Okto 8 Owner’s Thread

[WeekendWarrior]

Whilst doing my research, noticed a warning about connecting balanced to single ended components. I'd be attaching two single ended subwoofers and would use a balanced to single ended cable with pin 3 floating, as suggested. The manual goes on to say this would lead to a "loss of performance". It doesn't say what this performance loss is, but I presume this is reduced volume that could be corrected by adding a few dB to the powered subs volume. Can anyone confirm?

 

[dziemian]

Be careful. I have at home a damaged Topping dm7 dac because previous owner used a mixture of balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs.

 

[DWPress]

Never a bad problem to have a few extra channels for potential future experiments.

 

[DWPress]

One of my subs is connected via RCA. You are correct regarding the loss of volume and as you say - turn up the subs a bit if you can to compensate.

 

[nagster]

Whilst doing my research, noticed a warning about connecting balanced to single ended components. I'd be attaching two single ended subwoofers and would use a balanced to single ended cable with pin 3 floating, as suggested. The manual goes on to say this would lead to a "loss of performance". It doesn't say what this performance loss is, but I presume this is reduced volume that could be corrected by adding a few dB to the powered subs volume. Can anyone confirm?

These measurements of the dac8 stereo and Topping D10B might be somewhat helpful.
I think I did other measurements as well, but I don't own a dac8 Pro.
If you want to connect the differential output directly to the SE input, please follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you proceed without verification, be aware of the risk of damage, increased distortion, increased noise, increased DC offset, etc.
There is also a possibility of damage to subsequent equipment or speakers.

Also be careful when turning the power on and off. Unexpected behavior may occur when connecting differential > direct SE.
When turning on the system, at least turn on the amplifier (or powered speakers) last.
When turning off the system, turn off the amplifier (or powered speakers) first.

Okto 8 Owner’s Thread

Looks like we will now have everything but Atmos decoding over a pc. I have to think that too will come at some point.

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping D10 Balanced Review (USB DAC)

It looks (in my case) ,that the onboard switching power supply + 5.65V / -5.6V, which supplies the output analog circuits (3 OA) behind the DAC, fails / does not start ..). That PSU is powered from 5V inputs. The all other onboard sources (3.3V, 1.2V, 1V) start up normally, they are linear (not...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[DWPress]

Wow, thanks for that info @nagster. I think I'm safe with my only single ended connection going to a powered SVS sub - if there is increased distortion it's certainly not noticeable in the frequency band it's used in audibly or (signal) measurably.

 

[WeekendWarrior]

I had a reply from Pavel at Okto, and the lead time is apparently just a few days unless I want custom output voltages which would add a few more.

One nagging concern I have is that connecting my 2 single ended subs to the Okto using the recommended cable could lead to mains hum, and according to AI the fact that my subs are UK made and tie internal audio ground to mains earth make very sensitive to this. Wondering how others have got on with this?

 

[Zooqu1ko]

I had a reply from Pavel at Okto, and the lead time is apparently just a few days unless I want custom output voltages which would add a few more.

One nagging concern I have is that connecting my 2 single ended subs to the Okto using the recommended cable could lead to mains hum, and according to AI the fact that my subs are UK made and tie internal audio ground to mains earth make very sensitive to this. Wondering how others have got on with this?

I bought a second hand Jensen Iso-Max PC-2XR for slightly above $100 to fix the same problem between my AVP and my single ended surround backs. The rather annoying 50Hz hum is now 100% gone.

 

[WeekendWarrior]

Okto Pro 8 ordered...get ready for loads of questions

 

[WeekendWarrior]

Here's a question and I've not even got it yet...we're I to get hum from the XLR to RCA connection to my subs, could I use my now redundant Topping Pre90 as an interface? That'd be XLR in RCA out, just a thought?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Here's a question and I've not even got it yet...we're I to get hum from the XLR to RCA connection to my subs, could I use my now redundant Topping Pre90 as an interface? That'd be XLR in RCA out, just a thought?

Sure. Done that.

 

[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

Fixed my AES input issue. Pavel walked me through removing a resister on my replacement input board which should not have been there.

Also mentioned a new firmware which will allow the AES/EBU inputs to operate in stereo mode, with selection between the individual input connectors. This will make it possible to connect several stereo digital sources without an external switch.

 

[dziemian]

Thanks for sharing this info

 

[DWPress]

That's great news @AudioJester - who knew there'd be an extra resister if you didn't reach out to Okto.

I'm confused on the new FW note though. I'm already using an AES input #1 with stereo input coming from my Scarlett 6i6 (which sets the clock) and #2 from my ADC. Haven't had the need to use the inputs simultaneously so maybe the FW just adds a software selection option? I haven't had the need to use AES output yet.

 

[AudioJester]

That's great news @AudioJester - who knew there'd be an extra resister if you didn't reach out to Okto.

I'm confused on the new FW note though. I'm already using an AES input #1 with stereo input coming from my Scarlett 6i6 (which sets the clock) and #2 from my ADC. Haven't had the need to use the inputs simultaneously so maybe the FW just adds a software selection option? I haven't had the need to use AES output yet.

I think thats the key. Currntly a stereo digital source must be connected to AES/EBU input 1 to set the clock.
The upcoming firmware will make the inputs fully independent. Ie you no longer have to have the device connected to AES 1 switched on to use AES 2

 

[DWPress]

It would be handy on occasion to not have the clock dictated by AES #1.