Okto 8 Owner’s Thread

[Dacapalooza]

Please don't. A single "performance metric" would be even more reductive and misleading

...distortion" compared to other parameters.

I feel you are both missing the point. The reason why we use SINAD is because it represents other things were probably done well as well. The reason why I am so inspired by the idea of the forum is that despite there are so many things to measure this forum chose distortion to represent at a quick glance. I love our SINAD chart! I appreciate we took that leap of...faith? Or maybe of all measurements distortion is something we all think everyone can understand the concept.

Also in terms of goals, distortion is an appreciative & attenable goal. I have built a system with the least distortion ever measured.

The Perlisten was my final piece last year. Because there are so many other parameters it was hard to determine the sub with the least amount of distortion. All my other gear the tester said this is the least measured distortion ever. Audioholics did not actually say straight out say the Perlisten was the least, but comparing the graphs I determined it was. Although, maybe I should have asked here. Maybe I will. And I like the fact that 50% of the sub is just to deal with distortion.

I don't know if I would feel so accomplished if I had the best damping factor. Or the best Group delay. Although the tester of my speaker did say it was best group delay as well. In fact in the forums people wanted to buy my speakers because of the group delay.

For the first time ever when people ask me what's with my fancy schmancy system I am proud to have an answer. It is worlds most advanced distortion free system in 2026. (If not the jet-blackest in the world ) Ha. Could you imagine I tell my self or people I have the best damping factor. I don't know if we would feel the same sense of accomplishment or appreciation.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I feel you are both missing the point. The reason why we use SINAD is because it represents other things were probably done well as well. The reason why I am so inspired by the idea of the forum is that despite there are so many things to measure this forum chose distortion to represent at a quick glance. I love our SINAD chart! I appreciate we took that leap of...faith? Or maybe of all measurements distortion is something we all think everyone can understand the concept.

Also in terms of goals, distortion is an appreciative & attenable goal. I have built a system with the least distortion ever measured.

The Perlisten was my final piece last year. Because there are so many other parameters it was hard to determine the sub with the least amount of distortion. All my other gear the tester said this is the least measured distortion ever. Audioholics did not actually say straight out say the Perlisten was the least, but comparing the graphs I determined it was. Although, maybe I should have asked here. Maybe I will. And I like the fact that 50% of the sub is just to deal with distortion.

I don't know if I would feel so accomplished if I had the best damping factor. Or the best Group delay. Although the tester of my speaker did say it was best group delay as well. In fact in the forums people wanted to buy my speakers because of the group delay.

For the first time ever when people ask me what's with my fancy schmancy system I am proud to have an answer. It is worlds most advanced distortion free system in 2026. (If not the jet-blackest in the world ) Ha. Could you imagine I tell my self or people I have the best damping factor. I don't know if we would feel the same sense of accomplishment or appreciation.

I am happy for you.

 

[Aard]

Here's something very exciting: Octo has come up with a way of aggregating 2 or more units. this is from an e-mail I just received from them:

"Announcing Support for Parallel Operation

Another highlight at our booth will be a live demonstration of three dac8 PRO units operating in parallel, combined into a single aggregate USB device. This setup delivers 24 channels of audio, supporting up to 192kHz/32-bit resolution. The clocks are synchronized via AES/EBU, ensuring zero clock drift and phase shift, while volume control is unified across all units and fully managed from the master DAC.

This feature opens up many possibilities for home cinema and multichannel audio setups and will be included in the upcoming firmware release."

Makes me very interested in seeing what the aggregating device is. Now all we need is an LPCM 16-24 channel Atmos stream.

Is there any documentation on this. Is it supported today? Are there limitations such as the PC OS. I am looking at a Bi-Amped configuration so needing >8 channels if I go ahead.

 

[dziemian]

Unfoetunately it seems it is not going to happen

 

[Stoutblock]

Is there any documentation on this. Is it supported today? Are there limitations such as the PC OS. I am looking at a Bi-Amped configuration so needing >8 channels if I go ahead.

I have a similar need and have been. Looking at using one of these:

Maybe this:

miniDSP Flex HTx

miniDSP Flex HTx, 400MHz Sharc DSP audio processor, toolbox for subwoofer or multiway speaker tuning, USB/HDMI ARC/EARC, Optional Multichannel Dirac Live license for room correction, 8 ch USB DAC, Studio processor

www.minidsp.com

Or this:

Tide16

miniDSP Tide16, Immersive AV-DSP Processors powered by Quad Core ARM processor, 16ch balanced analog outputs, 3x1 HDMI , USB audio, Bluetooth, Including license for Dirac Live + DLBC + ART suite

www.minidsp.com

 

[dualazmak]

As you may already be aware of, we have the remote thread;

How many people want a 12-channel or 16-channel DAC? And a 7-channel or 12/16-channel power amplifier?​

 

[solawind]

And there is no other known multichannel DAC that measures well.

Why do you think so? miniDSP devices measure well (I mean, essentially far beyond the limits of human hearing), and they are very popular. They already include DSP functionality, so it's easy to see why most people would buy a miniDSP DAC instead of an Octo one.

 

[Tom C]

There are other multi-channel DACs that measure well, made by the likes of Universal Audio, RME, and more. I seem to remember an 8 or 16 channel unit from UA that Amir tested some years ago, that was excellent. The drawback is that they cost more per channel. But they are specifically made to be able to link more than one unit together to get 32 or 64 channels, if the user wants.

 

[AudioJester]

Hey guys, can you route AES input to AES output on the Okto?

Trying multiple digital inputs, going AES out to active monitors using the Okto for volume control.

When i have rme hdspme soundcard to okto AES input 1, and okto AES output connected to speakers all I get is noise.
USB input to AES output on Okto works fine. Connecting AES output from RME to speakers works fine. But then speakers only have 1 AES input and RME has no physical volume control

 

[staticV3]

Hey guys, can you route AES input to AES output on the Okto?

Yes. See the manual: https://www.oktoresearch.com/assets/dac8pro/DAC8PRO_owners_manual.pdf

 

[AudioJester]

Yes. See the manual: https://www.oktoresearch.com/assets/dac8pro/DAC8PRO_owners_manual.pdf

Thanks. So it should work, but I cant get it right. I think there is a clock issue between my RME card and the Okto, the Hammerfall DSP tool shows no clock lock.

 

[dziemian]

Have you changed the setting from Pure Usb or usb/aes to Pure Aes?

 

[AudioJester]

Have you changed the setting from Pure Usb or usb/aes to Pure Aes?

Yeah, Pure AES.
Have owned the Okto for years, but only used usb input. First time iam trying AES.

 

[Neddy]

I've used AES In and AES Out, but never both together; I'd expect it to work, too.
There were some software upgrades that involved AES (such as adding output volume control, not normally in AES).
Suggest contacting Pavel?

 

[Zooqu1ko]

I've used AES In and AES Out, but never both together; I'd expect it to work, too.
There were some software upgrades that involved AES (such as adding output volume control, not normally in AES).
Suggest contacting Pavel?

Maybe @fabriceo can tell us whether parallel operation with sample and volume sync via AES/EBU is still on the roadmap?

 

[WeekendWarrior]

Considering the Okto DAC 8 Pro for a 2.2 system, and wondering what the buying and owning experience is like. My other option is a RME 2/4 when the new version is released. Cost wise, the RME will be a little more, but not enough for it to be a deciding factor.

I've emailed Okto a few questions, partly to see how responsive they are, given it would be a distance purchase with no dealer support.

Any observations welcome! Thanks.

 

[dziemian]

You will finally get your response but it usually takes some time. Any service needs your okto to be sent to the EU.

 

[DWPress]

I've had my Okto for a few years now. Fortunately I haven't had much need to contact the company for anything specific and the firmware updates are pretty straightforward now. It's my favorite bit of kit with its versatility, remote, look and volume knob. No regrets whatsoever and highly recommended.

 

[WeekendWarrior]

I've had my Okto for a few years now. Fortunately I haven't had much need to contact the company for anything specific and the firmware updates are pretty straightforward now. It's my favorite bit of kit with its versatility, remote, look and volume knob. No regrets whatsoever and highly recommended.

Thanks, the remote is no longer supplied but Okto say they're developing their own. I'd like to buy, and may take a brave pill and go for it.

 

[dziemian]

You can actually use any remote you have at home. Okto has a unique ability to learn commands from a remote. Or use a universal remote like Sofabaton U2 in my case. The only problem I had with okto was an OLED screen burnout so make sure you set up dimming right away after first use.