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Okto DAC8 update with DSP

W

wisechoice

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This just arrived in my email inbox and looks very promising indeed:
Dear audio enthusiasts, it’s a pleasure to reach out again after too long a silence. We at Okto Research have been eagerly developing something special, and we couldn’t be more excited to share our latest innovations with you.
Click to expand...
The email mentions they will be at the High End Munich exhibition on May 9th and 10th, and then:
The new v1.6 firmware is ready for release
We are excited to announce the release of the long-awaited v1.6 firmware. This update, postponed several times due to our effort to enhance its functionality, resolves previous compatibility issues with streamers and Raspberry Pi software and eliminates the clicks heard during transitions to or from DSD — a persistent challenge in earlier versions.
…
Furthermore, v1.6 introduces DoP support over SPDIF, AES/EBU, and TOSLINK, allowing direct connection of the dac8 Stereo and dac8 PRO to SACD players without intermediary conversion devices.
Please note: due to our focus on the upcoming Munich event, updates to our website including firmware download link will follow one week later.

AVDSP project adds DSP support to dac8 PRO and Stereo
Our friend and longtime collaborator, Fabrice Oudert (fabriceo), has developed the AVDSP — a versatile multi-platform DSP project. Recently, we've adapted AVDSP to support the dac8 PRO and Stereo, offering dedicated firmware that can be configured via USB from a host computer using a command line interface. This firmware enhances the dac8 devices by providing advanced DSP features such as a powerful mixer, biquad filters, delays, and mathematical operations. These capabilities allow for high-resolution audio processing up to 192 kHz without introducing SRC or measurable THD, perfect for embedded crossovers or room equalization.

The documentation and tools are available at project's Github, and any questions or support requests can be directed to the author at [email protected]. To obtain a copy for your unit, please read the Q&A and documentation on GitHub and send an email to the author with your product serial number and a description of your project.
Click to expand...
 
Very cool. I will try DSD playback again with Roon and/or HQP. The pops etc before made me give up.

Not really clear to me how to use the new dsp engine? But if filters/crossovers are within the okto, am i correct in thinking i can connect any 2 channel source to my multiway active setup?
 
Rednaxela said:
Amazing.

The documentation outlining the process of programming the DSP can be found here:

github.com

AVDSP_DAC8/documents/AVDSP for DAC8PRO.pdf at main · fabriceo/AVDSP_DAC8

AVDSP for DAC8PRO and DAC8STEREO. Contribute to fabriceo/AVDSP_DAC8 development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com github.com
Click to expand...
This link got outdated, as the PDF was renamed.

The new version is still in the documents folder.

IMG_0162.jpeg
 
Are there any issues with US customs if you purchase one of these. Does Okto handle this or do you have to deal with US customs.
 
AudioJester said:
Very cool. I will try DSD playback again with Roon and/or HQP. The pops etc before made me give up.

Not really clear to me how to use the new dsp engine? But if filters/crossovers are within the okto, am i correct in thinking i can connect any 2 channel source to my multiway active setup?
Click to expand...

Just upsample everything in roon to DSD256 or DSD512. The clicks and pops happen because of samplerate and format switching
 
I have the Okto DAC 8, but have not seen anything on the update other than what is here. I have emailed Pavel 2x over the last 2 weeks and nothing but crickets. I am not a computer tech guy, I use the DAC 8 with my main standalone 2 channel setup. Sounds like I will need help installing the update.
 
The new FW still isn't publicly available yet. The link @mdsimon2 shared has the latest info.

Hopefully Okto will respond soon, never promising to have a long wait to hear back.
 
Latest info I have can be found here -> https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/okto-8-owner’s-thread.13899/post-2013978.

I've been running V160_3b DSP firmware since the beginning of June and it has been great. I reported some minor display related bugs to Fabrice at the end of June and he implied they were working on a 1.61 FW that should be ready in a few weeks.

I am under the impression it is Fabrice that is developing the firmware for Okto but I am not entirely sure. It seems like a side project for him so the release may depend on what he has going on with his day job / vacation. It may also be why Pavel does not directly respond, I don't know.

The only oddity I've seen as of my last firmware update is that it could only be loaded via a Windows computer. I assume they want to offer the ability to load the firmware via Mac and Linux as well as they had done with 1.50. Maybe that is the hold up on the official 1.60 release?

The amount of capability they are adding via the DSP firmware is extremely impressive. As far as I can tell no one has developed and implemented such DSP capabilities via XMOS in a commercial product. The Topping D50 III offers some XMOS DSP capabilities but it is extremely limited in comparison. It only works on the USB input, cannot apply different filters to left / right channels and only offers 10 bands of PEQ. It also seems like the Topping implementation has worse performance at lower frequencies compared to Okto.

Michael
 
Looks like firmware 1.6 was just released. I’m travelling at the moment, so won’t be able to install it for a few days.
 
Yes, I received a notification from Okto that resease 1.6 was availlable via the provided link for windows only.
There are a series of steps involved in updating firmware via a computer. For example, USB is recommended, shielded cable 6' or less. More steps are involved, please share any guidance. There is none in the release notes.
 
davlynam said:
Yes, I received a notification from Okto that resease 1.6 was availlable via the provided link for windows only.
There are a series of steps involved in updating firmware via a computer. For example, USB is recommended, shielded cable 6' or less. More steps are involved, please share any guidance. There is none in the release notes.
Click to expand...
I've flashed it a few time now while testing DSP firmware, just follow the release notes. I used the normal USB cable I usually have connected to it, I would assume any USB cable that you do not have issues transmitting audio over will be fine for firmware update.

1722212504726.png


Michael
 
thanks, but for a computer person this must seem easy, for a two channel audio person not so much
 
Regarding dsd, the new firmware works as advertised. Using Hqplayer to upsample with convolution to multichannel dsd 128 with Roon/Tidal/Qobuz as source. No pops, noise etc.
 
Does anyone know of a reliable service for updating my okto 8 stereo? I am in the Chicago area
 
Hi Guys,
the DAC8PRODSP7 freeware firmware upgrade for DAC8PRO is now available in a mature version v1.61
it is based 100% on the v1.60 and brings all the DSP capabilities already discussed and a new feature to spread volume across DSP and DAC giving unique possibility to minimize side effect of potential saturation. The new pdf documentation is available on avdsp_dac8 GitHub and this is explained page 28.

Those interested in testing or migrating to this firmware can contact me on avdspproject at gmail dot com saying few words on their project and setup.
Thanks!
fabriceo
 
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