Okto DAC 8 Stereo (Shout-out)
I know this DAC made a buzz via a Stereophile A+ rating a couple years back, and I can’t say how many times I casually checked if they were back in stock for purchase. A couple of weeks ago I happened to check and they were.
Previously I had read the lead times were up to 8 weeks for a build, but happy to report it arrived in just over a week to the states. Great communication and service from the Okto team. Unfortunately couldn’t get one with streaming on-board due to R-Pi shortages.
Seems well built, nice screen, and overall a smaller chassis than I thought. Hopefully won’t miss lack of single ended outputs. A note you can use this as a preamp and order to custom output voltage to match your power amp.
My initial impressions are as follows: This is the most transparent DAC I have ever heard, previously owning Denafrips Terminator, Holo Spring, Sonnet Morpheus, Aqua La Scala, PS audio PW DSD and others of lesser renown and quality. . The instrument separation is quite good, a wide and deep stage, and an almost eerily clarity that lacks any glassy edginess that sabre DAC based designs seem to be known for. Although I owned a HIFI rose and loved it.
Anyways, kudos to Okto and a heads up they are in stock. Great performance and a very affordable price!
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I can understand the Okto being perhaps more transparent than the Aqua La Scala, but it sounding better than it… not sure. Quite different sounding DACs I believe, but I have never heard the Okto. Are you able to provide more comparative feedback on other aspects of sound, in addition to transparency? |
@gavin1977 going purely off memory the Aqua La Scala has a euphonic quality, but it’s a tube DAC (kind of) so there’s a quality there a lot of people love including myself. Just like the PS audio has a silky smooth presentation because of the upsampling. All of these DAC’s I mentioned are high quality and will have some different strengths. Aside from the transparency, the Okto has a 3D soundstage and almost creates a circular feeling, kind of like being the mic hanging in the middle of the studio (queue Cowboy Junkies reference). A little depth plus left to right. Is this the one Dac to rule them all? Not sure. But for $1500 I’m satisfied and thats enough for me. |
