Metrum Acoustics Onyx (balanced Dac) and Jade (balanced Dac + Pre)

I'm primarily using the Onyx for 2-channel using the XLR output, but I am also secondarily using the RCA output to a Vali 2 and HD650. I don't use my headphones much anymore, but from the listening I've done the Vali 2 and Onyx combo is really delightful. The Vali 2 scales shockingly well for such an inexpensive headphone amp.

On a related note, I have been swapping back and forth between a tubed and solid state preamp with the Onyx, and I found the Onyx pairs really well with tubes. The nuance and texture you get with the Onyx is really emphasized with the tubed preamp and there's so much more body and realism to the sound. I tried an ESS Sabre-based DAC with the same preamp in the past and it wasn't that great of the pairing. The Onyx really seems to exploit the strengths of tubes in delivering tonal density and body.

 

What is Metrum house sound? Can anyone describe it? Besides Sheldaze, can anyone comment on Onyx vs. Yiggy2?

 

(Metrum announced an entry level DAC, presumaby called Flint, it has two DAC TWO modules)

 

Not that this belongs here...

 

I think I've pretty much decided I'll buy an Onyx (or maybe a used/open box Pavane) and I was wondering if anyone has had the chance to try the new MQA module in their own unit. I'm not asking about opinions on MQA, more about how the module is installed. Just looking at the photos of the module and the internals of the Onyx, I don't see a connector on the boards it would plug into. I dont think I am interested enough to have to ship it out to have it installed, but I would buy it if I could install it myself.

 

You can do it, easy. Just push the MQA module on the board pins.
Next to the middle two DAC modules you'll find the prepared board pins.

The OP has a good picture of the Onyx where you can see the slot, look for the vertical text "balanced integrated DAC"
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...c-and-jade-balanced-dac-pre.5181/#post-166134

Ps. Excellent choice by the way, I love my Onyx

 

Thanks @FredM. I was looking at the picture on the Metrum site and thought the whitish connector on top was the interface but now I see the 4 sets of solder joints that secure the downward facing female SIP connectors.

 

Does Onyx do full MQA decoding or is it a renderer only? Additional hardware suggests the first, but anyone has any insight on this?

 

It says "full decoding" for the new 200 € MQA module...
Here is the link.

 

The MQA module does full decoding in case of the Metrum dac's. Any non MQA signal will bypass the MQA chip, so you will get the original Metrum sound

 

This clears the MQA matter, thank you.

 

I'd snatch up the Pavane that @gbeast is selling here. His price even for non-friends is great even without the box, and is cheaper than a brand-new Onyx. The performance between the two is close, but having owned both I think the Pavane does a better job with soundstage/imaging. The Pavane is physically much larger than the Onyx, but if you have room for it it's a no-brainer at that price IMO.

 

May be too late for that

 

Oh dang, sold it?

 

yes... that price wouldnt last

 

Just want to confirm that I hear Onyx vs Modi Multibit (on Eitr) in a very similar way as described above. Modi Multibit probably does not have the bass presence and heft of Gungnir Multibit though, therefore tried to underline the key parts of the MyPetSasquatch's post that apply to Modi Multibit with Eitr as well IMHO.

Both DACs have excellent tonal balance, giving me a very similar impression in bass and mids while being somewhat different in treble. In result, Onyx is somewhat more gentle and coherent, Modi Multibit is somewhat more zingy and airy. Onyx seems closer to analog-like presentation subjectively but Modi Multibit is often a bit more exciting to listen to.

Listening to both DACs more and more, Modi Multibit does seem to have a bit more 3D presentation (imaging depth) due to the unique closed-form filter. For some, this could be an important decision factor. Onyx, on the other hand, lacks any sort of artificial brightness in treble and is ultimately non-fatiguing but clean. That could seal the deal too for some.

Both Metrum and Schiit mastered their unique approaches to DACs to the point I am having a heard time to decide which way to go for the future to come. Well done!

 

Those are very interesting impressions, and when looking the elephant in the room, price, there is a clear winner in here. I had a felling during a fast demo with onyx that Yggdrasil analog2 its much better, nevertheless I don’t remember how to express that in words and tech. That day, I thought : maybe pavane it’s on par with ygg2? . but again, the prices always moved me to schiit

 

Modi Multibit with Eitr is indeed the clear winner in price/performance ratio to my ears, no contest. Onyx makes sense to me primarily if you crave NOS but do not want to compromise in other ways. It is an excellent all-rounder in that sense, with satisfying timbre as well as technicalities. But, at the same time, is severely overpriced. (Or Modi Multibit with Eitr severely underpriced, depends on your point of view.) Onyx is overall better but the performance gap is not large by any means.

A controversial but honest point of view, not expecting everyone to agree with me. I may keep Onyx in the end (NOS appeals to me so far) but that would not change my general opinion.

 

I'm an Onyx user as well, and I have little doubt that there are better value DACs out there. The NOS sound is what keeps me on the Onyx despite not being the greatest from a value point of view. While it's a nice jump for me from the Bifrost Multibit due to the warmer NOS sound I don't think it's leaps and bounds superior in technicalities. It's closer than I'd like to admit.

Have any Onyx users used the Holo Spring level 3? I'm very curious about how they compare given their similar price tags.

 

I agree. If you really want or need NOS, then you just go NOS no matter the cost I guess. Thats why I will keep Onyx should I decide to ditch Schiit MB in favor of NOS.

Despite how technically potent Schiit MB line (especially Yggdrasil A2) might be, it just does not going to sound like Metrum DACs. Even Modi Multibit is kind of zingy and fatiguing compared to Onyx, not even imagining how intense Yggdrasil might be...