Metronome AQWO 2+ CD/SACD Player, DAC & Streamer: A Versatile Audio Gem

Experience detailed, warm sound and disc playback with Metronome AQWO 2+, a powerhouse CD/SACD player, DAC, and streamer under $30K.

Hit Play on Nostalgia and Innovation

If you’re like me, your collection of CDs and SACDs might be gathering dust, quietly yearning for a player that can finally do them justice. Enter the Metronome AQWO 2+, a French marvel that has been making waves in the audio world. Coming off the heels of Metronome’s acclaimed DSC streamer/DAC and the higher-end Kalista DreamPlay XC, the AQWO 2+ offers a delicious balance of performance and price—at less than half the cost of the Kalista.

This is not your run-of-the-mill digital device. It’s a triple threat: a network streamer, a D/A converter, and a built-in CD/SACD transport, designed to breathe new life into your cherished audio discs while keeping pace with modern streaming services.

Built-In CD/SACD Transport: A Portal to Your Audio Vault

One of the AQWO 2+’s standout features is its integrated CD/SACD transport. This isn’t just a nod to nostalgia—it’s a full embrace. Many players slap on disc compatibility as an afterthought, but Metronome treats it as a central design element.

Listening to CDs through the AQWO 2+ feels like rediscovering an old friend. Your collection suddenly sounds richer and more vibrant, with layers of timbre that may have escaped your notice before. Now, slip in an SACD, and prepare to be emotionally moved by the depth and clarity.

Take The Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed on a hybrid gold SACD, for example. The CD sounds decent enough—nice studio polish—but the SACD version? It breathes. That opening guitar strum is sharper, more textured, and when Charlie Watts’ drums kick in, the rhythm feels alive and propulsive. It’s a jaw-dropping transformation with just a tap on the touchscreen to switch formats.

Disc Playback vs. Streaming: The Tug-of-War

I love streaming as much as the next audiophile, but the AQWO 2+ made me re-examine my assumptions. When compared head-to-head, the digital stream of the Wes Montgomery Trio album at 192/24 resolution didn’t quite match the SACD playback on the AQWO 2+. Even a DSD64 stream—the same format SACD uses—couldn’t capture the full magic of the disc.

Why? Both the streamed and disc signals pass through the same Metronome DAC, so it’s a true apples-to-apples test. It hints that disc playback still holds some secret sauce for sonic realism. Or perhaps, my streaming setup needs that one perfect tweak—like swapping out an Ethernet switch—to even the score. Stay tuned for future audio detective work!

The Tubed Output Stage: A Game Changer

Here’s where things get really exciting. The AQWO 2+ offers an optional tubed analog output stage—that’s right, tubes! As a sworn solid-state fan, I braced myself for disappointment, but the tubed output completely stole the show.

Switching between solid-state and tubed outputs is as simple as tapping an icon on the touchscreen. The tube mode delivers a holographic soundstage, richer instrument timbres, and a dynamic range that feels expansive. In contrast, the solid-state output sounds a bit compressed and less engaging.

One night, playing Neil Young’s Live at Massey Hall with a friend, I first used a reference CH Precision I1 DAC/streamer for “Old Man.” Stunning realism. Then I switched to the AQWO 2+ solid-state output, and the magic seemed to vanish—Neil wasn’t “in the room” anymore. Flipping to the tubed output brought him back in full force, proving just how vital this upgrade is.

If you’re thinking about an AQWO 2+, do yourself a favor and opt for the tubed output. It’s worth every penny.

Warmth, Refinement, and Musicality Across All Sources

Whether playing discs or streaming, the sound signature of the AQWO 2+ remains captivating—warm, relaxed, and refined without tipping into over-the-top euphony. Tracks like Buddy Holly’s “True Love Ways” glow with tube-like warmth, while Michael Wolff Trio’s 2am showcases deep bass and beautifully rendered piano notes.

Compared to my reference CH Precision I1 DAC/streamer, the Metronome leans slightly darker and more “bottom-up” in tonal balance, trading a touch of treble extension for an irresistibly seductive sonic character. Both units are stunning, but only the AQWO 2+ handles CDs and SACDs with grace.

I even compared its internal CD transport with a Bryston BCD-3 CD player’s digital output feeding into the AQWO 2+. The results were nearly identical—a testament to the quality of Metronome’s transport. And again, the Bryston can’t play SACDs.

Performance Meets Price: A Competitive Contender

At $29,500 (with an additional $2,300 for the tubed output stage), the AQWO 2+ isn’t cheap—but it’s a steal in the high-end audio space for what it delivers. Its closest competitor, the Kalista DreamPlay XC, packs the same modules plus a digital volume control and retails for about $75,000. The dCS Varèse stack, if you want to replicate AQWO 2+’s entire functionality, will cost even more.

In other words, the AQWO 2+ strikes a rare balance of versatility, refinement, and value. It’s a true all-in-one digital source for serious listeners who want to rediscover their disc collection without sacrificing the convenience of streaming.

Technical Specs at a Glance

• Type: Network streamer, DAC, CD/SACD player
• Digital Inputs: SPDIF RCA, AES/EBU XLR, TosLink, USB, LAN
• Digital Outputs: SPDIF (RCA), AES/EBU
• Analog Outputs: Balanced (XLR), unbalanced (RCA)
• Supported Formats: PCM up to 384/32, native DSD up to DSD256
• Supported Streaming Services: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Deezer, vTuner (internet radio)
• Finishes: Black, silver
• Dimensions: 420 x 120 x 425 mm (main unit), 420 x 85 x 425 mm (PSU)
• Weight: 13.3 kg (main unit), 12.6 kg (PSU)
• Price: $29,500 (+$2,300 for optional tubed output stage)

Final Thoughts

The Metronome AQWO 2+ is a rare bird in today’s audio landscape—it honors legacy formats with exquisite disc playback, offers state-of-the-art streaming and DAC performance, and sports a unique tubed output option that truly transforms your listening experience.

If you crave versatility without compromising on sound quality, and if your dusty discs deserve a second chance, the AQWO 2+ is definitely worth a spin. Ready to bring your audio to life?

FAQ

• What makes the Metronome AQWO 2+ different from other digital players?
  It combines an excellent CD/SACD transport, high-quality DAC, streaming capabilities, and an optional tubed analog output stage—all in one device.
• Can the AQWO 2+ play SACDs directly?
  Yes, it has a built-in SACD transport that delivers exceptional playback quality.
• Is the tubed output stage necessary?
  While optional, the tubed output greatly enhances sonic realism and depth, making it highly recommended.
• How does disc playback compare to streaming on this unit?
  Disc playback, especially SACD, tends to sound richer and more lifelike than streamed versions, even at high resolutions.
• What streaming services are supported?
  The AQWO 2+ supports Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Deezer, and internet radio via vTuner.

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