Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

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Lazmo
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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by Lazmo »

i have just continuity tested the spk cables and interconnects for this system again and they are all good i will check the component inters as i add source's on the initial chat with cees he say's they have nevr had any problems with amps . If the dac continues to check out then i will speak to him about having it returned so it has then to be tested by them then that rules that out .
The LARGE print giveth - and the small print taketh away.

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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

It sounds like the victim is being set up as the villain yet again.

I could create an amp that could have virtually anything done to it and it would still work, but would it be NVA would it do what NVA does NO!

I am in the hands of other people who can say what they want, just like Wilson Benesch did with a speaker that failed just about every CE requirement yet I still get the blame. Do I have to insist on a £5 Chinese DAC with a £50 linear power supply is only one used with NVA, you would think at these ridiculous prices, they might make something worth while. Savvy has or had both the £5 one and the multi hundred / thousand daft ones and other have heard as well so they can comment. I am seriously getting pissed off with this industry the overpriced crap they make and the lies that are told to protect themselves.

Anyway as you see I am starting to fume, so AS I SAID it is better to let this drop until the DAC is checked out.

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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by Lurcher300b »

If it needs someone to hand a scope off the DAC and see if there are any nasties coming out, Cheshire is within reach of Halifax.

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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

Thanks, Lazmo will PM you.

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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by savvypaul »

The Metrum Amethyst is the most musical DAC I've heard.

The £50 chinese combo is the best value musical DAC I've heard.

I've heard several DACs that weren't musical at all, including one with an rrp of over £3,000.
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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by Fretless »

If I'm correct, the Amethyst is the model that replaced the Musette in the Metrum range. Their DAC technology is certainly orientated towards musicality rather than measurement/specs. And I will agree that some far more expensive DAC's do not sound half as good.

Best affordable DAC's that I have are the AQ Dragonfly Red, Fiio X3 and the Cambridge DacMagic 100 (with LPSU). All excellent v.f.m..
I'm intrigued by Schiit DACs as well, some also use NOS processing - and their prices are very competitive.

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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by savvypaul »

Fretless wrote: Thu Dec 06, 2018 12:43 pm If I'm correct, the Amethyst is the model that replaced the Musette in the Metrum range.
I believe so.

They have a cheaper DAC out recently. Half the price of the Amethyst, IIRC.
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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

Why spend stoooopid money when all you need to spend is £50. Not having heard this Metrum thingy I have to accept it *may* be better, for how much more money, is that justified, not for me. I have tried lots of DACs and the £50 one is musically better than any of those, and doesn't cause my amps to fail (apart from at the show when I lost a couple due to loose wire in the mains block to it).

Now that has brought up a point I have found that an intermittent or sparking mains connections to DACS causes them to throw out DC and other nasties.

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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by savvypaul »

Dr Bunsen Honeydew wrote: Thu Dec 06, 2018 1:18 pm Why spend stoooopid money when all you need to spend is £50. Not having heard this Metrum thingy I have to accept it *may* be better, for how much more money, is that justified, not for me. I have tried lots of DACs and the £50 one is musically better than any of those...
It's an interesting one.

I have some time for Metrum. They make their own digital chips rather than buy them off the shelf. I assume there is a larger than average cost for them to do that. Their DACs are assembled in the Netherlands by colleagues who are being paid a fair wage. You can talk to their CTO. I have confidence in their safety management and build quality.

On the other hand...their site is a 'lot of marketing' and I imagine their margins are 'mainstream'.

Overall, I think they are in it for the right reasons. Is it a compromise? Yes, and , of course, you cannot compromise innocently.
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Re: Metrum onyx DAC and NVA amps

Unread post by CN211276 »

I have a lot of time for Chord who also make their own chips. The Mojo was a significant step up from the AQ Dragonfly Black and likewise the Qutest from the Mojo. I am aware of diminishing returns and would not spend more on a DAC. The Qutest responds well to higher sample rates and the results are quite stunning at 192 khz. I am intrigued by the Mscaler which provides 706 and 768 sample rates. I would like to hear it in my system.

I think the AQ Dragonfly Red is a bargain for its portability as well as SQ. I am out a lot and would not be without it. Audio Player Pro resolves the Android volume issue.
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NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
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DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

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NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
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