Mini DSP questions

[evilskillit]

I have some questions and hopefully someone here who is experienced with MiniDSP can answer them.

First a little bit about my current setup:
I'm using my PC as my source driving a stereo amp for my mains and a sub amp for my subs. I'm using a Sounblaster Live Audigy 2 and the KX drivers which have a lot of great DSP plug ins. I'm using a 4th order crossover DSP to cross the mains to the subs. I'm using a parametric eq DSP to flatten out the subs in room response and then if I want there are also delay DSPs so I can time align the subs and the mains better. However the KX drivers seem to have stopped development and the chipset they use (emu10k1 and emu10k2) seems to be getting less and less common. I was thinking of building another PC and possibly trying to get another emu10k2 based sound card since mine is getting old, but it occurs to me that sooner or later I'm going to have to change anyways.

Which brings me to my Mini-DSP questions. So if I want to do the same thing with Mini-DSP how many of those little Mini-DSP boxes do I need and what Mini-DSP audio plug ins do I need to buy? Whats the total cost going to look like?

Also are there any other solutions I should be looking into instead?

edit: after digging a bit more on the DSP site it looks like a single 2 in 4 out Mini-DSP box with the 2way PEQ 21 plug-in is pretty ideal for what I'm doing and should only cost about $110. Mini-DSP is probably better than my aging SB live as well. Still I'm curious what sort of results other PE users have had with the Mini-DSP system.

[greywarden]

You should just need the single 2x4 "in a box" unit. 2 inputs, 4 outputs (2 L+R Speakers, 2 L+R or Mono subs) you can use the 2way crossover and/or Parametric EQ plugins, too.

I'll be running the setup in my signature sometime, I have to keep making it cheaper and moving back purchase dates because of financial issues, but eventually i'll be there...

[Pallas]

I'm using my PC as my source driving a stereo amp for my mains and a sub amp for my subs.

Are your mains themselves active or passive? How big are they? Is the DSP going to be your only means of bass management, assuming the mains need a highpass in the first place?

Which brings me to my Mini-DSP questions. So if I want to do the same thing with Mini-DSP how many of those little Mini-DSP boxes do I need and what Mini-DSP audio plug ins do I need to buy? Whats the total cost going to look like?

Sounds like a single 2x4 is your best bet. If you need a highpass on your mains and you want to upgrade to a multisub system, then two of them.

If you need a highpass on your mains, look ato the 2.1 way PEQ. If not, you could prepare for a proper multisub system with the 4-way Advanced. (I'm using a miniDSP-in-a-Box with the 4-way Advanced plugin for my multisub system.)

Also are there any other solutions I should be looking into instead?

Assuming their 0.9Vrms maximum output voltage is sufficient for your amps, I know of know comparably power solution for equal or less money.

[evilskillit]

My mains are the Zaph Waveguide TMM speakers. They're big and don't need to be high passed but I've been doing so anyways because there are just so many benefits. Right now I'm only using 1 sub or one sub channel.

It sounds like the 2.1peq is the way to go for now.

[Pallas]

My mains are the Zaph Waveguide TMM speakers. They're big and don't need to be high passed but I've been doing so anyways because there are just so many benefits.

With two beefy 7" woofers, chances are that there are rather FEWER advantages to highpassing than there are advantages. You lose a little headroom, but gain two extra pressure sources to smooth out room modes.

I'd just plug the ports and run 'em wide open.