Metrum Octave versus Eastern Electric DAC


I own an Eastern Electric DAC, the older one with volume control, no mods. Have any of you in the community compared these two units? Would I be better off doing the op amp upgrade, buy the newest EE with upgrades?

I have enjoyed the EE and like it well enough, but I am curious about the Metrum. I would like slightly more warmth, more fullness, a little more meat and bones, without losing any of the detail I now enjoy.
mikirob

Showing 8 responses by gopher

I owned a first gen Minimax which I subsequently had the Bolder Cable Co level 1 modifications done to and while they were great dacs (in both iterations) I *think* I prefer my current Metrum Octave. I know I prefer the Octave to the LampizatOr 3 is replaced and going from memory it has a more natural presentation than the Minimaxs in either iteration. The Minimaxes with the Sabre32 (especially with bolder mods) *may* have been more resolved, but the Metrum just has good flow and is not fatiguing to listen to--especially with high res.
Mrtennis,

I used a 1950s Mullard Longplate in my Minimax, which was an excellent tube. Don't get me wrong the EE DACs were awesome--very competent, but I believe I prefer the Octave. It is a little tough to say due to the fact that I've had a lot of variables to my system change between the two dacs.

That said--discrete tube output or not, I think the sabre32 is intrinsically more analytical then most NOS offerings.
I assume you mean the Shuguang Psvane? Funny... I own that tube as well and disliked it compared to the Mullard. The Siemens Silverplate was also much better.
Very interesting findings, guys. It sounds like the Dexa opamps really brought the EE DAC performance up significantly. Unfortunately I did not have them in my modified first gen dac to offer insight.

Yes the Metrum is definitely more laid back then the Sabre32 which I found could be slightly analytical at times, but also very exciting with the right material. Make no mistake the modded first gen dac was excellent!

I see the first gen minimaxes go cheaply these days--can the Dexa opamps fit in it to see what the fuss is about for myself in comparison to my Octave?
Last Friday I had the opportunity to compare my Metrum Octave to my buddy's AMR DAP-777 in my own system and the results were somewhat surprising. The Metrum had a more forward presentation and was a bit more textured while the AMR was sweeter and more laid back. Generally speaking the AMR was preferred with acoustic or simple vocal driven stuff (i.e. civil wars) but I actually preferred the Metrum with blues, rock and male voices!

In both cases the differences weren't huge and as my friend put it, the two units were too close for comfort.

The transport was my Bolder modified Squeezebox Touch with Bolder (music railed) PSU. We're planning on doing the comparo again at his house with his rig, and the transport will be the LampizatOr Transport (heavily modified Sqeezebox Duet with tube spdif out).
Abruce,

Going from memory my modified EE DAC had a different presentation then the Metrum. The EE DAC being more resolved and dynamic, maybe a little less body (could be slightly analytical) while the Metrum is more harmonically rich and organic.

Morgan, You're using that Twin Imapact w/ Kora just for a SPDIF out? Seems complicated--any reason you did that instead of a Jkenny or Audiophileo? Has it proven a lower jitter solution?
I'm using a Wywire LTESpeed digital cable which is fantastic. It is terminated with Xhadow RCA connectors which are a true 75ohm unlike other RCA connectors and don't want to change this cable...

I wonder if installing a nice aftermarket RCA plug would have the same effect as the BNC upgrade provided I keep things 75ohm?

Any suggestions?
I did some digging and there are a couple true 75ohm RCA jacks, but they're pretty darn spendy!!

At $86+ shipping is the WBT-0210 NextGen RCA socket uses conductor material made of pure copper, and is direct gold plated. The signal pin hole is a spring loaded WBT double prism contact, while the ground/return portion utilizes a patented double-wave contact. The socket also uses a Teflon dielectric with torsion proof mounting. Tightens from outside using the included three-hole counter nut. Transmission bandwidth is 1 Ghz, and the socket has a characteristic impedence of 75 ohms, meaning this is an ideal socket for digital components, as well as analog components. Also available in a solid silver version.

And at $58+ shipping is the Eichmann HC-XTC PhonoPod uses a full 20 micron direct gold plating over pure copper. One of the most intriguing parts of this design is that it is a true 75 ohm connection, which means it's perfect for digital SPDIF inputs and outputs. Will accomodate chassis thicknesses to .19". Please click below for more information

Anyone know of cheaper options or at least sources for single rather then pairs of the sockets? For digital I only need one...