digitalfrost
Major Contributor
RME has excellent multichannel cards.
Yes this is true, although you can do 88.2/96 at 4 channels for each coaxial and optical input to get 8 channels at higher sample rates but this is obviously a bit of a pain.
Michael
RME has excellent multichannel cards.
Interesting feature! I do like tinkering, but for my hifi setup, I wouldn't need the A-D conversion, or AES/USB mode.The Ultralite MK5 will yield even more channels than the Octo, and do other things like high quality A to D conversion, for around $800 less.
You will, however, miss out on the AES/USB mode which allows a two channel PCM digital signal to be sent to the Octo via AES/EBU. then be routed by USB to a PC or work station processor for DSP/Room Correction/Software based crossover, and then be re-routed back to the Octo via USB for D to A conversion. A unique feature. I think.
I'd prefer a D108b
haha. nice photoshop! Still needs to be fully balanced too.
I'd be happy to read a scientific reason why a DAC would need to be balanced for a home use. As in "it brings a measurable improvement within the hearing abilities". Because AFAIK balanced does only bring more power, which is (1) useless for 90% of people, and (2) needed on the amp side rather than on the DAC side. And if we're going to discuss cable lengths, those are generally short enough in case of a home use.haha. nice photoshop! Still needs to be fully balanced too.
The possible noise issues associated with SE is reason enough. Especially when you have 8 channels of wires going through walls etc.I'd be happy to read a scientific reason why a DAC would need to be balanced for a home use. As in "it brings a measurable improvement within the hearing abilities". Because AFAIK balanced does only bring more power, which is (1) useless for 90% of people, and (2) needed on the amp side rather than on the DAC side. And if we're going to discuss cable lengths, those are generally short enough in case of a home use.
For the record the dac8 Pro is a beast, I love it... but who can hear 120+dB SINAD ? Nobody.
... but would you be able to hear the difference in the end ?The possible noise issues associated with SE is reason enough. Especially when you have 8 channels of wires going through walls etc.
... but would you be able to hear the difference in the end ?
I get your point, but it's not very scientific so I'm not convinced. Unless cables are really very long, and then OK.
But even so, maybe somebody ought to do some testing with 4 x E30 and measure the performance. There could be surprises.
Because all my other components use balanced connections already.I'd be happy to read a scientific reason why a DAC would need to be balanced for a home use.
And my DACs drive my power amps directly.Because AFAIK balanced does only bring more power, which is (1) useless for 90% of people, and (2) needed on the amp side rather than on the DAC side.
But, ain't that the point?... but who can hear 120+dB SINAD ? Nobody.
For pros or long-ish cable runs, balanced is a must.... but would you be able to hear the difference in the end ?
I get your point, but it's not very scientific so I'm not convinced. Unless cables are really very long, and then OK.
But even so, maybe somebody ought to do some testing with 4 x E30 and measure the performance. There could be surprises.
It's crazy to me that with all the requirements of MCH dac nobody has stepped up like Okto to make something that they can deliver. I really believe the first well run company that does it will sell a shit ton of them. Okto has proven there is a market for it!
I think there's massive demand within the hifi, video and pro market. Okto has proven how big of demand there is and you can't forget the other ones that there are in hifi that are crazy money. And you know what, they sell the heck out of them too.Depends what you consider to be "a shit ton of them" in sales?
Demand may appear sky high for Okto8's on a couple forums but outside of that, is there really a shit ton of demand?
Don't get me wrong, I want an Okto8
There's heaps of pro audio options obviously but none have a physical remote control (not app) for volume like Okto ! arghhh
I've got an dac8 PRO in my main system and an UltraLite-mk5 in my office, both feeding multiple amps in their respective fully active systems.
The Okto is phenomenal and works perfectly with both my iFi Zen Stream and my SOtM sMS-2OO streamers (once all the channel mapping has been set correctly in the software player). Couldn't be happier with it.
The MOTU doesn't work with either streamer. Everything looks fine; the UltraLite shows up as the DAC, the software player looks as though it's playing (the timer is going), and the MOTU changes sample rates. BUT... there's no sound. I've played around with CueMix5 (when connected to a PC) but still can't get any signal out of any of the outputs when I reconnect to one of the streamers.
But the MOTU works perfectly with my Win 10 PC, with all the channel mapping working correctly. It's a phenomenal piece of kit for the price... if you're happy to use an Apple or Win PC.
Mani.