Metronome Le DAC 3

The Metronome Le DAC 3 is a new model launched in the Spring of 2026, it is a direct replacement for Le DAC 2 and is a marked improvement over the outgoing model.

The Le DAC offers superb flexibility and offers 6 digital inputs by default

USB-B x 1

I2S x 2

RCA SPDIF x 1

AES-EBU x 1

Optical Toslink x 1

USB-B input supports playback of PCM files up to 32 bit / 768kHz and DSD files up to and including DSD 1024 native

I2S inputs supports PCM files up tp 32 bit / 384 kHz and DSD files up to and includeing DSD 256 native

the other digital inputs support up to 24 bit /192 kHz

In terms of analogue outputs Le DAC 3 has a pair of single ended RCA outputs plus a pair of balanced XLR outputs.

However, in a developement from Metronome that was never an option on Le DAC 2 it is possible to have a streaming card fitted to this new model which adds Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect streaming, it is also a Roon Ready Endpoint and is also fully compatible with Plays with Audirvana (you require a device like the Metronome DSAS running Audirvana server software for this work.

This card adds £2000 to the price of Le DAC 3 if ordered at the same time, it can be retrofitted for £2200.

This essentially turn Le DAC 3 into a fully fledged streaming DAC.

As with the other Metronome Classica components such as Le Player 4+ and the Transport version, the Metronome Le DAC 3 is beautifully designed and incredibly well screwed together, weighing it at 12kg it is a substantial product, with 2 toroidal transformers and 6 independent power supplies it has been designed with performance and low noise in mind from the outset.

The front panel display is large  and easy to read and it shows you the selected input and sample rate of whatever music is playing, there are 2 touch sensitive buttons on the front panel that allow you to change the input.

It comes with 3 feet as standard out of the box, but also included are 3 magnetic conical feet, that snap into place when offered up to the bottom of the feet.

Le DAC 3 is a wonderful sounding product, like the outgoing Le DAC 2 it is very typical of the Metronome sound, incredibly natural and refined, coupled with superb transparency and openness.

it is very natural and organic like in the way it paints the musical landscape, it certainly never shouts at your with lively artificial detail or strident leading edges. Don’t mistake a natural presentation for a lack of detail or too much darkness, it delivers all of the resolution and detail anyone could ever wish for and most importantly it really connects you to the music.

Available in both black and silver