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Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer Review - The Little One of the Métronome DS Range

The Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer is the "smallest" in the product range of the so-called Métronome Digital Sharing Series and thus the product line of the high-end hi-fi manufacturer Métronome Technologie, which is completely dedicated to the topic of streaming at the highest level.

Story Highlights
  • The Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer is designed as a so-called streaming transport, which forms the entry into the Métronome DS range.

The Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer is a very special solution from the French high-end hi-fi manufacturer Métronome Technologie, as it is the successor to the Métronome DSS, one of the company’s most successful products. The new Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer represents Métronome Technologie’s entry into the field of streaming and thus the entry into the Métronome DS range.

As with the first generation, the new Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer is ultimately a streaming transport, thus dispensing with an integrated converter and focusing entirely on reproducing digital data as accurately as possible.

Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer – The entry into the Métronome DS Range

Streaming is of course an immensely important area for Métronome Technologie, as the company clearly sees itself as one of the leading specialists in the field of digital, i.e. D/A converters, CD and SACD players, and streaming.

This is where Jean Marie Clauzel, owner and designer of Métronome Technologie, puts the emphasis, whereby the entire topic of streaming was summarised in the so-called Métronome DS Range, where DS stands for Digital Sharing.

“Sharing stands for streaming” is the philosophy behind it, and this also explains the name of the entry-level solution Métronome DSS 2, because DSS stands for Digital Sharing Streamer.

Successor to a highly successful solution

As mentioned briefly in the introduction, the Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer is an extremely important product for Métronome Technologie, as it is the successor to its very successful predecessor. The Métronome DSS Network Player and Streamer was the first so-called streaming transport from Métronome Technologie and thus defacto the cornerstone of the entire Métronome digital sharing product range.

The Métronome DSS Network Player and Streamer was the first streaming transport from Métronome Technologie and thus the foundation of the entire Métronome digital sharing product range. The manufacturer cites its flexibility as well as its compact dimensions as particularly outstanding factors for the success of the Métronome DSS Network Player and Streamer, so that it was easy to integrate the Metronome DSS into the most diverse hi-fi chains and thus to achieve a maximum of functions with outstanding quality.

It goes without saying that these success factors have been retained in the new Metronome DSS 2 digital sharing streamer, even though, as the manufacturer points out, it is a solution in which 100 per cent of the electronics and software are new.

Developed from scratch

Although the basic concept has been retained, the new Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer has been developed from scratch, so the underlying electronics are completely new, as is the software.

As a result, the Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer has a number of very important innovations, which means that it is much more than a mere model update.

The Most Compact Métronome Technology

If you are familiar with the product range of Métronome Technologie, you will notice that the Métronome DSS 2 is a quite compact, even comparatively small solution. It measures no more than 25 cm in width, 25 cm in depth and only 7 cm in height. The French have quite different calibres in their range, even when it comes to streaming alone…

Nevertheless, the Métronome DSS 2 weighs in at 4.8 kg, which is remarkable because other solutions that are also designed for streaming transport seem to be flyweights in comparison.

Soberly pragmatic technical design approach

The design of the new Métronome DSS 2 is based on the tried and tested, and there is hardly any striking difference between the first and second generation. We would describe the appearance of the Métronome DSS 2 as extremely discreet and simple; one could also speak of a sober, pragmatically technical approach.

By the way, one of the reasons why the Métronome DSS 2 weighs in at 4.8 kg is its absolutely solid, impeccably crafted stainless steel and accurately brushed aluminium front, which is available in either black or silver. The unit rests on three feet, also made of aluminium.

It should also be mentioned that the front of the Métronome DSS 2 only has a standby button and status LED, nothing else in the way of controls. And in the end, it has to be said that that’s all it needs.

Newly designed hardware and newly developed software

The real reason for the comparatively high weight is once again hidden inside the Métronome DSS 2, because while many other solutions of this kind use a tiny circuit board on which a highly integrated solution handles all tasks, a puny and also weak power supply unit powers it, Métronome Technologie once again relies on the philosophy that the French have been following for years and that distinguishes the company as a true digital specialist with outstanding expertise, namely to offer everything, and by that they really mean everything that is somehow relevant for optimal results, and not to make any compromises.

Yes, IT is used at the core, but it’s the all-round design that counts, from the right clock to the optimal shielding against interfering influences to the power supply based on a toroidal transformer and separate power supplies for the individual functional groups, all of which is given great attention, even if the details are once again discreetly kept to themselves.

As already mentioned, the Métronome DSS 2 is a completely newly designed hardware platform, which of course requires a completely newly developed software and thus raises the functionality of the Métronome DSS 2 to a new level of performance.

A look at the back

Let’s take a look at the back of the new Métronome DSS 2, where digital interfaces predominate – this is a pure streaming transport.

First and foremost, there is a coaxial S/PDIF interface, but the Métronome DSS 2 also has an AES/EBU and an HDMI interface, which acts as an I2S. A USB-A port is also available here, which should not be forgotten to mention.

The integration into the network is done first and foremost via an RJ45 Ethernet interface, but the new Métronome DSS 2 now also has WiFi and ensures optimal data transmission in this regard by means of an external antenna on the back.

Linear PCM with up to 24-bit and 192 kHz as well as up to DSD256

The Metronome DSS 2 Digital Sharing Streamer is designed as a dlna-certified UPnP streaming solution and, as cannot be emphasised often enough, is the only industry standard for audio streaming. Everything else on the market are ultimately proprietary streaming platforms of individual manufacturers.

It goes without saying that the Métronome DSS 2 supports all relevant data formats in Linear PCM with a resolution of up to 24 bit and 192 kHz, as well as DSD up to DSD256, and also data encoded in the lossy MQA format.

When it comes to controlling the playback, Metronome Technologie explains that it leaves it up to the user to decide which apps he or she wants to use for convenient control, as the corresponding offer is immensely versatile in this respect, both for Apple iOS and Google Android. The only recommendation here is the mConnect Control App.

Roon Ready, Works with Audirvāna and Apple AirPlay 2

It should be emphasised that the new Métronome DSS 2 Digital Sharing Streamer is of course Roon Ready, which means that it can be directly integrated into the media management and multi-room audio streaming software from Roon Labs LLC.

Furthermore, the cooperation with the French software company Audirvāna SAS is now also being pursued and certification as Works with Audirvāna is being sought. Audirvāna is, as is well known, a very flexible solution for the management and playback of hi-res audio that is highly appreciated by many particularly ambitious hi-fi enthusiasts and is available for Apple macOS as well as Microsoft Windows.

Another new feature is that the Métronome DSS 2 Digital Sharing Streamer now supports Apple AirPlay 2, which means that it can be accessed directly via Apple iPhone, Apple iPad or notebook or desktop system from Apple Corporation with Apple macOS. Content can thus be played back directly via a wide range of streaming services.

From the practice

The fact that the new Métronome DSS 2 can be put into operation within a few minutes must be mentioned only for the sake of completeness, but not really in detail. There is nothing to take care of, no setup is necessary, only the integration into the network, the connection to the D/A converter and the power supply.

The idea behind the Métronome DSS 2 is to have a solution at hand that works as simply as possible in the background, and this can be taken literally in several respects. This solution was designed by Métronome Technologie to be sober and compact in appearance that it can be discreetly hidden in a hi-fi rack or AV furniture, as it does not want to be the centre of attention.

For our test, we simply placed it in our AV furniture next to the network switch, a short Ethernet cable, a connection to the amplifier and its integrated DAC, and everything was done and the Métronome DSS 2 was ready for use.

For the test, we relied first and foremost on Audirvāna Studio, as we personally have liked this software for years, not least because of its simple handling and at the same time its enormous range of functions and impeccable quality.

And since this is a pure streaming transport, there is no need for a detailed discussion of the sound, since in this specific case it is determined by other components.

It is a fact, however, that the quality of a streaming transport is of decisive importance if you want to achieve the best possible results. Even if there is no signal conversion from digital to analogue, a streaming transport must still process signals as accurately as possible, offer optimal timing and deliver data free of any interfering influences.

And that’s exactly what Métronome technology once again ensures with the new Métronome DSS 2, as our test showed.

Prices and availability

The Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer is already available in specialised shops. The user can choose between a black or a silver version. In any case, the Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer has a recommended retail price of € 4.450,-.

Getting to the point

It is not really surprising that Métronome Technologie, as a proven digital specialist, pays meticulous attention to every detail to achieve optimal results, even with its smallest system of the Métronome DS range. However, it is surprising how much effort is necessary under this premise, even for a streaming transport, as the Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer proves. So if you are looking for a solution that serves as a flexible basis for an outstanding streaming solution, the Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer could be just the right solution. Not least because of the extended functionality of the second generation, we can give the Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer a clear recommendation.

PRODUCTMÉTRONOME DSS 2 NETWORK PLAYER AND STREAMER
Price€ 4.550,-
BrandMETRONOME
ManufacturerMetronome Technologie
Distribution AustriaAudio Exclusive GmbH
Distribution GermanyH.E.A.R. GmbH
Distribution SwitzerlandPortier Hi-Fi
More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG

HiFiBLOG Award Excellent

After the great success of the Métronome DSS Digital Sharing Streamer, it is now time to present the new, second generation of this exceptional solution. How could it be otherwise, it has been simply named Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer, even though a completely redesigned hardware and newly developed software raises this entry-level solution of the Métronome DS range to a new level of quality.


Positive

  • Solution concentrated on the essentials
  • simplest setup
  • UPnP and thus the only industry standard as a basis
  • Roon Ready, Works with Audirvāna and Apple AirPlay 2

Negative

  • No disadvantage evident

Test Environment

  • Apple MacBook Pro
  • Audirvāna Studio
  • Technics SU-R1000 Stereo Integrated Amplifier

Conclusion

Sound
Design
Handling
Price/Performance

The Métronome DSS 2 Network Player and Streamer as an entry into the Métronome DS range can also serve as an excellent example of the high effort the French high-end hi-fi forge puts into designing its solutions in order to achieve nothing less than perfection when it comes to processing digital audio data.

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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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