Okto DAC8 Pro - open to new orders

[phoenixdogfan]

I have owned a DAC 8 Pro since 2021, and I still see it as the best multichannel DAC on the market. It's been trouble free since I plugged it in, has a great remote thanks to Apple, and accepts 8 channels of LPCM via either USB or AES/EBU. Pro tip if you buy one of these; Pavel marks up the Apple remote. It is purchasable on Amazon for way less. You just have to program it yourself which takes around 60 seconds. We're all bright people here and we can figure out how to do these things for ourselves.

 

[dualazmak]

I have owned a DAC 8 Pro since 2021, and I still see it as the best multichannel DAC on the market. It's been trouble free since I plugged it in,

Just the same here with my DAC8PRO; it came to my home in May 2020 (ref. here).

 

[phoenixdogfan]

I see Pavel has released a new version of the firmware along with a custom designed Windows driver. I am currently using the DIYINHK USB Audio Driver v 4.67.00 and it seems to work fine. So I am very hesitant to upgrade. I wonder what everyone's thoughts are on this new firmware and USB driver, and if it adds anything that would make its installation worthwhile.

 

[Zooqu1ko]

I see Pavel has released a new version of the firmware along with a custom designed Windows driver. I am currently using the DIYINHK USB Audio Driver v 4.67.00 and it seems to work fine. So I am very hesitant to upgrade. I wonder what everyone's thoughts are on this new firmware and USB driver, and if it adds anything that would make its installation worthwhile.

I just upgraded. The tool got stuck at "monitoring front panel firmware update (up to 40 seconds)" for a few minutes, at which point I've aborted the tool with Ctrl+C. It seems to be fine, although it doesn't currently play anything on analog channel 2, but I'm not 100% sure if I've ever tested that. I've loaded the defaults switched cables and headphone amp channels, but no change.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

I just upgraded. The tool got stuck at "monitoring front panel firmware update (up to 40 seconds)" for a few minutes, at which point I've aborted the tool with Ctrl+C. It seems to be fine, although it doesn't currently play anything on analog channel 2, but I'm not 100% sure if I've ever tested that. I've loaded the defaults switched cables and headphone amp channels, but no change.

I think for right now I'm gonna stay with what I have which works for everything I want to do.

 

[Neddy]

I'm at V1.2 FW, and will do this - I may chose the 'usb stick' offer, however. Not sure what the benefits are yet, either.
Still, many congrats to Pavel for seeing this thru and getting it released - I'm sure it was a huge frustration for them, too.
PS. I'm having a problem (of sorts) with the little apple remote for the Okto triggering my AppleTV (and vice versa).
Any suggestions on the best way to re-program the OktoDAC for a different 'channel' (but still use the old ATV remote)?
I haven't studied the remote codes for them, but don't want to just poke around in there for the hellofit.

 

[Zooqu1ko]

I think for right now I'm gonna stay with what I have which works for everything I want to do.

It's working now. The channel mapping must have gotten messed up somehow. After playing around with the ASIO driver for a bit (and confirming that Channel 2 was missing) and another reset to factory defaults, everything is fine.

 

[Ibanez]

I got in my mail today.
Dac8 Pro Users have an FW update to their Dac, V1.5 and an new driver is included that is made only for this FW update.
And it's has an GUI also, and can be updated over usb.

 

[dualazmak]

Okto Research dac8 PRO v1.5 firmware release

A little bit belated, though...

This morning (Japan standard time), I received an official e-mail from Pavel Krasensky of Okto Research entitled "Okto Research dac8 PRO v1.5 firmware release" and detailed instructions for firmware update.

I will dare not update my DAC8PRO (currently firmware version 1.32) until I would fully hear the successful updates by our ASR friends here in ASR Forum, especially those who in Europe who may easily send DAC8PRO back to Pavel when you would have irreversible trouble during the update process.

Did all of you receive the e-mail from Pavel??

 

[Aard]

I am considering the Okto DAC8 Pro but my vintage amps are unbalanced RCA. The recommended approach is to use universal buffers but this would double the cost and brings it close to an exasound e68. Does anyone use theirs with unbalanced amps and how do you get on please. I have seen this that is a bit cheaper

Unity Gain Buffer Symmetrizer / Desymmetrizer XLR RCA 2x AOP LM4562 2x LM317 - Audiophonics

This fixed gain buffer offers dual connectivity, both unbalanced with stereo RCA input and output and balanced with 3-pole XLR input and output. In addition, it also takes on the functions of Symmetrizer and Desymmetrizer.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[TaxTime]

I don't know what your intended purpose is, but miniDSP has the Flex 8 with 8 channels of output @ RCA, and they are even going to come out with the Flex HT, which will have an HDMI input (the Flex 8 does not have HDMI input).

I believe the "regular" Flex was well reviewed here.

 

[Aard]

I have not seen the Flex 8 before so is an interesting device. It looks to be stereo in and then used for active cross over duty for a stereo speaker.

I am looking at either the Okto DAC8 Pro or the Exasound E68 for 5.2 and stereo duties via a PC based processor.

Okto is balanced outputs and I have unbalanced amps but wanting to add 2 x balanced subs and possibly a couple of new balanced power amps.

The Exasound E68 is all unbalanced so good for now but maybe not for the future.

Balanced to unbalanced balanced via universal buffer looks expensive.

 

[Burki]

Because I've changed from the Okto to the exaSound, I can say, that I like the e68 much more.
You can use up to DSD256 in multichannel (2 channels up to DSD512) and on Windows with ASIO drivers, you'll see in Roon two endpoints (stereo and multichannel), which can set independent (using different DSPs).
But you've to use a Windows PC or a MAC for all the exaSound DACs.
Unbalanced to (pseudo) balanced is no problem, but in the other direction you've for safety use active conversion.
Exasound delivers also the S88, which can used also as DAC only and this product offers balanced and unbalanced outputs...

 

[waynel]

I am considering the Okto DAC8 Pro but my vintage amps are unbalanced RCA. The recommended approach is to use universal buffers but this would double the cost and brings it close to an exasound e68. Does anyone use theirs with unbalanced amps and how do you get on please. I have seen this that is a bit cheaper

Unity Gain Buffer Symmetrizer / Desymmetrizer XLR RCA 2x AOP LM4562 2x LM317 - Audiophonics

This fixed gain buffer offers dual connectivity, both unbalanced with stereo RCA input and output and balanced with 3-pole XLR input and output. In addition, it also takes on the functions of Symmetrizer and Desymmetrizer.

www.audiophonics.fr

Just make some cables with pin 3 floating, The performance will degrade but it won't make a difference to the overall system performance with your vintage amps.

Look at page 11-12 of the manual https://www.oktoresearch.com/assets/dac8pro/DAC8PRO_owners_manual.pdf

 

[Aard]

Because I've changed from the Okto to the exaSound, I can say, that I like the e68 much more.
You can use up to DSD256 in multichannel (2 channels up to DSD512) and on Windows with ASIO drivers, you'll see in Roon two endpoints (stereo and multichannel), which can set independent (using different DSPs).
But you've to use a Windows PC or a MAC for all the exaSound DACs.
Unbalanced to (pseudo) balanced is no problem, but in the other direction you've for safety use active conversion.
Exasound delivers also the S88, which can used also as DAC only and this product offers balanced and unbalanced outputs...

Can you please tell us more about the differences between the okto and exasound. Especially regarding sound quality.

 

[Burki]

Sorry, but this is not the right forum to talk about SQ.

 

[arnaud]

HI. Is there a risk to plug active speakers directly to the okto dac8 pro?
Some professionel converter (like the lynx aurora) does very loud "plop" when you switch them on or of.
I don't want to blast my focal solo 6...
thanks

 

[Music1969]

HI. Is there a risk to plug active speakers directly to the okto dac8 pro?
Some professionel converter (like the lynx aurora) does very loud "plop" when you switch them on or of.
I don't want to blast my focal solo 6...
thanks

Yes it is fine if you follow best practice

Power on speakers last

Power off speakers first

 

[arnaud]

Yes it is fine if you follow best practice

Power on speakers last

Power off speakers first

Thank you.
So you can confirm that the okto dac "pop" at launch and when you turn it off.
For me it is not fine if the device pretend to be use as a preamp.
My adi 2 pro and dac are dead silent when i switch them on and off , even with my speakers on. I'm not an expert but i don't understand why they don't do it on every analogique converter, for security matter...
On the mergin analogique cards they have an Auto-mute circuitry for “no-pop” power cycling. But i don't know if other manufacturer do that olso.

 

[Music1969]

So you can confirm that the okto dac "pop" at launch and when you turn it off.

No I don't have Okto - but my advice above is good practise for any DAC, popping and non-popping