TOPIC:

Hi

I'm considering the SHD to be connected to my NAD C658, which was a big disappointment. I also have a Yamaha RX-A2070 AVR. The C658 has both analog and digital inputs. The analog inputs can be set to "analog bypass" and fixed volume.

My questions are:

1. Does Dirac live processing affects both analog out and digital outs of the SHD?

2. Can both analog and digital outs work at the same time? I want to connect the SHD analog out with variable volume to the C658 with Dirac filters active (no subs) and at the same time connect digital out to Yamaha digital in with volume fixed and Dirac filter applied as well (like the SHD studio).

3. Does Volumio support MQA and DSD decoding on the SHD?

4. Does the SHD support Roon as an endpoint?

5. If I order my unit today, will I get the Neo2 or the Neo3 processor?


Thanks

1. Yes. Whatever is going out of the analog is mirrored by the coax out. This is why I leave one preset slot completely untouched - I use preset 4 for when I want to send coax out to my headphone amp/LDAC transmitter so I don’t want any room EQ applied.

2. Yes. I have questions about why you have an SHD feeding a C658 but that’s for another time.

3. No.

4. Check the long thread. Full certification is coming, but it’s been slow and there are some hiccups. Long story short it seems to work for most people and especially if you don’t have a bunch of high res or DSD stuff (I think? I don’t use Roon myself.) Tidal at a max of 24/48 is more than good enough for my ears.

5. Neo3 is the only thing shipping now from what I understand.

Thanks

I got the NAD C658 a year ago after they announced Dirac Bass Control is coming soon to the C658, as an hifi only addon to my exciting home theater (Yamaha RX-A2070). I also got dual Hypex NC400 monoblocks kits.

I chose the C658 because, unlike the SHD, it can do HT bypass it's Roon certified and supports all possible music services.

The Dirac bass control never came, and will never will. The C658 is full of bugs, such as no option to increase the subwoofer output level, which is very low. When subwoofer pre-outs are selected and crossover is applied, you get audible clipping distortion from tracks recorded near -3dBFS, and there are many pops and clicks when no music is played, among many other bugs. Then I saw the ASR measurements review of the C658, which revealed its serious flaws (78dB SINAD, digital clock sync issue and more).

I ended up getting a 2X4 HD to handled my two subwoofers (SVS SB2000 Pro). I wand to keep the C658 and only use it for it's analog input with fixed volume, and for the missing music services which are not available in the SHD.

I will use the SHD as Roon endpoint and Volumio, connecting its Coax out to my Yamaha AVR and it's first analog out to Line 2 on the C658 and its second analog out to yet to be purchased, Headphines amp, which brings me to my one last question:


Can the Dirac processing be bypassed from the second analog out, and then can I apply manual PEQ to the second analog out (for EQing my headphones).

While I'm at it, is there a safe workaround for HT bypass on the SHD w/o risking the output volume turning all the way up and frying my speakers (it happened to another C658 user, BTW!)

Thanks

I see! Yes, very disappointing that DLBC seems to be vaporware. I hope that changes since I’d like to have it on my SHD.

The answer to your first question is no. Dirac Live is either applied to the whole preset or not at all. Of your four outputs, you can run individual PEQ and crossovers, and you can select if they’re L channel, R channel, or summed, but you can’t pick and choose which get Dirac. Coax 1+2 and 3+4 is always going to match the analog outs exactly.

Note: the Dirac Live PEQ and FIR filters are what is turning on and off when you use that function, but the overall channel delay and attenuation is fixed (unless you go in and counteract that within the output matrix). E.g. Dirac sets my right channel .4 db lower and with a .04 ms delay. That can’t be turned off with the remote, but if I wanted I could go into the desktop software and drop the left channel by .4db and add a .04ms delay. Easier to me to just never load Dirac into the fourth slot so that it’s my clean, reference preset for headphones and for going back to square one anytime I want.

There’s still no fixed output volume setting on the SHD. miniDSP has heard about that feature repeatedly but hasn’t delivered anything yet. Other priorities are ahead of it and maybe there are complications a layman like me doesn’t understand (more likely than not!).