Select NAD Electronics Models to Carry Dirac Live

Select NAD Electronics Models to Carry Dirac Live​

(NAD/Dirac Research)

(July 1, 2017) The hottest name in room correction software is Dirac Live. Several days ago, the patented technology joined forces with yet another big name in audio: NAD Electronics.

Dirac Research is a company that’s committed to helping systems recreate accurate sound in a wide variety of environments. Founded by former PhD students from the Signals and Systems Group at Uppsala University (Sweden) and named after Paul Dirac (a British physicist responsible for a mathematical function that makes it all possible), Dirac has been building steam for nearly 15 years. Dirac Live is its patent room correction platform that’s designed to correct both the frequency response and impulse response of a room’s loudspeakers across a wide listening area. It achieves this by using multiple measurements and mixed phase correction. The end result is an audio experience with a more natural and realistic sound.

NAD Electronics has announced a new strategic partnership with Dirac, which will bring Dirac Live to select products in the company’s Masters and Customs Install lines.

“NAD Electronics has pioneered amplifier technology for more than 45 years thanks to its unwavering commitment to innovation,” said Greg Stidsen, Lenbrook’s Director of Technology and Product Planning. “Dirac Research shares this commitment and has established itself as a true pioneer in room correction technology with their Dirac Live solution. This partnership is a natural fit and we look forward to working with Dirac to deliver our customers with the best possible home theater experience.”

NAD’s products are sold world-wide in over 80 countries, which means the reach of this partnership will be far and wide. The company has not announced which exact NAD models will receive onboard Dirac functionality, nor has it revealed a time frame for rollout. We’ll update this article as more information becomes available.

 

[JimShaw]

Todd

I am a true novice in this area and understand little.

As a novice and think Audyseey XT32 is the cat's meow (to use an expression from the 20s), in simple terms what can/would Dirac Live do for my sound system?

What would it do over Audyseey?

Is this something that could replace Audyseey? If so, I could use a multi-channel system where as with Audyseey, I can't.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

It's better than Audyssey... much better, at least the standalone box is better at smoothing the overall response. I can't speak for how it will be implemented in the NAD units, but if they set it up properly, it should be better, especially if they include the BM (bass management) module, which includes complete customization after the auto-setup has run, including 10 parametric EQ filters.

Wayne is supposed to do an article or write-up on Dirac Live, which would go into more detail. I was always a big fan of Audyssey myself, but I am now sold on DL all the way. I have a miniDSP DDRC88A-BM unit that is a separate box, so I can use it with any processor I want, but it is good to see more companies offering it with their units now.

 

[tesseract]

Nice to see this powerful room correction software making its way into high quality, affordable products.

 

[JimShaw]

It's better than Audyssey... much better, at least the standalone box is better at smoothing the overall response. I can't speak for how it will be implemented in the NAD units, but if they set it up properly, it should be better, especially if they include the BM (bass management) module, which includes complete customization after the auto-setup has run, including 10 parametric EQ filters.

Wayne is supposed to do an article or write-up on Dirac Live, which would go into more detail. I was always a big fan of Audyssey myself, but I am now sold on DL all the way. I have a miniDSP DDRC88A-BM unit that is a separate box, so I can use it with any processor I want, but it is good to see more companies offering it with their units now.

Sonnie

Thanks for the thought. I will seriously look into it.

MiniDSP DDRC88A-BM, tomorrow I will read about it.

Thanks

 

[Asere]

It is great that NAD now has Dirac Live. I am sure other brands will follow soon.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Perhaps I'm misremembering, but didn't Wayne write a DL vs XT32 paper on HTS and conclude he could ultimately hear no diffinitive difference? We need @AudiocRaver to jump in here.

@JimShaw, the biggest issue is that both analyze and alter frequency response, but DL also analyzes in the time domain and attempts to correct there too.

 

[Tonto]

I think that was when DL was in it's infancy & before Wayne really got into its nuts and bolts. Since them he has become very proficient with room correction and DL's intricacies. It has proven to be a better product. I'm also glad to see more companies adopting its hardware/software. I'm actually surprised Denon isn't on board yet. I'm also surprised that we are not seeing DL for atmos speakers. Surely within the next year!

 

[Todd Anderson]

You're probably right, Quenten. A lot this stuff blurs together, time-wise ;-)

There's a ton of variables that go into great sound, and the impact of something like DL is going to vary based on equipment, room, measurement, and personal preference. DL certainly has a strong following.

I wish I could heap my own preference into the mix, but I've never deployed it in my own room. Hopefully we'll see what you suggest later this year (rumor mill has Emotiva on the DL for Atmos map).

 

[tesseract]

Perhaps I'm misremembering, but didn't Wayne write a DL vs XT32 paper on HTS and conclude he could ultimately hear no diffinitive difference? We need @AudiocRaver to

It was at the end of the grueling ABX amp test. I was going to take part in the Audyssey vs. Dirac, but setup was difficult and time consuming. I had to leave to meet relatives.

Dirac is the best affordable system I've experienced, but I would love a chance to blind test them.

 

[tesseract]

@JimShaw, the biggest issue is that both analyze and alter frequency response, but DL also analyzes in the time domain and attempts to correct there too.

This is the defining feature, I think, and what makes Dirac such a success.

 

[Flak]

My understanding is that V3 of these models will feature Dirac Live...

as well as the NAD AM 17 module:

from here: https://nadelectronics.com/en_EU/product/am17-audio-mdc-module/

Flavio

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

I'm tickled to see Dirac's presence spread as recently anticipated. That it's spreading via quality brands and relatively affordable models is a bonus. Perhaps it's proliferation will help lower cost of licensing and implementation for all.