DaaDaa
Member
Very nice. I was about to open mine up. Now I don't need to. Mine does not come with the rpi though so it won't have the meanwell power supply.
Very nice. I was about to open mine up. Now I don't need to. Mine does not come with the rpi though so it won't have the meanwell power supply.
So far, after a 2 day “warm up” and after a 2 hour listening session with mostly acoustic recordings, e.g., opera and (world) jazz, I feel the Dac8 has an edge over the D90. Both resolve detail very well but the Dac8 has a natural timbre quality the D90 doesn’t. In my subjective perception (take it with a grain of salt), the D90 has a “mechanical” feel to it that the Dac8 doesn’t. The mid range is very pure and detailed with the Okto DAC.I'll be VERY curious to hear what you think of the Okto versus the D90. Also, it would be nice to find somebody who is using the Okto with HQ Player.
Thanks,
Anand.
I hope so, it would mean that I will be able to add it anytime because it had the vacant holes for the io already so it would be perfect.It likely does.
I felt it a bit thin sounding and analytic or less warm compared to my soekris r2r dac but after 50 hours of play time I don't have that anymore, I don't know if my ears are getting used to it or there really is change with burn in, but I'm gonna do an AB alongside the r2r dac and if i feel it more analytic it will be sold immediately as I always always prefer warmer sounding equipment. But if not then the okto will stay for the long run, as in hopefully until I die. The warmer the better.
I just find it to sound very natural, which is something I’ve always been looking for. Nothing seems hyped, but yet all the information is there.I felt it a bit thin sounding and analytic or less warm compared to my soekris r2r dac but after 50 hours of play time I don't have that anymore, I don't know if my ears are getting used to it or there really is change with burn in, but I'm gonna do an AB alongside the r2r dac and if i feel it more analytic it will be sold immediately as I always always prefer warmer sounding equipment. But if not then the okto will stay for the long run, as in hopefully until I die. The warmer the better.
I just find it to sound very natural, which is something I’ve always been looking for. Nothing seems hyped, but yet all the information is there.
This year I had the following DACs playing in my main system:
Schiit Yggdrasil (latest version) - sold
RME Adi 2 DAC - returned after 2 weeks
Topping D90 MQA - now on desk system paired with the A90
Schiit Modius - now on home office paired with the Freya S
Dac8 - keeping it in the main system for now
My understanding is that using the Freya S in passive mode wouldn’t degrade SINAD by much. We’d only be dealing with extra cables and connectors and resistors. But I don’t intend to add the Freya to the mix...This DAC essentially meets it's peak SINAD at 2.6 volts, meaning we can actually benefit from it at real world listening levels. Unless I'm wrong, we'll never hear what 4 or 4.2 volts sounds like, I doubt power amps, powered monitors or our ears could handle it. Played through even the best pre amps we would sacrifice at least 3 to 5 db unless I'm mistaken? Wish these units weren't on back order all the time. How cool would it be if Amir or Lone Wolf were to measure one of the 120 db SINAD DACs via the HPA4? Just a quick balanced in-and-out, no pun intended
I just find it to sound very natural, which is something I’ve always been looking for. Nothing seems hyped, but yet all the information is there.
This year I had the following DACs playing in my main system:
Schiit Yggdrasil (latest version) - sold
RME Adi 2 DAC - returned after 2 weeks
Topping D90 MQA - now on desk system paired with the A90
Schiit Modius - now on home office paired with the Freya S
Dac8 - keeping it in the main system for now
the Dac8 has a natural timbre quality the D90 doesn’t. In my subjective perception (take it with a grain of salt), the D90 has a “mechanical” feel to it that the Dac8 doesn’t.
Did you compare the preamp of the Dac8 vs the Freya S (passive/active)? I had the D90/Element X before (sold/returned), but was let down by its preamp forcing me to get the Freya S.
I'm also currently using the modius as a temp dac w/ the Freya S.
The Freya S in one of the two active modes will sound “bigger” and more “musical”, you’re getting some well designed SS audio colorations. At the expense of resolution though. If I had a party at home, I’d definitely switch to active - and remove the volume knob... ;-)Is there an audible passive/active difference ?
I listened to dac only directly into power amp using a (passive) resistance attenuator for years. I find the result "boring" not involving. I may be wrong, but I'm expecting an active preamp to put some salt grain and make it all sound more joyful.
I was getting listen fatigue very quickly somehow... Not sure if it was jitter related... I hear the v1 sounds “better” in that regard.I wonder why did you return the RME ?
It commands our wallet, not to be ignored... ;-)The imagination is so very powerful.
Keith
I feel the D90 and A90 complement each other very well though. The A90 “softness” compensate some of the sonic signature of the D90.My D90 sounds ... call it "mechanical" , too. I wonder if it's the "DAC"s analogue output stage part. Some may like the "no frills" part. In that sense I enjoyed more the Gustard A22. It's this nodding and tapping your foot that is missing on the D90.