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Front and rear panels

The miniDSP Flex is a sophisticated device with a range of audio applications. This section of the manual explains operation of the Flex in its default configuration. Once you are familiar with its basic usage, read the following sections of this manual to learn how to set up more advanced configurations with miniDSP Device Console.

Front panel

The front panel and rotary encoder provide access to the key features of the miniDSP Flex. These can also be accessed with a remote control.

miniDSP Flex front panel with OLED display

Volume

To change the volume, rotate the encoder. The volume changes in 0.5 dB steps. Minimum volume is -127.5 dB and maximum volume is 0.0 dB.

Preset

To select one of the four presets, press the encoder knob once, then rotate until the desired preset number is displayed. Either press the encoder knob again or wait for a second. The display will show "Pls wait..." while the new preset is being loaded, and then return to normal.

Audio source

To select an audio source, press the encoder knob twice, then rotate the encoder until the desired input source is displayed. Either press the encoder knob or wait for a second and the display will return to normal with the new input selected.

Mute

To mute output, press and hold the encoder knob. When the display changes to show "Mute?," release the knob. To unmute, repeat this procedure.

miniDSP Flex: mute and unmute

Standby

To put the Flex into standby, press and hold the encoder knob. When the display changes to show "Standby?," release the knob. To take it out of standby, press the encoder knob.

Rear panel

Warning

Ensure all equipment is powered off when making audio connections.

All versions

Connections that are common to all 2-in 4-out Flex units

  1. DC power. The supplied 12 VDC power supply includes a set of interchangeable power pins for USA, UK, Europe and Australia. Fit the correct pins for your country. Connect the DC plug to the 12 VDC power socket.

  2. Ground lug. This can be connected to an external electrical ground if it is necessary to ground the chassis of the Flex. This need is uncommon, and most of the time it can be left unconnected.

  3. USB port. Used for both configuration/control and audio streaming. Connect to an available USB port on your computer. This port can also be connected to a network streamer with USB output for audio playback.

  4. Bluetooth antenna. Screw on the supplied Bluetooth antenna here.

  5. Optical digital input. Connect a stereo digital source using a TOSLINK optical cable. Sample rates from 32 up to 216 kHz are supported.

  6. Coax digital input. Connect a stereo digital source using an RCA cable. Sample rates from 32 up to 216 kHz are supported.

  7. Reset button. For use in specific circumstances only. See the Trouble-shooting and Support section.

miniDSP Flex

Connections of standard Flex

  1. Analog inputs. Connect an analog source here using RCA cables. Typically, the left channel is connected to input 1 and the right channel is connected to input 2. The maximum input voltage is 2.0 Vrms.
  2. Analog outputs. Connect equipment such as a power amplifier and subwoofer using RCA cables. Typically, output 1 is the left channel and output 2 is the right channel. See Section 6.4 for a variety of other connections. The maximum output voltage is 2.0 Vrms.

Flex/Balanced

Connections of Flex/Balanced

  1. Balanced analog inputs. Connect an analog source here. The input jacks are balanced TRS (1/4" tip-ring-sleeve) connectors, so XLR to TRS adapter cables can be used to connect to equipment with XLR outputs. Typically, the left channel is connected to input 1 and the right channel is connected to input 2. The maximum input voltage is 4.0 Vrms.
  2. Balanced analog outputs. Connect equipment such as a power amplifier, active speakers and subwoofer here. The output jacks are balanced TRS (1/4" tip-ring-sleeve) connectors, so TRS to XLR adapter cables can be used to connect to equipment with XLR inputs. Typically, output 1 is the left channel and 2 is the right channel. See Section 6.4 for a variety of other connections. The maximum output voltage is 4.0 Vrms.

Flex/Digital

Connections of Flex/Digital

  1. Analog inputs. Connect an analog source here using RCA cables. Typically, the left channel is connected to input 1 and the right channel is connected to input 2. The maximum input voltage is 2.0 Vrms.
  2. Digital outputs. Connect to a DAC, a home theater receiver, or active speakers with digital input. Each digital connection carries two output channels -- output channels 1 and 2, or output channels 3 and 4. The TOSLINK and SPDIF outputs for each pair of channels carry the same signal and are both active at the same time. The sample rate on the digital outputs is 96 kHz (miniDSP Flex (without Dirac Live)).