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  1. #1
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    Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    As an owner of the Metrum Pavane level 3 it’s sad to say that these guys are now done, bankrupt ...
    It is fairly common knowledge that the lead designer is now Sonnet Audio and that their dac and bridge have more similarities than differences .

    I contacted Sonnet to see if their i2S module would fit my Pavane and if so I’d buy their network bridge. They apparently use the same manufacturer that Metrum used and they know their are spare parts available but can’t get access until the bankruptcy is sorted

    Feel bad for anyone in need of service in the short term but the undertone I got is that Sonnet would at least be able to supply parts at some point in the future

  2. #2

    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Never heard of that company.
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  3. #3
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    I'm surprised that you have not heard of Metrum.
    They have been around for awhile and their DAC's sound pretty good. FWIW.

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    Never heard of that company.
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  4. #4

    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Metrum Octave NOS DAC was all the rage 8-9 years back when Srajan review came out on 6moons. They had to increase their production capacity by several folds to meet the demand at the time. And now bankrupt. A reminder how fragile small boutique manufacturers are in this business.

  5. #5

    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Nope, never heard of them.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

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  6. #6
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    The Metrum Onyx was in my system for a few months, I enjoyed it. Denafrips could be called their Asian nemesis as they both bring to market really good sounding ladder DACs at reasonable prices. I wouldn't balk at buying a 2nd hand Metrum in spite of this, if the price was right just enjoy it until its unserviceable.

  7. #7
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Wow, I thought Metrum was a company that most digital DAC”o” holics like myself would know about. ...

    Ya, the boutique brands have a tough go no doubt .

    On my system , in my room, the Pavane is a dam fine dac . It does t call attention to itself , it’s very honest for better or worse. In other words if you feed it junk it will exploit it as junk.

    Anyway, strangely it might just be that us Canadians have been sold more of them ... but I have three acquaintances that have their products.

    Or it could just be a sign of the times because there is some solid quantifiable tech in there products .

    All that said , ya hate to see people’s hard work go down in general

  8. #8
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Never heard of them either
    Jim

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  9. #9
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Hmmm... could be I’m just playing in the wrong sandbox as it were.... different snack bracket that is..... (lol)

    I’m a confessed NOS dac lover , Metrum was of no ill repute in that type of pared down type of machine

  10. #10
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    I bought the Metrum Octave out of curiosity a while back. It was a good back. Denafripis with lower production costs may indeed had been their nemesis.
    Adam

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  11. #11
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    That’s a shame. I owned 4 Metrum DACs starting with the octave, and still own their baby ambre streamer. Their gear is very reliable and well built, sounds great, and in their heyday they were very responsive via email. Metrum founder/engineer Cees Ruijtenberg started Sonnet as mentioned above, and I look forward to trying his new DAC and streamer at some point as he’s very good at designing and voicing his components!
    Ron

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  12. #12
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    That’s a shame. I owned 4 Metrum DACs starting with the octave, and still own their baby ambre streamer. Their gear is very reliable and well built, sounds great, and in their heyday they were very responsive via email. Metrum founder/engineer Cees Ruijtenberg started Sonnet as mentioned above, and I look forward to trying his new DAC and streamer at some point as he’s very good at designing and voicing his components!
    Ron

    Amplification: Sugden Signature A21SE integrated amp, LUMIN M1
    Digital Source: Sonictransporter i5 Roon core, Metrum Ambre streamer, Sonnet Morpheus DAC
    Analog Source: Clearaudio Concept Wood with Satisfy tonearm, nagaoka mp-200 cart, Graham Slee Reflex Gold phono pre
    Speakers: Revival Audio Atalante 3, DeVore 3XL
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  13. #13
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    I run the TOTL Metrum Acoustics Adagio DAC in my reference system and find it to be an exceptional performer. Its only real limitation in my view is that it's strictly PCM with no DSD support, typical of its purist ladder DAC design. Unlike most other companies Metrum developed their own unique DAC modules which they used in their top models. A shame that the company was so poorly managed since being sold by the original designer.

  14. #14
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Your thoughts of the Adagio is where I’m at with the Pavane L3. It’s an exceptional dac

    I guess dsd support would open a few doors but I have about 4K ripped CDs on file and perhaps another 1000 various high resolution files and Tidal streaming

    I honestly do not feel left out in any way .

    But ya, as a business owner myself I know how it feels to skirt with disaster and management is almost always at the root of the problem assuming you have a good product
    Last edited by ADCO; April 30, 2020 at 10:29 AM. Reason: Spelling

  15. #15
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    They started a new company https://www.sonnet-audio.com/about_us.html

  16. #16

    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Quote Originally Posted by vortrex View Post
    They started a new company
    They?

    To the best of my knowledge Cees Ruijtenberg was the founder and owner of Metrum Acoustics.
    In 2018 he sold Metrum.
    The new owners tried to turn it from a technical driven company into a marketing driven one.
    Obvious they failed.

    Ruijtenberg founded Sonnet.
    Part of the story can be found here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/all-...799682/page-22

  17. #17
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Metrum Acoustics was quite a popular brand here in Holland and Belgium.
    Then the good Sonnet reviews were coming, stating that this newcomer had all what the older Metrum DACs had, but in a even more refined way.
    You could sense the beating heart of the company had moved to Sonnet...
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  18. #18
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Double post
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  19. #19

    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Quote Originally Posted by Vincent Kars View Post
    They?

    To the best of my knowledge Cees Ruijtenberg was the founder and owner of Metrum Acoustics.
    In 2018 he sold Metrum.
    The new owners tried to turn it from a technical driven company into a marketing driven one.
    Obvious they failed.

    Ruijtenberg founded Sonnet.
    Part of the story can be found here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/all-...799682/page-22
    Didn’t know the company was sold in 2018. One of these days maybe I’ll check out Sonnet products.

  20. #20

    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Wow. Metrum's website has an interesting message to Cees.

    Captured for historical purposes.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  21. #21
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Ha!!... I saw that yesterday as well. Not pulling any punches there.

    Bad blood to be sure , makes you wonder who is on the side of integrity

  22. #22

    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    They are back
    From the press release

    As of July 2020 the ownership of Metrum Acoustics is back with its original founders.
    The brand, intellectual property and inventory have been bought back and the company and team are being built up again.
    The goal is to have business up and running as of August.

    Metrum Acoustics - Returning in August

  23. #23
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Quote Originally Posted by Vincent Kars View Post
    They are back
    From the press release

    As of July 2020 the ownership of Metrum Acoustics is back with its original founders.
    The brand, intellectual property and inventory have been bought back and the company and team are being built up again.
    The goal is to have business up and running as of August.

    Metrum Acoustics - Returning in August
    This sounds interesting. After this thread it started my interest in those 2 companies Metrum and Sonnet. The Sonnet Morpheus does come with everything I like to have: USB input, MQA great sample rate, specs are awesome. I put this one on my shortlist, and will bring them a visit in near future.

    But wondering what Metrum is coming with, really hope they also work with MQA and have USB input.

  24. #24
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Just checked Metrum’s website and they are back in business with the originator/designer back at the helm.
    Good news for those of us who own their products on the odd chance support required.

    Btw, for those who haven’t heard the Metrum Dacs they are very very good. I have had the Dac-go-round for years including some very expensive units and their Pavane L3 is the reigning champion.

  25. #25

    Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Quote Originally Posted by Alkyogre View Post
    This sounds interesting. After this thread it started my interest in those 2 companies Metrum and Sonnet. The Sonnet Morpheus does come with everything I like to have: USB input, MQA great sample rate, specs are awesome. I put this one on my shortlist, and will bring them a visit in near future.

    But wondering what Metrum is coming with, really hope they also work with MQA and have USB input.
    They have input modules for MQA, i2s & USB

    Modules

    Quote Originally Posted by ADCO View Post
    Just checked Metrum’s website and they are back in business with the originator/designer back at the helm.
    Good news for those of us who own their products on the odd chance support required.

    Btw, for those who haven’t heard the Metrum Dacs they are very very good. I have had the Dac-go-round for years including some very expensive units and their Pavane L3 is the reigning champion.
    Used to own the Octave long time ago, when the first started.

    Haven’t heard the Adagio or Pavane yet.

    The entry and mid level modules are good - natural engaging sound, with good timbre and punchy PRAT. Performance that belies their price.

  26. #26
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Old topic, I had a chance to listen the newest Sonnet that will be available in December, The Pasithea. On this Dac you have both I2s and USB output. I was impressed by the sound and this dac was really wonderful. Morpheus

  27. #27
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    And within the Metrum brand I'm still enjoying my Onyx DAC upgraded with DAC3 chips from Metrum (Cees says they are based on his Sonnet Morpheus and provide 95% of its performance) fed with I2S from the Ambre streamer. Cees is very responsive via email even for Metrum customers, FYI.
    Ron

    Amplification: Sugden Signature A21SE integrated amp, LUMIN M1
    Digital Source: Sonictransporter i5 Roon core, Metrum Ambre streamer, Sonnet Morpheus DAC
    Analog Source: Clearaudio Concept Wood with Satisfy tonearm, nagaoka mp-200 cart, Graham Slee Reflex Gold phono pre
    Speakers: Revival Audio Atalante 3, DeVore 3XL
    Cabling/power: Auditorium speaker, Audience RCA, Audioquest Niagara, Shunyata, Audience PCs

  28. #28
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Quote Originally Posted by roncagg View Post
    And within the Metrum brand I'm still enjoying my Onyx DAC upgraded with DAC3 chips from Metrum (Cees says they are based on his Sonnet Morpheus and provide 95% of its performance) fed with I2S from the Ambre streamer. Cees is very responsive via email even for Metrum customers, FYI.
    2 companies are still close. At the Dutch Audio Show they were neighbours and helped each other.

  29. #29
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    Re: Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

    Quote Originally Posted by roncagg View Post
    And within the Metrum brand I'm still enjoying my Onyx DAC upgraded with DAC3 chips from Metrum (Cees says they are based on his Sonnet Morpheus and provide 95% of its performance) fed with I2S from the Ambre streamer. Cees is very responsive via email even for Metrum customers, FYI.
    Not necessarily trying to revive old news here or be contrary …. But

    I own a Pavane with the new chips and have had the Sonnet dac here on an extended visit and the conclusion was the Pavane was the best of the two . Not by a big margin in any category but every category one would apply to a digital device.

    Both fed from an individual Ambre streamers ( I own two) and both using the same i2s feed cables and Ethernet cables.

    We had to level match the outputs from dacs to the Jeff Rowland Corus preamp . This was done a couple of different ways, with the Sonnet dac and with the pre amp. Both sounded the same no advantage there in terms of the level matching

    My audio confidant was with me and to be clear this was not a scientific test , simply a level matched dac dual that we could A/B on the fly

    The Metrum was just better

    That’s all I got

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Metrum Acoustics Bankrupt

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