Metrum DAC users?

Hi Daren - A couple of years back i ran a Metrum Octave (small two box, NOS dac) using my NDX as a source. It sounded excellent, punched well above its price point and made for a very musical combination with the NDX fronting. The Octave liked an upsampled signal so the NDX was ideal as you could fix the S/PDIF output at 96Khz.

Your TDAC is already very good so i'm intrigued as to why you want to change to a DAC that you've not heard in your own system (or is it on sale or return) ?

James

Hi James, thanks for the info.  I'm currently using a Simaudio 180Mind streamer as my source (into 282/HiCAP DR/200 (which I'd like to be 250DR in the future).  

I have been pretty happy with the TDAC, but at times I feel a portion of the treble is a little forward (& recently came across a review that noted the same when put in their SS setup, compared to a couple other DAC's they were demoing).  Recently also got into vinyl (Rega RP-40, Exact 2 & Simaudio 110LP phono) & when switching back an forth, the digital "glare" is more apparent & things such as cymbals aren't quite as "life like".  So I'd like to see if I can "upgrade" my digital a bit & I think the Metrum DAC may be what I'm looking for vs all the other typical delta sigma DACs currently available.

I was looking to pick up a second hand Hex but as mentioned they are running a special on the Menuet (Hex replacement) till the end of this month.  From what I've read the new models take things up another notch.  The new Musette (Octave II replacement) is now closer to the Hex & the Menuet would be between the Hex & the Pavane.

Daren ,

General concencus on the Hex seems to be that its a warm DAC with plenty of musicality.  It has many devout followers as well as detractors. Those on the "for" side all agree as mentioned on its musicality, bass presence and non digital sound.  Those "against" the Hex complain that it glosses over the details and that things can get lost in translation.  Personally after only hearing it once in and audio meet environment I really like what I heard.

Paired with a brighter or very articulate amp I can see real magic happening.  Besides the obvious sound benefits of the DAC itself you really have to give alot of credit to Metrum for taking a step back so to speak in utilizing what some would consider "yesterdays" tech and producing a wonderful piece of gear.

Paired with the upgraded Lundahl transformers, very sweet indeed.

The Menuet on the other hand well WOW now we are talking about what is sure to be a hit with the in house developed Transient modules.  Reviews again are very positive.

Appologies for babbling on and on regarding the Hex.  Back on topic and in a nutshell, based on Metrums history of producing musical and engaging DACs I would take an educated guess that the Menuet would pair nicely with the Naim sound......provided you get one in black

a decent dac, that.

however, no dac can make up for a poor quality source.

Thanks for the reply's everyone.  For source I'm using a Simaudio 180Mind streamer, which I have been quite happy with.  

Mortalcoil, what source material were you using?  After further reading & info from Metrum, appears this DAC will roll off ~-2.5db @22khz, when fed 16/44 material.  Basically all my source material is 16/44, so this has me slightly concerned.  I was looking to purchase the Menuet at the special introductory pricing, only problem is I can't hear it in my setup first & I've never heard a Metrum DAC in my setup either.  So I am a little concerned that if it's not the DAC for me, I don't want to take a bit hit to move it along.

On paper it sounds exactly what I'm after, but my only experience with Metrum is I did hear their Pavane DAC at a recent show & it actually didn't do much for me.  Though without knowing the system or the source material, can't say if it was the DAC itself or other factors.

With so many good DAC's around, i'd be tempted to go out and have a listen to a few to compare to what you have now. The introductory price of the new Metrum may not be quite such good value if you don't like it and have to move it on. 

Hi Daren,

My personal impressions on the Hex were formed from listening to it at a headphone meet (a meeting of headphone geeks lol).  The DAC was being fed via USB from a Mac Mini and as far as I could tell the majority of the tunes were in 16/44.  The music varied from the likes of Bill Evans, Monk, to some varied EDM.

I went away feeling that the Hex was in fact very musical with a tendency to project music with a warmer presentation (less analytical).  It seemed to me that the Hex would be a strong candidate for poorly mastered "contemporary" recordings.  A very forgiving DAC if you will.

Keep in mind Daren that my listening impressions were derived from a meet environment where external noise as well as  hustle and bustle are par for the course.  My listening by the way was done via headphones (Abyss 1266) and the DAC itself was being fed into a Simaudio 430-HA headphone amp (its what sold me on the 430-HA ).

From all accounts based on the Pavanne and the Transient tech Metrum is utilizing in that piece it would seem that the Menuet is as you mentioned a step above the Hex and just below the Pavanne.  Lots of great reviews on the Pavanne and the Transient module technology Metrum has devised.  Metrum definately seem to know a thing or three about R-2R ladder DAC's without a doubt.

The "no filter" R-2R approach is not for everyone though.

As James N pointed out above I agree that it would be ideal to audition before pulling the trigger on such a purchase and let your ears be the real deciding factor.