Hi all,
I have been researching room corection options when using the PWD and streaming through the bridge card via ethernet, and I also don’t own a preamp.
There are some hardware options which add a hardware box and could be used. Many of these devices have their own DAC and often are a preamp as well.
Next are software options such as Dirac http://www.dirac.se/en/start.aspx. Well the catch here is that the Dirac system currently only works with audio devices (that show up under Control Panel/Playback Devices), so unless you can see the PS Audio DAC driver there, the audio processor cannot work with this setup. Dirac suggested:
"We haven’t tested yet, but you might be able to get this working using a third party product, such as JamCast (http://getjamcast.com/). As I understand it, it exposes a “virtual audio device” for any audio application to use, so theoretically it should also work with the Dirac processor."
This is a $30 piece of software also does transcoding and sounds (to me) a lot like the wavestream product. I have not fully researched these products yet but have noticed some resolution restrictions with Dirac. Before I invest more effort, I was wondering if anyone in the community has tried something like this?
Is this even a good idea? Maybe passive options like difraction and absorbtion are the way to go and not corrupting the digital source?
I have tried only the combination of Umik1 + freeware REW and Ingus plugin in squeezebox touch. I did not like the results (flat, details lost, glare). I wish it would work better…
I prefer fixing the room to trying to overlay a digital fix, but others are very happy with digital room correction and get great results.
I do not know what Dirac needs to see, but I see PSAvirt Wave under sound playback device (sounds and audio devices properties), as well as WaveStream under installed hardware. This is because I have the USB drivers for the PWD installed. This is on an XP Pro laptop.
ASIO4ALL may be of use here as well.
I am sorry I cannot be of more specific help. I hope you get it to work as it would be great fun to try it and may provide excellent sound.
I agree that for best results, do as much with the room as you can. That includes moving things about, taking measurements, and adding acoustic treatment (bass traps, diffusion, absorption). Make sure in particular to control slap echo and first reflections from sides and floor.
After that is done, my experience is that DSP can be useful. It is a conundrum, though, how to get this working with the Bridge. If you are not averse to trying an analog solution, you might try something like this:
http://tinyurl.com/qfktm6e
The Audient has the reputation of being quite transparent, though whether it would suit you, I can’t say.
Mike
i’ll 3rd room correction. wish i’d bought into room treatments earlier. even on a low budget and done modestly, the improvements are incredible. if/when i ever rebuild my set-up, that where i’m gonna start.
While a bit different to the option above I use the Dspeaker between the PWD and my ASR and have it correcting anything below 150htz peaks only. Made a huge positive difference though cannot fix my 60hz suck out it’s the best I can do in my lounge of glass and marble floor.
I also have room treatments but they are poor competition though having said that I would blame that mostly on my lack of knowledge.
I’m very interested in a Ethernet option if I understood the description above correctly.
Hello, you are speaking about the Dspeaker Antimode 2.0 ? I have one but not installed at this time. I thought the trealtment was done on the digital signal, so how do you plug the PWD with the Antimode 2.0 ?
BR
12elfthfloor said: I also have room treatments but they are poor competition though having said that I would blame that mostly on my lack of knowledge.
Frequencies below 100Hz are difficult for both physical room treatments and software to address.
In larger rooms, we often need to employ more physical bass treatment than many realize, or want to deal with.
Back to the OP's question: Can anyone further help with his issue?
Hello, you are speaking about the Dspeaker Antimode 2.0 ? I have one but not installed at this time. I thought the trealtment was done on the digital signal, so how do you plug the PWD with the Antimode 2.0 ?
BR
I also have the Antimode 2.0.
While a bit different to the option above I use the Dspeaker between the PWD and my ASR and have it correcting anything below 150htz peaks only. Made a huge positive difference though cannot fix my 60hz suck out it's the best I can do in my lounge of glass and marble floor.
I also have room treatments but they are poor competition though having said that I would blame that mostly on my lack of knowledge.
I'm very interested in a Ethernet option if I understood the description above correctly.
I guess dSpeaker could replace the PWD outright? Did you use the digital out from dSpeaker into the PWD or analog? How was the overall SQ using dSpeaker? Will it handle hi rez?
Alternatively - if I wanted to keep using the bridge, use it to feed the dSpeaker.
I was hoping for a software solution which would require no new boxes and would adjust in the digital domain before it got to the DAC. I am very hazy about how that might work and why the need for a 'device' like a virtual sound card. I imagine the adjustment would be made to the output from the virtual device?
Any recommendations for room treatments? Something inexpensive would help.
Real Traps - Ethan Weiner is a extremely nice, knowledgeable and deliciously opinionated.
GIK Acoustics - a little cheaper than most, excellent quality, also a wonderfully nice bunch.
In my opinion, focus on bass absorption (toughest) and taming first-order reflections (pretty easy).
My 61Hz standing wave killer solution. 50 inches 
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<legend> Attached files </legend> <a href="/wp-content/uploads/attachments/60967=2150-639e1c25b8f460b21ad34f650ae77e.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/attachments/60967=2150-639e1c25b8f460b21ad34f650ae77e.jpg" class="gc-images" title="/FileUpload/ba/639e1c25b8f460b21ad34f650ae77e.jpg" style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>Elk said: Ethan Weiner is a extremely nice, knowledgeable and deliciously opinionated.
Always a pleasure. His website is most informative, a real treasure.
Hello, you are speaking about the Dspeaker Antimode 2.0 ? I have one but not installed at this time. I thought the trealtment was done on the digital signal, so how do you plug the PWD with the Antimode 2.0 ?
BR
yes that is correct. I use the anolgue output from the PWD to the anolgue input of the 2.0, anologue output of the 2.0 to the Amp. The hang-up i have is its another step in the chain, but i find the benefits outweigh this.
I have compared the DSpeaker DAC to the PWD and whilst it was very good and convenient i enjoyed the sound of the PWD more.
My 61Hz standing wave killer solution. 50 inches :)
Awesome!!!
Can’t you do DRC under J river. I was under the impression that you could. You may need to use a different program to create the convolution file, but i was under the impression that J river will then apply that file -cant remember the menu setting as I tried J river out it out some time ago
If so this would be a way of integrating DRC with a bridge.
I am in favour of DRC provided that it is used properly. It has limits.
Can't you do DRC under J river. ... If so this would be a way of integrating DRC with a bridge. ...
I believe that J.River only applies convolution to directly-connected devices. Once you go through the network, the ability is not there.
If someone can confirm this or tell me I'm wrong, that would be helpful.
Mike
@mike48
Bet it would work with Wavestream! If only…