Schiit Audio Yggdrasil DAC Review

[mauidan]

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...yggdrasil-dac/

"I can’t tell you how Moffatt did it, but I can describe how the Yggy sounds, and why its one of the three best DACs I’ve heard regardless of price. (The other two are the $19,500 Berkeley Alpha Reference and the $35,000 dCS Vivaldi. I suspect that the MSB Select is outstanding, after hearing it many times at shows, but I haven’t evaluated it in my own system.)" - Robert Harley

[Dguitarnut]

Yep, a great value. It's got legendary status over at Headfi. I owned one for 4 years but it was finally unseated by my Chord Dave at 5 times the price.
Larry

[kzhtoo]

Interesting. I read the name Schiit Yggdrasil here and there before but never really looked into it. From a quick google search, there seem to be a lot of happy users. Any first hand experience here on AS?

[wisnon]

I heard one years ago in a top-class/bespoke system in Philly suburbs. Not my cup of tea, as it seemed very DRY. it could have been the overall system, that was designed to ultra-neutral.

My buddies loved it though, so it can be a matter of taste. We agreed to disagree, no biggie.

[nc42acc]

I have the Yggdrasil as well as many other delta sigma DACs. It is a very nice sounding DAC that has a character all its own. What it does exceptionally well is tonality and texture. As with all equipment in this crazy hobby my feeling is synergy with your other components is essential in the overall balance.

[Devg]

I had the Yggy for couple of yrs. its a PCM only dac and sounded great in my system - 3d holographic sound stage. Depending on the rest of the electronics it can either shine or become dry, as others have noted. I do agree that it takes a lot more to unseat it.

[CPP]

I have the Yggdrasil as well as many other delta sigma DACs. It is a very nice sounding DAC that has a character all its own. What it does exceptionally well is tonality and texture. As with all equipment in this crazy hobby my feeling is synergy with your other components is essential in the overall balance.

Hey Marty how does the Yggi compare PCM wise to the BDA-3.

[Mrppv]

I got one of the first batch that was available for sale, and still have it. It replaced a Meitner MA-1 in my system.

[Jim Smith]

Mine replaced my Ayre QB-9 & Ayre Codex.

[Dguitarnut]

My Yggy replaced an PS Audio PWD2 four years ago.
Larry

[kzhtoo]

Hi Dguitarnut,
How long is the break in? For their 15 day return policy, I'm wondering if I get at least a week at home after break in.

[nc42acc]

Your good.....Leave it on for 2 or 3 days and it will be as good as it gets. Good luck.

Hi Dguitarnut,
How long is the break in? For their 15 day return policy, I'm wondering if I get at least a week at home after break in.

[Dguitarnut]

150 to 200 hours for optimal results is considered the norm. I never turned it off except for long trips away from home. Then it would take 3 or 4 days to recover fully.
Larry

[Al M.]

My Yggy replaced a Berkeley Alpha DAC 2 (standard, not Reference):

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showth...ey-Alpha-DAC-2

Break-in takes an awfully long time, as you can also see when you follow the linked thread with its changing opinions. The 15 day return policy is not sufficient. But I knew before then that I wanted to keep it.

I think the Yggy is a terrific DAC. It is good enough to make me forget the itch for a dCS Rossini that I had one and a half years ago, even though the latter may still be better.

[Devg]

Indeed a great DAC and I am starting to have seller's remorse

http://schiit.com/products/gen-5-usb

[Jim Smith]

Never posted anything about mine. So I might as well do it now.

In my system, only the full dCS Vivaldi rig has sounded noticeably better in all respects (at over 30 times the price of the Yggy).

As with the Vivaldi, I prefer AES/EBU inputs to USB on this unit. To accomplish this, I use a Berkeley Audio Alpha USB adapter (purchased from Mike).

Also, even the fully broken-in Yggy needs to be left permanently powered up, as it seems to take some time before the digital circuits reach thermal equilibrium, after being off even a few minutes.

As always, IMO...

[Al M.]

Jim, I agree with you on the need to have the Yggy permanently powered up. I also use AES/EBU, from a CD transport (Simaudio Moon 260 DT) -- I don't engage in computer audio.

Have you tried just the Vivaldi DAC alone (no clock, upsampler) against the Yggy?

[Jim Smith]

Have you tried just the Vivaldi DAC alone (no clock, upsampler) against the Yggy?

No, Al, not a direct comparison. Only the full rig. And I won't likely get another chance AFAIK...

IIRC, the upsampler & clock did dramatically improve the Vivaldi's performance, but I can't reliably say how much.

FWIW, I thought that the dCS didn't recover immediately from being powered down as well, unless it could be powered up within a minute or less.

Did you compare it to Ian's rig?

Of course, the Iggy needs to be there & powered up a couple of days to really come into its own.

[Al M.]

Ok, thanks for the info, Jim.

I plan to compare the Yggy to Ian's Vivaldi DAC/upsampler and DAC alone. The plan does include bringing the Yggy over three days before the comparison, having it powered up during that time.

[Mike]

Ok, thanks for the info, Jim.

I plan to compare the Yggy to Ian's Vivaldi DAC/upsampler and DAC alone. The plan does include bringing the Yggy over three days before the comparison, having it powered up during that time.

If the Yggy wins, will Ian be selling his Vivaldi?


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[Al M.]

If the Yggy wins, will Ian be selling his Vivaldi?

Hehe, I don't think it will. The Vivaldi is a truly awesome DAC, I'd be surprised if the Yggy even comes sufficiently close. But you never know.

[Mike]

Hehe, I don't think it will. The Vivaldi is a truly awesome DAC, I'd be surprised if the Yggy even comes sufficiently close. But you never know.

I hope it's not too close, you never want to see a grown man cry.


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[johndoe21ro]

Ok, thanks for the info, Jim.

I plan to compare the Yggy to Ian's Vivaldi DAC/upsampler and DAC alone. The plan does include bringing the Yggy over three days before the comparison, having it powered up during that time.

Any news?

[Al M.]

Not yet.