DSP-8C

The DSP-8C is an 8-channel digital signal processor and preamplifier from CoLinear Acoustics, built for active loudspeaker crossovers, driver and room correction, and time alignment. It takes a stereo digital input over USB, S/PDIF coaxial or optical and processes it into eight independent analogue output channels, each with its own crossover, EQ, FIR filter, gain and delay. It costs £1,495 including UK shipping and VAT, and is configured from a computer with DSPconfig, our free application for Windows, macOS and Linux.

The DSP-4C is the four-channel version of the same platform: the same 1GHz SHARC+ processor, the same FIR tap budget at 96kHz, the same DSPconfig software and the same analogue performance figures, with four output channels instead of eight and dual two-channel ES9039Q2M DACs in place of the DSP-8C's eight-channel ES9039SPRO. The DSP-8C suits a three-way or four-way stereo system, or a two-way system with subwoofers; the DSP-4C suits a two-way stereo system or a stereo pair with two subwoofers. The DSP-4C is £965, is open for pre-order and ships in November 2026 - see the DSP-4C page.

Both are two-in, eight-out processors for active systems, but the DSP-8C is specified for considerably higher analogue performance and processing capacity. Against the Flex Eight's published figures: THD+N of up to -126 dB against -111 dB, dynamic range of 130 dB(A) against 125 dB(A), a 1GHz SHARC+ against a 400MHz SHARC, processing at up to 192kHz against 96kHz, FIR filtering on every input and output channel (53,248 taps at 96kHz) against a stereo FIR bank on the inputs only (2 x 2,048 taps), and both RCA and balanced XLR outputs with adjustable level against RCA only. The Flex Eight offers Bluetooth input and an optional Dirac Live licence, which the DSP-8C does not. The full table is in DSP-8C vs miniDSP Flex Eight.

Yes. Every input and every output channel has its own FIR filter alongside its IIR crossover and EQ. At 96kHz the two input channels share up to 16,384 taps and the eight output channels share up to 36,864, a combined 53,248 taps; at 192kHz the figures are 9,216 and 18,432. A long filter on one channel is split across the FIR accelerator automatically, so the only ceiling on a single channel is the shared total. The FIR vs IIR article explains when each kind of filter is the right tool.

Yes, through a measurement-led workflow. Measure with a tool such as REW, design the correction there or in rePhase, and import the resulting filters into DSPconfig: parametric EQ from REW's filter export, and FIR impulse responses from rePhase. DSPconfig does not currently include automatic room correction, and there is no Dirac Live licence; what you get instead is complete control over what is corrected and how.

DSPconfig, our free control application, runs natively on Windows 11 (and some configurations of Windows 10), on macOS on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs, and on Linux with .deb and .rpm packages for Ubuntu 20.04+, Fedora and related distributions. It gives real-time control of every parameter: input and output routing, crossovers, EQ, FIR filters, gain, delay and the four profiles. Download it from the DSPconfig page, and read the Getting Started guide for a walkthrough.

Yes. DSPconfig has a Demo Mode that creates a virtual device, so you can learn the interface, plan a system and build a complete profile with no hardware connected. A profile built in Demo Mode can be exported to a file and imported onto a real unit later.

Inputs: USB Audio Class 2, S/PDIF coaxial and S/PDIF optical, all accepting up to 24-bit / 192kHz PCM. Outputs: eight single-ended RCA and eight balanced XLR analogue outputs, selectable per channel in DSPconfig, plus S/PDIF coaxial and optical digital outputs. The full-scale output level is adjustable from 2.0 V to 2.5 V RMS single-ended and 4.0 V to 5.0 V RMS balanced, so the unit can be matched to a wide range of power amplifiers and active loudspeakers.

No, deliberately. Every Bluetooth codec is lossy, and a wireless transmitter inside the enclosure would degrade the analogue output stage the unit is built around. Play audio over USB from a computer, or connect a streamer of your choice to the S/PDIF coaxial or optical input.

Yes. It has a master volume control on the front-panel rotary encoder and on the supplied infrared remote, input selection, and four stored profiles that can be switched from the remote without a computer. For systems where something downstream handles volume, a fixed-volume mode holds the DAC at full scale. The remote uses the Philips RC-5 protocol, so universal remotes and control systems can drive the unit too; the command set is in the owner's manual.

No. A computer is needed only to configure it. Once profiles are saved to the unit it runs standalone, and the remote or the front panel selects the input, the profile and the volume. The USB input can still be used for playback from a computer if you want.

Each profile runs the DSP at either 96kHz or 192kHz, chosen in DSPconfig. Processing is 32-bit floating point throughout, with 40-bit precision on the input-channel filters where the SHARC+ architecture allows it. Running at 192kHz halves the FIR tap budget, which is why the sampling rate is the first choice to make when building a profile.

Four. Each profile is a complete configuration: crossovers, EQ and FIR filters, delays, gains, which socket each output uses, and whether the profile's audio goes to the analogue or the S/PDIF outputs. Profiles are switched from the remote or the front panel in a moment, which makes comparing two tunings of the same system straightforward.

Up to 655.35 ms on any single output channel, from a pool of 1,600 ms shared across all outputs at 96kHz (800 ms at 192kHz). DSPconfig shows each delay as the equivalent distance at the speed of sound, which is the figure driver alignment is usually worked out in.

Every unit carries a 24-month guarantee against defects in materials or workmanship, covering repair or replacement with carriage paid in both directions. The guarantee belongs to the unit, so it transfers to a new owner for the remainder of the term. Your statutory consumer rights apply in addition. The full terms are in our Terms of Use.

Shipping is included in the price. UK orders go by tracked Royal Mail, and the price includes VAT. We also ship to the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, the United States, Canada and a number of other European countries, usually by DHL; international orders are sent delivery duties unpaid, so import duties and local sales taxes are payable on receipt, and typically arrive within one to two weeks. The destination picker in the footer shows the price in your currency. See the Shipping Policy.

Yes. You can cancel for any reason up to 14 days after delivery and have a further 14 days to send the unit back, under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013; you pay the return postage in that case. A faulty unit is returned at our cost. The process is described in the Terms of Use.

CoLinear Acoustics is a British company founded in 2024 and based in Fort William, Scotland. The DSP-8C is designed and engineered in the UK, and every output channel is hand-calibrated.