Dirac vs 8-band McIntosh EQ

Dirac is significantly better than graphic or parametric EQ, and most other room / speaker correction products. If you want to keep Dirac but have more flexibility in your choice of audio hardware, you may consider picking up an outboard Dirac unit like the miniDSP SHD for pure-digital processing before it reaches your DAC.

Thanks for your input.  I appreciate the help.

Warmly,

Bill

Dirac is not just an extremely fine eq but it is a phase adjustment process.  It alters the phase/timing of certain frequencies on each speaker to make them time-correct at your listening position.  In my experience, it does funny things to the sound - it makes all audio sound like it's right around your ears (like wearing headphones) instead of 6-8 feet out in front of you.  I also didn't like how it treated bass.  On most Dirac devices, you can tune how much it does each frequency area and how aggresive the tuning is, but I prefer room treatments.  Many love Dirac.

On the other hand, an 8 band EQ is a VERY rough adjuster and it is most likely not going to be precise enough to handle your specific room problems.  It is a course adjustment that's better than just bass/treble knobs and it may help the lack of some frequency areas, but you are likely going to have a much more narrow problem area. lol.