TOPIC:

Hi
New to this forum, forgive me if this has been asked before.

I understand how the upcoming digital Flex can perform Dirac DSP and let you use your own separate DAC to convert to analog, without needing to go through an ADC step as is the case for the unbalanced and balanced versions.

But when it comes to bass management, how would it work assuming I have a typical two-channel situation:
-stereo preamplifier
-passive speakers (KEF LS50 Meta)
-powered subwoofer (SVS SB-1000 Pro)
-DAC (SMSL SU-8n)
 (and not using the external DAC(s) as preamps)?

Digital output 1&2 high pass-->external DAC1-->????-->passive speakers
Digital output 3&4 low pass-->external DAC2?-->????-->powered subwoofer

I want to be able to use my existing DAC(s) and equipment.

Thanks!

 

I think what you describe can work. You want outputs 3&4 to be mono combining the left and right. But you'll need to control volume from the flex. You're pre-amp will have to go bye bye I'm afraid. 

Digital output 1&2 high pass-->external DAC1>power amp>passive speakers
Digital output 3&4 low pass-->external DAC2>NA>powered subwoofer

For bass management you need the ddrc88BM 
or the 8x12DL , the 8x12dl in my opinion gives you much more abilities and flexibility….


the flex is strictly a 2ch Dirac box 

or get another flex and run a pair of them …

Thanks asx77. If I use the volume control on the digital Flex, what are the implications of passing an attenuated stream of bits to the downstream DAC (which, presumably would not act as a preamp)? I am thinking about bit truncation side-effects?

It seems like if I am shopping around for a Flex (in that ballpark price range) for bass management, and possibly Dirac, it'll be the analog out versions, and I should probably use the Flex's own DAC. Otherwise, I'd be abusing the intended use of the digital Flex. LOL.

This is assuming that the analog Flex's have a "good-sounding" DAC and serves well as a preamp. I know the balanced version measures well (per Audioscience Review).

If you're listening to 16bit/44.1kHz then you can reduce the output by a minimum of 48dB before loosing any resolution and even if you reduce further you'll still prob not notice any losses. 

I'm confused next... Don't think using the digital outs into a couple of DACs is abusing the intended use for the flex. But are you saying it's the analogue version you want rather than the digital out version now? Tbh it's the version I would have gone for.

Has it been measured by Audiosciencereview already? That's quick. Can you send the link to that review?
 

Review at: www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.p...iew-audio-dsp.30804/