Devices > Sound Cards, DAC's, Receivers, Speakers, and Headphones
miniDSP Flex HTx
craigmcg:
I saw that you don't want anything from Topping but I know that a few JRiver users have the Topping DM7 (I'm one of them) and love it.
https://www.topping.audio/productinfo/862560.html
It has USB audio, 8 channels, and balanced TRS outs that could easily be adapted to XLR. It can also be adapted to unbalanced RCAs (I don't have balanced amps). The forum thread related to this is https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,134316.0.html
Another option could be the Okto Dac8pro if available
https://www.oktoresearch.com/dac8pro.htm
and a high end option I've seen recommended is the Exasound S88 Mark II
https://www.exasound.com/Products/s88StreamingDAC.aspx
mattkhan:
There are certainly cheap Linux friendly options
https://www.tascam.eu/en/us-16x08
https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=P0B2J
No experience of either, they certainly have knobs and buttons though :)
mwillems:
So I have both a MiniDSP Flex 8 (a balanced eight channel device that's very similar to the Flex HT) and a MiniDSP 2x4HD. I've been very very happy with the MiniDSP Flex 8. It really is set and forget and is a nice low noise device that's easy to interact with. If you only need USB inputs and don't need HDMI or analog inputs, you might want to consider the Flex 8 instead of the HTx (it's cheaper, and the main difference is that the Flex 8 only has USB and bluetooth inputs).
The 2x4HD worked well for more than a year, but eventually developed an intermittent power fault (where the power supply connects to the box) that would put the box into a failed state and require a restart every so often. I had to replace the unit and the replacement worked fine, but it was out of warranty, which was irritating. The replacement has worked fine since then. That was an older MiniDSP design though, the Flex's are all newer and seem to have a much nicer build quality.
The only downside from my perspective is that the device programming/control software is Windows only. To be clear, you can use them as audio interfaces just fine on Linux, but programming them officially requires a Windows PC (although there is some open source unofficial software for programming them on Linux, but I haven't tested it and it's a little rudimentary at this point). If you run only on Windows this won't affect you.
--- Quote from: craigmcg on February 16, 2024, 02:48:34 am ---I saw that you don't want anything from Topping but I know that a few JRiver users have the Topping DM7 (I'm one of them) and love it.
https://www.topping.audio/productinfo/862560.html
It has USB audio, 8 channels, and balanced TRS outs that could easily be adapted to XLR. It can also be adapted to unbalanced RCAs (I don't have balanced amps). The forum thread related to this is https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,134316.0.html
--- End quote ---
I also have a Topping DM-7 and am very happy with it. I actually use it on the same system that I use the MiniDSP Flex 8 with as both have 8 channels that I need for my active bi-amped speakers and subs (JRiver connects to the Topping so it can control it fully and take advantage of JRiver's superior DSP, and system/web audio goes to the Flex 8, which has good enough DSP for video games and youtube).
--- Quote ---Another option could be the Okto Dac8pro if available
https://www.oktoresearch.com/dac8pro.htm
--- End quote ---
These seem very hard to come by. I've never seen them for sale directly from the manufacturer whenever I've been in the market. Maybe I'm just unlucky :-\
eve:
--- Quote from: craigmcg on February 16, 2024, 02:48:34 am ---I saw that you don't want anything from Topping but I know that a few JRiver users have the Topping DM7 (I'm one of them) and love it.
https://www.topping.audio/productinfo/862560.html
It has USB audio, 8 channels, and balanced TRS outs that could easily be adapted to XLR. It can also be adapted to unbalanced RCAs (I don't have balanced amps). The forum thread related to this is https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,134316.0.html
Another option could be the Okto Dac8pro if available
https://www.oktoresearch.com/dac8pro.htm
and a high end option I've seen recommended is the Exasound S88 Mark II
https://www.exasound.com/Products/s88StreamingDAC.aspx
--- End quote ---
These were going to be my 3 suggestions in order. Thanks for reading my mind.
Or rather, maybe it's a commentary on the state of multichannel D/A ::)
To clarify, I'm the OP of the linked thread, I'm still using the DM7 and really have no complaints other than I wish they had a 16 or 24ch version lmao. Oh and proper non IR control for the internal volume attenuation would be nice. My next interface is *probably* just a used HAPI but we'll see.
syndromeofadown:
Thanks eve, mwillems, mattkhan, and craigmcg.
I researched all suggested options. In the end I did order the MiniDSP Flex HTx. I got it and the TRS to XLR adapters. I did not get Dirac software as it seems like a nightmare.
There were a couple of cheap option for external cards:
Asus XONAR U7 MKII
https://www.amazon.ca/Asus-Headphone-Amplifier-Studio-Software/dp/B06ZZNR4HQ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3W3YF92X0254F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2YHzxwQvvFbTThuySq59O2ReZHRemztZlMib3m7k-JeTssqaowqiVJacMRFsE-6IFOUh5DmGylPeFLYNjmuBaEAGoAqZiR7uSbovUZH3qzg.qCXE9wjIGU7bX4Z0ctf3tqvZVBbNajbPPzEarhAjSZ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=xonar+u7&qid=1708394156&sprefix=xonar+u7%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-3
I believe this is discontinued, but still available. I have the MKI, and it is fine.
Creative Sound Blaster X4
https://www.amazon.ca/Creative-External-Multi-Channel-Discrete-Optical-out/dp/B0953LL5R6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DEV41C717QVC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JwXqOCi9zqhY5eQTjeT1DMO1Qy-SdQJ1gmPtxpQTf1dNIkVvZIcIj1WdpwwreTlBfkrbm6TeM5JrhmoLNyvKQsecGzKVFp5BfsYHnp7t9TMPQnNRA-Gzhm4x1lWQS1QbwCHxLEMYr0fplZzZrWqavitJnO-QqEukrK9dPBdPKh6TTCOpgHXN3p9el-QZUNErCWztBKH5JjSS9ySiMfUEfHQTScN9SpPsV4huP2yphpU3TJJtKMmQDHDOmDWQipU-Q1oYOpUGozMJzZJaQym7HyzbSvrF4RFTRqSmmBhf4JM.hO4zEL_w-lKqWogidERfmagFG--_k7dLVjWvCBf7b8I&dib_tag=se&keywords=x4%2Bcreative&qid=1708394259&sprefix=x4%2Bcreativ%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-1&th=1
This one looks a bit junk, but I have always had good experiences with creative, just do not install their software.
I didn't look into internal cards, but I have no major issue with these. All of my pci slots are in use so this is not an option for me.
I do not have faith in the longevity of devices from Topping , or Fosi, so I try to avoid these brands. But I do buy SMSL, and now MiniDSP, which come from the same place as the before mentioned brands, so i hope they all last. The soundcard I am replacing is from 2008. There are no drivers for windows 11, but otherwise it still works fine.
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