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Condition unknown, so the US$550 ask is still easy to read: it lands a bit under the usual used neighborhood for this DAC, which sits around US$650 to US$790 and appears a touch below the active-market average, so this is a fair-to-good price rather than a steal. If the unit is clean, complete, and works properly, it’s priced well enough to move. The Octave earned its reputation for a smooth, natural, non-fatiguing presentation with excellent musical flow and very little digital glare.
That character is exactly why people still hunt it: it can sound more relaxed and “analog” than many newer DACs, and it tends to flatter long listening sessions and less-than-perfect recordings. The big buyer checks are simple: confirm the exact revision, make sure the PSU, inputs, and output stage are healthy, and verify any needed accessories are included. At this price, a clean, original package is a solid enthusiast buy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Metrum Acoustics, operating under All-Engineering BV, traces its roots to the Netherlands, where it began in 1989 with pioneering work in electrostatic speaker drivers. Over the decades, the company shifted focus under designer Cees Ruijtenberg, evolving into a specialist in digital-to-analog conversion technology. This heritage of acoustic innovation and electronic expertise has defined its path from speaker field experiments to cutting-edge DAC engineering.
The brand concentrates exclusively on high-performance DACs, emphasizing non-oversampling (NOS) designs that prioritize musicality and natural sound reproduction. Signature products like the Sonnet Pasithea, with its four DACs per channel and -160dB noise floor, and the Morpheus MKII exemplify their commitment to low-noise, precise conversion. Integrated DAC/amplifiers such as the Amethyst further extend this lineup, catering to desktop and hi-fi enthusiasts without venturing into speakers, amps, or other categories.
Positioned as a niche boutique in the high-end market, Metrum Acoustics commands respect among audiophiles for its transparent, engaging presentation, as lauded in international hi-fi communities. Dutch craftsmanship ensures premium build quality, though prices reflect this specialization—ranging from accessible entry points around $1,300 to flagship models for discerning systems. For buyers seeking uncolored digital playback, Metrum stands as a confident, low-profile leader.
See all Metrum Acoustics listings on RADAR.
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