Metronome Audio: Masters of Digital Finesse
If you've been on the hunt for genuinely top-tier digital audio kit, chances are you've come across Metronome Technologie. The French outfit has quietly but confidently established itself as a digital specialist, crafting components with audiophiles reaching for their wallets despite the rather eye-watering price tags. We've spent some quality time with three standout pieces from their Digital Sharing (DS) range: the DSS2 Streamer, its predecessor the DSS Streamer, and the rather brilliant DSC mini DAC. Here's what we discovered.
Metronome DSS2 Streamer: Evolution Done Right
The DSS2 represents Metronome's second crack at their popular network streamer, and they've knocked it out of the park. This isn't just a minor refresh – they've significantly upped the ante while keeping what worked in the original.
Design and Build Quality
Metronome have wisely kept the DSS2 delightfully compact (25x25x7cm), making it a doddle to slot into even the most cramped hi-fi rack. The chassis is properly robust stuff – steel construction with a precisely machined aluminium front panel, available in either black or silver finishes. Despite its modest footprint, the DSS2 has a reassuring heft at 4.8kg. It feels expensive because, well, it is.
The front panel is refreshingly minimalist – just a standby button and status LED that tells you what's what. No unnecessary frippery here, just elegant French design that would look equally at home alongside vintage kit or cutting-edge modern gear.
Connectivity and Features
Round the back, the DSS2 offers a comprehensive suite of digital outputs:
- Coaxial S/PDIF
- AES/EBU
- HDMI (functioning as I2S)
- USB-A port
The network connectivity is where things get interesting compared to the original. You still get the rock-solid RJ45 Ethernet port, but Metronome have now added built-in Wi-Fi with an external antenna – a welcome upgrade for those who can't (or won't) run cables across the living room.
It's worth noting that the DSS2 is a transport only – you'll need a separate DAC to handle the digital-to-analogue conversion. If you're spending this kind of money, you'll want to pair it with something equally special (ideally Metronome's own DSC mini, which we'll get to shortly).
Format Support and Compatibility
This is where the DSS2 really shines compared to its predecessor, now handling:
- PCM formats up to 24-bit/192kHz
- Native DSD up to DSD256 (4x DSD)
- MQA compatibility
Essentially, whatever high-resolution audio format you fancy, the DSS2 will handle it without breaking a sweat.
On the software front, it's UPnP and DLNA certified, making it play nicely with control apps on both Apple and Android devices (mConnect Control is the recommended option). For the Roon enthusiasts among us, it's fully Roon Ready, and it also carries the "Plays with Audirvāna" certification if that's your software of choice.
Performance
While the DSS2 doesn't do any digital-to-analogue conversion itself, what it does do – delivering pristine digital audio to your DAC – it does brilliantly. Timing is spot-on, and the data arrives at your converter free from the interference and jitter that can plague lesser streamers. What you get is a clean, precise digital feed that allows your DAC to shine.
Metronome DSC mini DAC: The Perfect Partner
If the DSS2 is the brains of the operation, the DSC mini DAC is undoubtedly the heart. This isn't just any DAC – it's been specifically designed as the perfect companion for the DSS2 streamer.
Design and Build Quality
The family resemblance is immediately apparent, with the DSC mini sharing the same design language as the DSS2. The steel chassis and solid aluminium front panel (again available in black or silver) create a visually cohesive pair. Dimensions are similar at 250 x 70 x 250 mm, and it tips the scales at the same 4.8kg as the DSS2.
Unlike the streamer, however, the DSC mini features a rather smart 3.5-inch colour display (320 x 240 pixels) that shows you what's going on inside. You can see input selection, sampling rates, and all the vital stats of your music at a glance. It's practical without being flashy – very Metronome.
Connectivity and Features
The DSC mini offers an impressive array of digital inputs:
- Optical S/PDIF
- Coaxial S/PDIF
- USB
- AES/EBU
- I2S (the star of the show when paired with the DSS2)
For getting the music out to your amplifier, you've got both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs – catering to virtually any system configuration you might have.
Format Support
The Metronome DSC mini is quite the format chameleon, with different capabilities depending on which input you're using:
- Optical S/PDIF: PCM up to 32-bit/192kHz, DSD64 via DoP
- Coaxial S/PDIF and AES/EBU: PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD up to DSD128
- I2S: PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD up to DSD256
- USB: PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD up to DSD512
In short, it'll handle pretty much anything you care to throw at it.
Performance
At the heart of the DSC mini beats the formidable ESS Sabre DAC chip, renowned for its exceptional clarity and dynamic range. The implementation here is exemplary, delivering a sound that's detailed without being clinical, and engaging without being artificially enhanced.
When paired with the DSS2 streamer via the I2S connection (which keeps clock and data signals separate), the results are genuinely special. There's a natural flow to the music, with timing that makes rhythmic material come alive, and a three-dimensional soundstage that extends well beyond the confines of your speakers.
The Perfect Pairing: DSS2 and DSC mini
While both units are impressive in their own right, when combined, they create something greater than the sum of their parts. Metronome designed these components to work in tandem, and it shows in both their matching aesthetic and their performance.
The I2S connection between them is the secret sauce here. By separating clock and data signals, I2S significantly reduces jitter compared to other digital connections like S/PDIF. The result is more accurate timing and fewer digital artifacts, creating a more natural, effortless sound that keeps you listening long into the night.
Together, they form a digital front end that handles everything from local music libraries to streaming services with equal aplomb, extracting every last detail from your digital files while maintaining the musicality that makes listening enjoyable rather than merely analytical.
Verdict
Metronome Technologie aren't playing in the budget arena – these are serious components for serious listeners with serious budgets. But unlike some high-end gear that seems priced more for exclusivity than performance, these units deliver the sonic goods to justify their premium positioning.
The DSS2 Streamer builds intelligently on the foundation laid by the original DSS, adding Wi-Fi connectivity and expanded format support without compromising on build quality or ease of use. The DSC mini DAC is a masterclass in digital conversion, extracting every nuance from your music while maintaining the emotional connection that makes listening worthwhile in the first place.
Together, they represent French audio engineering at its finest – technically accomplished yet never losing sight of the music. If you're in the market for a top-tier digital front end and have the budget to match, Metronome's DS range deserves a place on your audition list. Just be warned – once heard, these components have a way of making their way onto your 'must have' list rather quickly.
Your wallet may not thank you, but your ears certainly will. To book your private audition please contact us, email info@martinshifi.co.uk or call 01603 627010.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
