TOPIC:

I don't know if there is any bass-steering in the AVR when no sub is selected in the speaker configuration. I gather that LFE are just sent to the main RL when they're set to full-range. Should I leave the Nano in 7.1 mode for set-up or should I use a custom config with just 7 channels? I'm running the NanoAVR DL into an Onkyo 876, and the manual for the AVR isn't clear and of course the DL documentation is directed to 7.1 setups. Also, should I be trying to set myself and computer up external to the theater space for measurements? Long USB cables? Thanks in advance!

There is no need to place yourself and the computer outside the listening environment. Just don't have anything between the speakers and the microphone so that the mic can record a direct audio signal.

You can redirect all subwoofer content to the individual speakers by using the routing screen. This gives you a matrix where you can send LFE information to all the speakers and not the sub (I'm assuming you don't have a sub). Just access the routing screen and at the bottom of the matrix where it states "LFE Mgt.", select the buttons that correspond to whichever speakers you want to send LFE information to. Just leave out the "SUB out" selection by leaving it set to "off". On your receiver, set all speakers to full range. Under "Channel Mode", make sure it is set to 7.1.

scintilla wrote:

I don't know if there is any bass-steering in the AVR when no sub is selected in the speaker configuration. I gather that LFE are just sent to the main RL when they're set to full-range. Should I leave the Nano in 7.1 mode for set-up or should I use a custom config with just 7 channels? I'm running the NanoAVR DL into an Onkyo 876, and the manual for the AVR isn't clear and of course the DL documentation is directed to 7.1 setups. Also, should I be trying to set myself and computer up external to the theater space for measurements? Long USB cables? Thanks in advance!

If you have a 7.0 only setup, then you "must" use custom so you indeed only have 7 speakers in DLCT software. If you select 7.1, Dirac will try to sweep a signal on a speaker that won't exists. It will throw you an error for that (i.e. can't hear the audio).
There isn't any bass steering done. It's a 1 to 1 configuration in the nanoAVR.

DevTeam

Hmmm, almost the same question (for a 5.0 set-up) but a different answer:

www.minidsp.com/forum/nanoavr-support/11...5-0-system-correctly

Well, it appears we have two different answers, and all the better, because the dev team needs to come to a consensus here and then provide the correct instructions in the manual. Dev team, please revisit this.

In thinking through the processes, I see the signal flow as: source (Oppo) to NanoAVR DL according to Bluray menu selections, (5.1 or 7.1) decoded to PCM based on Oppo setup. The Nano should provide a pass-through for the LFE on channel 8. The Onkyo is configured for 7.0 channels and should steer the LFE to the selected speakers, if the content is passed to it.

If I configure the Nano DL as custom 7.0 channel, I will either lose the LFE if it isn't passed through at all or it will have incorrect timing due to the convolution of the main channels and not the LFE channel. What is needed it some clarity here on what the NanoAVR is capable of passing through. I'm not expecting it to steer LFE; that is the job of the AVR. But if it won't pass-through the LFE channel, then I will lose that content and the only solution I see is to put an AVR HD in front of the AVR DL to steer the LFE into the other 7 channels.

@ scintilla,

Your case is quite different from the norm, so indeed possible like any of the 1000's of configurations in the world, that we wouldn't talk of it.. It happens.

We've actually never tested this configuration, maybe you could provide us some feedback on how this would work in either configurations? In our second post, we were more directly answering the question " the NanoAVR is not capable of downmixing" which we were quite clear, it will "not" since it's a 1 to 1 configuration. Hoping this is clear?

When you asked " What is needed it some clarity here on what the NanoAVR is capable of passing through"
ANS: It's a one to one. It receives all the channels you want from the source via PCM over HDMI. If you have a 7.1, you can decide to tune only 2 ch out of them, just select custom under DLCT, select 2 channel and it will only "SWEEP" these 2 channels. That simple.

"But if it won't pass-through the LFE channel,"
ANS: I'm not entirely sure where in any of our posts we ever said that..
What we tried to say, is that if you do "not" have a sub, and don't have the ability to do redirect of the .1 signal (i.e. LFE) from the AVR and select 7.1 in DLCT, the sweep won't be played on any speaker. That will throw Dirac Live software away and not allow you to go further as the software expects to hear that sound.

DevTeam

scintilla wrote:

Well, it appears we have two different answers, and all the better, because the dev team needs to come to a consensus here and then provide the correct instructions in the manual.

It's already in the manual - see pages 21 and 23.