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

I sound like a broken record at this point so I'll keep this short and to the point to avoid being overly hyperbolic again as much as possible:

The Metrum Onyx is my endgame DAC. I received mine on Thursday from someone on Head-Fi for a substantial discount over retail.

I was really digging the Amethyst the last week, using it as my primary DAC and I'd gotten accustomed to the sound and nuances of it to the point of it becoming my preferred DAC.

The Onyx put a stop to that. Even cold (literally ice cold, it was 22 degrees and snowing all day on Thursday after being 81 on Wednesday) off the UPS truck, it was substantially better than the Amethyst.

The Onyx is beautiful in its presentation. I've read through this thread in its entirety at least three times now and I have to agree with everyone who used the word "dense" to describe the sound. It's astounding how much detail is being presented but it's not in-your-face or distracting. When I focus, I can pick out all kinds of little details and follow specific elements throughout even the most congested of passages with no problem, but if I'm focused on work, music fades to the background while managing to "just" be insanely enjoyable. I keep catching myself bobbing my head and tapping my foot because I'm just so into the music. And thanks to the treble being so smooth it's definitely easy to get LOUD without really realizing it.

Listening to NIN has resulted in multiple moments of shock as I somehow am STILL hearing new things in these songs I've worn out and listened to thousands of times through at least 10 different DACs at this point. The only example I'll give for brevity's sake is "Just Like You Imagined" at 0:39 when the bass and drums start, there's a weird layer that comes on that sounds like quiet fluttering. I always thought it was some weird semi-percussive synth patch all these years, but with the Onyx, I heard for the first time that it's Trent's voice, whispering...something, and all chopped up and garbled. It's quiet and barely audible but it's there. I'm not saying this stuff isn't audible on other DACs, just that until the Onyx, it was never obvious enough for me to notice.

Instruments all sound so real and organic--there's something about drums in certain songs ("Eraser" in particular given how prominent the drums are in the opening build) that sound so unbelievably massive. The bass drum and floor toms thunder while the crack of the snare is like a gunshot. Bass is pleasantly powerful with a lot of impact and weight. The blackground is really cool to experience. I love how certain parts of songs rise up and sink back down into the blackness. It's really cool and makes songs feel more alive. I've noticed many songs sound substantially heavier through the Onyx, especially compared to the Gungnir. Maybe this is due to the denseness/closer sound/headstage? A lot of background sounds that are lost on other DACs are far more prominent and obvious on the Onyx and I assume that's due to the laid back nature of NOS in general. A lot of stuff in many songs I thought was just noise from the DAC or amp turned out to be subtle background layers that are better resolved on the Onyx than any other DAC I've heard.

Layer separation is incredible and better than anything I've previously heard. I keep catching tiny details on a lot of NIN especially that I'd never noticed before. None of this stuff makes or breaks the songs but hearing it now just adds that much more to the listening experience. It's so hard to explain because I don't know the right words to use but numerous synth parts in particular sound so much more detailed and nuanced. It's little details that are suddenly apparent that really have no major impact on the song but I never knew that information was there. I'm blown away by this DAC and am so happy that it ended up being everything that I wanted it to be and more. I'm ready to be done chasing and to just enjoy music again and will with the Onyx. I can't wait to get my DNA Starlett in a couple months. If it sounds this good through the ZDT Jr., it's going to be amazing through that.

I'm for real, for certain, 100% on the NOS bandwagon. I've got a Gungnir Multibit A1 that needs a good home now as well as an Amethyst. Despite what others have said, I think it's a reasonable introduction to the NOS sound. Yes, it leaves a lot to be desired but that's not totally apparent until you've heard something higher on the NOS scale.

Thanks for letting me share through hyperbolic gushing once again.

 

I finally got tired of all the random clicks and pops and got an Ambre to feed my Onyx via AES/EBU.

It did indeed fix the problem. I don't know about their other stuff, but M2Tech's USB implementation is shit.

Cheers,
Jeff.

 

You could also replace the junk USB board with the Metrum I2S board. Ambre to Onyx via RJ-45 I2S is even better than AES/EBU.

 

I second that!

it’s also very good with the Pi2AES in I2S but requires some DIY (which is no problem for you).

 

Is it easy to replace the USB with I2S?

 

Very. Just open it up, unscrew the securing screws on the risers anchoring the USB card, gently pull (or rock) it up, install the I2S, screws, etc.

 

One last question, where can i get the I2S card, Europe preferencially?

 

That's gotten tougher lately, as Metrum hasn't been the same (quality of service) since Cee's left. I first tried ordering from an authorized dealer (US), but after 3 months and a bunch of excuses (course they point the finger at Metrum - with some cause), I cancelled and ordered directly from Metrum. That was about a week ago, so jury's out. I'd say if you can find an local dealer with it in stock, go that route. If not, order directly from Metrum.

 

I ordered an I2S card direct from the Metrum site and it took 5 days to the UK, two of which were the weekend. No complaints with that.

 

@MisterRogers @zach915m or others, do you know offhand if the I2S module is exactly the same for Onyx as it is for Pavane such that if I ever upgraded to Pavane/Adagio I could just swap it over?

 

Hmmm - I'm not 100% sure about that, as the I2S store pages I've seen prompt you to select your DAC. I'd suggest going to the sonnet-audio.com site and use the contact form. Cee's will respond and can clarify for you. He's stated multiple times in different communications that he's happy to provide some support* if needed (*for anything of consequence, Metrum owners should go to Metrum).

 

I appreciate all the good info in this thread, thanks, It has been very helpful!

 

Still enjoying my combo, though have had to reset my Onyx a few times recently, as one channel mutes. My sense is that the new Metrum is less responsive than the old when it comes to CS.

 

That never, not even once, happened with my Jade.

 

I haven't had that issue with my Onyx either. (I did have the USB "static pops", but I finally gave up on USB and it's been error-free since.)

 

Just a note that we have an RJ45 adapter to our PI2AES Raspberry Pi add on that works with the Metrum Jade DAC. It has been tested and reported on the PI2AES thread by @Clemmaster . There is a good chance it will also work with Onyx.

Cheers,
Michael

P.S. Please forgive the blatant commercialism. No offence meant.

 

@Michael Kelly Will the RJ45 HAT add much in the way of power requirements? I have the older lower voltage PS you used to sell and now using a 28V 1.5A LPS from the MCTH days (I think those are the specs hey @Biodegraded ?) which I'm hoping would be sufficient.

Also @Clemmaster or @MisterRogers for the I2S connection, is there a specific cable you have used or will any generic ethernet cable work?

 

I am running it with Onyx without any issues. The USB module has I2S module installed

 

Any ethernet cable will work but keep it short. I'm using 1ft patch cable Cat6. Just keep it short. In my case I had 1ft handy so I used it. Cat6 is easier to bend a bit and although I had Cat8 patch cable but they are thick and difficult to bend and put unnecessary stress on connectors.
I used Uptone LPS which has 12v, 1.1A output without any issue. Although I went back to Pi2AES power brick but had no issues with 1.1A

 

It is totally passive and takes no power. It simply routes the buffered I2S signals from the PI2AES to the RJ-45 connector in the proper order for the Metrum DAC.

Michael