Metrum Onyx versus Metrum Pavane

Jan Garbareck - Pygmy Lullaby - Sax is center focused, percussion starts stage slight left backstage with the hand held tambourine drums (I believe that's the instrument) slight right backstage. Then the percussion comes in at stage right backstage. Sax solo ends with keys, drums kick starting center, backed up by bass. Then sax comes back on with the percussion on both sides .

Desolate mountains 2 - chimes in different tones way left off center, keys in middle, snares behind chimes - very slight, way left, then chimes again (different tones....shifting from left to right, back to left - snares very slight behind chimes way left), sax solo accompanied by louder chimes, snares and brush on snare drums, very deep percussion way back center stage, bass stage right. 

I believe you're talking about the tonal shifts in what we call timbre of the chimes, their frequency and amplitude shifts, as well as at the end the varying pitch differentiation....all very clear on Onyx. Beyond that I can't say....this is my high end setup (I had the $200 vintage Kenwood integrated hooked up before)...very high res full range speakers and high end, low distortion tube integrated.

The headstage on phones is very different from a "you're watching a performance" soundstage provided by speakers, so it'll not be comparable. Plus your monitors and unsure if you're sitting on a desk, will not provide the width and depth I am getting from my setup. I would highly suggest using it (if you decide) with your headphones to compare against your current dac.

Onyx is quite transparent, it accurately portrays the drama in this particular recording which I've not heard before. Once again I commend Metrum on a bargain. 

I’m using powered studio monitors, often nearfield and in a quiet environment and the hiss is annoying me a lot.

Dare I ask what speakers you're using and how much they cost?  I'm fearing a potential gross mismatch here in source vs. speaker and amp expense, but I'll just wait to hear what speakers you're using.  I'll just say that if imaging and sounstaging are high on your wish list, not sure powered studio monitors are the right place to start.  But maybe that's just me. 

Just picked up a Jade DAC/preamp and it sounds amazing for the money.
After putting it in my main system today, I am reevaluating whether I should be using the Adagio rather than my Pavane L3.  Consistent with my earlier comments, they are cut from the same cloth and the sound is close but there is maybe just a touch less body and tonal warmth with the Adagio (compared to the Pavane L3 through my preamp) but the resolution, natural sound, definition, and frequency extension are very good.....and that from the Jade, not the Adagio, which is even better.  The Onix is to the Jade what the Pavane L3 is to the Adagio, fyi.

@mitch2 so not worth it to upgrade from Onyx to Pavane unless you are super critical listener? 

@nitewulf: Thank you!
@soix: Right now I’m using my old Mackie HR824 (mark I, USA made) monitors, but I’ll upgrade to better speakers + amp within a year or so. Not sure to what, though, from all I’ve listened so far I liked a pair of Spendor SP2/3R2 driven by a Densen B175 amplifier the most (other possible contenders: other Spendors, Proac D30RS, Harbeth SHL5+, Atc SCM40A etc. - kinda all over the place, I know). Choosing speakers is very difficult IMO, so I’ll start with the dac and thus reduce the number of variables.