Thanks to @ogs for clarifying with Mathieu. Although personally I would not classify the response as "bad news" as such, for me it is pretty much to be expected. Also, it still leaves the question open as to if either the CI board or the EVO platform could natively run convolutions. Here again though, even if the answer is "yes" it would still require a lot of effort and new code to implement.
So how about some good news? I would say that although it is fun to speculate on "what might be possible", I would say the good news is what is possible now.
In the past I struggled with room measurements, REW and various methods of room correction. I am now running room correction convolutions that I am extremely happy with. For me this is thanks to Focus Fidelity. I have tried the Impala measurement software. I would be reluctant to call it "easy to use", in terms of being truly idiot proof. But if you are careful, have a rough idea about what you are doing and why, and of course actually follow the instructions, then with these caveats it is "easy to use". Far more intuitive than REW, easier than REW, and it gives you that vital degree of confidence that you are doing things right.
As for the convolutions, these work just fine with a Devialet amp. I know this because I am listening to my Devialet with said convolutions now. Believe it or not, I am actually listening to some music via an iTunes playlist. This is streamed via HQPlayer's "loop back" functionality. A very quirky use case, but the point is that there are many ways you can use a Devialet with convolutions right now. I think the easiest way would be to use Roon or JRiver, in which case you just need a Devialet and a PC or Mac. I am probably labouring the point a little here, but the point is that this is all possible now.
I have managed to spend quite a bit of time listening to music over the holiday period, and I can say in all honesty that I have never enjoyed listening to reproduced music more. I have spent a lot of time in the past messing about with tweaks, but this is a clear step change, rather than the normal minor gains which on occasion may be more imagined than real.
Another thing that impresses me about Focus Fidelity Filter Designer is just how easy it is to "fine tune".
As an example, I had a convolution that I thought sounded a little bright. I could even invoke the "C" word here, and state that my system sounded a little "clinical". It takes maybe 10 minutes to load up the FFFD project that created the convolution, fine tune the target response slightly, and then be listening again. It is very quick and easy. The point being, I can make the system sound clinical, or even a little forgiving, anything I want. As it happens, I do not want my system to be too dark or forgiving, I want it to be as detailed and realistic as possible. In fact, I have been surprised at just how little you can change the target curve to move from sounding a little unforgiving and clinical to something that sounds "musical", or just plain more enjoyable to listen too.
I recall some data from Floyd Toole, with comments like 75% of our impression of an audio system is related to the frequency response balance, and maybe 30% of this is related to bass. This is from memory, so may not be a completely accurate quote, but whatever the actual percentages might be it is a little arbitrary anyway, the point is I am now really beginning to see the benefit of being able to "fine tune" things so they sound right for a particular system and listener.
For me, FFFD makes this relatively easy to do. Plus, because the software is easy to use it is quite good fun. You decide one day that you system is a little dark, clinical, lacking in mid range, too much bass, too little bass or whatever. 10 minutes with FFFD, and all of a sudden you have a slightly different system, with the sound improved in exactly the way you wanted to improve it. A lot cheaper and easier that trying different cables, new bits of kit, add on tweaks or whatever. It is a lot more effective too. So you have all the benefits of "proper" room correction, reducing bass nodes, reducing resonances, correcting phase distortions etc, and together with this the ability to fine tune your system such that it sound as correct as possible to yourself.
If you have the time and inclination, well worth giving it a try I would say.
So how about some good news? I would say that although it is fun to speculate on "what might be possible", I would say the good news is what is possible now.
In the past I struggled with room measurements, REW and various methods of room correction. I am now running room correction convolutions that I am extremely happy with. For me this is thanks to Focus Fidelity. I have tried the Impala measurement software. I would be reluctant to call it "easy to use", in terms of being truly idiot proof. But if you are careful, have a rough idea about what you are doing and why, and of course actually follow the instructions, then with these caveats it is "easy to use". Far more intuitive than REW, easier than REW, and it gives you that vital degree of confidence that you are doing things right.
As for the convolutions, these work just fine with a Devialet amp. I know this because I am listening to my Devialet with said convolutions now. Believe it or not, I am actually listening to some music via an iTunes playlist. This is streamed via HQPlayer's "loop back" functionality. A very quirky use case, but the point is that there are many ways you can use a Devialet with convolutions right now. I think the easiest way would be to use Roon or JRiver, in which case you just need a Devialet and a PC or Mac. I am probably labouring the point a little here, but the point is that this is all possible now.
I have managed to spend quite a bit of time listening to music over the holiday period, and I can say in all honesty that I have never enjoyed listening to reproduced music more. I have spent a lot of time in the past messing about with tweaks, but this is a clear step change, rather than the normal minor gains which on occasion may be more imagined than real.
Another thing that impresses me about Focus Fidelity Filter Designer is just how easy it is to "fine tune".
As an example, I had a convolution that I thought sounded a little bright. I could even invoke the "C" word here, and state that my system sounded a little "clinical". It takes maybe 10 minutes to load up the FFFD project that created the convolution, fine tune the target response slightly, and then be listening again. It is very quick and easy. The point being, I can make the system sound clinical, or even a little forgiving, anything I want. As it happens, I do not want my system to be too dark or forgiving, I want it to be as detailed and realistic as possible. In fact, I have been surprised at just how little you can change the target curve to move from sounding a little unforgiving and clinical to something that sounds "musical", or just plain more enjoyable to listen too.
I recall some data from Floyd Toole, with comments like 75% of our impression of an audio system is related to the frequency response balance, and maybe 30% of this is related to bass. This is from memory, so may not be a completely accurate quote, but whatever the actual percentages might be it is a little arbitrary anyway, the point is I am now really beginning to see the benefit of being able to "fine tune" things so they sound right for a particular system and listener.
For me, FFFD makes this relatively easy to do. Plus, because the software is easy to use it is quite good fun. You decide one day that you system is a little dark, clinical, lacking in mid range, too much bass, too little bass or whatever. 10 minutes with FFFD, and all of a sudden you have a slightly different system, with the sound improved in exactly the way you wanted to improve it. A lot cheaper and easier that trying different cables, new bits of kit, add on tweaks or whatever. It is a lot more effective too. So you have all the benefits of "proper" room correction, reducing bass nodes, reducing resonances, correcting phase distortions etc, and together with this the ability to fine tune your system such that it sound as correct as possible to yourself.
If you have the time and inclination, well worth giving it a try I would say.
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
