You don't need such a "dsp box. Using an avr, you can appy Dirac Live with streamed audio if you use windows or MacOS to play the contents.
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Dirac Live standalone for PC and Mac
- Thread starter Flak
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Yeah but as far as I know that won’t work when watching movies etc with Atmos via pc which is my main htpc. So I still won’t be able to have ALL sounds EQed if using Dirac live from windows. So I’m still stuck with hoping that my AVR the new ES Sony series does a good job compared to either Dirac or Audyssey.
Why wouldn't that work?
The standard Dirac / Audyssey AVR's apply the EQ to all audio, unless you specify that they shouldn't (ie: by selecting pure direct mode)
The Sony setup, IMO is designed more with a focus on lifestyle, it corrects more effectively for speakers that are placed in less than ideal positions...
The Onky/Denon Dirac/Audyssey setup, assumes a more or less decent speaker configuration in placement terms, and then focuses on correcting for other issue (which the Sony setup doesn't do so well).
So in cases where for family reasons, you have little control over speaker placement, the Sony will probably give better results.... if you can place the speakers roughly where they should be for a decent surround setup, then you will get better results with Dirac/Audyssey.
Hello All!
I have a Wharfedale Linton and I want to make the next big step to improve my sound so probably it will be adding DIRAC into the equation to fix some room problems.
I only use my computer(mini pc) to run into the amplifier, from there I reproduce movies and music.
So I am between using just the DIRAC desktop application or buy a MiniDSP. I assume that the desktop should be better option since it has "unlimited" power from the PC, but maybe I am missing something. It would have any benefit on buying a mini DSP instead?
I think that the MINIDSP could be a benefit if for some reason I Have more than 1 source(like a Wiim device) so I can connect Wiim and computer to MiniDSP and then apply to both sources the dirac correction
Also, regading movies reproduction, does dirac adds noticeable delay? Specially for voices and subtitles sync.
Am I correct?
Thank you all!
I have a Wharfedale Linton and I want to make the next big step to improve my sound so probably it will be adding DIRAC into the equation to fix some room problems.
I only use my computer(mini pc) to run into the amplifier, from there I reproduce movies and music.
So I am between using just the DIRAC desktop application or buy a MiniDSP. I assume that the desktop should be better option since it has "unlimited" power from the PC, but maybe I am missing something. It would have any benefit on buying a mini DSP instead?
I think that the MINIDSP could be a benefit if for some reason I Have more than 1 source(like a Wiim device) so I can connect Wiim and computer to MiniDSP and then apply to both sources the dirac correction
Also, regading movies reproduction, does dirac adds noticeable delay? Specially for voices and subtitles sync.
Am I correct?
Thank you all!
PeterNL
Active Member
Yes
I bought Dirac Live stereo + DLBC for windows 11. Is there a known good working balanced DAC with at least three channels that will work with DLBC?
I bought the new Fosi Audio ZD3 DAC, but unfortunately that is one channel only. Will using a second cheapo DAC for the sub work?
I bought the new Fosi Audio ZD3 DAC, but unfortunately that is one channel only. Will using a second cheapo DAC for the sub work?
staticV3
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Topping DM7, Octo dac8, miniDSP Flex HTx.
The ZD3 is a two channel DAC.
Not very well.
Also, gently used exaSounds like the e18 or e28.
I recently spotted the Audient EVO 16 interface.
If you have a HT receiver in your audio chain, I guess it could handle it too?
theREALdotnet
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Yes, but you have to find a suitable way of keeping them synchronised. Combining them as aggregate audio device in macOS will result in either clock drift or unpredictable relative delays. I'm using a cheap RME interface (DigiFace USB) and connect the DACs to it via Toslink. That works well. The DACs should be identical models.
I have been searching for a solution and so far, the best available at affordable (relatively) solutions seems to be:
1) Use a low cost AVR, such as AVR-X3800H or Cinema 70, and use the center channel to power subwoofer 2. I forgot to try that when I had the AVR, should have sold it a week later, after testing this method. I did try it with the AVR-X1800H but it does not have the center channel pre outs, only the front left/right pre outs so I only tested it in 2.1.
2) minidsp Flex HT.
3) Motu M4
The AVR solution may be best because, possible to take advantage of the DEQ feature, very convenient, easy to configure, and it can function as a full blown AVR/AVP, for me, it will be a standby unit that hopefully will never be called on HT duties.
2) and 3), and similar devices (focusite, may be a little more complicated in terms of volume control, but may be not, I would have to really spend time reading their manuals before drawing any conclusions.
1) Use a low cost AVR, such as AVR-X3800H or Cinema 70, and use the center channel to power subwoofer 2. I forgot to try that when I had the AVR, should have sold it a week later, after testing this method. I did try it with the AVR-X1800H but it does not have the center channel pre outs, only the front left/right pre outs so I only tested it in 2.1.
2) minidsp Flex HT.
3) Motu M4
The AVR solution may be best because, possible to take advantage of the DEQ feature, very convenient, easy to configure, and it can function as a full blown AVR/AVP, for me, it will be a standby unit that hopefully will never be called on HT duties.
2) and 3), and similar devices (focusite, may be a little more complicated in terms of volume control, but may be not, I would have to really spend time reading their manuals before drawing any conclusions.
I thought the Flex HT doesn’t work with DLBC as there is a limitation with the multistream via USB
I am not sure about that, but I plan on using HDMI and that should work.
Edit: HDMI won’t work without an eARC extractor, so I will use USB that I prefer anyway.
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You could also consider rack mount options from the pro audio world. There is the affordable Behringer Ultradrive DCX2496 (if you can find it for sale), and a similarly featured unit I spotted recently is the Wharfedale Pro SC-48 FIR.
I just e-mailed miniDSP about it. I read this article from June, 2024 saying DLBC is not supported in any product. I'll let you know what they say.
I'm looking for a balanced DAC for a 2.1 setup for my desktop. Ideally USB
Thanks again, but I don't think that is relevant if you are using the PC standalone version. That's what I will be using and I thought that's what you plan on doing as well, given that this is the thread for the PC standalone version. In my case, I would be using the miniDSP Flex HT as a multichannel DAC mainly, though some of the DSP functions could still be use if I just want to play around with those features though the only thing I might try would be the PEQ/BiQuad filters for fine tuning, versus playing with DL's target curves.
If you intend to purchase the license for using the miniDSP platform to do it, then you are obviously correct about the limitations mentioned in that linked article.
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