Okto DAC 8 Stereo (Shout-out)
I know this DAC made a buzz via a Stereophile A+ rating a couple years back, and I can’t say how many times I casually checked if they were back in stock for purchase. A couple of weeks ago I happened to check and they were.
Previously I had read the lead times were up to 8 weeks for a build, but happy to report it arrived in just over a week to the states. Great communication and service from the Okto team. Unfortunately couldn’t get one with streaming on-board due to R-Pi shortages.
Seems well built, nice screen, and overall a smaller chassis than I thought. Hopefully won’t miss lack of single ended outputs. A note you can use this as a preamp and order to custom output voltage to match your power amp.
My initial impressions are as follows: This is the most transparent DAC I have ever heard, previously owning Denafrips Terminator, Holo Spring, Sonnet Morpheus, Aqua La Scala, PS audio PW DSD and others of lesser renown and quality. . The instrument separation is quite good, a wide and deep stage, and an almost eerily clarity that lacks any glassy edginess that sabre DAC based designs seem to be known for. Although I owned a HIFI rose and loved it.
Anyways, kudos to Okto and a heads up they are in stock. Great performance and a very affordable price!
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I can understand the Okto being perhaps more transparent than the Aqua La Scala, but it sounding better than it… not sure. Quite different sounding DACs I believe, but I have never heard the Okto. Are you able to provide more comparative feedback on other aspects of sound, in addition to transparency? |
The T+A 200 dac I feel and many others the best sounding dac that also has HQ player incorporated since Roon too has it built into their program at $7200 it competes well with anything at 2x it’s cost check it out as well as reviews . I know 4 that own one I am currently buying one in the fall. and I have heard in our audio get together heard every brand ,your taste many vary but this dac has a lot of flexibility built in. |
@lordmelton yes. Keeping in mind memory is not a good audio historian. I did an A/B against my internal Hegel Dac and the Morpheus. the others are long gone. |
I always wondered why this DAC does not generate as much discussion as it probably should. My guess is the cost for this is low enough that people ignore it? But of late they have these in stock. One more reason could be that they might come up with a new DAC that is based on AKM. I had read a couple of years ago that they originally planned with AKM chips. But with the part of factory burning down, they plans went up in smokes. |
