Experiencing Dirac Live : A Game-Changer for Sound!

[amitanubha]

Using digital tools to enhance sound is akin to applying make up. Done correctly it can enhance natural beauty. But it’s not as easy as it looks. Just as make up needs the right foundation base, using digital correction needs proper system set up and synergy. I have experimented a bit in the past but have not been able to master it.

probably this is better way to explain and i fully agree, mastering part and measuring is not easy and not a plug n play as we are believed to be, if done correctly it can be game changer(for ur room/specific issues if it was already too bad) , but so are first basic things to do and i didnt do much in terms of placement, just towed one speaker more then other and also using tone/balance control in amp to adjust a bit of center imaging.
Again, not saying i m against it but saying that it is always a game changer, and people should always do that is what i was trying to provide my 2 cents

 

[Passive_audio_enthusiast]

In an anechoic chamber, music will sound horrible. It’s ok for testing. Not for listening.

To me the sound I get in my room is the natural beauty of the system.

Is the natural beauty of your system + your room.

Whether I need to enhance it or not is a personal call.

Digital correction tools like eq, DSP, - it’s prime purpose is to fix the problems. Playing with it beyond that point, to enhance or Color is the sound is something it can do, but essentially not everyone uses it for that.

What I am trying to say is without optimising your system and its interaction with your room, do not get into room correction. First set everything optimally and then decide if you need correction.

I agree to this part completely

 

[prateekatasniya]

I feel - After auro 3d DIRAC is one of the biggest thing to come in the home audio industry.

The results I have got from DIRAC makes me feel it is God sent _/\_

 

[Amarendra]

Using Analog in and Analog outs, so I think i should be fine.
I am yet to hear how it goes with vinyl, but with what I have heard it should be equally good.

Thanks for the write-up. Just one question- in the picture your Umik is pointing upwards -90 degrees. Usually 90 degrees is used for home theater calibration and for stereo its supposed to point towards the speakers (mid point). There is no fixed rule but just sharing from what I have learned in my experiments with calibration.

The only drawback with minidsp is that your DAC and source have become redundant. DAC because of the analog to digital conversion and source to some extent since everything is down-sampled now.

I have used minidsp in my stereo with REW - it does make a difference but these days I prefer to pull up a chair and sit quite close to the speakers for a critical listen. The effect is quite unreal - at times I can read every nuance in the voice. The soundstage narrows but the effect is surreal. This also makes budget speakers sound good. I discovered this quite accidentally while tinkering with an amp and the speakers (Micca) for testing were very close to me. I was playing some vocal track and it felt like I could feel the singer's breath. I forgot all about the speakers and the amp and the source and ended up listening this way for the next one hour... LOL

 

[amrutmhatre90]

Thanks for the write-up. Just one question- in the picture your Umik is pointing upwards -90 degrees. Usually 90 degrees is used for home theater calibration and for stereo its supposed to point towards the speakers (mid point). There is no fixed rule but just sharing from what I have learned in my experiments with calibration.

Thank you for sharing your insights and experience with nearfield listening—it sounds like an incredibly immersive and engaging approach. Those moments when the equipment disappears and it’s just you and the music are truly special.

Interestingly, I was just discussing with someone how your seating position is just as important as speaker placement when it comes to the system’s sound. Sitting too close or too far can dramatically affect the experience, sometimes taking away from the magic.

Regarding the Umik positioning, I use the 90-degree orientation to capture the room’s overall behavior, following advice from those who work with Dirac calibration. In the past, I’ve tried pointing it directly at the speakers as well. Both methods have their merits, and it’s always worth experimenting to see which works best for the specific room and setup. As you said, calibration is so nuanced, and even minor adjustments can lead to surprising results.

On the MiniDSP, I completely understand your point about the analog-to-digital conversion and how it might impact the DAC and source. I’ve been impressed with its balance so far, but I’m still experimenting. In fact, I’m considering moving the MiniDSP to handle only the subwoofer to avoid A-to-D and D-to-A conversions on both digital and analog signals. That might offer the best of both worlds.

Do drop by for a listen sometime—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

[Anshul_J]

I have just ordered a Minidsp flex digital, with both digital in and out to avoid analog to digital conversion and use my tube dac. I will go fully active with my 2 way diy speakers. Let's see how it goes. Any pointers and advice is welcome.

 

[Amarendra]

Do drop by for a listen sometime—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks Sure will drop by some time- currently I have opened my AVR ( Denon 2500) and busy adding pre- out connections for every channel. Will finish that now.

On fine tuning / calibration I have seen mixed results since so many factors keep changing in a room - particularly living room setups. Sometimes balcony glass pane is open / closed, AC is on / off, furniture off the assigned place (chairs), school bag/ office bag lying around, carpet on the floor / rolled up etc. If calibration is done in such a room I wonder how effective or reliable it is. Compared to that my HT room is slightly more stable since I know that I will close the balcony/ always switch on the AC/ curtains drawn for projector etc.

However like I mentioned to you will get the Dirac licence given Black Friday sale. Let’s see how it goes.

 

[amrutmhatre90]

On fine tuning / calibration I have seen mixed results since so many factors keep changing in a room - particularly living room setups. Sometimes balcony glass pane is open / closed, AC is on / off, furniture off the assigned place (chairs), school bag/ office bag lying around, carpet on the floor / rolled up etc. If calibration is done in such a room I wonder how effective or reliable it is. Compared to that my HT room is slightly more stable since I know that I will close the balcony/ always switch on the AC/ curtains drawn for projector etc.

What I have found while taking measurements is, there is not a huge difference for such minor changes.
Major change happens when speakers and MLP moves, or drastic change in the room.