Bluesound releases 2024 ICON streamer

[GXAlan]

'not possible' is technically incorrect. Let's just give it some time.

I know you insist you have no relationship with Lenbrook and manufacturers can get stuff wrong, but statements like that really make it seem like you are privy to information that an ordinary consumer may not have. Is that statement conjecture? Or are you privy to knowledge that others may not.

We know software decoding is “possible” a la Trinnov, but possible and probable are different.

If there is a >75% chance the Node Icon v1 gets surround sound, I would probably be happy. If there is no probable chance even if it’s possible, I bet going for the c700 v2 would give me no meaningful difference in audio quality from the DAC and digital filter standpoint or even XLR, but give me clear benefits from utilizing it in a lifestyle home theater.

 

[robsonj]

Can you tell me whether the Dirac Live filters are also audible via the headphone output?

I don't believe they are, it wouldn't make sense I don't think as you are measuring speaker response with Dirac, not the headphones. However if you use Roon, you can easily eq headphones via Muse

 

[sapphari]

@robsonj would you mind posting up the target curve that Dirac gave you? I think it would be helpful for others.

 

[robsonj]

For sure... Harman-6dB & Harman-8dB. I'm using the 8dB with some tweaks to lower the mids a little...

 

[sapphari]

Thanks. I'm surprised those don't sound bright. Usually people use a gentle downward slope starting at around 2k, but this is flat from ~300hz up.

Awesome to hear you are so pleased with the results!

 

[pogo]

it wouldn't make sense I don't think as you are measuring speaker response with Dirac, not the headphones.

See also the procedure here: Link

I've modified this procedure for my purposes.
I measured / generated a neutral frequency response curve (my flat curve) using a mixer mixing the two L / R preouts of the M33 to the left output channel, as described in the procedure previously, and had this signal A/D converted by the mixer (input source for Dirac Live).

You can then import corrections from a headphone database in a target curve file. Unfortunately, the DL filters are no longer audible via the headphone output on my M33 since the last update. Hence the question about the Icon.

 

[robsonj]

Thanks. I'm surprised those don't sound bright. Usually people use a gentle downward slope starting at around 2k, but this is flat from ~300hz up.

Awesome to hear you are so pleased with the results!

I lowered the mids a little

 

[pogo]

You can use this as a guide:

Source: DIY-AUDIO-HEAVEN

 

[robsonj]

See also the procedure here: Link

I've modified this procedure for my purposes.
I measured / generated a neutral frequency response curve (my flat curve) using a mixer mixing the two L / R preouts of the M33 to the left output channel, as described in the procedure previously, and had this signal A/D converted by the mixer (input source for Dirac Live).

You can then import corrections from a headphone database in a target curve file. Unfortunately, the DL filters are no longer audible via the headphone output on my M33 since the last update. Hence the question about the Icon.

Well, I tried plugging in the headphones and in took a look at the BluOS filter settings, it says the filters are still on. If I switch between the Dirac presets and also turning them off, there is definitely a sound difference, so I think they are active

 

[pogo]

Do you also have different target curves in the DL slots and do you hear a difference between them?

 

[Kenny46]

I do hope Bluesound figure out how to route dirac through USB to external dacs also soon. I works well on COAX, but I've gotten used to only use USB between source and dacs with my streamers.

 

[robsonj]

Do you also have different target curves in the DL slots and do you hear a difference between them?

Yes and Yes and also a difference when I select Off

 

[pogo]

Cool, I like the Icon more and more. You can also use Dirac Live as a normal EQ via speakers/headphones.

 

[robsonj]

Yea I am really liking it. Only minor gripe is not being able to set an output (xlr/rca/headphones) as a preset, so I have to plug/unplug the headphones etc

 

[GXAlan]

Thanks. I'm surprised those don't sound bright. Usually people use a gentle downward slope starting at around 2k, but this is flat from ~300hz up.

Awesome to hear you are so pleased with the results!

The predicted output from Dirac may not actually reflect the *actual* experience at your ears as well. There are times where the Dirac curve is flat, but if you resweep in REW, you will see that it’s not quite as neutral as predicted.

 

[sapphari]

I've always wished that Dirac would sweep after applying its mojo so you could verify the result.

 

[pogo]

Dirac spoke of introducing a kind of verification.

 

[GXAlan]

Cool, I like the Icon more and more. You can also use Dirac Live as a normal EQ via speakers/headphones.

I wonder if you can take a normal ADC to measure the electrical output of the headphones as your sweep and then with your flat curve, to raise/lower the EQ as appropriate.

Better yet, you should be able to just download a Dirac project with the recording of the electrical output and it should be universally shareable as long as the save files aren’t tied to a serial number somehow.

@Flak, is there a way to synthetically create this project file?

 

[pogo]

For example, this is what a correction of my headphones looks like in a target curve. I obtained the data for my headphones from a database.

I later raised this target curve by another 10dB in order to make full use of the Dirac Live headroom.

 

[pogo]

@Flak, is there a way to synthetically create this project file?

Since the Icon has a very good headphone and DSP section, this would be desirable.