TOPIC:

Hey everyone,

So I recently purchased a DDRC-24 with hopes to utilize Dirac Live as icing on the cake for my system. I’ve been through all of the steps of setting up the miniDSP software, ran the Dirac measurements, created a custom filter and did some quick A/B using the remote with the miniDSP software running.

Then, I thought I could shut down the miniDSP and Dirac apps and just continue to A/B using the filter button on the remote. Where there was a noticeable difference before when the miniDSP app indicated whether Dirac Live was On/Off by pressing the remote button, no there was no difference. I figured once everything was run it would be saved onto the DDRC-24 and that the computer would basically not be needed. Did I miss a step somewhere?

Are you sure you are using the same preset? Accidentally selecting one you haven't saved a filter for would behave as you describe...

The behaviour should be as you expected. Although I will just add that generally you should not use the remote while a plugin is active since this can lead to conflicts. The plugin should be used to control everything when it is connected.

I cycled through all 4 with the remote so I think so.

I feel like I'm missing the step after you export your filters in Dirac Live and actually "exporting" or "saving" them to the DDRC-24 itself.

wgb113 wrote:

I cycled through all 4 with the remote so I think so.

I feel like I'm missing the step after you export your filters in Dirac Live and actually "exporting" or "saving" them to the DDRC-24 itself.

As long as you went from Dirac's 'Filter Design' tab and onto the 'Filter Export' tab and send them to your device then I don't think you're missing a step.

I'd try having another go making absolutely certain what preset you are using.

Were you judging Dirac making a difference by ear or using measurements?

By ear. There's a clear audible difference when I have the miniDSP app running and toggle Dirac On/Off.

I'll have to run back through and double check everything. I wish there was some sort of indicator on the DDRC-24 itself that showed whether the Dirac filters were active, like maybe the LED changing color or a secondary LED of some sort.

Maybe it's another bug with one of the apps and macOS Catalina?

wgb113 wrote:

By ear. There's a clear audible difference when I have the miniDSP app running and toggle Dirac On/Off.

I'll have to run back through and double check everything. I wish there was some sort of indicator on the DDRC-24 itself that showed whether the Dirac filters were active, like maybe the LED changing color or a secondary LED of some sort.

Agreed. I have a 2x4 HD and one of the biggest upgrades in going to an SHD was the addition of a screen to tell me such things. It's a huge price jump though!

So I’ve got it working and loaded 4 filters, one of them being the default Dirac. After A/Bing them to each other and vs no filter I feel like Dirac’s trying to do too much. The sense of space in the soundstage collapses and there’s audible distortion in the bass. None of my filters are extreme, basically just slight tweaks of the default curve. All frequencies are the same for each filter with the exception of #4 only targeting below 250HZ:

38, 74, 143, 278, 540, 1.05, 2.04, 3.97, 7.72, 15

I have them loaded as follows:
1. (Custom) +3, +1.5, +1.0, +0.5, +0.0, -0.5, -1.0, -1.5, -2.0, -2.5
2. Default Dirac +2, +1.5, +1.1, +0.6, +0.1, -0.4, -0.8, -1.3, -1.8, -2.3
3. (Custom) +3, +1.5, +1.0, +0.5, +0.0,+0.0,+0.0, -0.5, -1.0, -1.5
4. (Custom). +3, +1.5, +1.0, +0.5

3 and 4 were my preference for kids and highs but there’s noticeable distortion in the bass on all. Perhaps I’m asking Dirac to do too much?

System is: MacMini running Roon->USB->DDRC-24->KEF LS50W & Elac SUB3010.

I’m crossing over the KEFs to the Elac via their SUB Out and app at 50HZ high pass and 60Hz low pass.

Volume is maxed on Roon and miniDSP so that I can control volume on KEF.

wgb113 wrote:

Volume is maxed on Roon and miniDSP so that I can control volume on KEF.

That's the problem. Back off the volume on the DDRC to -10 dB.

I'll give that a go tonight and report back.

wgb113 wrote:

I'll give that a go tonight and report back.

Your particular Dirac filter set may be using less headroom than that - if you want to figure out more accurately what is going on, it is possible to do so - see discussion here for methods:

www.minidsp.com/forum/dirac-series-suppo...nd-internal-headroom

Thanks Tony, I'll have to read up on that.

The other issue I'm experiencing with all 4 filters, including the one only treating frequencies below 250Hz, is the narrowing & flattening of the soundstage. Whereas with the filtering off there's more space around instruments and voices no matter which filter I choose it collapses and sounds as if a blanket's been thrown over everything. Not sure if this is something involving the Dirac Live software, the miniDSP or a combination of the two.

That's strange - with my setup (3-way) I find that the additional Dirac filters greatly improves the sound stage and the separation of the instruments.