I think they use tubes, which I think helps with the sense of utter dimensionality that owners seem to rave about. No idea if better or worse than Metrum (that's always a personal decision anyway), but I think the use of tubes will make them sound different. And I emphasize "different," not better or worse. Again, they have a trial period and if you have the means it would seem like a REALLY good comparison. Personally, these two are in the top two in my sites so I'd love to hear a comparison. Someone did a comparison between an Octave and an SW1X DAC and preferred the latter, but I pretty much reject that as I don't think the Octave is near the performance of the Onyx nor an appropriate comparison, so the beat goes on.
@1markr -- I'd absolutely love to do the comparo, but my amp is currently dead as would be my marriage if I tried to both repair my amp and buy another DAC at the same time. Very much hoping someone else can do it though.
@1markr -- I'd absolutely love to do the comparo, but my amp is currently dead as would be my marriage if I tried to both repair my amp and buy another DAC at the same time. Very much hoping someone else can do it though.