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The Metrum Octave MkII is a high-quality non-oversampling DAC designed to deliver musical coherence and emotional involvement rather than ultra-analytical detail. It uses eight industrial-grade DAC chips in parallel (four per channel) originally intended for non-audio applications, providing a natural and analogue-like sound. The MkII version integrates the DAC and power supply into a single chassis and adds an optional USB input supporting up to 192 kHz playback. It features a 15 VA internal power supply, gold-plated RCA outputs, and supports optical (44-96 kHz), coaxial (44-192 kHz), and USB (44-192 kHz) inputs. The DAC is praised for its smooth, warm tonality, excellent timing, and transparency, making it engaging across various music genres. It has a maximum output voltage of 2 V RMS, a slew rate of 35 V/μS, distortion under 0.04% THD, and very low noise levels (-120 dB at 16 bit, -125 dB at 24 bit). The output impedance is 85 Ohms, and the unit measures 190 x 60 x 245 mm, weighing 1.9 kg. The USB input is powered by the computer's USB port but electrically isolated to maintain signal purity. The Octave MkII is considered a game-changing DAC for its price range, offering a refined and musical listening experience without flashy features or displays.
DAC capabilities and digital audio processing
Analog signal output specifications
Input and output connections
Size, weight, and appearance
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Estimated price (community-sourced)
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The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The X-DAC v3's signal-to-noise is 121 dB against the Octave MkII's 120 dB and its thd 0.002% against 0.040%. Both share bit depth (24-bit) and max sample rate (192 kHz).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The NuWave's signal-to-noise is 80 dB against the Octave MkII's 120 dB and its thd 0.010% against 0.040%. Both share bit depth (24-bit) and max sample rate (192 kHz).
The HD12's signal-to-noise is 145 dB against the Octave MkII's 120 dB and its thd 0.001% against 0.040%. Both share bit depth (24-bit) and max sample rate (192 kHz).
The BDA-1's signal-to-noise is 140 dB against the Octave MkII's 120 dB and its thd 0.002% against 0.040%. Both share bit depth (24-bit) and max sample rate (192 kHz).
Denafrips Enyo 15th
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