Minidsp Flex HT + PC w/DLBC - any better options?

[Shanji87]

Hi all, I’m a longtime lurker so first off I want to express my gratitude for the education provided here. ASR has been a huge help.

I’m trying to figure out the best way to combine the capabilities of Minidsp with DLBC in my 2.3 system.

Current setup:
- Microsoft Surface Pro 6 as media streamer (50/50 music and video via Tidal, YouTube, and other streaming services) sending USB audio to my DAC
- Schiit Yggdrasil LIM DAC
- Schiit Kara preamp
- Legacy Audio Monobloc (x2) powering main speakers
- VMPS Super Tower IIR/SE
- 2 passive VMPS Larger subs (with no internal crossovers) and 1 JL Audio Fathom F113 sub
- Old Crown crossover for the VMPS subs (it was all I had lying around that would allow me to use the sub)
- Amp powering VMPS subs

My top priorities are:
- Room correction for the whole system
- Digital crossovers for the subs
- DLBC for the subs

I would also like to have 3-way crossover capabilities so that I can play around with that in the future, but it’s not a top priority at this time.

I’ve spent hours researching and it seems that in order to use DLBC, it would have to be on my computer since no Minidsp products support it currently. My understanding is that I would need a DAC with multiple individually configured outputs.

That lands me at the Minidsp Flex HT replacing my current DAC and preamp, and using DLBC on the computer to send subwoofer signals to the Flex HT.

Am I missing anything? It’s a big subject to research when you have very little knowledge or experience with Minidsp and Dirac, so I want to make sure I’m understanding this correctly.

I’m very open to alternatives if there is something better for my situation that would be around the same price.

 

[Shanji87]

As soon as I posted that, I realized I don’t understand how the PC/DLBC, being upstream of the Flex HT, could edit individual channels for the subs. Does something in the Flex software allow for this, or did I already hit a major roadblock in my plan?

 

[ppataki]

If you want to use DLBC on your PC then you don't necessarily need miniDSP Flex HT; it is enough just to use a multichannel DAC (like MOTU Ultralite mk5, Topping DM7, Okto Research DAC8 Pro, Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen. etc....)
All the DSP processing will take place in Windows, in Jriver for example (using the Dirac Live Processor VST plugin running DLBC)

 

[Shanji87]

Somehow I forgot that DLBC provides the crossovers for the subs lol see, I go researching and get so deep in the rabbit hole that it’s hard to keep everything straight!

So I could do the full Dirac room correction and DLBC on Windows sending the signals to a multichannel DAC over USB. Ok good to know, thanks!

 

[peng]

Somehow I forgot that DLBC provides the crossovers for the subs lol see, I go researching and get so deep in the rabbit hole that it’s hard to keep everything straight!

So I could do the full Dirac room correction and DLBC on Windows sending the signals to a multichannel DAC over USB. Ok good to know, thanks!

with the Flex HT, you have volume control and can adjust gain. Not all multichannel dacs have such features.

 

[Shanji87]

Ah, I’ll add that to my list of things to consider.

Right now I’m leaning toward going the cheaper route of Minidsp 2x4 HD for the subs and DiracLive on the PC, and using MSO instead of DLBC - simply because it’s more in line with my current budget for upgrades. Was really interested in the automatic adjustments of DLBC, but a new DAC is not in the cards right now.

 

[peng]

Ah, I’ll add that to my list of things to consider.

Right now I’m leaning toward going the cheaper route of Minidsp 2x4 HD for the subs and DiracLive on the PC, and using MSO instead of DLBC - simply because it’s more in line with my current budget for upgrades. Was really interested in the automatic adjustments of DLBC, but a new DAC is not in the cards right now.

That sounds like a plan. I just sold my 2XHD so I know it is such a popular device that makes it easy to sell. It made my recent upgrades to the Flex HT and HTx a little less expensive.

 

[Shanji87]

Nice! And funny you should mention that, because I’m also considering using the resale of my current DAC and preamp to fund the purchase of a Flex Eight + DiracLive and DLBC on my PC. I really need to sit down and think it through, run the numbers, and make a move. I’m wanting this to be my Christmas present to myself, so I need to get on it!