[thecrow]

No need to splurge for the Matrix to get an idea how a clean DAC should sound. SMSL SU-9, Sabaj D5, Topping Dx7 Pro are built around the same ESS chip and will sound about the same at a fraction of the cost. In fact even the Topping D10S will be enough if all you need is a USB input.

I appreciate your response

Without going down the path of “one of those” conversations i can’t say i subscribe to the thought that all dacs with the same chip sound the same

 

[gvl2016]

While this can be true in principle all the DACs I mentioned have very similar and excellent technical performance and any differences there can be would be well below audible, and all they will sound very different from the Hex which sounds like is what you're after.

Heck, if you have the resources get the Element and a Topping D10s and try to tell one from another.

 

[thecrow]

Heck, if you have the resources get the Element and a Topping D10s and try to tell one from another.

if i can I definitely will (demo them, that is)

 

[Thenewguy007]

No need to splurge for the Matrix to get an idea how a clean DAC should sound. SMSL SU-9, Sabaj D5, Topping Dx7 Pro are built around the same ESS chip and will sound about the same at a fraction of the cost. In fact even the Topping D10S will be enough if all you need is a USB input.

Not every Topping & Matrix owner would agree with you.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/matrix-audio-x-sabre-pro.825497/page-31#post-15994495

 

[gvl2016]

Not every Topping & Matrix owner would agree with you.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/matrix-audio-x-sabre-pro.825497/page-31#post-15994495

There are different opinions out there about DACs and their "sound signatures" but pretty much none of them is backed up by a controlled experiment. Regardless, whatever differences there might be between those DACs, audible or not, they will be magnitudes lower than the difference between them and the Hex. I own a Topping D10s, Sabaj D5, Okto DAC8 and can't tell with a straight face I can hear any difference between them. I also have a Topping DX3 Pro which I think sounds a bit different, but I fail to pick it apart from others in a blind test. That is my experience, yours doesn't have to be the same.

 

[Deolum]

How long does it take for the Pavane to sound completely right when it was disconnected from power?

 

[LevPush]

How long does it take for the Pavane to sound completely right when it was disconnected from power?

When I first got mine Onyx I think it took around 2 days for the sound to become relaxed. I had to unplug the power for 15 minutes a few weeks ago when I moved my equipments to a new rack. After re-powering the Onyx I actually didn't find the sound to change at all.

 

[Johnscheley]

At the end of 2020 I bought a Metrum Ambre on their website. But no news about shipping. They don't answer my emails. Did they really come back? I am worried. Anyone with the same problem?

 

[LevPush]

At the end of 2020 I bought a Metrum Ambre on their website. But no news about shipping. They don't answer my emails. Did they really come back? I am worried. Anyone with the same problem?

Dang I thought their management issue was solved. I am actually thinking about buying Ambre recently. Let us know how it goes.

 

[sahmen]

I wonder why the Sonnet Hermes is almost $200 cheaper than the Ambre. Any explanation for this discrepancy? I could have sworn hearing Cees argue that the Hermes was slightly superior, at least in certain parts... So what gives?

 

[kumar402]

I wonder why the Sonnet Hermes is almost $200 cheaper than the Ambre. Any explanation for this discrepancy? I could have sworn hearing Cees argue that the Hermes was slightly superior, at least in certain parts... So what gives?

Since Sonnet is new player in the world of Hi fi and hence they might have kept the markup slightly lower as compared to Metrum which was an established name when they launched Ambre. But with everything going on with Metrum I would get Hermès from Sonnet.

 

[sahmen]

Since Sonnet is new player in the world of Hi fi and hence they might have kept the markup slightly lower as compared to Metrum which was an established name when they launched Ambre. But with everything going on with Metrum I would get Hermès from Sonnet.

Yeah, this seems to check out. I currently have the ambre which I purchased a couple of years ago. If I need another roon bridge, however, I'd go for the Hermes myself.

 

[kumar402]

Yeah, this seems to check out. I currently have the ambre which I purchased a couple of years ago. If I need another roon bridge, however, I'd go for the Hermes myself.

Unless you need long LAN cable for I2S, I would suggest to try out Pi2AES. It will cost you some $250 and the I2S out works with Sonnet and Metrum

 

[sahmen]

Unless you need long LAN cable for I2S, I would suggest to try out Pi2AES. It will cost you some $250 and the I2S out works with Sonnet and Metrum

Yes, I have heard and read briefly about the Pi2AES and the price sounds attractive, but I do not know it that well. If it can do all the things the Ambre can do and do them as well, then of course I'll give it a shot. I have my Ambre modded in two, actually, three different ways that have enhanced the sound considerably. It is also serving two rigs currently in my house through the i2S and the AES outputs, and I am thinking of sending out the coaxial output too to another rig, which will leave the optical output still unused, but available for a 4th rig if needed. It is this kind of versatility which appeals to me about the Ambre, and by extension, the Hermes as well. If the Pi2AES can perform all these functions as reliably as the Ambre/Hermes, then I'll be all over it next time I want a roon-bridge.

 

[kumar402]

Yes, I have heard and read briefly about the Pi2AES and the price sounds attractive, but I do not know it that well. If it can do all the things the Ambre can do and do them as well, then of course I'll give it a shot. I have my Ambre modded in two, actually, three different ways that have enhanced the sound considerably. It is also serving two rigs currently in my house through the i2S and the AES outputs, and I am thinking of sending out the coaxial output too to another rig, which will leave the optical output still unused, but available for a 4th rig if needed. It is this kind of versatility which appeals to me about the Ambre, and by extension, the Hermes as well. If the Pi2AES can perform all these functions as reliably as the Ambre/Hermes, then I'll be all over it next time I want a roon-bridge.

Yes, Pi2AES has all the above output. In fact I use I2S to connect to my Morpheus and AES out to connect to Onyx with Coax going to Bifrost. So yes, you are good in that regard with it.