Metrum Acoustics Amethyst DAC/Amp Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Hands, Jun 19, 2017.

  1. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    Thanks @Hands. I'm excited to hear the loaner. I am curious to see how it performs with a lower impedance Fostex dynamics.
     
  2. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    I bet you'll like that combo. I wasn't a huge fan with the HD650...
     
  3. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    I'm gearing myself up for next January when I finally splurge on something I can actually keep for awhile. Quite a few people recommended this DAC to me, so I may splurge on it. Balanced out seems to be a minor concern for me, and reading the comparisons between this one and the Gungnir Multibit make me feel like I'd enjoy this DAC a bit more.

    AMW1011 on the discord recommended I pair it with the Decware CSP3 if I can find that one used. I might end up doing that. I'd end up having the chain of ZMF Auteur -> Decware CSP3 -> Metrum Amethyst.

    I'm kind of getting tired of skimping out on the cheaper DACs, and I like R2R in general. I still have 4-5 months before I decide on what I'm getting it, but this seems to be the DAC I'll end up splurging on.
     
  4. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    I just received the Amethyst loaner today, was excited to get it hooked up... got everything connected took it out of standby and no matter which input i switched to including the one i connected the error light is on... right now i have it connected via coax from my lynx e22 plan on trying the usb as well just to test...anyone experienced this or something similar?
     
  5. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    @e.schell

    stupid question but you have to cycle through the inputs using the button on the right. Did you do that? It won't automatically switch to a "live" input.
     
  6. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    Error light is normal (on my Pavane) when no signal is detected, it could be a bad coax, try the USB...

    Also there are minor differences in AES vs SPDIF protocol at the bit level, should not matter to most modern DACs but it could be confused if you send AES over coax (really long shot).
     
  7. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    Yes i know... i cycled through them all.. didn't get any sound from my normal source and since the error light was on i thought perhaps there was an issue... i didn't get any playback on either coax input (plugged into both and flipped through inputs via front button) coming from my lynx card...perhaps something is wrong with the bnc to rca coax cable i tried...will investigate further.
     
  8. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    Thanks that is the info i was looking for... couldn't find an Amethyst manua on Metrum's site or on the supplied usb thumb drive but did see that mentioned in the pavane manual...
     
  9. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    If you can't get it to work no matter what sources and cables you try, it could be a cable or even DAC module came loose. Thankfully, it's pretty easy to pop everything back in place.
     
  10. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    I tested the cables i was trying to use with my Gungnir Multibit and it worked fine so i installed the usb drivers for the Amethyst and it works that way....but with 2 different coax cables that work with in my usual setup and both coax inputs on the Amethyst i get nothing...
     
  11. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    Metrum are amazing for warranty repairs, trust me on this one... Hope it doesn't come to that but I would certainly drop them an email (and try a different coax source)
     
  12. Cash

    Cash Guest

    Did you restart you're source? When I lose power to my room, I restart/turn everything back on, but the error light stays on until I unplug and replug the USB from computer to IFI I-Link which supplies signal through coax to Metrum Amethyst! It's like it doesn't see the coax input until the signal is regenerated! Your Lynx card should have a restart function???
     
  13. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    @e.schell

    Could it be something with the sample rate from the Lynx? Is it set to basic 16-bit 44.1kHz? Or are you using something more advanced?
     
  14. ilcg1

    ilcg1 Acquaintance

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    I thought that error light was an issue as well when I hooked up my Amethyst last week and I immediately emailed Metrum. Cees replied:

    "Great that you like the dac!! The red light tells you that there is no digital data. So that can be in case of an unused input, a defective cable but also between two music tracks.


    So in case of Metrum dacs it is the way to tell you that no digital data is coming in.


    Happy listening!!"

    I'm feeding it coax with Eitr and have zero issues. Yes, the input that is used has to be selected manually, but that's not a big deal.
     
  15. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    The lynx cards don't need to be reset if you switch devices that are connected to its output, but just for shits and giggles i connected the Amethyst and restarted the system, still no luck. And the lynx card is setup to pass along whatever the files are encoded at, i've been trying to send 16/44 files with no luck...at this point it sure seems like the coax inputs on it are not working. I hook up Gungnir Multibit, everything is fine, unplug Gungnir Multibit plug in the Amethyst...nothing on either coax 1 or coax 2. Kinda bummed, i can listen via usb but i was really looking forward to hearing a well implemented NOS dac being fed from a good source....such is my luck!
     
  16. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Do you have another coax source you can try?
     
  17. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    I'll dig up the cable for coax output on my fiio x5 gen 2 and test that tonight or tomorrow and report back.
     
  18. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    I fed the Amethyst coax output from my fiio x5II and it works... i can't figure out yet why it doesn't like the signal coming from my E22.. with everything exactly as i have it when sending a signal to my Gungnir Multibit which works without issue.
     
  19. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    Is your computer and the Amethyst on the same power line? Try having both from the same extension plug.
     
  20. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    This is making my "long shot" sound a bit more likely now. I should be able to confirm, or rule out, using the Pavane and DEQ2496 but not until Monday at the earliest. Perhaps look in the Lynx settings for AES vs SPDIF mode setting?
     

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