AV Preamp for DAC for Dirac and the like?

[Supperconductor]

Hi All,

 

I've been reading a few threads about DSpeaker and Dirac. I was really impressed with the demos of both at hi-fi shows. I'm very curious about room correction and digital cross-overs. I'm currently running a Marantz AV-7005 bi-amped with Audyssey. As it is now, the Marantz is doing some "room correction" and active crossover work going into speakers with built-in passive cross-overs. Probably not ideal but a baby step towards what I've heard at shows.

 

I'm looking possibly Emerald Physic's speakers and continuing to use the AV-7005 as a multi-channel DAC. Do room correction/crossover software support sending discrete channels via HDMI? Then I'd simply route the appropriate pre-amp outs to the corresponding amp inputs as I'm doing now.

 

For computers, I'm platform agnostic. Mac, Windows, or Linux will do. However, I do prefer ease of use. The Marantz with Audyssey is easy but now that I've heard better, I don't mind a bit of tinkering.

 

EDIT: I forgot to add this will be for a stereo 2.0 set up. I might add subwoofer(s) at some point but I'm firmly in the stereo camp.

[wgscott]

What is the question? I am fairly sure Dirac lets you use HDMI, but I don't think you will be able to use it with the active crossovers as you describe. If you still have passive crossovers, you are passively bi-amping anyway.

[Supperconductor]

Yes, I know, I still am passive bi-amping TODAY with my current set-up. I intend to get speakers with external crossovers that can be bypassed completely. The AV-7005 does have a bi-amping function of it's own which I am using with some success but want to take the next step to fully active speakers, digital crossovers, and better room correction all while using the AV-7005 as a "dumb" multi-channel DAC.

 

The question is, via HDMI, if I have a PC/Mac running some room correction/active cross over software. Using my AV-7005 in "Pure Direct" mode (to bypass the pre-amp's own processing), is it possible to use it as a muti-channel DAC? Can the software tell the pre-amp via HDMI:

 

Send hi-pass audio to Left Front & Right Front channels

Send low-pass audio to Left Rear & Right Rear channels

[wgscott]

My understanding is Dirac cannot do that (at least currently). I may be wrong.

[Supperconductor]

Yes, that's my understanding as well. But I'm not ruling out other room correction software. I'm asking if my approach is even viable - which is to leverage the AV-7005.

[wgscott]

That is why I was suggesting you might want to clarify or summarize what it is that you are asking.

[Supperconductor]

Agreed, I found it challenging to describe what I want to accomplish.