Me too!
This just hits too many points that are must haves for me!
But, adds further analysis paralysis decisions to be made - nothing really good is ever simple, it seems.
As to who the target consumer is, I suspect it was originally the 3-way mains + 2 subs crowd, but like so many 'good designs', user feedback likely expanded the target audience. This is a pretty impressive bit of kit for the money.
I have an 8ch system with 2-way active crossover mains + sub (handled by a dBX Venu 360) which will be downstream of the OcktoDAC via its stereo AES main outs.
(I wrote and asked - pleaded - for them to include AES stereo main outputs - Done - Thank you!)
My personal 'use case' for the Okto will be 99% LAN file access; not particularly interested in paying monthly fees for streaming services at this time.
Controlling music access/search/selection via a smartphone or tablet, and volume control via the Okto remote would seem to be the least complex solution (and avoid a further cluttering of remotes!).
But I wouldn't rule out a PC based 'tv-screen' display either.
But, 'what to drive it with' is still not clear (decided) for me yet, and I'd sure appreciate suggestions - there just seem to be too many 'almost/maybe' products out there to track down (most of whom market gee-whiz features but are painfully short on info about What They Can Actually DO).
The Home Theatre vs. Just Audio (HDMI vs. USB) conundrum (as discussed above) is annoying, but not a hard deal breaker for me, and worst case managed via a hard analog switch between the HDMI pre-pro +Oppo and the Okto outputs.
(Ideally, the Vanity 103 card for the Oppo would be perfect, but seem to be unavailable even used now)
So, PC vs. 'streamer' is where I'm stuck now.
A dedicated PC would, in theory, allow me to apply room EQ to the surrounds (the Venu360 manages the front and subwoofer EQ), but I now consider that to be of minor benefit.
It would also allow me to chose the software I like the best - UI design is pretty important to me. I'm running MusicBee now, and like it very much, but JRiver and others considerations.
However, A simple Roon endpoint streamer like this is tempting:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-review-of-sotm-sms-200-network-player.1846/
But the whole multi-channel file source thing is unclear, not to mention the other concerns brought up there.
I'd sure like to find a product like Element X - a streamer that acts as a USB host.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...matrix-audio-element-x-dac-streamer-amp.7782/
But without the DAC features and is much too costly for me.
So, that's my story and I'm sticking with it (and many Thanks to Kal for all his multi-channel work & reviews!).
Any USB source suggestions would be greatly appreciated - I hope to place an order for the OktoDAC shortly.
Thanks!!
This just hits too many points that are must haves for me!
But, adds further analysis paralysis decisions to be made - nothing really good is ever simple, it seems.
As to who the target consumer is, I suspect it was originally the 3-way mains + 2 subs crowd, but like so many 'good designs', user feedback likely expanded the target audience. This is a pretty impressive bit of kit for the money.
I have an 8ch system with 2-way active crossover mains + sub (handled by a dBX Venu 360) which will be downstream of the OcktoDAC via its stereo AES main outs.
(I wrote and asked - pleaded - for them to include AES stereo main outputs - Done - Thank you!)
My personal 'use case' for the Okto will be 99% LAN file access; not particularly interested in paying monthly fees for streaming services at this time.
Controlling music access/search/selection via a smartphone or tablet, and volume control via the Okto remote would seem to be the least complex solution (and avoid a further cluttering of remotes!).
But I wouldn't rule out a PC based 'tv-screen' display either.
But, 'what to drive it with' is still not clear (decided) for me yet, and I'd sure appreciate suggestions - there just seem to be too many 'almost/maybe' products out there to track down (most of whom market gee-whiz features but are painfully short on info about What They Can Actually DO).
The Home Theatre vs. Just Audio (HDMI vs. USB) conundrum (as discussed above) is annoying, but not a hard deal breaker for me, and worst case managed via a hard analog switch between the HDMI pre-pro +Oppo and the Okto outputs.
(Ideally, the Vanity 103 card for the Oppo would be perfect, but seem to be unavailable even used now)
So, PC vs. 'streamer' is where I'm stuck now.
A dedicated PC would, in theory, allow me to apply room EQ to the surrounds (the Venu360 manages the front and subwoofer EQ), but I now consider that to be of minor benefit.
It would also allow me to chose the software I like the best - UI design is pretty important to me. I'm running MusicBee now, and like it very much, but JRiver and others considerations.
However, A simple Roon endpoint streamer like this is tempting:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-review-of-sotm-sms-200-network-player.1846/
But the whole multi-channel file source thing is unclear, not to mention the other concerns brought up there.
I'd sure like to find a product like Element X - a streamer that acts as a USB host.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...matrix-audio-element-x-dac-streamer-amp.7782/
But without the DAC features and is much too costly for me.
So, that's my story and I'm sticking with it (and many Thanks to Kal for all his multi-channel work & reviews!).
Any USB source suggestions would be greatly appreciated - I hope to place an order for the OktoDAC shortly.
Thanks!!