TOPIC:

I have a 7.1 AV system and am interested in acquiring a DDRC-22A (inserted between the Pre & Amp) for use with my Front Stereo speakers (only). . . .Will I have to use both the A/V volume and the Dirac volume to control the whole system sound? – With the miniDSP of course I'll still control the surrounds and subs volume with my A/V-Pre; BUT will the A/V also be able to control the Front speakers sound level? (I Don't want to have to use 2 volume controls.)

To be honest, the first thing that I think of when I read your post is "why not use the DDRC-88A?" That will give you all 8 channels corrected. Same price.

If you do use the DDRC-22A as you describe, you would need to calibrate, then set the DDRC-88A vol to max, then adjust the trims in your AVR. Then you can just use the AVR volume control.

Good recommendation. - However, I'm using all balanced (XLR) connections from my Marantz AV7005 (Pre) to my amps. I'm also considering using two pair of Front speakers from different manufacturers. Thus the Dirac volume control can also assist with speaker management. As for my question, Dirac should make such reference to the volume control in their Users Manuel. Also, reviewers should specify that distinction. Anyway, for any manufacture to make an add-on audio processor with the intent of superseding the Pre's volume control is IMO intrusive. Note: I come from the old school days when Eq's, Reverbs etc. were put in the Tape Loop connections.

Um... the DDRC-88A does have balanced inputs and outputs. I don't know which Dirac User Manual you are referring to but the miniDSP User Manuals have the volume control in them... perhaps you are just looking at the wrong manual(s)? The miniDSP ones are linked from the product pages.

[Edit] Also, with regard to different front speakers, I am not entirely sure what you mean but you can have multiple presets loaded into the DDRC-88A. So you can have one calibrated for one pair of speakers, and one calibrated for a different pair of speakers (if that is what you mean).

I'm not sure if this app note is relevant:

www.minidsp.com/applications/home-theate...in-a-multizone-setup

HTH

As John already very correctly pointed out, the DDRC-88A would be the place to start here I think. Balanced in/out via Phoenix connector, you could always use the provided adaptors if need be.

Devteam