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Metrum Acoustics Hex DAC Measurements

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Hands:


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:
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:
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:
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:
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.

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