On another note: Do you have any advice on what type of power supply I should look for? I have gutted a wall-wart 12v PSU and fitted it into my case as a temporary measure, but it isn’t able to deliver the full 1.5A as per the specification sheet. At the moment I’m only running one set of S/E outputs so I’m sure it’s fine; but later if I decide to run the full compliment of balanced 8channel outputs I’m sure I would run into problems. I’d like to have two clean power supplies: One 12V for the minidsp and one 5V for the ministreamer.

By: John Reekie

John Reekie — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:37:28 +0000

Thanks Jai for the comment. That’s a very interesting idea with the measurement setup! In thinking it through, I am not sure if it will work, because a) the SPDIF output from the miniDIGI will be running at 96 kHz, and b) the miniStreamer will not run full-duplex at 96 kHz, as I understand it. It “might” be possible to run the miniStreamer at 96 kHz in and 44.1 kHz out… I think it might just have to be tried to see if it works. I do have a miniStreamer here but it’s not connected into the system yet.