TOPIC:

Hi, this is my first post here. After spending some time reading through the various product listing and application notes, i think Dirac is better suited for my objective to perform room correction and to integrate a sub in a 2.1 system.

However, i'm confused about the optimal route to achieve my objectives and would be grateful for some advice / suggestions.

Currently my setup is:

PC (via USB) & TV (via optical) & CD player (via SPDIF) --> DAC / preamp --> Active subwoofer (via RCA) & amp (via XLR)

The DAC/pre-amp outputs full range via XLR and RCA simultaneously to both speakers and subwoofer. Most of my listening (95%) is done via the PC. I've various high resolution digital audio files including DSD files which can be played via usb by a DSD capable DAC. If possible, i would like to keep this DSD capability.

Currently, i'm considering a few options:
Option 1 - insert a DDRC-22D before the DAC / preamp which will allow me to continue using my DAC/preamp. Am I right to say though that whatever is sent out from the 22D is PCM and also, i can only send PCM to the 22D, i.e. DSD over PCM would not work?

PC (via USB --> USB to AES/EBU convertor via XLR) & TV (via optical) & CD player (via SPDIF) --> DDRC-22D --> DAC / preamp --> Active subwoofer (via RCA) & amp (via XLR)


Option 2 - replace the DAC/preamp with the DDRC-24. My concern is that the SQ will be poorer compared to an external dedicated DAC.

PC (via USB) & TV (via optical) & CD player (via SPDIF) --> DDRC-24 --> Active subwoofer (via RCA) & amp (via RCA)


Option 3 - insert a DDRC-24 after the DAC/preamp. Allows me to use my DSD capable DAC, but there is an additional A/D and D/A conversion.

PC (via USB) & TV (via optical) & CD player (via SPDIF) --> DAC / preamp --> DDRC-24 --> Active subwoofer (via RCA) & amp (via RCA)


Option 4 - insert a DDRC-22A after the DAC/preamp. Allows me to use my DSD capable DAC, but i suppose there is an additional A/D and D/A conversion for dsp? This allows me the advantage of using balanced XLR to amp (the preferred connection).

PC (via USB) & TV (via optical) & CD player (via SPDIF) --> DAC / preamp --> DDRC-22A --> amp (via XLR) --> Active subwoofer (via high level)


Grateful for any advice / suggestions you have regarding the options above or if there are any other options I might have missed out. thanks.

Let's see... DSD is not amenable to processing, so with those files you either have the option of converting them to PCM in your player, or converting them to analog in a DSD DAC and then converting them back to PCM for processing...

Out of curiosity, what is your player software?

Option 1. Good solution, and works with the design intent of the DDRC-22. Your subwoofer integration may lack some control but if it's working now then it should be fine.

Option 2. This won't work as stated because the DDRC-24 doesn't have a coax SPDIF input.

Option 3. Would work... seems an odd way to do it. If you preferred DDRC-24 for cost reasons then use Option 2 but analog input for one source. [Edit: this will also give you more control over the subwoofer integration - delays, slopes - than option 1]

Option 4. Don't see any reason to prefer this over option 1.

HTH

Thanks John.

You are right on option 2, there is no coax SPDIF. but it's fine as the TV and CD player are not critical. Most of the listening will be done via the PC. i can always get a optical switch for the TV and CDP.

My player software is currently foobar.

it appears the DDRC-24 would be most cost effective and offers more flexibility - both analog and digital inputs which allows me to play around with and without my DAC.