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Thread: Opinions on Metrum Octave

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jun 2015

    Location: London/Durham

    Posts: 6,869
    I'm Lawrence.

    Default Opinions on Metrum Octave

    I've just got hold of one of these, my very early findings are it's nice and detailed, slightly forward (in a good way), but no hint of any fatigue (though only after an hour of listening). Overall it has a similar sound to other "high end" modern dacs I've heard, and yet I've always gone back to my Trichord in the long run. I have it on sale and return for a few days but family life limits my listening time so I was wondering what other people thought too?

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    Last edited by Lawrence001; 13-01-2018 at 09:11.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Mar 2011

    Location: Reading

    Posts: 110
    I'm George.

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    I have had a Metrum Octave DAC for some time. For me it was one of the first DACs that lost that digital edge from music and started to sound like real music. It has a great natural sound that is easy to listen to for many hours. That is important as a lot of DACs can sound very dramatic, upfront and impressive. But after an hour it grates. After a couple of hours you dread cymbals being struck..... Some DACs do not do that. The Metrum is one.

    If you do not believe me then Martin Colloms really rated this DAC and favourably compared it to a 5 figure DAC. He still rates it above a huge swathe of DACs including some high priced ones.

    Metrum have improved the Octaves but this was a real ground breaker when it cam out.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jun 2015

    Location: London/Durham

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    I'm Lawrence.

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    Thanks George that's good to know and makes me inclined to keep hold of it for a while to really get to know the sound. Do you know where and when MC reviewed the dac as I haven't come across that particular review in my searches?

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  4. #4
    Join Date: Mar 2011

    Location: Reading

    Posts: 110
    I'm George.

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    It is on the Hifi Critic site.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jun 2015

    Location: London/Durham

    Posts: 6,869
    I'm Lawrence.

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    Thanks just found it complete (could only see one page on the hificritic site).

    https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&so...mNxQ4EGo0yqbp4



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  6. #6
    Join Date: May 2017

    Location: Glasgow

    Posts: 231
    I'm Rohan.

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    This has always seemed to be a great DAC; my Leema Elements DAC is superb but the Octave is one I've often wanted to hear.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Feb 2010

    Location: Orlando, Florida

    Posts: 60
    I'm Mike.

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    I have the baby brother to that. I bought it a few years ago after getting rid of my CD player and moving on to streaming (with Logitech Squeezbox). It was the first digital I heard that I listened to because I wanted to, not because it was the only format I could get a particular piece of music on. It is still in my system.

  8. #8
    Audio Al is offline Pishanto Specialist & Super-Daftee
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Dagenham Essex

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    I'm Allen.

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    Is it still that good 7 years on ? the review was done in 2011
    [

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jun 2015

    Location: London/Durham

    Posts: 6,869
    I'm Lawrence.

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    I've been using a Trichord dac for the last 10 years that must be nearly 30 years old, and it's seen off some pricey and well respected modern dacs (eg. the Young). I put it down to a very well implemented dac chip with a fantastic output section with massive power supplies.

    The octave has the edge on it in terms of resolution while retaining naturalness but the Trichord still has something about it. I think the development of later dacs surpasses older ones in some ways, but given tastes differ and systems often require a different type of sound to match the other components (e.g.too much resolution can sometimes distract from the soul of the music if it's thrown in your face), the better oldies still have a place in a modern high end system. In the case of the octave, it's still relatively new compared to many, and the technology was ground-breaking at the time.

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  10. #10
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,774
    I'm Martin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Lawrence001 View Post
    I've been using a Trichord dac for the last 10 years that must be nearly 30 years old, and it's seen off some pricey and well respected modern dacs (eg. the Young). I put it down to a very well implemented dac chip with a fantastic output section with massive power supplies.
    I've also noticed that these elements are what makes a good sound from a DAC, regardless of how long ago it was designed, or whether it is a stand-alone unit or inside a CD player. Most of what is written on forums about digital audio is either sheer fantasy or just marketing bullshit regurgitated. If you see someone start a post with something like 'Digital technology has come on leaps and bounds' you can safely disregard anything else they have to say on the subject.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

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