2. digital
  3. 1325780911

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
tannoyd
2 posts
 
Maybe you should try upsampling, Audiofun, because on a certain Aussie forum, they think the Octave really takes off once you do so.

Also a converter at the level of an Audiophilleo is needed to really unlock its potential.
audiofun
799 posts
 
Tannoyd: Hi and thanks for the advice. I have tried it extensively and it always sound processed and less real when you go back to native resolution. I admit it can sound nice until one goes back and listens deeply into the music (especially live recordings), it simply sounds processed.

Concerning USB/SPDIF I have owned the M2Tech Hiface and EVO, and I settled on the Kingrex UC192 with the upgraded MKII power supply (fully regulated linear supply with 48V toroidal transformer) and I also own the Sonicweld Diverter HR.

Believe me, the UC192 performs well above where one would think especially with the version 6 firmware installed and the Diverter HR is in a league of its own.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Not everyone is sold on the'superiority' of upsampling rates. Some simply find it more 'hifi' in character and native 16/44.1 to sound more 'natural' YMMV.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
As I previously mentioned, I got mine a couple of weeks ago. I have left it connected to my SAT box for the last 3 weeks, and it was only today I put it into my hi-man rig.

All I can say, that I have been listening to this dac the whole evening in utter disbelief. What a gem.

My front end:
PC Server with SOtM USB card installed, running Win 7 64-bit, Jriver 17 and Jplay -> JK SPDIF 3 USB/SPDIF converter.

The unit seems to be extremely sensitive to transport quality. IMO JK SPDIF 3 USB/SPDIF converter is absolute minimum. I have also tried Matrix, V-Link and Halide Bridge.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
Mine is sounding better all the time; the best digital I have heard. Bass is especially impressive. Also the digital edge is absent or at least reduced in the case of bad recordings. CDs like the Yarlung are amazing. I was able to remove some of my room treatment panels that I had put up to tame the high end I had been getting. You will also hear things you didn't know were on the recording. Above all it is really NATURAL sounding; not hi fi sounding in the bad sense.
More to discover