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From Metrum Octave to Lynx Hilo or exaSound e28?

I'm looking into making significant changes into my two-channel system and would very much appreciate input from those who have experience with Metrum Octave, exaSound and Lynx Hilo.

My current setup is a highly optimized Windows Server 2012 server into an Audiophilleo with PurePower into a Metrum Octave mk.I into a Lamm LL2, into a McIntosh MC275 into B&W 804S speakers and a pair of Rythmik subs.

My end game in mind is adding a DRC/DSP software on the server, a multichannel DAC with volume control and actively crossover to drive 2 or 3 amps to drive the speakers without the passive crossovers, and the subs. A huge change. But my question today is more limited to 2 pieces I can chew at this time:

1) How does the Audiophilleo+Metrum Octave compare with the Lynx Hilo and the exaSound e28 sound-wise? Would that be a lateral move?

2) How good is the volume control in the Lynx and the exaSound? Is it competitive with a good preamp? I will likely miss some vs the Lamm, and this is probably what's bothering me most.

Lynx uses FPGA, which is getting a lot of buz mainly around Chord. Seems like path into the future, whatever that means! :-)

ExaSound is up there with native DSD, femto clocks, and 8 channels instead of the 6 the Hilo has.

Both do what I would need them to do. But which one sounds better in terms of DAC and volume control?

Thanks!!
lewinskih01

Showing 1 response by mike_in_nc

mike_in_nc
1,121 posts
 
The Hilo has 6 independent DAC channels only if you are using USB or thunderbolt as input. However, that seems the case in your system. (The SPDIF and AES inputs use a single digital receiver.)

The volume knob can control any of the outputs, but I don't know that there is a way to gang it to control all at once. And it doesn't offer analog-domain control on the line (highest quality) outputs, but it does offer digital-domain control.

I have a Hilo and love it. I am using it in a computer based desktop system with JRiver Media Center and powered speakers. In my system, I found it very easy to implement a crossover in JRMC and drive the (single) sub with the Hilo's monitor outputs. (Just as easy with two subs.) The mains are driven with the line outputs. I use the knob to set relative level of the sub by changing the monitor volume. I use JRMC to set system volume.

I have not heard the exasound.

HTH

Mike
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