Schiit Gungnir DAC (USB)

Sean

Sean

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2013
Messages
945
Location
Texas
Looking at this very seriously...

gungnir_01.jpg


Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.


Schiit Gungnir USB DAC Review


Inputs: Coaxial RCA SPDIF, BNC SPDIF, Optical SPDIF, USB (optional)
Input Capability: up to 24/192 for all inputs
Input Receiver, SPDIF: Crystal Semiconductor CS8416
Input Receiver, USB: C-Media CM6631A

D/A Conversion IC: AKM4399 x 2
Analog Stages: All fully discrete, JFET-input topology, DC coupled, summed for single-ended output

Output: One pair XLR balanced and two pairs RCA single-ended
Output Impedance: 75 ohms

Frequency Response, Analog Stage: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.1dB, 1Hz-100KHz, -1dB
Maximum Output: 4.0V RMS (balanced), 2.0V RMS (single-ended)

THD: Less than 0.002%, 20Hz-20KHz, at full output
IMD: <0.002%, CCIR
SNR: > 112dB, referenced to 2V RMS

Power supply: two transformers (one for digital supplies, one for analog supplies) with 8 stages of regulation, including separate local supplies for critical digital and analog sections.

Upgradability: Separate, modular USB Input Card and DAC/Analog Cards are snap-in replaceable.

Power Consumption: 20W
Size: 16 x 8.75” x 2.25”
Weight: 11 lbs
 
I just recently sold a Gungnir. I bought it for a dedicated headphone rig that didn't materialize. Dollar for dollar, I don't think you will find a better sounding DAC.
 
Mike, it does look like Chord DACs are a bit steeper in price. I will probably try and stay a little less costly.

Rick, thank you for sharing you experience with your Gungnir. During your time with it, did you compare to other DACs in your system?

E, has been helping me out (thank you, E!) and has shared this recommendation along with the new Meridian Director. Hmmm.
 
SFete said:
Mike, it does look like Chord DACs are a bit steeper in price. I will probably try and stay a little less costly.

Rick, thank you for sharing you experience with your Gungnir. During your time with it, did you compare to other DACs in your system?

E, has been helping me out (thank you, E!) and has shared this recommendation along with the new Meridian Director. Hmmm.
Click to expand...

Sean,

When I ordered the Meitner MA-1, I had to decide whether to keep the Gungnir, or my Bryston BDA-1 for my 2nd system. In this system, I found the Gungnir to be a little more laid back, and warmer than the Bryston. The problem with the Gungnir for me, wasn't its sound, but its footprint. It had to be part of a stack of 3 components on one shelf, and it had a smaller footprint than the others.

For the week or two that I waited for the Meitner to arrive, I used the Gungnir in my main system, and it performed exceptionally well.
 
I've heard nothing but good things about that company's dacs and I have been wanting one for a while just because of the name as well, but that thing cost as much as my entire system! No thank you on that one. However, I just found their website and I see two on there that I may look at. First I need to find out what they do. I mean, I know what a dac does, but the dac in my CD player is extremely good, so I don't need one for that. The dac in my Squeezebox Touch is pretty good as well. I do know that playing music from my PC sounds like ass, so maybe something for that, but then again I don't have a need to use my PC as a source and it's inconvenient anyway. (I would wait until after I got my new receiver before considering getting an outboard dac of course).
 
Rick, thank you for the info. Sounds like Schiit makes great giant-killer products. I am liking what I read about the Gungnir.


RLL1 said:
Sean,

When I ordered the Meitner MA-1, I had to decide whether to keep the Gungnir, or my Bryston BDA-1 for my 2nd system. In this system, I found the Gungnir to be a little more laid back, and warmer than the Bryston. The problem with the Gungnir for me, wasn't its sound, but its footprint. It had to be part of a stack of 3 components on one shelf, and it had a smaller footprint than the others.

For the week or two that I waited for the Meitner to arrive, I used the Gungnir in my main system, and it performed exceptionally well.
Click to expand...
 
Pardon a little flag-waving and cheer leading, but I really like what these Schiit guys are about. They are competing with much higher priced products from all over the world and making them here in Newhall, CA with nearly 100% domestic parts. No imported sub-assemblies either. The do it by being smart in how they design their products for efficient manufacturing, no PTP wiring, no specials and no customs. I think they do almost everything in house. I gave them the benefit of the doubt a year or so ago and bought the hybrid Lyr for my very power hungry Yamaha HP-1 orthodynamic headphones. I never hear the transition from pure tube to tube+SS and it sounds very, very good all the way up to its 6 watt max. Yes that's right, I said 6 watts from a HP amp. My only complaint is that they don't make a matching phono stage. I'd really like to have a dedicated Schiit vinyl system HP system.
 
John, thank you for sharing your first-hand experience with Schiit gear. I agree with you on the appreciation of their model. It sounds like they are doing things right out there in CA. I am really contemplating their Gungni DAC.


elcoholic said:
Pardon a little flag-waving and cheer leading, but I really like what these Schiit guys are about. They are competing with much higher priced products from all over the world and making them here in Newhall, CA with nearly 100% domestic parts. No imported sub-assemblies either. The do it by being smart in how they design their products for efficient manufacturing, no PTP wiring, no specials and no customs. I think they do almost everything in house. I gave them the benefit of the doubt a year or so ago and bought the hybrid Lyr for my very power hungry Yamaha HP-1 orthodynamic headphones. I never hear the transition from pure tube to tube+SS and it sounds very, very good all the way up to its 6 watt max. Yes that's right, I said 6 watts from a HP amp. My only complaint is that they don't make a matching phono stage. I'd really like to have a dedicated Schiit vinyl system HP system.
Click to expand...
 
Sean said:
John, thank you for sharing your first-hand experience with Schiit gear. I agree with you on the appreciation of their model. It sounds like they are doing things right out there in CA. I am really contemplating their Gungni DAC.
Click to expand...

Well, I sold my Wadia 121 tonight, and promptly ordered up a Schiit Gungnir with USB. I loved my Bifrost when I had it before getting the Wadia, and the good friend who now owns it absolutely loves it.

I've also been loving my DSD-only Schiit Loki, which is an absolutely amazing DAC, especially when you consider it costs $149.

I'll y'all posted on Gungnir as it runs in....
 
I'm looking forward to hear what you guys think about these, it doesn't all have to be uber expensive. I'll stop now before I use the name with a pun...........
 
I pulled the trigger on The Gungnir two days ago, I have collected audio gear for 20 years, I have gourmet ears and can accurately discern the difference in passages of music. I have never owned an outboard DAC before, I hooked Gungnir up to my Alienware M18X via Audio Quest Carbon USB cable. Played Depeche Mode - Freestate (2007 Digital Remaster), 320kbps. The soundstage was twice as wide as without Gungnir, the transients extremely fast, my Cambridge SoundWorks Newton Series P300HD Powered Subwoofer had recently gotten a coxial cable upgrades; but I had not been impressed with new cables. The Gungnir breathed new life into the six subwoofers thru the coax cables in stereo pair. The amount of detail was like removing a plush towel from the front of my B+W CM10's. I'm running Gungnir through a Cambridge Audio Azur 851E and 851W to the CM10's. Going to play some SACD through J. River Media Center 19 in 5.1 from a Solid State drive tonight! Will let you know my results. The
Mjolnir Headphone Amp and Audeze LCD-3's are next! Like to go thru USB with no limitations to a pair of KRK VXT 8's sometimes too cause I run straight to the powered monitors from Gungnir. The denon 9000 player is not getting too much attention right now LOL
 
Hi Dave,

I actually did not. But now, for a DAC I am looking at the Chord Hugo or Naim V1 (via USB). Don't quite know which one yet.

AudioExile said:
Sean, did you ever push the button on the Gungnir?

And Puma, I'm assuming you received your Gungnir ... any comments?
Click to expand...
 
Hi Dave,

Don't mind at all. I would say nothing pulled me away so much as I was just waiting for the release of their statement DAC, the YGGDRASIL. To my knowledge, though, it has yet to come out.

The last published release date was "early 2014" but I heard they had to push it back.


AudioExile said:
Thanks Sean. If you don't mind me prying … what steered you away from the gungnir?
Click to expand...
 
Sean said:
I would say nothing pulled me away {from the Gungnir} so much as I was just waiting for the release of their statement DAC, the YGGDRASIL. To my knowledge, though, it has yet to come out.

The last published release date was "early 2014" but I heard they had to push it back.
Click to expand...

Thanks for bringing the Yggdrasil to my attention. I note that it will be "the ultimate expression of Schitt's bit-perfect approach, and the antithesis of noise-shaping DACs and technologies such as DSD".

Perhaps DSD is a trend that will eventually fade, but I can't help but feel that my next DAC ought to be DSD-capable.

Meanwhile I'm loving my Schiit Bifrost Uber.
 
Didn't know about the Yggdrasil, but probably more than I need to spend. I'd like to keep things below $1500.

Sean said:
Hi Dave,

Don't mind at all. I would say nothing pulled me away so much as I was just waiting for the release of their statement DAC, the YGGDRASIL. To my knowledge, though, it has yet to come out.

The last published release date was "early 2014" but I heard they had to push it back.
Click to expand...
 
amateur question here. if i was to buy a very cheap modi dac and add the loki dsd to it, what else would i need besides that . just some storage on a hardrive? would this be feasable just to get me started on the digital road. shhh dont tell anyone im asking about digital.lol.
i mean im not looking for anything super sounding, just enough to get me started on the cheap and i can go from there. both those pieces can be had for under $300.
am i thinking correctly here??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top