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Mac mini running Dirac

Ksnel331

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Hi,
I would like to try Dirac Live 3 on a Mac Mini using Amazon Music HD. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone with experience doing this would give me some advice. I currently use a 2011 mini running High Sierra so I am pretty sure I need to upgrade the computer.
 

oursmagenta

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I can share my experience under windows 10.

With the Dirac Live Processor that run system wide I think that shouldn't too hard to setup. I have my cloud based music app (for me its spotify) running and the sound is routed natively to the Dirac Live Processor.

One issue that I see is that this system-wide thing has to keep some headroom for multiple input that could play at the same and hence has a 13 to 15 db lower digital volume to avoid clipping (which seems bigger than the necessary headroom needed by the Dirac processing).

I'd say that is ok if your downstream elements (preamp + amp) have low enough noise floor (since you will have to crank up the volume to compensate for the headroom).
 

carlymart

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Hi I am running a mac mini late 2014 with Dirac I use a bit of software called sound source this allows me to rout all sounds though DIrac live, like you do with the global version on Windows. it works very well indeed and yes i can route Spotify or Jriver iTunes etc all though Sound Source
 

omm0910

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Has anyone on the planet accomplished this? Its quite a rain dance. Its as if the Dirac instructions are written in Swedish or something. I agree with Amazon Music HD as feeding in a massive library of HD music. And they have a Mac app. But I believe the Amazon Music HD app is not “VST aware”. So then I tried installing SoundSource. Which went okay, but requires you to reboot the mac into recovery mode, which of course works different on M1 macs (command-R doesn’t work, instead you hold down the power on button for a really long time). Then I thought maybe Audirvana is VST aware I could test with that. But I’m having trouble there too. Sigh. See https://confluence.dirac.services/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=142862490 on step 4 Dirac doesn’t show up as an option. Its possible Apple’s AU Lab is an alternative to SoundSource https://live.dirac.com/content/uploads/2020/03/setupaulabwithdlp.pdf

OK I think the answer is to just drop back and punt. Maybe later in 2021 they’ll release Dirac for Mac as a virtual audio card.

Posted June 9
I'm pleased to inform my fellow forumers that we are going to release an update of the Mac version that will align it with the Windows version... as a result it will be possible to use it for systemwide correction of all audio from your Mac as it adds a virtual audio card.
If interested in testing it please open a ticket on the HelpDesk here: https://confluence.dirac.services/display/DLS/Dirac+Live+Support so that your findings and comments can be shared with the developers.

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...3-with-systemwide-correction/page/2/#comments
 
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omm0910

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I checked at https://www.dirac.com/live/downloads/ and as of today August 19, 2021 they are still offering…
“Dirac Live – Version 3.0.14 2021-03-18”

I guess they don’t yet have “an update of the Mac version that will align it with the Windows version... as a result it will be possible to use it for systemwide correction of all audio from your Mac as it adds a virtual audio card.”
 

omm0910

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Bought official version after 2 week trial period. Running great on MacOS 12.01 Monterey.
 

lofiguy

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The Dirac downloads page says there is both plugin and standalone versions. So all you need to do is use an audio router like Loopback or Blackhole. Point the audio app (or system) output to that virtual input. Then on the Dirac standalone take its input from the virtual output. Route the Dirac output to the DAC. If the standalone app doesn't work for whatever reason then run the plugin in a plugin host like Elements ($2).

AMHD > Blackhole > Dirac > DAC

The VST route is painful due to gatekeeper but should also work.
 

ing.daniele

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Can anyone tell me if it works with stand alone application on Mac OS ventura 13.3.1 and with audirvana origin ?
 

Martini

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