Metrum Octave Dac - What are the Chips used

[qusp]

pieter, sorry but thats a load of bull. a simple unambiguous question was asked and there was only on topic posts pertaining to the answer until the question was in fact answered... the OP did not return, since then we discussed it a bit further, the OP still didnt return so we carried on a conversation. the subjective quality does not make up for what amounts to misrepresentation, which should be uncovered on a forum such as this. nobody said anything at all about using a dac like that being a bad thing, just that it was obviously a unique selling point that the marketing department and press latched onto and that it was NOT 24bit and it was NOT expensive

[Ken Newton]

Originally Posted by qusp

I guess just before you finish your quest the unobtainium ARDA TECH AT1401 will come to reality

doh, just checked that too, nope its DS multibit too

Whoa, really!? The AT1401 is actually a delta-sigma converter?! Where did you get that info?

[SoNic_real_one]

Originally Posted by qusp

a cheetah can reach 100km/h in a matter of a few seconds, as can a Corvette.. does this make them the same?

Yes. If they are used to hunt Impalas.

[qusp]

sorry Ken, i thought it was true multibit too, but i had 3 of their datasheets open and with such similar names i flicked to the wrong page. its the ADC thats delta sigma. I didnt look as closely because only minutes before i'd found that the AKM (AK4390) i assumed was true multibit was multibit delta sigma

as you were; waiting..waiting...waiting

[qusp]

Originally Posted by SoNic_real_one

Yes. If they are used to hunt Impalas.

you raise a valid point..I had not considered this possibility....

[SoNic_real_one]

Sorry for off-topic

[jitter]

Originally Posted by abraxalito

Digital to Analog Converter - Precision DAC (=<10MSPS) - DAC8581 - TI.com

Nowhere is revealed what DAC-ICs are actually used in the Octave. In pictures it's also clearly visible that the printing has been sanded off, so this is on purpose.

Why then did you provide a link to the datasheet of a TI DAC8581 and write about it as if it's certain that it's the one inside the Octave (times 8)???

[pieter t]

Originally Posted by jitter

Nowhere is revealed what DAC-ICs are actually used in the Octave. In pictures it's also clearly visible that the printing has been sanded off, so this is on purpose.

Why then did you provide a link to the datasheet of a TI DAC8581? And why are you writing about it as if it's certain that it's the one inside the Octave (times 8)???

Mere speculation...
One other thing: apart from the unidentified converters the six layer PCB is essential part of the design, not just to hold the parts in place and supply the connections but to make the design sound as it does (magnificent).
Very little room for upgrading (think of your favorite power cord and interconnects) as there is also no analog output stage "to tweak".

[abraxalito]

Originally Posted by jitter

Why then did you provide a link to the datasheet of a TI DAC8581?

Because this is the one most probably being used in that DAC. Based on my observation of the layout and the information provided in the 6moons article where it was reviewed. I don't know it for sure. If anyone has a better suggestion let's hear it.

And why are you writing about it as if it's certain that it's the one inside the Octave (times 8)???

In the absence of any other suggestions, then I'm fairly certain its this one. All the evidence given fits this chip.

[jitter]

After glancing though the datasheet, I can see why one might think it's the DAC8581, but I still have some doubts.
There's also a review of the Octave by Hifi Critic, and they measured the actual resolution to be 18 bits. I can't see how that's possible with 16 bits DACs.
Metrum Octave review by Hifi Critic