Schiit Yggdrasil DAC Arrived

Dr Tone said:
Hmmm. I'd be upset if companies didn't learn and evolve their products to sound better.
Click to expand...
That is of course anecdotal subjective opinion/preference in this case, not fact. But that isn't my concern, but rather the way it was carried out, clearly expressed in my previous post. It seems very much like this was kept "secret", hence the CA Conman guy having to let the cat out of bag so to speak. I'm certainly more hesitant now about being an early purchaser, knowing that at any time there can be an upgraded model that only early adopters will have to pay extra for. But that's just me.

Dr Tone said:
If MQA takes off, things should get more stagnant as we'll need Bob Stuart to evolve digital. :D
Click to expand...
That "evolutionary" path will still run through Bobs bank account, present or future.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Yep. Plenty old guys grew up watching too much Batman I guess.;)
Sound like Dan found himself a winner, though I am a bit concerned by this whole upgraded output stage thing. Was it some big secret? Why was the original not designed this way?
Click to expand...

AJ.......The original Yggdrasil DAC has been around a few years. The modular design of the Yggdrasil allows them to develop advances in circuit design and performance into an existing product. In my mind this is value for customers that own an older Yggdrasil. A great many manufacturers continue product development but rather than make the advances available as an upgrade simply introduce the next model. If one wants the latest upgraded performance the old component has to be replaced. That is a far more expensive upgrade path. Schiit Audio's modular upgrade path allows owners to remain current at a much more reasonable expense. The Yggdrasil has had two USB input module upgrades, now at Gen 5, and now the Analog 2 upgrade of the modular analog output boards. The Analog 2 upgrade will cost $550.00. That is considerably less expensive than purchasing a new Yggdrasil with the Analog 2 upgrade at $2399.00. I like the modular aspect to future improvements. The ability to remain current with an existing component for a reasonable fee makes sense to me.
 
jdandy said:
I like the modular aspect to future improvements. The ability to remain current with an existing component for a reasonable fee makes sense to me.
Click to expand...
Fair enough, I was just unaware that they made this aspect of their products very clear to potential purchasers. It certainly wouldn't stop me from purchasing, though obviously now I will check that aspect before proceeding!
 
jdandy said:
AJ.......The original Yggdrasil DAC has been around a few years. The modular design of the Yggdrasil allows them to develop advances in circuit design and performance nto an existing product. In my mind this is value for customers that own an older Yggdrasil. A great many manufacturers continue product development but rather than make the advances available as an upgrade simply introduce the next model. If one wants the latest upgraded performance the old component has to be replaced. That is a far more expensive upgrade path. Schiit Audio's modular upgrade path allows owners to remain current at a a much more reasonable expense. The Yggdrasil has had two USB input module upgrades, now at Gen 5, and now the Analog 2 upgrade of the modular analog output boards. The Analog 2 upgrade will cost $550.00. That is considerable less expensive than purchasing a new Yggdrasil with the Analog 2 upgrade at $2399.00. I like the modular aspect to future improvements. The ability to remain current with an existing component for a reasonable fee makes sense to me.
Click to expand...

I really like this modular design/upgrade approach as opposed to the replacement strategy practiced by most of their competitors. Schitt's strategy is very consistent with their high value orientation and appears to be well executed.
 
@jdandy any idea where the weight comes from? 24lbs is allot for a DAC. I assume the case for starters, does the weight balance shift a bit because of heavy power supplies maybe?
 
Al M. said:
Multibit delta sigma is still PCM, not DSD. This has been explained in discussions on Computer Audiophile by Michael Ritter from Berkeley, and other experts agree. One-bit delta sigma is DSD. So no, most PCM is still mastered as PCM.

Yes, realism IS magic if you look at it that way.
Click to expand...

No, Only the ladder approach of the PM2 is pure PCM. Delta sigma is bitstream tech with is closer to DSD/PWM...not pulse CODE modulation. For every one source you have I can find 10 to counter

Also, only micro slivers of conversion is needed in DSD mastering to change levels.

All of this is immaterial, as only the final SQ matters and how we feel about it. Not interested in techie internet debates of theory that have no bearing to absolute SQ. I see too much pontification online that conflict with actual experience and experimentation.

Please note, this is not an attack on you. You are fine in my book. Its OK to disagree and remain pals.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Yep. Plenty old guys grew up watching too much Batman I guess.;)
Sound like Dan found himself a winner, though I am a bit concerned by this whole upgraded output stage thing. Was it some big secret? Why was the original not designed this way?
Click to expand...

That can be said about any item to include audio equipment, "why was the original not designed this way". Might as well ask, why do things change or evolve, Be it DACS, speakers, TV's, Cars, computers to medicine. I'm just glad things are evolving as it would be stale without a change
 
wisnon said:
Not interested in techie internet debates of theory that have no bearing to absolute SQ. I see too much pontification online that conflict with actual experience and experimentation.
Click to expand...
You used to be a fun guy Norman, what happened? ;)
Me, I love reading about old guys with GHz "hearing" and 14 bit speakers used for >16 bit production of 12 bit recordings. :P
 
CPP said:
That can be said about any item to include audio equipment, "why was the original not designed this way". Might as well ask, why do things change or evolve, Be it DACS, speakers, TV's, Cars, computers to medicine. I'm just glad things are evolving as it would be stale without a change
Click to expand...
Well, we could speculate all day...or go to the horses mouth:
Now in Analog 2 form (shipping since late 2017), we’ve combined the output of four of these DACs with DC-coupled, low-noise, Class A JFET buffers and summers with high current output capability to drive long cable runs and low-impedance line inputs, such as 600 ohm professional gear.
Click to expand...
In engineering speak, it means they upgraded the output to be compatible with a wider variety of system architectures, in audiophile speak, it was an automatic aural "upgrade".
IOW, it could end up sounding better in some systems...or not at all. Unless I missed it, Schiit themselves are not making such claims?
Regardless, I consider what they did as good practice, given the above.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Well, we could speculate all day...or go to the horses mouth:

In engineering speak, it means they upgraded the output to be compatible with a wider variety of system architectures, in audiophile speak, it was an automatic aural "upgrade".
IOW, it could end up sounding better in some systems...or not at all. Unless I missed it, Schiit themselves are not making such claims?
Regardless, I consider what they did as good practice, given the above.
Click to expand...

AJ a question, do you ever upgrade your speaker components ?
 
CPP said:
AJ a question, do you ever upgrade your speaker components ?
Click to expand...
In existing designs, no.
An exception would be if the component became obsolete, but that would be by necessity. That's all a red herring of course (although a definite trend in threads around here).
Schiit is upgrading their output section for a specific and I would say, worthwhile purpose, as they plainly stated.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Well, we could speculate all day...or go to the horses mouth:

In engineering speak, it means they upgraded the output to be compatible with a wider variety of system architectures, in audiophile speak, it was an automatic aural "upgrade".
IOW, it could end up sounding better in some systems...or not at all. Unless I missed it, Schiit themselves are not making such claims?
Regardless, I consider what they did as good practice, given the above.
Click to expand...

These are their words:

Yggdrasil Analog 2 includes many refinements, including all-new Class A, DC-coupled discrete FET buffer stages and completely different internal board structure. The result is increased line driving capability, slightly lower noise and distortion, and…most importantly…significantly better sound!*


*Yeah, that’s subjective. Yeah, we’re biased. So sue us.
 
Dr Tone said:
These are their words:

Yggdrasil Analog 2 includes many refinements, including all-new Class A, DC-coupled discrete FET buffer stages and completely different internal board structure. The result is increased line driving capability, slightly lower noise and distortion, and…most importantly…significantly better sound!*


*Yeah, that’s subjective. Yeah, we’re biased. So sue us.
Click to expand...
Didn't see that on the website. Link?
 
Dr Tone said:
@jdandy any idea where the weight comes from? 24lbs is allot for a DAC. I assume the case for starters, does the weight balance shift a bit because of heavy power supplies maybe?
Click to expand...

Jeff.......Weight adds up quick when you consider there are three iron core transformers on the large double sided motherboard. The entire DAC is a modular design. There are separate plug in circuit boards for DSP, SPDIF, USB, and analog output stages. Added to that is a sophisticated power supply. All circuit boards are separated and stacked on screw type stand offs. There is a steel chassis covered with the curved and contoured aluminum cover and face plate. There is a lot going on under the hood of the Yggdrasil that culminates in 24lbs of finished DAC goodness. It's not a DragonFly, that's for sure.


zebsbzgnqblu.jpg
 

Attachments

  • zebsbzgnqblu.jpg
    zebsbzgnqblu.jpg
    1,005.2 KB · Views: 11
I believe bulk of the weight comes from the atypical aluminum chassis enclosure they are using - the entire motherboard is housed on a thick aluminum bottom plate which then goes inside the chassis aluminum enclosure. Its a puzzle to open it.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
You used to be a fun guy Norman, what happened? ;)
Me, I love reading about old guys with GHz "hearing" and 14 bit speakers used for >16 bit production of 12 bit recordings. :P
Click to expand...
Too many avenues of SQ improvement to pursue. No time for dogma...call me Nick...Nick Copernicus. LoL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top