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
Naggots may I suggest the Stereovox Ultra. I just did a shoot out between the Veloce,which I've owned for a year, the Silverstar 75 and the Ultra. Hands down the Ultra was significantly better. I believe you are not really hearing your DAC until you hear it with the Ultra, I was not.I'd not eat for a week if that's what it took to afford the Ultra....it's that much better. Chris is coming out with a new updated connector for the Ultra which will even increase the bandwidth more.
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...
I am going to have a Eastern Electric DAC Plus with the level 2 modifications-$2K mod with Hynes regulators hand built in Scotland)to demo. It might be the only one completed at this time, not sure. I should have it this Friday and will have it for a couple of weeks to try. I will be comparing it to my PS Audio Perfect Wave MKII. I really like the PWD MKII but it can bite from time to time.

In about three weeks I will have a Lampizator Level 4 coming to demo. Stereomojo raves about this DAC.

The winner stays.

Bill at Morningstar states the Dexa Discrete Omp amps make a big difference in the EE DAC Plus.

Has anyone compared the EE DAC Plus or Lampizator Level 4 to the PS Audio PWD MKII?
Morganc,

Can you compare and contrast these dacs: Metrum, Minimax+ and Tranquility? Any comments/opinions would be appreciated. thanks!
I'm waiting on an Audiphileo 2 and a Coax Cable to give a proper comparison. I'm currently using a Digital Optical Cable and I think it is
Limiting the Computer Upsampling out of the Metrum. After I receive them, we will be doing a DAC shootout including the NAD Dac. We will be sure to post our impressions.