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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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poketacez
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,318 posts
 

@shooter41 , I would be very eager to hear back from you once you get this DAC. At this point I have not made up my mind about a specific DAC. While the T+A DAC 200 is on top of my list, it is a bit out of budget. There are others too, but the Okto seems very favorable.

R2R needs real high end to come into its own, otherwise it’s somewhat hobbled

@gavin1977 , I am not sure why that case would be. If there is a system that has everything constant and you only switched the DAC, you should be able to make out the difference between 2 DACS - one Delta Sigma based while the other R2R based. What are the components in your system? Care to post? Just curious since you mentioned that R2R needs a high end system. I have seem other posters with a good system use R2R and appreciate it.

shooter41
63 posts
 

@milpai I'm happy to report back my experience once I've had to time to properly evaluate it.

yyzsantabarbara
4,485 posts
 

Is this an overly smooth sounding DAC?

How long did it take to get to the USA from Czechia?

Are the 2 sets of XLR outputs for 2 amps? Can you have them connected at the same time?

Each pair of connectors belonging to one channel is connected internally, allowing for simultaneous connection of two devices, such as a power amplifier for main speakers and an active subwoofer, or a pair of active speakers located in different rooms.

gavin1977
30 posts
 

@milpai you can certainly tell the difference between DACs in most systems, but what I’m suggesting with R2R (but also try for some other topologies) if that the better the source the wider the gap / scaling.

poketacez OP
21 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara no this DAC isn’t overly smooth, not at all actually. It isn’t harsh either. Took 9 days from order to arrival to the States. 
 

Also, yes it only has two sets of XLR outs. 

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