Schiit Gungnir Multibit impressions

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Bill-P, Oct 7, 2015.

  1. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Gen 5 has a bit more snap and bite than Unison. It likely synergizes better with Gungnir A1 becuase of GA1’s smooth and warm nature. Unison with GA1 is smooth on smooth - its too much.

    With Yggdrasil however Unison was much better than Gen 5 IMO. Gen 5’s “snap and bite” turns to “etch” with Yggdrasil, which is more resolving, has a lower noise floor, leaner tonal balance and snappier transients than GA1. It exposes all the weaknesses of Gen 5, where GA1 seems to cover or complement them mostly. Pi2AES is still better than them all when comparing to a noisy USB source like a general purpose PC.

    Oops, too slow, @purr1n already said pretty much the same thing as I was typing this. :)
     
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    Last edited: Sep 1, 2021
  2. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    As ever, it’s all about that synergy.
     
  3. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    Does this hold true regardless of Yggdrasil analog board version? Yggdrasil Analog 1 / GS boards had a leaner tonal balance than the Analog 2 boards, so does that mean that:
    • Yggdrasil Analog 1 / GS synergizes better with Unison; and
    • Yggdrasil Analog 2 synergizes better with Gen 5?
    Or are you saying that regardless of the analog board version, Yggdrasil would sound better with Unison given Yggdrasil's better technicalities/resolution?
     
  4. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Sorry I should have specified, I was taking about Yggdrasil A2. I’ve not heard the YA1, but from everything I’ve heard about it (and like you say) I would expect Unison to be just as good or better match with YA1, at least based on my preferences. Perhaps someone here that has Unison with a YA1 or GS and could weigh in.
     
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    A1 definitely Unison. A2 still Unison believe it or not - but depends upon USB source. I had Gen 5 with A2 for a while. I removed the Gen 5 board and used pi2AES never looked back. Actually only recently bothered to put Unison card in the A2.
     
  6. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    For me Unison and A2 all the way.
    Unison is better than Gen5 in every way.
     
  7. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    Is there an easy way to be sure if I have an A1 or A2?
     
  8. futbutts

    futbutts Friend

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    Per elsewhere in this post, if the serial number starts with C it's an A1. If it's B it's an A2.
     
  9. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    thanks, but it doesn't start with a B or C.. it's just SCH-06 and then an 8 digit number. It's from ~2016. There are other mentions of such serial numbers in this thread, but I can't find any mapping to the A1 & A2 of recent conversation.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2021
  10. futbutts

    futbutts Friend

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    Ah. From what I can parse if it's C or anything else, that makes it likely A1.
     
  11. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    The A2, if it exists at all, came out late Sept., 2017 in any event.
     
  12. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    Thanks @futbutts & @Senorx12562

    I know these questions are often asked. But after much searching there is a lot of speculation about the characteristics of Gungnir variations without clarity about identification. If I had a bulletproof answer, I would write an article "how to identify your Gungnir Multibit version" and save future frustration for all.
     
  13. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Somewhere in this thread there are pictures of the boards showing some differences. But Schiit clearly is never going to admit that an "A2" version exists, so the "bulletproof" answer you seek will not be forthcoming. Around pg 20-30 or so iirc. Also where I learned that expressing any disappointment with the lack of info extant is whiney and entitled and also a bannable offense to the SBAF overlords. Tread carefully if you gaf.
     
  14. futbutts

    futbutts Friend

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    I bought a brand-new A2 Gungnir from Schiit to audition as an upgrade to my Bifrost Multibit w/ Unison, but don't think I'll be keeping it. Gungnir definitely trumps the BFM in detail, holographic imaging, blackground/decay, and I love how it conveys the midrange -- but there is a kinda brittle or glarey quality in the uppermids-to-highs that I find pretty fatiguing, and switching back to the BFM tends to feel like a relief despite the slight drop in resolution and detail.

    I've trawled this thread for impressions of the A1 as a potential upgrade from the BFM but generally people have been more descriptive of the A2 as it relates to the original sound, and not really vice-versa. Does A1 still have that hazey or fatiguing quality at all? Does it maintain quite the same impact in the mids and bass?

    Also (sorry for the litany of Q's) would an optimal source be a dedicated soundcard's SPDIF to the optical in? After hearing the difference between Gen 5 and Unison on the BFM I don't know how I feel about using Gen 5 again, haha
     
  15. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    Get a trial of HQPlayer. It makes a tremendous difference to the Gungnir Multibit by providing alternative digital filtering, while keeping the multibit and analog aspects.
     
  16. tranq

    tranq Friend

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    Ive got B stock Freya S and Gungnir Multibit coming (Gum & B forever), and I am trying to figure out how to match them up with my other components. Im going to pair Freya S with my Vidar. I had planned on pairing Gungnir Multibit with Freya and Vidar and the LRSs, but now im wondering if Gungnir should go with Ragnarok 2 (Focal Clears, KLH Kendalls/Zu Omen Dw) and Bifrost 2 should stay with Vidar/Freya S/LRSs.

    Thoughts from the collective on synergies?
     
  17. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    A1 is not fatiguing at all. Very smooth, liquid and effortless. But it is slightly hazy. I'm surprised at the comments about A2 being dry/brittle/fatiguing, as that was not my experience with it. I found it quite organic and smooth, but ears/gears I suppose.... The top tier Schiit DACs are aggressive and upfront though, so not sure if that's what you might be reacting to.
     
  18. schneller

    schneller Acquaintance

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    Has anyone compared Gungnir A2 with LIM? Or does anyone know if the Gungnir will finally get some upgrades. I seems like Yggdrasil and BiFrost get all the attention. I bet @purr1n knows what Schiit is doing to Gungnir.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Gungnir is the middle child and thus gets ignored. My 2 cents is that Gungnir gets awesomified along with Urd release sometime in the future. Given the pile of shit that is the worldwide supply chain, I doubt any time soon. Want a Ford Bronco? LIke even place an online order to get things moving? Hahahahahahahaha. Hahahahahaha. Hahahahaha.

    Magic eight ball gives no answer - is blank right now.

    --

    As for Yggdrasil, which some of you noticed is now 6-8 weeks. I'm sure some parts are on one of those ships below. As I mentioned earlier, I can't even find crossover parts or certain speaker drivers. Seriously, do your x-mas shopping now.

    Cargo ships off San Pedro / Long Beach
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2021
  20. schneller

    schneller Acquaintance

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    @purr1n 100% agree. If you want a LIM by Xmas, order it now. My gut also says that Gungnir 2 debuts with Urd...but when...and should I wait for them or buy a LIM now and see it in 8 weeks? Although I guess that Gungnir 2 and an Urd, together, will cost about what Yiggy OG costs.
     

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