yggdrasil - gungnir MB - bifrost MB - a terse, ribald comparison

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by atomicbob, Oct 21, 2015.

  1. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Having all four of these Schiit multibit DACs is a considerable privilege. Comparing them to other DACs with printed words is challenging at best. These need to be heard, preferably in level matched A/B comparison to other DACs, to fully appreciate the advancements achieved by Mike Moffat and team at Schiit. I have spent many hours with these multibits, as I have with some of the best (and worst) of Delta-Sigma DACs. It is no secret that I am enchanted with the Schiit Multibit solutions to source components. I am not as adept with the flowery prose as many others on forum so this will be my concise comparison.

    1. Best of D-S Dacs - an indistinct sound is barely audible in the recording that appears to not be musically related to the orchestral piece playing

    2. Modi MB - someone in the violin section has flatulated.
    3. Bifrost MB - more precisely it was someone in the Second Violin section.
    4. Gungnir MB - the flatulent sound originates with the 2nd chair in the 2nd row of the 2nd violins
    5. Yggdrasil - that 2nd chair, 2nd row, 2nd violinist has let loose with a Db when clearly the piece being played is in the key of G.

    now for others that can describe this better than I.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2016
  2. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I hope to upgrade my Uberfrost to the Frostbit (Bifrost Multibit I guess). I do really want to hear the Gungnir Multibit though! Yggdrasil, probably never going to be able to own for me though :(

    Maybe in the future there will be a loaner for us regular members that aren't doing measurements
     
  3. Original Ken

    Original Ken Friend

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    On the Reiner Scheherazade, with Bifrost Multibit I can now hear the pads on the oboes and bassoons.
     
  4. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    I wouldn't worry too much. My opinion (FWIW) yggdrasil is really necessary for studios. mastering facilities and those who want to hear the same production presentation. I appreciate the exceptional neutrality for production work. However the very slight euphonic sound and ever so slight lost of resolution of the Gungnir MB from the Yggdrasil actually serves recreational listeners better, in my opinion. Then there is the Bifrost Multibit. For the last seven days I've spent almost all of my disposable time listening to the Bifrost MB and asking myself, do I really need the extra resolution of Gungnir Multibit for most of my listening enjoyment? Plenty to enjoy about this DAC. So get a Bifrost Multibit and go explore your library. Be prepared to hear things you never experienced before.
     
  5. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

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    hello,

    @atomicbob, thank you so much for this. i am lobbying very hard for a Bifrost Multibit, and it appears to be the value leader!
     
  6. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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  7. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    I love it!
     
  8. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Of course you would :p Now hook me up with my Uberfrost upgrade to a Multi-bit so I can love it too! :D (Still think it should be called Frostbit -but what do I know...

    :Violin:
     
  9. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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    I love this too. It sounds like Gungnir Multibit was a good choice.

    My balanced HD800 cables just shipped. Anticipation for the early November Gungnir Multibit shipment is high. :)
     
  10. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Eagerly awaiting a Gungnir Multibit here, too. Going to pair with HD650 and Valhalla 2 for now. I'm interested in the Black Widow.

    I really enjoyed gungnir gen 2 when I had it. Really looking forward to hear the change.
     
  11. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Gungnir Multibit + BW + HD650 would probably be an outstanding combination. Be prepared to be sucked in once the multibit clicks in, both warm up and perceptual acclimation.

    Not going to try a BW soon as I was able to take advantage of the Cavalli RMAF special for the Liquid Crimson. So I will be giving Gungnir Multibit / Bifrost Multibit + Liquid Crimson + HD650 / HD800 a good workout. My winter listening is scheduled for quite awhile.
     
  12. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I am using the Bifrost Uber + Valhalla 2 with AMperex orange globe tubes with the HD650's and they sound amazing. I REALLY want to try the Gungnir Multibit with the HD650's or maybe someday when I own a pair of HD800's, I bet it is outstanding!
     
  13. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I was also thinking that Yggdrasil was better served for the studio setting. Especially with a AES/EBU and BNC digital input.
     
  14. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    Yggdrasil to me is like Dr Who's Telephone Booth(TARDIS).

    [​IMG]

    Everytime I listen to a live concert recording or unplugged recording on the Yggdrasil, I feel as if I am being transported back in time where the recording was taking place and I am there, amongst the audience. Yggdrasil can really fool your senses. Virtual Reality for your ears.

    http://www.iosono-sound.com/references/virtual-reality/[​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2015
  15. Hammy

    Hammy Friend

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    Nice snag on getting the Liquid Crimson at the RMAF special price. If I didn't already have a Liquid Fire I would have jumped on that special myself. I hope to get to hear your Liquid Crimson and my Liquid Fire side by side at a meet sometime in the future. I've been curious how the Liquid Crimson sounds in comparison to the Liquid Fire.

    I also took your hint and just ordered a Gungnir Multibit. I suspect it will pair well with the Liquid Fire and Liquid Carbon. I had been see-sawing between Yggdrasil and Gungnir Multibit. Trying to figure out which to get. Finally decided to just get the Gungnir Multibit. I can always get the Yggdrasil later if it turns out I like it better. For now I save a thousand bucks which I can put towards other audio desires (maybe an HD800s?).
     
  16. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Indeed I thought of you and my experiences with your Liquid Fire when I decided to go for the RMAF special. I do wish to compare the LF and both LCs. You will get a lot of mileage out of the Gungnir Multibit. May be crazy but I have been logging a lot of hours on Bifrost Multibit. Probably another 6 hrs today. This inexpensive MB DAC rocks!
     
  17. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I can't compare it to the upscale Schiit mulitbits (I haven't heard Gungnir Multibit and Yggdrasil), but I have to reiterate for Bifrost Multibit: I have never heard anything like it. Just amazing.
     
  18. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    ah you guys are killing me! I have the Uberfrost but have not been able to upgrade to the Bifrost Multibit - I want to hear it! I know it is on the loaner program, but hopefully I will have the money to get mine upgraded before too long.
     
  19. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Absolutely love my Modi Multibit, and want moar of that schiity goodness. Yggdrasil is out of reach, but am really torn, as I can't figure out whether Gungnir Multibit plus amp/phones (currently limited to vali2 and hd600) vs. Bifrost Multibit plus better/more phones vs. keep Modi Multibit and get even better amp/phones is the way to go. Budget is $2k, and with fixed income what I decide will be what I am stuck with for a loooong time, barring selling and taking a hit and accordingly getting cheaper to replace it. First-world problem obviously, and my current setup is making me happy, so maybe keeping what I have and going on a binge is the answer?
     
  20. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    Catching up on 2015 then, eh?
     

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