miniDSP introduces Dirac for their 2-channel devices

When I reviewed the miniDSP SHD Studio room correction system, it worked with Dirac version 1 software. Now not only the miniDSP SHD models but all 2-channel Dirac products by miniDSP will from now on come with Dirac version 2. And there is a free upgrade for all that already own Dirac miniDSP products. Let’s see what that brings.

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[howardskeivys]

I listen to music attentively and care passionately about the way it sounds and is reproduced. I don’t have the luxury of a separate listening room, my hifi rig has to fight for it’s right to be, in our family lounge. An open plan L-shaped room with dry walls, large windows, concrete ceiling and wood clad concrete floor, so far from ideal! I have absolutely no room treatment other than a large, plush rug placed between and in front of my large floor standers.

Over the last 40 years, I’ve upgraded components, 1 at a time and appreciated the sonic differences that component has made, be it beneficial or detrimental. The biggest sonic difference made was when I updated my sofas, so I know the room matters. I have invested in my hifi around the same as an average household would invest in a decent, large family car.

I’m a 2 channel man. Old school. A purest and a minimalist. An analog man. That having been said, these days, I stream most of my music, it’s just so damned convenient!

I would really like to see a comparison of an untreated room, electronically corrected against the same room professionally acoustically treated. Then, add electronic correction to the treated room. I think it would present for thought.

[droidzhunterz]

I believe they are on Dirac version 3 now :)

[smoothlennie]

Thank you for your great reviews and channel Hans. Today I ordered an SHD Studio, on both the strength of your reviews and some Stereo Net Australia forum feedback. It will replace an Auralic Aries Femto that is giving me great service, however I do want to try Dirac!

[MrMr]

Great video, I should have bought a dirac, but the extra $300 is kinda steep, so I went with thr minidsp

[colinohenson]

Are you sure you are using the Dirac 2 software? The UI you are showing looks like the Dirac 1 software. I just went through this process for my MiniDSP and I had to download Dirac 2 from the Dirac website - not the MiniDSP site (although I did have to update the firmware first via MiniDSP). The Dirac 2 software looks different.

[bookie]

Will Dirac software fix stereo image issues due to reflections or just frequency response issues?

[menash]

A review of the shd would be great now that Roon has been integrated.

[Dean_O.]

Hans... very helpful review. Thanks! I do have a question. You mention using the SHD Studio as an external sound card on a computer. I've active speakers with TOSLINK inputs only (no COAX Digital inputs). I've an older MacPro Tower which has a TOSLINK output. Does hooking up the SHD Studio via USB to the MacPro allow me to output the SHD Studio's corrected digital audio via the Toslink output of the Mac?

[menash]

They have so many devices available. Could you make a video on which to chose? Thanks!

[donr]

My understanding is that Dirac Live 2 doesn’t work on Mac OS versions earlier than Mojave. If that’s true then that would mean I’d have to buy a newer MacBook.

[SimonNathanael]

HI Hans. Thanks for the review. Have you heard any artifacts or degradation from the internal sample rate converter in the miniDSP as it converts 44.1 to 96 KHz? The older miniDSP products seemed to suffer some degradation, but if you did the SRC before, for instance in Roon or just on the Mac's Core driver, it didn't seem audible. What is your experience?

[Simplyveej]

I wonder if there’s an sq difference between this and, say, the much cheaper minidsp 2x4 which lacks a streamer. Any other differences? Any thoughts?

[cryptout]

Would it make sense to use a minidsp for headphones or would that be overkill?