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Opinions please: RME ADI-2 or MiniDSP SHD

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Posted on December 1, 2021 at 13:58:30
Kurtle
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Posts: 364
Location: Salem Oregon
Joined: December 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: April 6, 2011
 My Cambridge Audio DAC (851D) died a premature death, and CA now only has one repair facility and its on the east coast. It is a heavy unit, by the time I pay shipping and insurance, and repair costs I am thinking it is not worth it for am 8 year old DAC. I bought it 6 yrs ago as new old stock, sealed box. It was their top of the line when produced, so I am disappointed it only lasted me 6 years. They offered me half off on a new product, which is pretty good I guess, but they don't really make a comparable product any more.

Unfortunately I let the sale price on the Gustard X26 Pro slide by prior to finding out the above. I am on a fixed income and just found out I need a $10K house repair, so I need to keep the cost down to under $1300.

I am considering the RME ADI-2 FS which I have seen lots of good reports on, and also the MiniDSP SHD. The SHD contains the full Dirac making it enticing.

I would appreciate any and all opinions on these two units.

Thank you!

 

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RE: Opinions please: RME ADI-2 or MiniDSP SHD, posted on December 1, 2021 at 14:23:10
Amos Burton
Audiophile

Posts: 11
Location: NV
Joined: November 30, 2021
 If it was me, I'd go for the RME with its higher performance ceiling and features as a primary source. The MiniDSP is a more swiss army knife product which nobody I'm aware of claims is a superb source in itself. It's used more by folks using active speakers as a digital crossover. The RME also comes with parametric adjustments so you can still shape the signal.

There are a ton of other options out there, of course, Chord and Denafrips would be worth comparing, at least.

It depends what you're really looking for, and what you're not, cause most digital devices have so many features. Mostly, I'd care about sound quality above all, connectivity second (e.g. balanced outputs vs just single-ended), that can play the music formats I listen to (e.g. I don't use MQA or DSD so don't care about that stuff), maybe volume control depending on your pre-amp needs, etc, etc.

 

Please check out Grace Design's m900 HPA/DAC/pre, posted on December 1, 2021 at 14:46:58
John Marks
Manufacturer

Posts: 7806
Location: Peoples' Democratic Republic of R.I.
Joined: April 23, 2000



It costs under $700.

It comes from the same company that made the Analog to Digital Converters, the mic pres, and the monitoring controller used in the making of three Boston Symphony recordings that in recent years have won the Grammy for Best Classical Performance or Best Classical Recording. Seriously.

When I was (once again) asked to specify gear for a Steinway & Sons office or installation or facility, I recommended the Grace m900, in large part because my friends at Steinway had been very happy with the now-discontinued Grace Design HPA/DAC/pres I specified several years back.

Places from Skywalker Sound to the Metropolitan Opera depend upon Grace Design professional gear.

The m900 does DSD, but because of form factor and price target, it is not balanced. If you need balanced, check out Massdrop (now Drop), in that every now and then Grace Design builds a batch for them.

Any questions, please ask.

john


 

The Gustard is still $1,500 or less, posted on December 1, 2021 at 17:27:23
raingerz
Audiophile

Posts: 547
Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: July 20, 2013
 Why not save up an additional $200?

 

thanks for the heads up, very interesting /nt, posted on December 1, 2021 at 18:51:27
Story
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Posts: 10457
Location: NJ
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RE: The Gustard is still $1,500 or less, posted on December 1, 2021 at 18:53:20
Kurtle
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Posts: 364
Location: Salem Oregon
Joined: December 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: April 6, 2011
 Raingerz,

Good question. I just dropped $3500 on a planned house repair, then found out about an urgent $10,000 needed repair, am getting a root canal and crown (approx. $2K), just paid property taxes ($3800), have insurance (house, cars, umbrella) coming up next month ($2500), just put a set of tires on my car ($700), December has my wife's birthday, wedding anniversary, and Christmas. Also need to replace crawl space vapor barrier.

I have $1300 of my own (non-shared) funds to spend, am on a fixed (not very big) income. I am trying to (need to) strictly stick to a budget. I know $200 is not a lot of money, and would have never even thought about it when I was working, but things have changed due to circumstances beyond my control.

Also, the Gustard gives me pause as I have read a number of times about how hot the Gustard runs, and as we know heat is hard on electronics, I need whatever I end up buying to last a good long time.

My current DAC is not not working, and I want to replace it sooner rather than later. I may end up deciding to wait until I have the money, but that will put a crimp in my music listening, that is a hard row to hoe...

 

RE: Please check out Grace Design's m900 HPA/DAC/pre, posted on December 1, 2021 at 18:57:04
Kurtle
Audiophile

Posts: 364
Location: Salem Oregon
Joined: December 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: April 6, 2011
 John,

Thanks for the heads up on the Grace Design offering, I will check it out. My amp (VTV Purifi) has XLR inputs only, but I know that can be worked around with cables.

 

I will say a prayer for your finances. :-), posted on December 1, 2021 at 20:38:26
raingerz
Audiophile

Posts: 547
Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: July 20, 2013
 Seriously, I hope you'll be able to upgrade your DAC as soon as possible.

I've heard about the overheating issue as well, but I'm not overly concerned about it. Many people claim it's not a big issue. Also, having it on some of the time probably won't cause too much trouble. Just give it room to breathe--nothing on top of the DAC.

 

RE: Opinions please: RME ADI-2 or MiniDSP SHD, posted on December 2, 2021 at 11:45:01
AbeCollins
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Posts: 46302
Location: USA
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  Since: February 2, 2002
I much prefer my RME ADI-2 DAC FS over the Denafrips Ares II, Chord Qutest, and the Topping D90. I've had all of these DACs in my setup in the past year. I think the RME is outstanding but the Gustard X26 Pro gets very high praise from folks I trust. I hope to try it myself someday.

That beings said, of all the DACs that have been in my system I still prefer my 6 year old PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC [discontinued] by a very slight margin. This is probably more of personal preference quirk as the NuWave DSD DAC is known for its big dynamics and robustness.



 

There's a discontinued pro version with XLR outs on eBay, posted on December 2, 2021 at 12:13:45
John Marks
Manufacturer

Posts: 7806
Location: Peoples' Democratic Republic of R.I.
Joined: April 23, 2000
 The seller does not accept returns, and discloses that the power-button light is out. But claims the unit is fine.

IMHO $800 or so is a fair price for a no questions asked unit with return privileges, so, perhaps offer $700?

You might want to ask the factory about the light.

I reviewed that model for Stereophile.

jm

 

RE: Opinions please: RME ADI-2 or MiniDSP SHD, posted on December 2, 2021 at 12:54:48
Kurtle
Audiophile

Posts: 364
Location: Salem Oregon
Joined: December 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: April 6, 2011
 Thanks Abe, I just, like 5 minutes ago, pulled the trigger on the RME ADI-2.

Your earlier post in the PC Audio forum stating that you liked it over the D90, Qutest, and Ares II was an influence on my decision.

I have not seen a bad review on the ADI-2, and the functionality of the unit is a bit enticing as well. I ordered it from Amazon so I have until Jan 31, 2022 to return it, nice to get a long trial period, though I anticipate being very happy with it. Earlier this year I went through the "analysis paralysis" scenario with an amp purchase that went on WAY too long, figured this has great reviews, and I have an almost two month return window so I decided to help Jeff with his rocket games...

Amazon states one day delivery for this so it should (hopefully) arrive tomorrow. I live close to a large Amazon fulfillment center, and often get next day delivery so my fingers are crossed. Worst case, it will be here Saturday...

 

I have a miniDSP SHD, posted on December 2, 2021 at 13:08:25
13th Duke of Wymbourne
Audiophile

Posts: 2800
Location: Orange Co., Ca
Joined: September 19, 2001
 FWIW, the streamer in the SHD is as good as the Allo digione signature I used before, the ADC input digitizes vinyl and it still sounds like vinyl and Dirac is very powerful. And I can create and tweak cross-overs to subs.
So all very positive.

But, as a DAC, I prefer to send SPDIF out and use the DAC in my Wadia 830 cdp. That DAC uses Burr Brown R-2R-ish chips. In comparison I find the SHD DAC outs to be a bit flat and less engaging, not actually bad I just prefer the Wadia. Now, pretty much, or all, the other DACs up for discussion are sigma-delta types so they may sound much more like the SHD DAC out.

Regards,
13DoW

 

Maybe I jumped the gun, posted on December 2, 2021 at 17:20:05
raingerz
Audiophile

Posts: 547
Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: July 20, 2013
 Does anybody know about extreme heat's impact on capacitors? This is a case where those giant torodials in the Gustard can cut both ways, as they emit a lot of heat.

I figure that even if I get only three years out of the DAC it will have been worth it. Digital changes so quickly it'll be outdated by then.

 

RE: Maybe I jumped the gun, posted on December 2, 2021 at 17:46:19
Cut-Throat
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Posts: 18286
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 I have the Gustard and while it does get warm, it is no where close to as hot as my Tube Amps.... I can always lay my hands on top of the Gustard and it is very warm. Not so with my Tube Amps (they're Hot).... But heat travels upwards and the Capacitors are not located above the heat....

Sounds like an overly unnecessary concern to me.



 

I was hoping you'd weigh in :-), posted on December 2, 2021 at 18:07:17
raingerz
Audiophile

Posts: 547
Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: July 20, 2013
 Since you're one of the more well-known Gustard users.

I have to expect that the Chinese know how to build a proper circuit. Otherwise word travels quickly.

 

The XLRs on the M920 are, posted on December 3, 2021 at 04:26:02
marcuslee841@yahoo.com



inputs rather than outputs though. I've had the M920 for 7 years or so and would say that if one could get it for 700 or 800 dollars you would be getting quite a deal. It has very good dynamics along with a very natural sound to voices and instruments. I've been very pleased with it. I'd make a phone call or email them also and ask about repairing the power light and serviceability in the future.


The Grace brothers are or were at the time I bought my M920 a Kii speaker dealer and I had stopped in to their facility in Lyons Co to listen to the speakers but ended up buying the M920 instead. Most if not all of what they build is geared to the professional market. At the time they had lent their speakers to a recording studio just up the road in Longmont Co so I ended up going over there to listen to them. Wind Over The Earth is the name of the recording studio and one of the owner's comments to me regarding Grace gear was that he wouldn't use anything else for his Pre.

 

OOPS MY BAD, sorry!!! nt, posted on December 3, 2021 at 05:49:05
John Marks
Manufacturer

Posts: 7806
Location: Peoples' Democratic Republic of R.I.
Joined: April 23, 2000
 oops

 

RE: Opinions please: RME ADI-2 or MiniDSP SHD, posted on December 3, 2021 at 11:31:09
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46302
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Congrats! I hope you like the RME. Like everything else in audio it really comes down to personal preference and so-called system synergy. You might try the new RME driving your amp direct as it is very transparent that way. Just be careful that the RME Volume is turned way down! On the other hand I get a tiny bit more warmth with my preamp inline.

We have an Amazon fulfillment center / distribution hub about 3 miles from our home. I'm not quite sure what to call it. Its' big enough with lots of Amazon vans going in and out. We have a few massively huge Amazon warehouses up by the airport which is about 30 miles from us.

In any case, Amazon delivery service around here is excellent and the returns are easier than ever too. Hope your RME arrives ASAP!


 

To further put your mind at ease ..............., posted on December 3, 2021 at 14:21:34
Cut-Throat
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Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
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  Since: May 16, 2021
 I have a Rpi Model 3 on top of my Gustard and the following are the CPU Temps of the Rpi after 2 Hours of Listening.
Note - The Temps of the Rpi are not any higher than if the Rpi was sitting elsewhere. About 55 Degrees Centigrade (About 130 Degrees Fahrenheit). Contrast this with the Temps off my Power Tubes in my Amplifiers, which are 350-400 Degrees Fahrenheit. My guess that the Capacitors in the Gustard are much cooler than the 130 Fahrenheit of the Raspberry Pi, as they are not located above the chassis, but off to the sides, with a Metal Divider between the heat sources.













 

I guess you have to assume that..., posted on December 3, 2021 at 21:10:12
raingerz
Audiophile

Posts: 547
Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: July 20, 2013
 if the temperature inside the Gustard were very high, the heat would radiate to the metal case.

I'll probably wind up locating the Raspberry Pi on the corner of the Gustard as well.

By the way, where did you get that nifty squeezelite screen with the temperature on it?

 

RE: I guess you have to assume that..., posted on December 3, 2021 at 22:14:18
AbeCollins
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Location: USA
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  Since: February 2, 2002
 If the outside of a component's case is at a certain temperature it will likely be even warmer inside. Heat is indeed an enemy of capacitors. I wonder what the electrolytic caps in the Gustard are rated at. 85C is common. 105C is a better rating in high temperature environments.

If you're concerned with heat from the Gustard a small fan will help. I use the fan below to cool my Anker Thunderbolt docking station that runs pretty hot as I leave it ON 24/7. The quiet fan keeps it cool.

P.S. The AC Infinity line of fans is pretty good. They make a variety for AV equipment cooling and they're generally very quiet and last a long time. I've had other brands that cost less but they often start making noise after a week of continuous use.


 

Thank you for that reference, posted on December 3, 2021 at 22:23:08
raingerz
Audiophile

Posts: 547
Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: July 20, 2013
 I will definitely look into that if I do buy the Gustard. It's pretty cheap, and it seems like it does a good job!

 

RE: I guess you have to assume that..., posted on December 4, 2021 at 05:14:47
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18286
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 You have that screen also.... It is included with PiCorePlayer as are a lot of other nifty functions. Go to the IP address of the Rpi and click on the Rpi you want measure; then Main Page>Extras>CPU temp.....

Make sure you are in Beta Mode (Which I think I helped you set up)... Otherwise some options won't show up.




 

My screen didn't exactly look like yours..., posted on December 4, 2021 at 17:51:00
raingerz
Audiophile

Posts: 547
Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: July 20, 2013
 But I was able to get the temperature. It was available under "test," and it was 48 degrees centigrade. Sounds pretty good.

 

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