A standalone DSP processor is a different tool to a DSP amplifier. It doesn't power your speakers itself — it takes your source signal, corrects and tunes it (time alignment, EQ, crossovers, phase), and hands a clean, calibrated output to separate amplifiers you choose. If you're running a factory or aftermarket system through one amp, a DSP amplifier is usually the simpler, more plug-and-play answer. If you're building a larger active system — multiple amps, a dedicated sub stage, or a setup you want full control over channel-by-channel — a standalone processor like the ones below is the right foundation.
Processor or DSP amp — which do you need?
Use a DSP amplifier when you want one box that both tunes and powers your system, wired in with a model-specific loom — this covers the large majority of factory-system upgrades and every current vehicle package we sell. Use a standalone processor when you already have (or are planning) separate amplifiers and want a single, dedicated tuning brain feeding them — common in larger active builds, EMMA competition setups, and installs where the amplifier lineup will grow or change over time. Every processor below is tuned in the same ATF PC Tool software covered in our DSP Tuning Guide, so the tuning workflow is identical whichever route you take.
HELIX & BRAX signal processors compared
| Model | Outputs | Inputs | DSP | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HELIX DSP MINI MK2 | 6x RCA | 4x RCA / 4x High level | 64-bit, 24-bit signal path | Compact entry point — tuning a factory-speaker upgrade where space is tight | $850 |
| HELIX DSP.3S | 8x RCA | 6x RCA / 6x High level | 64-bit, 24-bit signal path | Accurate, musical tuning for upgraded factory or aftermarket systems | $1,195 |
| HELIX DSP PRO MK3 | 10x RCA | 8x RCA / 8x High level | 2x 64-bit, 32-bit signal path | Demanding multi-way, multi-amp installs with room to grow | $1,750 |
| HELIX DSP ULTRA S | 12x RCA | 8x RCA / 8x High level + 8 virtual | 2x 64-bit, 32-bit AD/DA, HEC slot | The most ambitious multi-amp systems Helix's standalone range covers | $2,495 |
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HELIX NEXT DSP ULTRA XT Preorder — Sept 2026 |
16x | 8x RCA / 12x High level + 8 virtual | 2x 64-bit, 2.4B MAC/s, USB-C PerfectStream | ATF's next flagship processor — the new top of the HELIX standalone range | $4,495 |
| BRAX DSP CORE (Silver / Black) | Up to 12x, modular | Up to 8x, modular RCA/SPDIF | 3x 64-bit Sigma350, 3.6B MAC/s, 192kHz/32-bit | Reference-grade, fully modular flagship builds — BRAX is ATF's top brand | $5,450 |
Shop the full range of standalone DSP processors →
Introducing the HELIX NEXT DSP ULTRA XT
Available to preorder now — arriving September 2026. The ULTRA XT is Audiotec Fischer's next flagship signal processor, announced alongside the HELIX Z10 DSP as "the next era" of HELIX processing. 16 output channels, dual 64-bit DSPs and USB-C PerfectStream connectivity put it above the DSP ULTRA S as the new top of the HELIX standalone range. See full specs and preorder →
BRAX vs HELIX — what's the actual difference?
Both are Audiotec Fischer brands built by the same engineering team. HELIX processors are fixed-configuration units — the input/output count is set at the factory, which keeps them simpler to spec and install. BRAX DSP CORE is modular: the same chassis accepts exchangeable analog and digital I/O cards, so it can be configured from a simple RCA-in/RCA-out processor up to a fully digital, multi-zone system, and reconfigured later as a build evolves. That flexibility, and the higher-spec 192kHz/32-bit signal path, is what puts BRAX at the top of the range and the price ladder — it's ATF's flagship brand, not a "better" version of HELIX so much as a different tier built for reference-grade, no-compromise systems.
Not sure which processor is right for your build?
If your car already has a dedicated upgrade package built around a DSP amplifier, start with our DSP Amplifier Buying Guide — for most factory-system upgrades, that's the simpler and more cost-effective path. If you're planning a larger active system with separate amplifiers, browse the comparison above, or get in touch and we'll help you match a processor to your amp count and channel needs. Once your processor is installed, our DSP Tuning Guide walks through calibrating it to your car in the ATF PC Tool, and our FAQ covers common questions on ordering, warranty and installation.