OCTAVE NOS Mini Dac : Archived Product
Product Information
GENERAL :
Non Over-Sampling Octave is a continuation of the Duo/Quad Mini Digital to Analogue converter. No processing (Resampling) is involved - the D/A chips used, being sourced from the (Non Audio) Medical/Industrial sector. The Game Changer !
These chipsets offer more robust and very fast data acquisition abilities, without artefacts. Standard ‘off the shelf’ chipsets, found almost everywhere else in the Audio industry, offer sound which tends to sound the same. This is why many Dacs sound the same or sound very similar.
No digital filtering is applied and this combined with NOS techniques, provides a very clean, detailed soundstage, with considerable depth. It also accounts for the ‘natural’ and very 'analogue' like sound many people relate to, when auditioning.
Octave features a heavy 15VA (14VA initially) power supply, switchable for both 115VA AC and 230VA AC mains. The power from the dual Toroidal transformers is rectified in the Dac and then smoothed by 26 Capacitors – equivalent capacity 12,000 uF.
Each channel utilises 4 industrial grade chipsets with their own regulators. This approach improves channel separation, avoiding crossover influence. It also sees an improvement in noise floor levels. Furthermore, the output from these chips, is far more robust and does not require an output stage – thus reducing interruptions to the signal path. The signal in fact, goes direct to the connectors, avoiding problems associated with output stages.
COMMENT :
Since debut, the Octave has received considerable praise for both sound quality and value. To quote one - “ Clean, alert, fast, detailed, present .. an overriding sense of intense transparency. Bass definition and punch is an immediate standout .. anchors everything else tightly to the floor. The Octave is mineral water in a world of carbonated soft drinks”. John Darko
Arguably the most authoritative reviewer in the field, called Octave, a “Game Changing Dac”. In a Reference System of some $200,000, Octave performance (plonked on the table) exceeded that of many high end established brands. Martin Colloms
Octave in fact came exceedingly close, to some of the world’s very best Dacs - ranging in price from £14,000 to £44,000 (4 box DCS Scarlatti). It is worth noting that since this review, no standalone Dac reviewed by Critic, has improved upon its performance (or got even close) – with the exception of Audio Note’s £96,000 Fifth Element NOS Dac.
Others comment :
Hifi World : Outstanding ... its smoothness gives it an almost analogue character, dynamics are excellent and it’s a superb rhythmic performer – a unique proposition at the price.
Hi Fi Choice : 8thWonder ... rarely have I heard bass of this quality .. it’s about resolution of low level detail devoid of the fine grain that makes this converter so engaging. This is a fast converter delivering immediate sound and unusually strong sense of pace .. making music appear so alive and dramatic. I’m very keen to let you know how awesome this DAC is .. it would carry a price tag 10 times the price and still be good value.
6 Moons : For those unfamiliar with these machines, they top out North of €30,000 and the Lessloss kicked in at €4,400 for the (earlier) Mk1 iteration. The Octave was gutsier and richer, the rebuilt Esoteric UX1 prettier and ultra refined but just a tad emasculated. TotalDac goes a fraction deeper into this flavour – but it costs 5 times as much and the core flavour or virtues are a complete overlay with the Metrum. It sounds not only “perfect” straight out of the box but yes, also different .. the puny Metrum more than lived up to its makers claim of performing “up to US$5,000”. Full Blown Blue Moon Award.
Audio Eagle : Octave €800, Martin Kung DAC €1760, Lampizator Level 4 DAC €4,800. In comparison, Metrum’s Mini Dac is the most direct and forward sounding, with a slightly darker and denser presentation than the Lampizator and with excellent resolution. All 3 are musically pleasing and involving when listening to digital music, with the Metrum being a bargain considering price and performance level .. the Mini Dac is incredibly good for the money and gets my vote for being currently the ultimate bargain in audio.
TNT Audio : Basically the digital signal goes straight into the DAC chips, then straight to the output connectors. No messing with sample rate converters, complicated filters and fancy output stages. If you like you DAC straight and simple then nothing will beat this. It immediately makes a good impression. The sound is warm, focussed, clean and basically without any obvious flaws. Octave will appeal very much to people with preference that goes in the Vinyl direction, as this is one of the most analogue sounding DAC’s I know. But for the asking price it is quite amazing ... I don’t think you will be able to better it at double or even triple the money. Very Highly Recommended.
