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 3 responses by mingles

Morganc, I sent a couple of messages to you through Audiogon, but haven't heard back. Please check your inbox
Morganc,

Can you compare and contrast these dacs: Metrum, Minimax+ and Tranquility? Any comments/opinions would be appreciated. thanks!
All this talk about the Metrum Octave has me intrigued. I'd like to hear one without committing to buy new. I'd love to compare it to my Bel Canto DAC3. I had an original EE DAC and liked it quite a bit, but didn't feel it offered an improvement over the Bel Canto. The EE was stock, but with a Telefunken smooth plate. Briefly, I ran it direct to my amp, but heard a definite roll off in the low end. That was to be expected with its incredibly high output impedance of 22k and my amp's unusually low input impedance of 24k.

I live in the Bay area (Berkeley). I don't expect anyone local to reply, but it would be warmly welcomed.