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Metrum Octave Dac experiences

I had another thread on this dac before I ordered (and heard) it, but I can't find it anywhere. So here's a new thread since I promised to share my experience here ;-) I have been listening to this dac for a few weeks now, I have no idea how many hours. I am playing from a dedicated music server with JPlay.

To my ears (I don't have much experience with other dacs, only a Audio-GD dac) it sounds really good. The main thing I noticed was the lack of listening fatigue, everything sounds real natural. I still need to try it with oversampled music, I haven't had the time to make a good comparison yet.

By the way, I'm (only) using a V-Link at the moment but looking to upgrade to an Audiophilleo of Off-Ramp in a few months.

I was sondering if anyone has any similar experience or maybe some tweaks to make it sound even better ;-)

Thanks!
newbie79
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I think Newbie meant upsampling not of course oversampling.
Although I ultimately kept my Yamamoto YDA DAC after auditioning the Metrum Octave, the Metrum is very good. I believe that most who try it will be impressed. In its price range it will be very difficult to beat.
newbie79 OP
7 posts
 
Hi all,

Yes, I meant upsampling ;-)
jwm
918 posts
 
There are other options that I think sound better than the Metrum and that is buying a used Musical Fidelity Trivista DAC you get great upsampling and tubes in the output stage. You can find these for less than 800.00 and my opinion sounds better than the metrum.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Ordered one of those 2 weeks ago to find out what's the buzz all about, but the lead time is 8 weeks.
juanitox
42 posts
 
i have a metrum since 4 weeks now ,replace an audio-note dac 3.1kit and berkeley alpha. at first i was a little disapointed coming from two excellent dac. the octave sounds thin , constricted with an upfront medium. so i decide to mod it with few dollars parts , just replace the little diodes with a shottky bridge , leave out a dozen of tantalum caps and replace it with elna cerafine near the chips. now it"s a keeper , i call it a little berkeley , very relaxing sound with tons off details...

mac mini/ pure music / jkenny hiface/ octave a damn good combo :)
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