Dirac Room Correction with a MINI DSP SHD, and adding a sub to 2 channel
Thought I'd report recent changes to my system that may be of interest other members.
I recently progressed from a succession of Pi-based streamers to a mini DSP SHD.
The SHD is a very flexible box of tricks offering Dirac room correction, DAC and streamer with a custom implementation of Volumio offering support for Tidal, Qobuz and the ubiquitous Spotify, as well as one's own network attached music files. It also boasts a plethora of inputs for those who wish to apply room connection to other sources (TT, CD etc).
My interest in room correction arose out of repeatedly reading that room acoustics have a very significant influence over audio reproduction and I was intrigued to see what difference it could make in my system and room. The answer is 'quite a lot'. The improvement is very pronounced and the Dirac system is a tweaker's dream.
The MINI DSP software has four slots for custom filters, providing the flexibility to switch between different 'voicings' (my expression, probably not the right word). For example, I use one slot for a bass enhanced filter.
One of the features that appealed to me was the option to integrate a subwoofer into my two channel system by plugging it directly into the SHD and using the MINI DSP and Dirac software (I didn't want to fiddle about learning REW). Again the process is much easier than I feared it might be and I now have a well-integrated sub handling all frequencies below 80hz. Lovely.
Downsides: well just a couple, you have to get a microphone and spend a bit of time lying on the floor while Dirac does its stuff, and the Volumio implementation isn’t the best. Otherwise it’s hard to fault.
Anyway. I’ve tried to avoid hyperbole but file under ‘highly recommended’.
Last edited by Ashmore; 16-11-2020 at 23:45.
Simon
MINI DSP SHD; Longdog 300b; Reiver Fenwicks
Twitter @siashmore