Yamamoto YDA 01 DAC

Lewinski,
source is a Lite CD 21 transport with 44 and 96kHz outputs then there's a Merlin TSM mme with EAR 868 and First Watt F5 amplification. Cables are a combination of Stereovox, Morrow and Artisan Silver, Supra Sword for sc and Van den Hull powercords. No powerconditionning.

Lewinski,
with the benchmark, I liked the 44.1 output better because it sounded more dynamic and self assured whereas the Octave had better air and separation fed from the 96kHz output. Strange.

Got my Metrum Octave yesterday and compared it cold out of the box with my benchmark DAC1. The Octave is a glass of red wine, whereas the benchmark's more like a gin tonic. Soundstage opens up considerably vertically and horizontically but not so much in depth, bass is deeper (!) but less defined, sometimes even a bit one-note, midrange sounds lovely natural and voluminous, treble is still a bit nondescript like pink noise but that's very much exagerated from my side. Detail seems even better than from the benchmark which might be a function of the Metrums ability to reproduce timbres. The differences are certainly more pronounced than I anticipated.

Most importantly, it's already very enjoyable

Hope that helps

Charles,
I ordered mine on the 8th of August.

The amount of resolution was unexpected but "more developped timbres" is probably the better description and this is the kind of "resolution", that was missing from the benchmark. Please keep in mind that we're comming from different directions: you from the Yamamoto, me from the benchmark, so your findings might be different.

I expect this to develop into a long thread so its a pitty, it runs under the Yamamoto lable.

Hi all
A vew weeks ago I wrote about my first impressions of the Metrum DAC and mentioned - besides some positive aspects - the loose bass and the ill defined treble. I was sure, these shortcomings would vanish during the break in period but the contrary happened, especially in the hights. S and z sounds are almost unbearable now. They're completely bleached and my initial remark that they sound a bit like pink noise is even more pronounced now. I tried different cables but the outcome stayed the same so I borrowed the DAC to a friend with a Lawry DAC, ATC pre and active ATC 50s. He could have tried it for a week but gave it back after two days with the same results. Now I'm back to my old DAC. For future purchases I'll insist on a home audition.

Charles,
it is indeed ironic especially since I'm comparing it to a DAC that is said to be on the cold/bright side of neutral... Until now I thought that a DAC is an unlikely source for a system mismatch.