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Dirac Live

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Posted on October 17, 2016 at 20:46:29
Kody
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Joined: September 14, 2016
 Apologies for all the questions. But I just have to ask if anyone here has tried Dirac Live room correction software? And if so, what are your thoughts?

 

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RE: Dirac Live, posted on October 18, 2016 at 05:40:53
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 12435
Location: New York
Joined: June 5, 2002
 Many times in several systems. It is excellent and the best automatic (with some configurability) room EQ system today. To get better requires, more skill, more effort and/or more expense, imho.

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on October 18, 2016 at 06:53:15
Kody
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Joined: September 14, 2016
 Hi Kal,

Thank you for the info, and yes, at almost $500 Dirac Live is quite pricey. However, I have a less than desirable listening space (family room) that I can only do so much to modify, and I've become hell-bent on squeezing the best sound possible from my system. I'll download the trial version when I get a mic and give it a try. Although, I'm a bit reluctant because if I really like it I won't be able to purchase until Christmas.

Anyone else have information to share regarding Dirac Live? I'm sure results vary, but in your experience, are we talking a subtle or significant difference in sound quality?

 

Questions, posted on October 18, 2016 at 07:48:39
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8478
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 Kal

Does all the EQ take place in the digital domain?
I use a USB DAC that is capable up to 24/192k - Is it compatible with hi rez?
I use my MacBook Pro as a source for 98% of music playback, but use the analog out of a Pioneeer universal player for the few SACDs I have - will it work on this source? - Not a deal killer.
Does it come with a USB mic for the $500?

I currently drive my mains full range and use a parallel output from my preamp to the sub with parametric EQ and achieve good results, but Dirac Live may have a more whole of system EQ than I currently use. I do dabble with the parametric EQ plug ins associated with the PureMusic software player I use to optimize playback results specific recordings.

Thanks in advance.
Gsquared

 

RE: Questions, posted on October 18, 2016 at 08:22:08
Fitzcaraldo215
Audiophile

Posts: 1120
Location: Philadelphia
Joined: September 7, 2008
 Yes, it is all in the digital domain up to 192k.

No, your Pioneeer will not work via analog.

You need to buy the USB mike separately: $75 for a UMIK-1 or equivalent or slightly more to have it custom calibrated from Crossspectrum. The mike can also be used with REW or other measurement tools.

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on October 18, 2016 at 08:25:17
Fitzcaraldo215
Audiophile

Posts: 1120
Location: Philadelphia
Joined: September 7, 2008
 Significant, in my view.

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on October 18, 2016 at 22:23:10
gsb
Audiophile

Posts: 311
Location: CHARLOTTE, NC
Joined: March 11, 2003
 Can this be used if I am using Mac mini with Roon core going to Auralic Aries wirelessly and Auralic USB to dac?

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on October 19, 2016 at 14:07:13
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 12435
Location: New York
Joined: June 5, 2002
 I cannot say. I use it on a MacMini with JRiver and use wired USB output in multichannel. Stereo should be easier. You can download a full product 30day trial and see for yourself.

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on October 19, 2016 at 14:35:59
PaulN
Audiophile

Posts: 1412
Joined: January 13, 2000
 I would think that will work since the Dirac software functions as a virtual soundcard. It would go Roon --> Dirac--> Aries.

Another option would be to use filters in HQPlayer that re generated by another RC product such as acourate or audiolense. A free option is also available in DRC but it is quite difficult to use.

 

Yes., posted on October 19, 2016 at 14:43:10
PaulN
Audiophile

Posts: 1412
Joined: January 13, 2000
 I use Dirac for my HT in the form of the minidsp NanoAVR DL. It does a superb job in my theater running at 24/48. It sits between my oppo 103D and my Onkyo receiver.

I also use acourate-built filters in my main hifi system, by inserting them in HQPlayer and Purevinyl. I think both products do a great job of cleaning things up. In my living room where my main system lives, I have several restrictions due to WAF, so the monitors are far too close to the back wall and there is a large paned window to the left of the left speaker. Glass, brick and an opening into the dining room to the right make it a difficult placement. In my opinion the system is now more transparent and even in the bass. I also feel like I got some additional bass boost, probably due to addressing some room modes. The system could be improved with spring bass traps and acoustic damping at reflection points but the music articulation test on Stereophile cd3 is definitely improved.

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on October 20, 2016 at 13:35:27
beautox
Manufacturer

Posts: 366
Location: New Plymouth
Joined: July 9, 2013
 Dirac Live works well, but far better imho is Acourate. Well..better in terms of sound quality, but pretty horrible interface that requires quite some technical smarts to get the best out of it. So it depends on whether you are up for the technical challenge.

But room correction generally - big tick!

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on October 20, 2016 at 20:12:18
Kody
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Joined: September 14, 2016
 I'm a total newb. I want whatever produces the best results out of the box - no skill required. For me, looks as though Dirac is it.

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on October 21, 2016 at 08:19:41
Fitzcaraldo215
Audiophile

Posts: 1120
Location: Philadelphia
Joined: September 7, 2008
 Agreed. Dirac appears to be one of the easiest to use Room EQ packages, though it is still quite comprehensive and powerful. It has delivered very positive results for me a several friends.

It does not require great skill, and the user instructions are pretty good. But, here are a few things to apply for best results:

- suppress ambient noise in the room as much as possible, including turning off HVAC systems during the calibration. If possible, take yourself out of the room or duck behind the seats except during mike repositioning.

- use a floor mounted mike tripod with boom to reach over seating surfaces. They are not expensive. Do not place the mike on your chair or sofa. I also place absorbent blankets on chair backs and seating surfaces, especially if they are relatively hard, like leather.

- point the mike straight up at the ceiling so that it can gather as much direct energy from the speakers and reflected energy from the room as possible. Omni mikes are not perfectly omnidirectional, especially at the bottom, but they are pretty good in their upper hemisphere.

- vary the mike positions somewhat both horizontally and vertically during the calibration, per the instructions, starting at ear height for the first mike position.

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on December 6, 2016 at 08:25:22
Kody
Audiophile

Posts: 62
Joined: September 14, 2016
 Hi all,
Apologies for the extended absence - Air Force sent me away for a while. So it looks as though my in-laws are getting me Dirac Live for Christmas. However, I want to try it out first and I'm running out of time as Christmas is coming fast. I know there are several mic suggestions for calibration, however, what do you all recommend. It would be nice if Amazon has something so that I can get it in a day or two. But again, what do you guys recommend?

Fitz,
I've read your posts regarding Dirac on other forums, and its quite obvious that you know your stuff. Just curious as to why I should modify/improve my listening environment with blankets and such for calibration? Seems like I would want to leave the problem areas so that the software calibration process can address them. What am I missing?

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on December 6, 2016 at 16:38:44
Fitzcaraldo215
Audiophile

Posts: 1120
Location: Philadelphia
Joined: September 7, 2008
 Putting blankets over seats during mike calibration is a subtle point. I am not going to insist on it. Do what you think best. Yes, we can get carried away. I just do not think any nearby to the mike reflections are a good idea during calibration. My seating is leather, hence it is more susceptible to reflecting sound energy, I think.

 

RE: Dirac Live, posted on December 7, 2016 at 03:38:14
soundchekk
Audiophile

Posts: 2426
Joined: July 11, 2007
 Dirac Live???

You need to go one layer up first.

DRC ???

My experience.
It's a very complex tasks to get audiophile-level results.
It requires quite some knowledge and perseverance to avoid as many flaws as possible.

And finally. There's no free lunch. There'll be compromises on the way.


It's quite easy though, to come to a first "wow" impression.
On the long run you might gonna miss something.

However.

If "Things done right" is the target...

...it already starts with the recording.


Most microphones are flawed. You need a quality recording chain first.
The only quality mikes I'm aware of are from Earthworks ($600+). Add to that a high quality ADC.
If you're lucky you'll get a calibration file for the mike with level AND phase corrections. Most calibrations are done at 44.1kHz only!
But actually, if you look for best results, your calibration needs to be done on your entire recording chain. How are you doing that ??
All flaws that exist in the recording chain will be part of the correction filter!!!
I just recently learned that e.g a UMIK1 comes, beside other issues, with phase issues of around 60°. If you don't correct that.
You might end up with a 60° phase correction on your speakers which doesn't exist.

The filters.
I think people could write books about how to generate filters.
There's no black or white. It's all grey.
At one point in time you have to accept compromises, or you take decisions by taste.
Filters introduce flaws, always. There's nothing like a perfect filter.
Beside that your data gets attenuated and/or samplerate converted.

Than you can have your files offline decoded or realtime decoded. Already that can make a difference.

Everytime you move a chair, flower or your bud you can redo your filters.
If you run the offline route you'd have to batch convert your entire collection again.

The next question will be how to integrate that into your playback chain
from a software perspective. There you'll also face limitations.


I tried several times. I always disliked (on the 2nd glance) what I ended up with.

Anyhow.

Good luck with your project.

Edit:
PS: It's not that I wouldn't be interested. I just don't think I'll be getting outstanding results. I listened to several installations (e.g. Acourate done by U. Brueggemann himself) in the past and tried it with Open-DRC myself.
Buying an Earthworks, Acourate, Calibration, asf (luckily I'd still own a Fireface UCX) easily gets me over $1000 as base invest -- for something that might turn out to be a nice try again. Hmmh.
I'm all ears if somebody is able to come up with a convincing story.


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