Okto dac8 Stereo D/A processor Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital sources: Roon Nucleus+ music server; Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP universal player; MBL N31 CD player/DAC. Ayre Acoustics QA-9 A/D converter.
Power amplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: KEF LS50 and LS50 Meta, Bowers & Wilkins 705 Signature.
Headphones: Audeze LCD-X, Sennheiser HD 650.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Vodka (Ethernet), AudioQuest Diamond (USB), DH Labs (1m, AES/EBU). Interconnect: AudioQuest Wild Blue (balanced). Speaker: AudioQuest K2. Headphones: Nordost Heimdall 2. AC: AudioQuest Dragon Source & High Current, manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Target TT-5 equipment racks; Ayre Acoustics Myrtle Blocks; ASC Tube Traps, RPG Abffusor panels; AudioQuest Niagara 5000 Low-Z Power/Noise-Dissipation System (amplifiers) and AudioQuest Niagara 1000 Low-Z Power/Noise-Dissipation System (source components). AC power comes from two dedicated 20A circuits, each just 6' from breaker box.
Room: 20' (left side), 25' (right side) × 16' × 8'.—John Atkinson

COMPANY INFO
Okto Research s.r.o.
Jana Masaryka 257/26
12000 Prague
Czech Republic
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
rt66indierock's picture

John you got the same measurements I did when I measured it last year which is good.

I have said this is the best DAC I have heard.

Olle Linder's picture

How does Chord Qutest sound compared to Oktos dac?

kirk's picture

Hello John

Thank you for the review. What I glean from it is that the unit majors on detail retrieval, leading edge definition and resolution. You also mention that another more expensive DAC gets out of the way of the music more effectively - what does that mean exactly?

Also, any dac8 owners reading this: how would you describe the sound? Anything to add?

MhtLion's picture

I haven't heard Okto dac8. But, as far as the measurements published in Stereophile are concerned - I think it's in the top 10, even the top 5 possibly. Rest assured, I'm ordering this.

MhtLion's picture

Okto is definitely one of the best measured DACs at a fractional cost compared to other high-end brands.

shawnwes's picture

When John Atkinson and ASR both agree that something is an extreme bargain I notice. It took me a year to find one on the resale market as the Okto site rarely has one posted for sale and they go almost immediately, like Stones tickets. Happily paid full retail price even though it's used. It should arrive here in a week or so. This should definitely up the digital side of my system. Thanks John.

shawnwes's picture

Unable to purchase one directly from the manufacturer due to supply issues I managed to find a Pi-less version in mint condition online. Arrived yesterday. Simply stunning using HQPlayer playing my ripped flac files. Thanks John for your enthusiastic review. Now if only the manufacturer could find a way to figure out his production issues.

ednazarko's picture

Have been listening to the Okto for about 6 weeks now. It's addicting - all the clarity and detail without any edge, images beautifully with the system it's in (which has B&W 702s2 speakers that I was only mildly happy with before). What I'd planned as a couple hours of trying headphones with the DAC last weekend turned into a day into night listening marathon. They are able to put out a few for purchase every couple weeks now, get on the email notification list. It's worth it.

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