Digital Drive: REVIEW: Metrum Acoustics Metrum Hex DAC Processors by ahendler

Model:	Metrum Hex
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$3295
Description:	NOS Dac with SPDIF, USB and Optical inputs
Manufacturer URL:	Metrum Acoustics

Review by ahendler on December 28, 2014 at 19:46:30
IP Address: 108.249.169.177 Add Your Review
for the Metrum Hex

For those that don't know NOS stands for Non Oversampling. This dac does not over or upsample, no digital or analog filteringand takes the output directly off the 16 paralled chips. This eliminates an output stage. The chips used are an industrial 24 bit chip which the designer will not divulge. Open up the unit and the 16 chips all have the name scratched off.
For USB input they use a M2Tech Hiface which accepts up too 24/192. They also power the Mytech from a separate power supply inside the dac and draw no power from the computer
The sound!
This is a very musical dac. I know, what does that mean? The only way I can describe it is it does not dissect the music into individual sounds but you hear an overall unified presentation. There is plenty of detail but it does not throw that detail at you so that all you focus on is the details. It is very dynamic both at the micro and macro level. There is a strong emotional connection to the music that a lot of dacs simply miss.
If you basically listen to the sound of your system you might want to look elsewhere but if you love music I strongly recommend this dac as well as other NOS dacs such as Audio Note and Teredak. I am an analog lover and since I put the Hex into my system I have stopped listening to my LPs. This has never happened before.
Alan

Product Weakness:	None
Product Strengths:	Makes you forget your system and just lets you enjoy listening to music

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: 2 each Berning ZH-270
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Shindo Auriges
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Basis 1400 W/Rega 301 arm
Speakers: Magnepan 3.6's
Cables/Interconnects: Grover Huffman interconnects/Auditorium 23 speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical & Film music
Room Size (LxWxH): 15' x 12' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments: Fica Trees, Spatial Harmonizers
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PurePower+ 1500
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	2 each Berning ZH-270
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Shindo Auriges
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Basis 1400 W/Rega 301 arm
Speakers:	Magnepan 3.6's
Cables/Interconnects:	Grover Huffman interconnects/Auditorium 23 speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical & Film music
Room Size (LxWxH):	15' x 12' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Fica Trees, Spatial Harmonizers
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PurePower+ 1500
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner