Metrum Acoustics Pavane DAC listening impressions

Yes. More so with HQPe on Linux. I’d tried 4x upsampling on ambre but improvements were subtle.

 

I am also going to need a little help breaking this down.

1. I gather that the linux server is a separate PC of some description. Would it be possible to run your Roon/HQPe/Diretta on the RPi4? I guess I have fallen behind and need to do some research. I don't need Roon. I assume HQPe is your upsampling program. No idea what Diretta is for, but I can research.
2. Why do you need the XLR to RCA analog cables? You could run RCA out of the Pavane.

 

One last question, what switch settings did you use on the SU-6 for I2S feed to the Pavane?

 

1. Linux PC (Host) is a dedicated fanless HDPLEX server consisting of h5 2nd gen chassis & 500w LPS running gentooplayer embedded as OS. HQP desktop has mediocre GUI & library management so using Roon instead. Diretta is streaming protocol like RAAT on Roon, NAA on HQP & upnp. Yes, HQPe/diretta can be used on rpi4 but only upto 8x pcm upsampling. Rpi4 can be used as roon endpoint but not as server. Two rpi4 can be used as server(non-roon players ) & endpoint.
Edit: I’ve tried su6 on Mac OS direct usb with/ without Roon/ HQP desktop. Somehow it doesn’t sound as good as my server.
I’m using rpi4 (on LPS) as an endpoint which receives direct Ethernet signal from server. From Usb out of rpi4 su6 is connected.

2. Pavane XLR >>RCA. XLR-RCA cable sounds better than Cinemag trafo that I’d tried.

 

I’ve not changed any settings on su6. I think switch settings are for hdmi i2s.
No rj45 cable modification is required. Just use any short cable.

 

Thanks very much - that is very helpful

 

Thanks, this has all been very helpful.

I agree. If I remember correctly, the Pavane uses a trafo solution to convert analog signals to single ended, where the Onyx uses an op-amp. Like your Cinemag experience, the Pavane trafo approach doesn't sound as good as the Onyx. This is one of the few times that I have really benefited from having a balanced pre-amp because I have been able to stay balanced out of the Pavane.

 

Have the Singxer SU-6 DDC feeding my Pavane via the RJ45 I2S with zero problems. Plug and Play - no dip switching required, as discussed above. So far the SU-6 is doing a significantly better job than my Ambre and SU-1 were doing. Still a lot of burn in to do to get the best out of the SU-6, but already it appears to be a good audio investment on a bang for buck basis.

 

Cool ! Try using external upsampling via roon/HQP or audirvana . Su6 supports upto 384/24. You’ll hear a whole new dac if filters are selected appropriately.

 

One of the reason I’m thinking about SU-6 is the ability to use 384Khz with I2S as Ambre is limited to 192Khz

 

You might get a significant benefit just from replacing the Ambre with the SU6. I found the sonic performance of the SU-1 (via AES) and Ambre (via I2S) to be almost indistinguishable to my ears. The SU-6 (via I2S) is out performing both of these units for me.

 

I have put a bunch of hours on my Bliss amp and SU-6 DDC in the past week, as well as doing some mild oversampling in Roon (44.1->88.2 kHz and 48->96 kHz). The results of all this have been excellent. I have new respect for my Pavane DAC. It is performing brilliantly.
Next step is to replace the DAC2 modules with DAC3. I was thinking about replacing the Pavane with a Holo May, but now I am going to stick with it and do the DAC3 upgrade instead. Love this DAC.

 

My unit lacks trafo based Bal to SE conversion. I’m using Bal to SE cables which have pin 3 floating & they sound as good as XLR output. Really helps my case as I’ve SE preamp & OTL.

 

The DAC3 modules have been in my Pavane for a few weeks now and getting a hefty work out. I have been very pleased with the upgrade. It is expensive to replace all 8 chips, but for me it was worth it. Others have reported on the changes, probably a lot better than I can, but I will have a shot at putting down my key impressions.

What is noticeably better to my ears:
1) Separation - the components in the mix are easily distinguishable and you can focus on whichever you like, should you wish to do so. This was much harder to do with the L3/DAC2 Pavane.
2) Clarity/Detail - lumping these together. There is noticeable more of everything in the delivery. If you want to feed on the plankton there is plenty to choose from.
3) Bass - the bass now has texture and detail in a way that was lacking in the L3/DAC2 Pavane.

What isn't better:
1) My wallet. Those chips are damn expensive. The decision to upgrade the Pavane rather than replace it was not easy.

Overall - the L3/DAC3 Pavane retains the lovely timbre and character that made me love it when I first heard it, but it now has the technical capability worthy of a high end DAC. I'm very happy with the results of the DAC3 upgrade, I just wish it was not quite so pricey.

System:
PC -> USB- > Singxer SU 6 -> RJ45 -> Pavane I2S -> Holo Bliss KTE -> Verite Closed / Verite Open / HEKv2 / HD800S.

 

Passed the one month point, and then some, with the new DAC3 modules. I have read some folks describing the DAC2->DAC3 upgrade as NOT being a night and day change - for me it was exactly that, so I'm not sure why other folks aren't hearing what I am hearing. My best guess is that my other upgrades (SU1->SU6 and AGD Master 9->Holo Bliss KTE) were also fairly new and they too have benefited from some extra weeks of heavy use. Whatever the cause, I am finding my current chain of [Singxer SU 6 -> RJ45 -> Pavane I2S -> Holo Bliss KTE] to be superb.

I have a new delta sigma DAC coming in a few weeks - the T+A DAC 200 which has been getting some rave reviews. I was sworn off DS DACs after some bad experiences about 10 years ago, but have found the some of the more modern DS units to be excellent. That horrid digititus of the ESS 9018 chip appears to be a thing of the past. Anyway, once I get the new DAC burned in I will give some comparison feedback on the DAC 200 vs L3 Pavane.

 

I’m still on dac2 chips. I was planning to upgrade to dac3 but mixed response on both sbaf & hdfi & steep prices in India diluted my interest. I’ve decided to keep the dac 2 & find another dac which compensates for pavane’s deficiencies.

 

Totally get that approach. I was very unsure about the upgrade vs replace decision.

One thing that played into my thinking is that DS DACs have improved so much compared to 10 years back, so when I got a great deal on a new T+A DAC 200 I went for it. It will be nice to have both an R2R and DS DAC to choose from.

 

Were you able to compare both dacs?

 

I’ve done some experiment involving ambre & su6 which has yielded positive results.
I’ve taken usb out (supra excalibur) from rpi4 inside ambre (modded) & connected to su6. I’ve also changed the internal Ethernet cable from cat 6 UTP to 6a sftp (nothing fancy). This setup is far better than rpi4 in argon one case connected to LPS(hdplex) & su6 (via usb). I guess extra shielding from cable, better PS, LAN port (100mbps) on ambre are the possible causes. Both NOS & ext OS(8x) benefit from this combination.
Edit: I’ve also added FMC before ambre.

 

I will be able to do that when I get my hands on the new dac and get a few hundred hours on it. My order went in about 2 months ago and no sign of the T+A DAC 200 so far. My understanding is that T+A are experiencing heavy demand and are struggling to get the units out, so it might be a while.