A little late to the party here, let me add a few experiences and observations. I’ve had Dirac Live on my PC for several years across multiple amps and speakers. Every setup sounded better corrected, and every amp and speaker retained their unique sound. Otherwise I’d save a boat load of cash and run an AV receiver with Audessy as a prepro to a cheap amp and speakers.
Speakers have their own characteristic sounding drivers and cabinet harmonics around the fundamental tones being swept for calibration. Quality of crossovers or lack there of matter as well,
Whether the dsp’d sound was as intended by the manufacturer was lost on the fact that my system sounded better with correction. To Eric’s point, a well treated room is always a better starting place.
What I like about PC corrected audio is that it’s all done digitally in the PC and sent out USB. The only D/A process now occurs in the wide selection of DACs or Pre amps available to you now. No need for bundled, expensive DAC/Pre/Room Correction units. Want an R2R dac or that tube pre everyone is raving about WITH correction? - now you can. You may find yourself in this hobby upgrading sooner than expected and I never want to throw out a digitally corrected room. Stays in the computer and yes, a minimal level of computer skills is required. It’s not the easiest option and could be why I don’t see many folks with PCs operating as music servers with room correction.
I just wish there was an ethernet streaming box with quality room correction minus the compromised bundled DAC or Pre. Digital input/digital output. An excuse to move up to an Ultra Rendu.
My USB is sounding toe tapping good with the Sotm usb card, reclocking, LPS and galvanic isolation. I’m sure giving up USB room correction for ethernet streaming would be a significant step back. Same goes for MQA DACs.
If I’m missing a solution out there please respond.
