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Full of Schiit

ALL212ALL212 Posts: 1,116
edited August 2017 in Going Digital
I've been through a few DAC's over the years and have had some decent ones. I've also owned a few that didn't stay in the system very long. I recently picked up some new speakers that opened up my listening experience. As I rotated my DAC's through the main rig I found some differences but suspected there was something missing.

I've recently sold my LITE DAC 60 and the Stello DA 220 - both were very good DACs. In their stead I purchased the Oppo Sonica. A very flexible and also good sounding DAC but I kept reading about Schiit and the Multibit approach with the non-standard (to audio) D/A converters they were using.

Bring on the Schiit. I like their irreverence towards this hobby, kind of a no BS approach to what to expect with their products and also not afraid to post about their failures and successes as they bring a product to life.

I played with the idea of a Gungnir Multibit but have sold a few things so decided to dive headfirst into the Yggdrasil (yes, I'm sure you actually have to spit between the g's to pronounce that correctly). As I ordered I noticed that they were available so expected the Yggy to arrive shortly. A couple days later I noticed that there was a shipping delay and emailed in to see what the status on my order was. I got a very prompt and honest response that there would be a delay in shipping mine. I kept in touch with Laura from Schiit and got updates as I requested them. Finally...finally my box of Schiit arrived double boxed with plenty of space age foam surrounding it so no issues with packing or shipping at all.

I'm feeding the Yggy from an Oppo UDP-203 with hard drives attached to it. The Yggy is "only" a DAC - no fancy stuff - so the Oppo is the media source for me. Schiit recommends some break in time before full evaluation. I've had mine running since Saturday night - 8pm ish so we're coming up on 48 hours of Schiit experience.

So...
DAMN!! Go buy yourself some Schiit.

Everything is "tighter" and I'm not going to get more precise than that. All instruments live in their own space, nothing over rides anything else. Soundstage is dead on as the speakers have disappeared. This DAC is hands down the best DAC I've ever owned.

At 16" x 12" x 4" and 25 lbs it's not a small pile of Schiit.

syfiyf7fj51t.jpg

Stock picture of the Schiit butt.

1m6x8pt3j5zq.png


Aaron
Enabler Extraordinaire
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Comments

  • agfrostagfrost Posts: 2,261
    Awesome, Aaron! I must say that thoughts of the Yggy have tantalized... Nice to get an endorsement from someone who has ears I trust.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Marantz DV-9500 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • ZLTFULZLTFUL Posts: 5,049
    Pronounced "eegdrahsill"...sorry, bit of a Norse mythology buff.

    Been pondering some of their Schiit myself.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • mrbironmrbiron Posts: 5,105
    Wasn't built from scratch...not impressed ;)
    When do we expect to see the "upgrade thread"?
    Zu Audio Omen MK-1B's, Peachtree Decco65, Bryston BDA-2, Cheap TT, PS Audio UPC200, PS Audio AC3's, Zu Mission SC's, HTPC, One, Bottlehead Crack w/Speedball, Senn's MD HD600
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  • DollarDaveDollarDave Posts: 2,590
    I have a bifrost multibit and a modi 2. I highly recommend both. The modi 2 works great with a chromecast Audio that I use in my workshop Luxman system. The bifrost is mated with a Luxman pre and a marantz amp leading to a set of Hales Transcendence 5's with very good results.
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  • CoolJazzCoolJazz Posts: 522
    If you're only 48 hours in, then you've got a whole bunch of better yet coming up. Wait until you reach full bloom! It's fun hearing it as it all comes together.

    The Yggy has a warm up/ break thing like no other.

    CJ
    A so called science type proudly says... "I do realize that I would fool myself all the time, about listening conclusions and many other observations, if I did listen before buying. That’s why I don’t, I bought all of my current gear based on technical parameters alone, such as specs and measurements."
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  • ALL212ALL212 Posts: 1,116
    mrbiron wrote: »
    Wasn't built from scratch...not impressed ;)
    When do we expect to see the "upgrade thread"?

    Since we're dealing with Schiit do we refer to this as a "scratch" and sniff project?

    I'm not opposed to cracking the case but only after my work salary doubles so you may have to wait a bit before that will happen. There were a couple of capacitors in the stock picture on the Schiit site that looked like they might be improved on...

    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • ALL212ALL212 Posts: 1,116
    CoolJazz wrote: »
    If you're only 48 hours in, then you've got a whole bunch of better yet coming up. Wait until you reach full bloom! It's fun hearing it as it all comes together.

    The Yggy has a warm up/ break thing like no other.

    CJ

    I've got Odyssey Audio gear so I'm very used to break in periods. Klaus' stuff doesn't even begin to open up until well after 200 hours.

    I've left it on and running with music running through it since Sunday night so it'll be getting there shortly.
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • heiney9heiney9 Posts: 24,108
    edited August 2017
    Nice grab Aaron! Always been intrigued by Shiit. Maybe in the Fall when things slow down a bit we can have a small get together and hear your current rig, it's been awhile. I haven't really listened to my rig all Summer because I just don't have the uninterrupted time I need. Always something or some project going on.

    Congrats, awesome piece of gear. I was always impressed with the Stello you had, so this must be some good Shiit. :p

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass

    Pass Aleph 30 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Plus DAC | MIT Shotgun S3 | MIT Z P/C's | updated SDA 1C| SQ Box Touch/Welbourne Labs P/S- Tubes add soul!
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  • vcwatkinsvcwatkins Posts: 1,904
    Grats! Lotta love for this dac. Would love to try.
    Den: Rega RP6 * AT33PTGII * Budgie SUT * Jolida jd9 * Roon (Sonic Transporter) * PS Audio DirectStream Jr. * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Sunfire Signature II * PSAudio Power Plant 3 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2
    Office: Roon * Sonore UltraRendu (LPS-1, WW Plat7, Iso Regen, Lush) * ProJect Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * PSA Dectet * DH Labs Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354
    Beach: Music Hall MMF5.1se * Speed Box II * DL103r * Lounge Copla/LCRIII * W4S Sonos * Schiit Yggdrasil * Belles 20a Pre * First Watt F5 Clone * PSA Dectet * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl
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  • afterburntafterburnt Posts: 5,523
    I am going to their show room on Friday so actually get some Schitt on my hands.
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  • SCompRacerSCompRacer Posts: 7,150
    Way to go Aaron!

    I like their design. Love that balanced out. First dibs for when you upgrade to that EMM Labs DAC2X....

    zebsbzgnqblu.jpg
    Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *

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  • ALL212ALL212 Posts: 1,116
    afterburnt wrote: »
    I am going to their show room on Friday so actually get some Schitt on my hands.

    d1bkr3zg158l.jpg

    Let them know - another happy customer!!
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • ALL212ALL212 Posts: 1,116
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Way to go Aaron!

    I like their design. Love that balanced out. First dibs for when you upgrade to that EMM Labs DAC2X....

    DAMN...would you look at that - Schiit just jacked the resale price on the Yggy to $20,000. I'll let you steal it from me for $15k. o:)
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • ALL212ALL212 Posts: 1,116
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Maybe in the Fall when things slow down a bit we can have a small get together and hear your current rig, it's been awhile.
    H9

    Probably should pull the group together again. Let's see what the fall brings. I think we can keep this group looped in also just in case we feel the need for foreigners.
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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  • FTGVFTGV Posts: 3,644
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Way to go Aaron!

    I like their design. Love that balanced out.
    zebsbzgnqblu.jpg
    And they paid some attention to the power supply. Shunt regs for the analog section.Nice.

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  • GlennDogGlennDog Posts: 2,001
    Nice purchase!

    I'm headed in the DAC direction, too . . . soo . . . . I was wondering if you or anyone else here has had any experience with PS Audio PerfectWave or DirectWave DAC

    The used market puts these 2 in the same $$ vicinity . . . . thoughts?

    TIA

    G
    Power Rogue M180 monos & Adcom GFA 5802
    PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
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  • SCompRacerSCompRacer Posts: 7,150
    ALL212 wrote: »

    DAMN...would you look at that - Schiit just jacked the resale price on the Yggy to $20,000. I'll let you steal it from me for $15k. o:)

    It's been said a good deal is a state of mind...
    Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *

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  • SCompRacerSCompRacer Posts: 7,150
    FTGV wrote: »
    And they paid some attention to the power supply. Shunt regs for the analog section.Nice.

    Reminds me of some things we have done with our DAC's...

    Modular design too. Future upgrades possible.

    I'm on the fence waiting for Twisted Pears newest offering. Of particular interest is a new output board he has been sitting on.

    Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *

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  • FTGVFTGV Posts: 3,644
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    I'm on the fence waiting for Twisted Pears newest offering. Of particular interest is a new output board he has been sitting on.
    I haven't been following the latest developments for some time. My interest has shifted more to finding that special 6mm projectile and powder combo. :)
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  • SCompRacerSCompRacer Posts: 7,150
    FTGV wrote: »

    I haven't been following the latest developments for some time. My interest has shifted more to finding that special 6mm projectile and powder combo. :)

    I hear you! My stuff sounds really good, but Aaron is stirring the upgrade pot again...lol
    Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *

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  • Absolute_ZeroAbsolute_Zero Posts: 72
    I've not had the pleasure but from what I've seen from a few different publications and sites, based on what is measured, I don't think I could consider them. They seem like a product that does improve with a USB bus isolator and separate power.
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  • SCompRacerSCompRacer Posts: 7,150
    edited August 2017
    FTGV wrote: »

    I haven't been following the latest developments for some time.

    FWIW, a Bufflao IV with 9028 DAC chip. It is essentially a 9018 with an improved core and digital stage. The analog stage is basically the same. The main thing I am interested is the output stage he has been tinkering with. He has said it won't be a kit but fully assembled. Better than the discrete output of the Legato, he says. I won't go dual mono this time due to the mapping issues with DSD.

    Per Russ..."ES9038 absolutely needs a special output stage - it's output current and current consumption is huge - it needs very special care to be sure. This is because the analog output is directly referenced to the AVCC input - there is no PSRR. So with the huge currents involved you need very special care indeed."
    Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *

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  • DSkipDSkip Posts: 16,052
    Rich,

    North Star Design is about to release an anniversary DAC implementing the 9038PRO. They are absolutely raving over this chipset and what it brings to the table. Mine should arrive next week so I will be able to elaborate on its performance soon I hope.

    Perhaps an upgrade isn't a bad choice if it includes a jump to the 9038...
    audiothesis.com/
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  • SCompRacerSCompRacer Posts: 7,150
    Very interesting!
    Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *

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  • FTGVFTGV Posts: 3,644
    Thanks Rich. I will have to get my read on.
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  • SCompRacerSCompRacer Posts: 7,150
    edited August 2017
    He called the prototype output board "Counterpoint III," a folded cascode output with a common mode servo. This was talked about in 2012 in the thread linked below at diyaudio. IMO and others, the Legato balanced output is a tad better than the IVY III balanced out. The advantage to the IVY III, no common mode DC.

    This discrete balanced out of the Legato is what nudged me into a balanced out pre amp, as I already had a true balanced input amp. Oh what we do sometimes for small gains in SQ..... It started with the Krell KSA I rebuilt, then the Krell KRC HR with R2R ladder volume and ended with the ARC Ref 3.


    http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/twisted-pear/224305-legato-3-common-mode-dc-choose-deal-2.html

    Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *

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  • ALL212ALL212 Posts: 1,116
    More Schiit...
    "Fully discrete JFET buffers for balanced output and discrete JFET summing stages for single-ended output, direct coupled throughout"

    So... what the heck does that mean? Guess I don't care as more importantly how the heck does it sound?

    My pre does not support balanced inputs. However, Cardas makes a rather nice balanced to rca adapter all pinned up and ready.

    55t282eookzl.jpg

    I'm in the middle of the evaluation. Initial impression is that there is some mid bloom with the balanced out to adapter to RCA. But I've got a lot more listening to do.

    I also just upgraded the digital cable to a Wireworld Silver Starlight 7.

    Sweet things are a'playin'!
    Aaron
    Enabler Extraordinaire
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