What software did you use to measure convolution filters?
Originally, Audyssey XT32 in the Marantz prepro. Then, filters from Thierry at HomeAudioFidelity. Most recently, filters generated by Audiolense XO software.
And was it simple to get this software to “see” all the different channels, to do measurements and create filters for each separate channel?
Depends. In my main system with 5.2, it has been difficult to get a Roon, the filters and the setup to play nice with MCH tracks. See this thread for an example of problems, not yet resolved. Audiolense Filters in Roon, Revisited — Build 537
I take it you don’t plan to use a sub? In the Marantz, the two sub outputs are Y connected together except for Audyssey measurement use. If you are doing tweeter / bass for each main speaker, that would be a 4 channel setup. For a Marantz prepro (which I know pretty well), I’d put left tweeter in the front left main output, right tweeter in the front right main output, bass left in left surround and bass right in right surround. Audiolense can help you identify channels separately and create filters to route to those channels. If it works with Roon. You might have to edit the filters as described on the other thread.
And easy to get Roon to map to these correct channels?
Maybe, maybe not, as described above. For example, in my main system of 7 channels — two of which are subs, we successful edited Audiolense filters to work for FLAC six channel material. But, DSF files for reasons yet unknown won’t work correctly, as noted in the other thread I reference above.
I’m planning something like your system 2. With the AVR in ‘pure direct’ mode and going to hookup AVR directly to each drivers of a pair of 2-ways. So software handling both DSP crossover and DRC.
I’m not sure Pure Direct does anything. I use it, but really hear no sonic difference. Just remember that if you go back to a monitor to set up speakers or anything else in the Marantz, you have to leave Pure Direct mode to see anything on-screen.
With what you seem to plan on, you’ll want to set the speakers as full range in Marantz so the crossover in the Marantz is defeated. In my main system, I do use the Marantz crossover for stereo in a 2.2 setup, but treating the subs as one complex sub as my stereo DAC is a 2-channel Bel Canto streamer. Be aware that Audiolense only works with USB DACs. So, if you decide you want the precision Audiolense can do, you can’t measure with HDMI.
To give you an idea of how good Audiolense works, below are the measurements for 2-channel in my second system — LH Labs Geek Pulse Xfi DAC, Marantz AV-7702 prepro, Carver AX-705 5-channel amp, Carver Sunfire True Subwoofer Mark IV And KEF LS-50 mains. Sounds great. JCR
JCR