Digital Room Correction For Speakers

Certainly don't mind! They are also a consequence of how I got to this point, so let me provide more for perspective.

Years ago I went from to PC as front end, after reading Mitch Barnett's articles on computeraudiophile about using Acourate for room correction. I was hesitant initially, so bought a Dayton EMM-6 calibrated much and a Tascam US-122mkII to connect the mic, convert from analog to digital and connect to the PC. I started with 2-channel digital room correction. I was using my audiophile -channel DAC for playback.

I then wanted to explore multichannel stereo, following Mitch's articles. I purchased a Lynx Hilo as multichannel DAC/ADC, like Mitch had. I still have it.

Uli Brueggemann, the man behind Acourate, recommends using the same device for DAC and ADC. So I use the Hilo. But the Hilo doesn't have a mic pre, so currently I use the Tascam set up so it just passes the analog signal it gets from the mic onto the Hilo analog in.

Depends on the soundcard you use (Hilo in my case), you may or may not need a separate mic pre. Prism Titan, for example, includes mic pres. 

Ulis also recommends not using USB mics. as they are converting analog to digital internally.

Is all this absolutely critical? Dunno! 

BTW, I have the book you linked to and is very good.

Hope this helps!

@lewinskih01 Thanks for the info. Today, with the experience you have gained, what mic, mic pre and ADC would you get for 2 channel only processing?

As an FYI:

In my room small room I will have 2 systems.
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7605

My existing KEF LS50 will get a 3-D audio software processor. I was in contact with the following manufacturer and this sounds like something very interesting to try for about $5K. The hardware version of this setup is over $50K but I can try the same functionality with my computer based system.

There is a microphone component that is part of this system along with something called a Babyface Pro http://babyface.rme-audio.de/
that is used to do the binaural microphone input into a computer. I wonder if the microphone and Babyface interface can work with Acourate?

We also noted from the pics you noted that you must be computer savvy. In that case, you may wish to consider our BACCH4Mac sofwatre-based product which is much more affordable than the BACCH-SP. It is designed for computer audiophiles and the same functionality of the BACCH-SP (and more).

You can learn more about BACCH4Mac on this webpage: https://www.theoretica.us/bacch4mac/ and read this critical review by a well-known audio critic: https://www.audiostream.com/content/bacch4mac-3d-audio-playback-system

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/theoretica-applied-physics-bacch-sp-adio-3d-sound-processor (a thread I created a few weeks ago)

I will place the LS50’s on top of the large rectangular Yamaha NS 5000 speaker (using angled Isoacoustic stands) when playing the 3-D stuff via the LS50’s, otherwise the LS50 will be moved away to a bookshelf. The goal of the Acourate DSP will be to hopefully tame the large Yamaha into this small room. I also use ROON for my digital playback.

If this all works as expected it will be a home run for what I wanted to achieve. 

What to buy is largely driven by budget.

Mic: the Dayton EMM6 is good. Earthworks M30 and M50 are better and more expensive. I bought the EMM6 to try out DRC, then entertained the idea of upgrading and I consistently got the feedback the delta wasn't large enough.

Pre: dunno. Uli used to sell one. Monacor MPA-102 was mentioned as a good option. Haven't looked much into it.

ADC: here it gets tricky. You could use one unit for ADC and a separate one for playback (DAC), which is not what Uli recommends. Then regular DACs become options. Or you can follow Uli's guidance and use the same unit (same clock) for both conversions. I'm not familiar with the Babyface, but know several guys running Acourate use RME products. Merging has a new product (Anubis?) that had good comments. Prism Lyra, Lynx Hilo.

It's not clear to me what the BACCH system does and how Acourate fits in the picture. Acourate enables turning your system into active, which in my experience makes a huge positive impact. In that light I would recommend a multichannel unit rather than 2 channel. I've taken the passive crossover out of my speakers, drive them directly, and there is no going back for me.

Cheers!

@lewinskih01 Thanks for the additional info, perfect.

The BACCH and Acourate have nothing to do with each other. I have the KEF LS50’s currently. I am reluctant to get rid of them since I really like them, especially in a small room. So when I get my new speakers I was trying to figure out what to do with the LS50’s.

The BACCH system software was a perfect candidate to bring into my room and use with my current KEF LS50 system. The company actually demos with the KEF LS50’s since it is a directional speaker. I will need to spend $5K to get the following: a 2012 MacMini computer with the BACCH system loaded, a binaural microphone, and Babyface (just for measurements). The MacMini will also serve as a Roon Bridge to my Windows Roon Server. I do not use any DSP with my KEF LS50’s since the GIK acoustic panels I put in have made that system sound the best it can in my room.

I can then run the BACCH software to create this supposedly amazing 3D rendering of the music. I am going on reviews here but I do trust the 2 sources that have reported on this new cutting edge audio technology. I would have to have a different seating position to get the benefit of the BACCH system so it will be used after I complete my office work.

When I do my office work I will use the Yamaha speaker system, running a convolution file via Windows Roon Server. I will use Acourate to create the convolution file. The bass on the Yamaha is too much for my current office. I am very excited to use the Acourate software after doing so much research on Lyngdorf (Room Perfect), Anthem (ARC3), miniDSP (DIREC), and Linn (Space Optimization). Using a computer to do the DSP seems like a much better solution for my situation.

I have gotten into the book, Accurate Sound Reproduction Using DSP, and so far it seems like this guy really knows what he is talking about.

BTW - going ACTIVE via the Acourate seems a little daunting for me at the moment as I learn all of this. Baby steps first and then maybe some more ambition.