Topic: Metrum Acoustics Hex DAC Measurements (Read 6800 times)

Hands · « **on:** January 30, 2014, 12:53:11 PM »

Test Hardware and Setup

-DIY Gaming Desktop - i5 2500K locked at 4.5GHz, Biostar TZ77XE3 motherboard, GTX 780, Antec EarthWatts 650W Green PSU, Auzentech Bravura sound card, 4 140mm fans, goofy UV cathode lights in case, Fractal Design Define R4 case...overall, most likely not optimal for audio. Plugged into APC H10 power conditioner. I did run Fidelizer on it for the tests. Using USB 3.0 ports, tested for which ones produce best results and use those two.

-JKSPDIF MK3 - Input with generic USB cable, output with 75ohm RF attenuator (-10dB) and 75ohm BNC to BNC coaxial cable to DAC. Battery powered.

-Metrum Acoutics Hex DAC - Takes JK BNC out to BNC in, RCA out to SB1240. Using the most recommended cables listed on Blue Jeans Cables for both. Plugged into wall socket.

-Creative X-FI HD USB (SB1240) - Takes line-out signal from DAC to line-in for recording purposes, powered by USB bus, plugged into desktop. Unit is limited to 48/96KHz input/output.

Software

RightMark RMAA 6.3.0, ARTA, JRiver MC

Misc. Notes

Creative SB1240 has a slight roll-off in the bass.

I do not guarantee 100% accuracy with these measurements.

Links

Metrum Acoustics Hex DAC - http://www.metrum-acoustics.nl/Hex_English.html
JKSPDIF MK3 - http://www.johnkenny.biz/home-1/mk3-hiface
Creative SB1240 - http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-digital-music-premium-hd
RightMark Audio Analyzer - http://audio.rightmark.org/index_new.shtml
ARTA: http://www.artalabs.hr/

Hands · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2014, 12:59:25 PM »

RightMark RMAA measurements. 16/48, ASIO:

Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB | +0.11, -1.26 | Average
Noise level, dB (A) | -96.2 | Excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A) | 96.4 | Excellent
THD, % | 0.014 | Good
THD + Noise, dB (A) | -75.9 | Average
IMD + Noise, % | 0.024 | Good
Stereo crosstalk, dB | -95.9 | Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, % | 0.099 | Good
General performance | Good

RMAA pictures will always be attached in the following order:

1. Frequency Response
2. Noise
3. Dynamic Range
4. THD
5. IMD
6. IMD Swept
7. Crosstalk

Hands · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2014, 01:04:41 PM »

You'll notice in the 24/96 RMAA tests, the DR measurement looks a bit weird. It looks fine in 16/96.

Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB | +0.00, -0.29 | Very good
Noise level, dB (A) | -103.1 | Excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A) | 101.7 | Excellent
THD, % | 0.013 | Good
THD + Noise, dB (A) | -76.7 | Average
IMD + Noise, % | 0.022 | Good
Stereo crosstalk, dB | -96.2 | Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, % | 0.058 | Good
General performance | Very good

Hands · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2014, 01:08:33 PM »

Noting the odd 24-bit DR measurements, here's a 24/96 RMAA comparison between the Metrum Quad and Hex. The most interesting part is the frequency response difference in the treble. I can't remember the exact measurement setup I used for these Quad measurements, but it should be close enough to highlight the main differences.

Hex on left, Quad on right
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: +0.00, -0.29 | +0.06, -0.52
Noise level, dB (A): -103.1 | -102.4
Dynamic range, dB (A): 101.7 | 102.6
THD, %: 0.013 | 0.036
IMD + Noise, %: 0.022 | 0.041
Stereo crosstalk, dB: -96.2 | -97.2

No IMD Swept measurement.

Hands · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2014, 01:14:27 PM »

After a good bit of discussion with firev1, he determined that there were some incorrect JTest generators floating around, and I had used those previously. It would appear the ARTA-generated JTest files are correct, so I'll be using those for now. If anyone knows otherwise or sees flaws in my method, please let me know.

Using JRiver MC to play the ARTA-generated 24/48 JTest file. Tested without (1st image) and with (2nd image) JRMC upsampling to 24/96. Generated file at 0dB, set to 0dB dBFS in ARTA settings.

Results could potentially be improved with a better hardware and software chain.

Hands · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2014, 01:21:29 PM »

Got this test idea from firev1. -90dB 1KHz undithered sine wave test, both spectrum and over time (sine wave). I hope I'm doing it right! I ran these tests at both 16/24-bit and 48/96KHz, but I can only attach 7 of the 8 pictures I have. No worries, the 16/96 spectrum graph looked almost identical to the 24/96 graph, so I'll leave that one out.

1. 16/48 Spectrum
2. 16/48 Time
3. 16/96 Time
4. 24/48 Spectrum
5. 24/48 Time
6. 24/96 Spectrum
7. 24/96 Time

firev1 posted this link about these tests: http://www.stereophile.com/content/quality-lies-details-page-6

Hands · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2014, 01:26:04 PM »

Here are some ARTA measurements that were generated from a sweep impulse. I believe this was done in 16/96. I did many of these and picked the one that gave the most consistent looking results. I'm not sure if some of these really matter for DAC measurements, and I could have set some of these up incorrectly. Pictures attached:

1. Sweep Impulse Response
2. Settings used for the test
3. Frequency response and distortion generated from the sweep impulse
4. Step response
5. Burst decay
6. Sweep impulse response envelope

Hands · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2014, 01:30:59 PM »

Some noise and distortion measurements from ARTA. Done in 24/96. Most of these are dBFS, matched as close to 0dB as possible.

1. Noise - log graph
2. Noise - linear graph
3. 1KHz sine wave distortion - log
4. " - linear
5. 100Hz distortion - log
6. " - linear

Hands · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2014, 01:34:09 PM »

Here are some ARTA 24/96 IMD-based measurements. I believe I matched these up with dBV as close to 0dB as I could, A-weighted.

1. 60Hz and 7KHz, 4:1 ratio
2. 250Hz and 8KHz, 4:1
3. 25Hz and 66Hz, 1:1
4. 13KHz and 14KHz, 1:1
5. 19KHz and 20KHz, 1:1

Hands · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2014, 01:55:16 PM »

Some quick thoughts on the Hex. I have not had a chance to do a direct 1:1 test comparing the Quad and Hex, but I believe the Hex is noticeably less laid-back than the Quad. In the grand scheme of things, it's still probably laid-back. The measured elevated treble response compared to the Quad is probably a key contributor to the difference in sound (almost +0.5dB at 20Hz with 96KHz sampling rate vs Quad). Harmonic and inter-modulation distortion are noticeably improved, though still not absolutely stellar from a purely objective standpoint. It might still be outside what most can hear or low enough to be acceptable.

Other than that, it still retains the common Metrum traits, such as being smooth and fairly relaxed. If you weren't sold on the Quad, it's unlikely the Hex will dramatically change your opinion. If you're on the fence, there's a decent chance you could find a way to work the Hex into your system (may require software upsampling) that you'd quite like, but it might not be worth the price. If you already like the Metrum sound, the Hex is a noticeable step up from the Quad. I have heard neither version of the Octave DAC, so I can't compare with those.

I really like the minimalist look and overall feel the unit. It's a fairly large and hefty piece of equipment, but it feels very solid and doesn't draw attention to itself.

Author Topic: Metrum Acoustics Hex DAC Measurements (Read 6800 times)

Hands

Metrum Acoustics Hex DAC Measurements

Hands

Metrum Hex RightMark 16/48

Hands

Metrum Hex RightMark 24/96

Hands

Hex vs Quad 24/96

Hands

Metrum Hex Jitter Measurements - JTest 24/48

Hands

Metrum Hex -90dB 1KHz Undithered Sine Wave Tests

Hands

Metrum Hex Sweet Impulse-Based Measurements

Hands

Metrum Hex - Noise and Distortion Measurements

Hands

Metrum Hex - IMD-based Measurements

Hands

Metrum Acoustics Hex - Quick Subjective Thoughts

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Author Topic: Metrum Acoustics Hex DAC Measurements (Read 6800 times)