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KABD DSP feedback
Hi, given that there is a sale and I somehow need more cheap amplification and DSP, how's the Dayton KABD DSP line?
I am looking at the 4x100 amp DSP board. Anyone used these or have any opinions? I know the Dayton DSP in a box was pretty crappy, how does the KABD line stand out? It seems to have Bluetooth and DSP built in, though I need to buy the additional program board too.
It uses sigma studio, so there's a learning curve, but at least there won't be any sw limitations, but it's no user friendly UI.
Comments
The dsp works, but it can sometimes be a pita to connect to the pc. It is nice being able to hear the changes on the fly. Not that hard to learn the basics of sigma, more advanced looks daunting, but the basics are fairly simple. Have the kabd board with the 3116chip and IMO, it sounds crisp on top but the 4x100uses the tda7498? chip. IMO, the sure tda7498 boards I have used are a little laid back on top vs the crispness of the 3116 dayton.
Does this only refer to programming the DSP?
@ani_101 - good post, I spent an hour reading about the 4x100 board thinking about getting while on sale too.
Programming is a one time thing, do not need to mess with it on a daily basis, though I just love the hifiberry one - you can do it on the phone, laptop, etc with the Rasberry Pi connected - shows up a local server with it's config page and very easy and intuitive UI and fully wireless. but once programmed, you just leave it alone.
So, for measuring and setup of DSP a little patieience cna be spared - but not for daily use - since i am looking at it to be setup - and use phone to connect with bluetooth and it just plays.
Whne you say PITA - what aspect do you exactly mean @Kornbread
I have a KABD-430 that I got an error message trying to load a sample program to. I was going to use it with the 3D printed speakers I brought to Iowa last fall. I switched to a miniDSP and never got back to trying to figure out if I was doing something wrong or if there was a problem with the hardware. There are 2 switch settings on the programmer card you need and minimal docs on what they should be set at. I couldn't see the amp until I change one of them so it looks like the default switch settings aren't right.
Heh, have same quirks with the adau1701 boards. Have pair of 'kernel' boards with the 2 in 3 out adapter and a programmer. Finicky to know or remember which switches to flip for programming mode etc., wrote down somewhere that cant find. Let alone knowing what have setup in sigmastudio correct.
Tried selling off the kit on ebay with no luck, pulled it out to tinker with again to make simple sub xover/dsp (boost) so can steal away of old orig naked minidsp2x4 in use in basement treadmill/power rack gym area. Almost brought indy25 to sell off the bundle cheap - but keep thinking if ever wanna make frugal actives where prob easier to just use the amp boards with dsp integrated like the unit you're looking at. But I'm finicky about amps, too many of the even the 'hyped' tpa3255 amps just feel like lack to the current drive when compare to other amps in arsenal. Meaning that sure can boost to overcome and have desired end result sound, but deludes my thoughts having formed that impression.
Also have a 2x4HD sitting idle. I bit the bullet about a year+ back and bought spendy flex htx (8 in 8 out) that do notice flex models sound even more transparent than 2x4hd. I use the flex, or told myself at least, to use a mixer of sorts to toggle 2 channel sources to preouts from receiver but more so to experiment. Though never watch tv in my home office but know the flex htx gives me all the options ever need. Plus minidsp's hold good portion of value if ever to unload, but doubt ever would.
Get tempted by this https://www.thomannmusic.com/the_t.racks_dsp_4x4_mini.htm but just not need. Oh yeah, the dayton 4x8 was quirky. So often find self wanting 3 inputs, LR and LFE input for eq'ing.
These days focused more on passive so I then just fold in some sdx10 bass bins/stands as desired with signal split from source/pre to dsp. Prefer the sound of mojo2 dac direct to amp.
Also @ani_101 yeah, you have to go through a little song and dance to get the pc talking to sigma. Once it's connected it's good for that session but I'm picky and made a lot of small changes as time went on, like; pulling bass out because it was too heavy while playing in the tool locker, then putting bass back in because it was too shy playing out on the workbench, adding some treble because of shop noise. What sounded and measured good in a quiet room wasn't that great for a noisy shop. Took a while to get the shop sound correct.
BT wise, no problems with connecting. Actually surprising how far bt reaches without adding the external antenna and this with the amp board inside 1/2" mdf.
Thanks ease of use is why a lot of things fail! Would have been a cheaper alternative, but better expensive and used than cheap and taking up hoarding space...