miniDSP 2x4 HD Digital Audio Signal Processor, Analog, USB, Toslink Audio Source, 4 Presets Stored

If you have discovered this amazing device, have a use in mind and think you might somehow find a reasonable alternative that is not a POS designed for bad automotive audio then save yourself time and effort and buy it now! I questioned and researched for over a year to find nothing comparable.I found need for a miniature "little black box" multi-channel digital sound processor to use for with the accompaniment system of my player grand piano.My belief that it would be very easy to find because essentially the same circuitry is included in today's "basic" devices was utterly incorrect! My smallish town in the mid-west still--amazingly--has a true "hi-fi" store and even their salesman I've known since the 80s gave me a blank stare when asking about a miniature digital sound processor.My application requires only the basic functions of output channel equalization and input parametric equalization. My audio source is monophonic but the 2x4 nature allows completely independent adjustment of the two input channels which allows separately tailored parametric EQ from the inputs to be applied to the four independent outputs.One input channel has a parametric curve optimized to the single subwoofer channel in its proper space just ahead of the rear leg of the piano with the instrument itself diagonally spaced in the purposely designed band area of a very large room on the lower floor of a big ranch home.The second input channel has very little general parametric EQ but highly tailored EQ curves driving three channels that I call "presence," "depth" and "ambiance" all of which are either very carefully attached to the instrument or directly beneath on the heavy wool Oriental of the sort I consider an absolute sonic necessity outside of a carefully designed concert hall.I've been building and working with audio equipment all of my life and this is the most useful and smooth sounding device I've experienced since my first Heathkit Pro Series component (the awesome preamplifier) c. 1984.Certainly not cheap but considering I paid over $1,000 for a Yamaha DSP-1 in the 1980s it is a fantastic value.Since my system is fully contained to and beneath a physical musical instrument I have absolutely no reason to use the delay and other advanced features.If anything however I somewhat regret not buying the 4 x 8 version. Despite my monophonic input I'm operating six loudspeakers to include two pairs. My corner location has 30' or so of mirrored wall on one wall and another of wood and stone. With a couple more channels I could attempt to play some sonic games to reinforce what I can only call the sonic holograms that find performers I have heard in real life literally in the house. It's the sonic extasy I've sought all my life but never thought I could achieve--much less afford.Yoga beneath the treble section is sublime.Programming via the supplied software is simple and intuitive. The device itself contains the programming instructions for three (at least) system-wide settings that can be changed without direct connection to the computer.I had a problem with the first unit as it utterly refused to maintain connection to my older but top-of-the-line HP laptop.Service and communication was SUPERB! They replaced the original after truly good communication over a few days which seemingly eliminated the computer as the problem.The replacement still experienced communication failure but only rarely--think tens of minutes instead of rarely more than ten seconds--and I was able to properly transfer my settings (created off-line). Very shortly after I got a new laptop (Acer Nitro) and there has never been another communication failure.Operation over the last six months or so has been flawless. I have things power protected but this has been a CRAZY year for storms in southeastern Missouri and the power has experienced numerous "blip outs" and spikes.

This review is specifically for the miniDSP 2X4 HD.This is the best price you can get for a 4-channel DSP that has digital inputs and uses an Analog Devices Sharc 400MHz sound processing chip. Along with the supplied software, there is no other product like it at anything like this price.The unit allows for custom generated IIR filters for room equalization or crossover design. But its the only unit at this price that also offers custom FIR filters, allowing for development of zero phase or minimum phase speaker correction filters.The only downside is it takes some technical knowledge to use it at its full potential, along with some filter design software to generate the necessary filters. But its loads of fun to learn on if you're interested! MiniDSP has very good introductions on their website on various software packages you can use to develop these types of filters, which form an excellent introduction.My only concern is that it won't be available much longer -- the manufacturer has discontinued other great devices that had these features and more, and has recently come out with a new product with similar features to this product, plus a few extra bells and whistles, which is double the price. Logically, they may well discontinue the 2X4 HD at some point, so get one now if you're considering it!

This is a very useful product that allowed me to do so many cool setups. First of all the DAC quality is very well. I think it's the same XMOS chip that's used in many more expensive products. This unit has two digital inputs miniUSB and toslink and two aux inputs an 4 aux outputs. This allowed me to connect two pairs of loudspeakers. You can control all the presets with a remote control, big help!The unit itself is pretty cheap for this functionality. It allows to do room correction using many open source solutions. Although I went with proprietary Dirac Live software. To get it working on this miniDSP you need to pay extra $240 for a license at minidsp.com site. When you need to update firmware and then Dirac Live software will be activated. Dirac is a lot more user friendly than most DIY room corrections, I was able to easily setup house curve. That said you need to buy a UMIK mic to do any room measurements.It feels that the manufacturer strongly supports DIY and open source communities. That is a big ideological plus. Their software was easy to use and I haven't got any bugs along the way. The box doesn't look very awesome from design standpoint, so you maybe want to hide it under desk. Well, if it would have cool design, they would sell it for over $500, so I like it as is.

This allows me to set digital crossovers as well as have bass management for my preamp that lacks a dedicated subwoofer output. I use it to set an lpf on my subs and a hpf on my mains and eq my dual subs. Well worth the price. I also purchased the Dirac upgrade but found I got better results with REW and Rephase. MiniDsp support is fantastic and answered any questions I had.

One of the best buys in hifi. Everyone with a desktop music system should get one. The possibilities with this device are endless. Great performing Dac? Check. Parametric EQ? Check. All kinds of inputs, easy to use software, can be used with REW for room equalization (if you have a calibrated measurment mic). All that and all of the cool setups you can use this for. High pass filter your main speakers and have 2 stereo subwoofers, with eq for your room. Custom build your own speakers and use this as an active 2 way crossover. Eq your computer speakers and eq your headphones on a seperate amplifier. This product for what it does is in a league of its own for the price.