Is there any advantage to one over the other? The idea of a Dirac preamp + amp is appealing but options are limited. Any disadvantage to steaming from my MacBook and using Dirac on it to feed separates?
Is there any advantage to one over the other? The idea of a Dirac preamp + amp is appealing but options are limited. Any disadvantage to steaming from my MacBook and using Dirac on it to feed separates?
Two considerations: License transferability and inputs.
License: the license if for the device has limited transferability. If you buy a Denon x3800h based dirac license, then when it dies and you buy a Marantz, the license doesn’t transfer. (If your device dies and you buy a direct replacement, they will transfer).
If you buy a PC license, and the PC dies they will transfer to a new PC, but not if you buy a Mac.
The exact limits are not super clear and why the license isn’t transferable is beyond stupid. But there it is.
Inputs: Get the PC license and anything routed through it gets Dirac goodness. If ypu are PC only you are good. But like me, a turntable doesn’t go through the PC and goes straight into my AVR bypassing Dirac goodness. Same for dedicated cd and blueray players. If they route through the HTPC you are fine. If not you are sol.
Also note the pc license doesn’t do Linux. Windows and Mac only. I would give my left testicle for a linux compatible version because its stable enpugh for an aplliance like experience unlike windows which is always doing some bloaty stupid thing.
The software version is expensive compared to other ways to have Dirac.
The Dirac Live Processor (the PC/Mac software version) costs US$349 where as a Minidsp DDRC-24 costs US$400. You get more flexibility with the external DSP option and end results are identical.
You’ll need to buy a UMIK-1 mic for either option as that’s needed for the initial setup. It’s $50 when bundled with the DDRC-24 or $79 bought individually.
Minidsp let you transfer Dirac licensed between their devices.