DAC, DSP processor and headphone amplifier

The miniDSP Flex HPA is the newest member of the Flex series: an all-in-one stereo DSP processor that combines a DAC, full digital processing and a powerful headphone amp. It was designed for the desktop, but it is just as much at home in a recording studio or at the heart of a hi-fi system.

A 5 W headphone amp up front

The headphone stage delivers up to 5 W (5.3 W maximum, as stated by miniDSP) with THD+N of -117 dB, or 0.00014%. Two outputs sit on the front panel: a balanced 4-pin XLR output and an unbalanced 6.35 mm (1/4") jack.

DSP processing for headphones and speakers alike

Processing runs on an Analog Devices SHARC DSP clocked at 400 MHz, with 32-bit floating point. You get the familiar miniDSP toolset: parametric EQ, IIR and FIR filters, crossovers, advanced biquads and delay on every output channel.

On headphones, this engine handles headphone EQ, to correct or fine-tune the sound of your model. With speakers, it lets you integrate a subwoofer or build an active crossover. Everything is set up in the miniDSP Device Console software.

Connectivity built for desktop, studio and hi-fi

The digital inputs match the other Flex units: USB Audio, handled by a multi-core XMOS processor, coaxial SPDIF on RCA, optical, and Bluetooth with LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC codecs. A pair of balanced stereo analog inputs on TRS jacks rounds things off.

Around the back, four balanced line outputs on TRS jacks feed active speakers and one or two subwoofers in a 2.0, 2.1 or 2.2 setup. Outputs 3 and 4 share the headphone signal. The OLED display, volume knob, infrared remote and 3.5 mm trigger in/out make day-to-day use straightforward.

Optional Dirac Live for room correction

The miniDSP Flex HPA supports full-range stereo Dirac Live 3.x, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This software upgrade is optional and paid: it is not included with the unit. It corrects the effect of the room on your speakers and requires a UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 measurement microphone, not included, such as the miniDSP UMIK-1.

Available to order: miniDSP expects first shipments at the end of November 2026.

Specifications

• Type: stereo DSP processor with DAC and headphone amp (Flex series)
• Headphone power: up to 5 W (5.3 W maximum stated)
• Headphone amp THD+N: -117 dB (0.00014%)
• Front headphone outputs: balanced 4-pin XLR, unbalanced 6.35 mm jack
• DAC: SNR 126 dB(A), THD+N -120 dB (0.0001%)
• Digital inputs: USB Audio, coaxial SPDIF (RCA), optical, Bluetooth (LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC)
• Analog inputs: 1 balanced stereo pair on TRS jacks
• Line outputs: 4 balanced channels on TRS jacks (2.0, 2.1 or 2.2), outputs 3 and 4 shared with the headphone output
• DSP: Analog Devices SHARC 400 MHz, 32-bit floating point
• USB processor: multi-core XMOS
• Processing: parametric EQ, IIR and FIR filters, crossovers, advanced biquads, per-output-channel delay
• Dirac Live 3.x full-range stereo (20 Hz to 20 kHz): optional paid upgrade, not included
• Interface: OLED display, volume knob, infrared remote
• Trigger: in/out on 3.5 mm jack
• Configuration software: miniDSP Device Console
• In the box: Flex HPA, IR remote, universal 12 V power supply, USB cable
• Measurement microphone (UMIK-1 or UMIK-2) not included, required for Dirac Live