Metrum Octave versus Eastern Electric DAC

Devilboy:

Overall I listened to the Metrum Octave for about 16-17 hours over 6 separate sessions. The sonic character of the Octave was extremely consistant over all my listening sessions. The musical differences between the Metrum (NOS) and modded EE DAC + (SABRE) were very apparent from the beginning. I would venture to guess that the vast majority of listeners would be able to identify which of the two DACs they preferred rather quickly. I think it might be harder when comparing two NOS DACS or two SABRE DACS. Since my sonic preference never wavered over the entire time I compared the DACS I felt comfortable in my decision.

Greg, I was in the same boat as you and if you are a big fan of the Havana, as I am, then the Octave is right up your alley. I've had the Bel Canto DAC2.5 and DAC3, Calyx 24/192, and Berkeley Alpha DAC 1 and 2 since moving my Havana out of my main system, and the Metrum Octave comes the closest in terms of the beautifully rich, saturated tone, but does not overdo it as much as the Havana can sometimes and has the inner detail and transparency that Havana owners are eventually left wanting. My Octave is not broken in yet, but I peg the sound as somewhere in between the Havana and Berkeley Alpha DAC Series 2. It started off more like the BADA2 but is going more towards the Havana as it breaks in (a good thing to me!!). ALL THINGS CONSIDERED I am happy to trade the BADA2 for the Octave while saving thousands of dollars. Certainly there are tradeoffs but I am not left thinking about having the BADA2 back.

Whatever you do get a GOOD USB/firewire-SPDIF converter (or transport if you are using CD). I am finding that it makes a big difference in subtle ways (funny how that works) as I move up the chain.

Has anyone compared the Eastern Electric DAC Plus with Dexa Discrete Op amp to the PS Audio PWD MKII?? I am considering making a change but would like some feedback.

i had the eastern electric dac (original version) and i have the ps audio dac.

the tube in the circuit colors the sound. the ps audio dac, depending upon digital cable can sound harsh.

I have the Eastern Electric DAC Plus with Dexa Discrete opamps but have not had the opportunity to compare it to the PS Audio PWD MKII.

With that said, I cannot foresee a time when I'd wish to replace the EE DAC Plus in its current iteration of configuration.

Pulling the tube and deploying the Dexa's delivers a sonic purity that renders all of my previous, numerous searches in the land of Dac's fruitless.