TOPIC:

Hi,
Asking myself a question about what would sound best :

Using an external passive crossover with a DDRC-22D in that config :
source->DDRC-22D->DAC->Analog Low and High pass filters (dBX 223) to separate highs and lows for L and R channels -> A. tube integrated amp for L and R bookshelf speakers to play L and R highs (>100Hz frequencies), and B. L and R amplified subwoofers for lows (<100Hz frequencies ). Same side bookshelf speaker and sub are set the closest from each other, in order to minimize phase, delays and FIR issues, and are seen by the DDRC22D as a single full range speaker.

This config let me use high resolution files (24/96), the DDRC works in 24/96 and use FIR correction. But I fear that, even being a very high grade tube amp, as often with tubes its specs are around the red book standard, so the SNR would be around 103 dB and the crosstalk around 90 dB. Same remark with the passive external crossover (see the dBX, Berhinger, Ashly or Rolls Sx45...)... (???)

Would it be better to save on DAC and passive crossover to get a DDRC-24 instead of a DDRC-22D, then get a "proper" bass management, I mean a software solution, swapping the 96 kHz processing to 48kHz and losing the FIR correction, but letting the DDRC system see that my speakers are not fullrange, but a couple of bookshelves and subwoofers, each one driven by the DDRC-24 on a RCA output ? In this config I would need to add an optical source remote switcher before the DDRC-24 because all my sources are digital, and only one and one kind of digital Input on the DDRC-24. I don't know if all these little optical switches are equal quality, seem to cost around 30 USD on Amazon, and didn't find any on pro sound commercial websites.

What would you advise me ?

@ Fifou

a great question and very very hard to answer actually... We can only give few comments:
a) room correction vs high sample rate don't even play in the same field. It's like apples for oranges. To us, we'd take a room corrected system at 48k well tuned anytime before a 394kHz (or whatever the highest sample rate a DAC manufacturer can find.. . The reason being that a system is only has good as the weakest link. A LOT of times, it's hard to explain that the room is the weakest link..

b) How about doing a simple test with Dirac Live trial on your PC if you can hear the difference between 48k and 96k processing. I'm talking of a TRUE blind test.. Not one where you know what you click on.. You'd be surprised maybe..

c) To us, we'd recommend a complete active setup (DDRC-24) as a starting point. It's really worth it to our mind... You can always resell the module if you want to upgrade later on..

Just a thought..

DevTeam

I am against the use of passive filters
Try to separate Twitter bottom
Use Dirac Live

Excellent advice from devteam; especially on the Dirac on PC trial version. You will need a mic; the UMIK from minidsp seems to be the gold standard. They are also right-on about room correction. The Dirac white papers on their site are great read.

Is your system for HT or music? Dirac decided my speakers could play down to around 25HZ (about 25HZ below the commonly accepted 50HZ). That said you may not want a sub for music playback.

I use Dirac via a Emotiva XMC-1 & have used the PC version & the version with Amarra music player.

If you ever want to use DSP crossovers then the minidsp all digital Dirac solution IMO would be superior to the other ways to run Dirac.

Thank you everybody for your help and sorry for my late answer, I was so busy.

My main use is for Music, but I think I'll use it for HC too through the thru connections of the HC system.

I'll follow your advices and get a DDRC-24 to get the Bass management option. Thus I ask myself some more questions:
- do I need a proper DAC (I had a Pioneer N-70A; some people advice me a Mcintosh DAC, even very expensive they say it is really worth it... I've always asked myself if heard différences after a DAC upgrade between a 500-1000 USD and 2000-10000 one was not only a placebo effect...?) or can I use the DDRC-24 as my main DAC ?
If I do, do I need to switch the joined power supply for a linear stabilized power supply, in order to upgrade the sounding of the DDRC-24 ?

Or should I get a separate DAC, and use the DDRC-24 in analog mode ?

Last question : sources of Bass frequencies like SW-speakers, thanks to the large wavelenght, don't need to be oriented in front of the listener I mean that the speaker can be facing the floor. But when raising the low pass filter of the subwoofer and the high-pass filter of the satellite(to 180 Hz for example), in the case of two floor-facing SW the 80-180 Hz, few soundwaves will directly come to my ears and I'll mostly get the soundwaves reflected on the floor... Then won't these frequencies seem muddy, lacking dynamism and precision to my éars ?
Or is it only an acoustical detail I shouldn't bother with ?
Again thanks for your help !

@ Fifou

Quite a lot of questions..
- Why not start simple. Just learn the product and how it sounds as is.. If you want later, you could always upgrade (i.e. modifying the input source). Just a thought knowing it's hard/(almost impossible) for us to tell you if the DAC will fit your expectation.. it does for a lot of people..
- As for LF wavelength, these are long, you don't have to worry as much.. it will also depend on your room. Hard to answer ahead once again. Start playing, listening, measuring, tuning. Each system is unique.

Devteam