New NOS DAC from Metrum- OCTAVE MK11
Mar 16, 2013 at 11:15 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 61
gurus

gurus

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Here is the just released new version of the Octave Mk11, a totally different beast than the original Octave, it seems it more like a Mini Hex  with optional USB input.
 
http://www.nosminidac.nl/Octave_English.html
 
Mar 16, 2013 at 11:24 PM Post #2 of 61
Quote:
gurus said:
Here is the just released new version of the Octave Mk11, a totally different beast than the original Octave, it seems it more like a Mini Hex  with optional USB input.
 
http://www.nosminidac.nl/Octave_English.html
Click to expand...


Xpost from the other thread
 
Octave with guaranteed 192hz + Hiface OEM board (and green PCB) in Hex box; 1 transformer instead of 2 small ones. They get rid of some heatsink too; which is understandable since my octave is never past lukewarm.
 
100 Euros extra (compared to the original Octave with guaranteed 192hz) for cherry picked 192hz and hiface oem seems ... reasonable
 
Mk2
 

 
Octave
 
 

 
Mar 17, 2013 at 2:49 AM Post #3 of 61
I am sure, many will be happy with it, but funny thing is, less than 2 weeks ago, I wrote to them, asking about USB upgrade in their MK1, but it was not possible and based on my system HEX was mentioned as better canditate.
 
Well, at least they could wrote to me that I should wait a little, as they will be updating their line, but they didnt and now I see this?
 
Thx, but no.
 
Mar 17, 2013 at 9:17 AM Post #4 of 61
Quote:
blackmore said:
I am sure, many will be happy with it, but funny thing is, less than 2 weeks ago, I wrote to them, asking about USB upgrade in their MK1, but it was not possible and based on my system HEX was mentioned as better canditate.
 
Well, at least they could wrote to me that I should wait a little, as they will be updating their line, but they didnt and now I see this?
 
Thx, but no.
Click to expand...

 
Unfortunately, that's just the way things go today. Something similar happened to me: I called Benchmark a few weeks before the DAC2 was announced, and talked to the sales guy there about asynchronous vs. isosynchronous. He spent a long time explaining to me why asynchronous was a bad solution, why the DAC1 takes a much better approach, etc. I then bought the DAC1 from them (at full price, of course), and a couple weeks later . . . an asynchronous DAC2 is announced. When I called Benchmark and asked if I could trade my DAC1 in for a DAC2, his answer was: sorry, go to audiogon and take a $500 hit, and then buy the new and improved model at full price.
 
I still like the DAC1, but it left such a sour taste in my mouth that I will never own another Benchmark product (I guess expected more from a company like that). Nonetheless, I expect that's just the way things are done today everywhere.
 
Mar 17, 2013 at 10:49 AM Post #5 of 61
Single ended Hex?  Depending on what the NA price is the Octave and a Soloist could be a great small space rig.
 
Mar 17, 2013 at 1:21 PM Post #6 of 61
Like you, I am not going to buy from this Dutch company, no matter how good this "new" version may be. I appreciate and deeply respect companies who are open and honest.
 
I have auditioned Octave in somebody else system and it was nice, but after Audio Note 4.1 was on again, man, just forget it. Like my very good friend says, save some cash and go for the best.
 
THX
 
 
Quote:
seacard said:
 
Unfortunately, that's just the way things go today. Something similar happened to me: I called Benchmark a few weeks before the DAC2 was announced, and talked to the sales guy there about asynchronous vs. isosynchronous. He spent a long time explaining to me why asynchronous was a bad solution, why the DAC1 takes a much better approach, etc. I then bought the DAC1 from them (at full price, of course), and a couple weeks later . . . an asynchronous DAC2 is announced. When I called Benchmark and asked if I could trade my DAC1 in for a DAC2, his answer was: sorry, go to audiogon and take a $500 hit, and then buy the new and improved model at full price.
 
I still like the DAC1, but it left such a sour taste in my mouth that I will never own another Benchmark product (I guess expected more from a company like that). Nonetheless, I expect that's just the way things are done today everywhere.
Click to expand...

 
Mar 18, 2013 at 4:25 PM Post #7 of 61
Having dealt directly with the Metrum and having bought one their DAC's, I agree the experience was less than stellar. And the person (only one employee/owner at the time)  on the other end was evasive and not forthcoming in his dealings.
 
 
Jul 6, 2013 at 12:34 PM Post #9 of 61
Does anyone know.  
 
If you get the USB module installed in the mkII, does it require power from the PC bus, or does the DAC supply it's own power to the module?
 
Jul 6, 2013 at 12:57 PM Post #10 of 61
Quote:
preproman said:
Does anyone know.  
 
If you get the USB module installed in the mkII, does it require power from the PC bus, or does the DAC supply it's own power to the module?
Click to expand...

It was reported the Hex draws power from its PSU, Octave draws from bus.
 
Jul 6, 2013 at 5:24 PM Post #12 of 61
Quote:
Dosn't seem like many people made the upgrade to the mkII.  Are there any impressions on this DAC?
Click to expand...

 
 
 
There are quite of few reviews about it on a'gon. For some reason Metrum is not as popular here as it is elsewhere. Likewise their are Asian brands that are well regarded here but not other boards; Matrix, Youlong, Audio-gd, etc. Seems strange to me. <shrugs>
 
 
Jul 8, 2013 at 10:19 AM Post #14 of 61
Nope, I think it's dumb the MKII would draw from bus. This was reported by Khaine who owns it though.
 
So I sent off an inquiry.
 
It is indeed powered by the internal PS. Straight from Metrum.
 
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