TOPIC:

I just purchased a used DDRC-22D and discovered it was from 2015.  Did not know these devices were that old.  Would there be any difference hardware wise versus a brand new DDRC-22D ?
Also wondering if I will have to pay a license upgrade fee for the latest Dirac 3.0 ?
Lastly, I will need a longer cable for the microphone.  I intend to purchase a Umik-2 and I see that we only get a 2m cable.  I think I will need 15 feet and was intending to get a USB-C to USB-C cable.  I see some are still 2.0 and also some are rated at 60W and others at 100W.  Are there any minimum requirements ?  2.0 vs 3.0 ? 60W vs 100W ?  Any specific recommendations ?

Oh, I was also curious how the DDRC-22D compares to the SHD Studio ?  I see the Studio is more versatile, such as being able to easily integrate subwoofers, but is there any sound quality/room correction advantage to one or the other ?

 

I'm not aware of any performance differences for a DDRC-22D bought now vs in 2015 and so long as the hardware supports it you can use any version of Dirac Live for no extra cost. 

I'd see what you think of the hardware you actually have rather than getting too into details of how it compares with an SHD Studio right now.

I don't know the details of cable length requirements for the UMIKs. If it's not on the product pages I'd suggest you contact miniDSP support to check. I suspect most use laptops such that cables don't need to be as long as you're thinking of. 

Thanks for the feedback.  That's good news on the Dirac license.  I think it is a rarity now not to have to pay for an upgrade on software.

Agreed on the laptop.  I'm planning on using an Intel NUC (with fanless case) that I have installed in my entertainment cabinet... thus the need for the longer cable.

The SHD Studio question is just in case I want to integrate my subs for 2-channel music in the future, but I would not want to give up any sound quality edge the DDRC-22D might have due to it's relative simplicity and I don't need the streaming capability.

stash64 wrote:

The SHD Studio question is just in case I want to integrate my subs for 2-channel music in the future, but I would not want to give up any sound quality edge the DDRC-22D might have due to it's relative simplicity and I don't need the streaming capability.

My guess is you'd struggle to hear a difference but if one were superior I'd expect it to be the newer SHD Studio.  I don't recall anyone trying to compare them though. If you do have subwoofers you want to integrate for music then an SHD Studio would offer you a noticeable step up in performance due to this (although you would need an additional stereo DAC as well). 

Your last point was a good one.  I had not even thought it through that far, about needing a second DAC.  I guess I made the right decision with the DDRC-22D.  I don't want my system to be overly complicated and I am not a fan of bass heavy music anyway.  Thanks.