## Metrum Acoustics Onyx - Mid-Range NOS DAC
**2 DACTWO Transient Chips per Channel. Upgrade Your Home Sound System.**
With the goal of creating a mid range and affordable, yet superior DAC in mind, Metrum Acoustics designed the ONYX. It was an unprecedented challenge, which was eventually solved by using an entirely new chip, which has been exclusively developed by Metrum Acoustics and was first used in the [**Pavane**](/product/pavane).
### Flagship Technology, Mid-Range Price
The parallel FPGA driven R2R ladder networks as used in the four DAC TWO modules perform on a higher level. These modules split up the audio samples for each channel into new separate data streams. Each DAC cluster processes a portion of the data in the most linear region of the R2R ladder DACs.
The result of this process is an extremely high linearity, right down to **-130 dB**, which gives the ONYX a realistic 24 bit dynamic range. The Metrum Onyx can also be (factory) fitted with [DAC3 modules](/product/dac3) for an even more stellar performance.
### Dual-Mono Design
Due to the dual mono design, an extremely high channel separation of **120 dB** over the entire frequency range is realized. This contributes to the flawless positioning of instruments, placing each performer in a distinct, tangible space within the soundstage.
### The Metrum Philosophy
In short, the ONYX is a DAC that has taken all the lessons and experiences that Metrum Acoustics has learned over the years, and combined them in an ambitious DAC that can fit in every system. It is musical, honors the Non-oversampling principle while simultaneously incorporating the technological progress that has been made over the years.
For those seeking digital pre-amplifier functionality with volume control, explore the [**Jade**](/product/jade) or the flagship [**Adagio**](/product/adagio). For the ultimate reference experience, the [**Pavane**](/product/pavane) remains our statement product.