Schiit Yggdrasil vs. Gungnir Multibit

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by drfindley, Sep 28, 2015.

  1. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    I thought it'd be nice to do a Yggdrasil vs. Gungnir Multibit comparison thread (this came from this thread: Big Day of Testing. There are only a few of us that have been foolish enough to own both and I thought it'd be nice to have a thread to give our thoughts. Here's my setup:
    IMG_8949.JPG
    That's a Yggdrasil and a Gungnir Multibit XLR into a Rag. I'm listening on HD800s with no mods (except for removal of the dust covers).

    Here's my initial thoughts after an hour of comparison:

    The Gungnir Multibit and the Yggdrasil are very close, but I'd like to think that if I did a blind test between the Yggdrasil and the Gungnir Multibit I could tell a difference now. The biggest difference I noticed is there is a certain richness or fullness with the Yggdrasil that the Gungnir Multibit lacks. It's like the difference between a 12-bit and 14-bit picture, while the 12-bit looks great, the 14-bit looks just a bit more real and evokes a more emotional response. I found the differences more noticeable in the voices especially. With the Yggdrasil, I felt like I could better hear the timbre of each note and the way it resonated in the vocalist's mouth.

    The other thing I noticed is the Gungnir Multibit seems to have a more separated sound stage, where as the Yggdrasil seemed to be more natural. There seems to be better separation with the Yggdrasil with each instrument. The instruments with the Gungnir Multibit seem to be more on top of each other (but not by much).

    Overall, I'm super happy with the Gungnir Multibit, but I'm really glad I purchased the Yggdrasil and that it's my main home DAC. The Gungnir Multibit is amazing for my work setup. I found that Yggdrasil tended to grab me more in the emotions than Gungnir Multibit did, but I'd have either over any delta-sigma DAC any day. This is something I wasn't able to suss out on Larry's setup, but it seems more clear on my home/familiar setup.

    Anywho, anyone else have any impressions they'd like to add? Or maybe we could have a mini-meet at my house and do some comparisons.
     
  2. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I am going to RMAF to this weekend to try to see if I can do some seriously listening to both the Gungnir Multibit and the Yggdrasil. If I can't do that I would love the opportunity to come over and test them (thankfully you are pretty close to me as I live in the East Bay).

    I'll shoot you a PM when I get back from RMAF and thank you again for willing opening up your home to allow for some serious listening opportunities.
     
  3. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Awesome. If anyone wanted to fund my gungnir upg, I'd do my own impressions and put the Gungnir Multibit on tour :p
     
  4. Prydz

    Prydz Friend

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    Would be cool to see if someone could get the new Metrum Acoustics Musette to the Gungnir and Yggdrasil!
     
  5. Ninja Pirate

    Ninja Pirate Friend

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    Does the Gungnir Multibit need to be kept warn like the Yggdrasil to perform best?
     
  6. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    Yes, those DAC chips take a bit to settle into their sound. If you leave them on for a while, they do start to be usable as soon as you turn it on (like the old Thetas), but I'd rather just have it always on.
     
  7. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

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    Unless a DAC has a stand-bye mode I tend to leave it on unless I'll be away for a trip or something. But I'm a nutter...
     
  8. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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    I you are using Gungnir Multibit with Wyrd, can you turn the Wyrd off without cooling down the performance of Gungnir Multibit? Or does Gungnir Multibit require the USB power on to stay fully warmed up? (I like to shut of the Wyrd sometimes to return sound to my computer's internal speakers for daily Internet nonsense.) Thanks!
     
  9. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    On my Yggdrasil signal lock is not required to maintain best performance. You only need to keep it powered up. I'm certain it's the same for Gungnir Multibit.
     
  10. Mikoss

    Mikoss Friend

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    Awesome thread. I just posted my impressions of Gungnir Multibit, and I also can't shake just how good the Yggdrasil is from my memory.

    I fully agree with the comment with regards to hearing, "the timbre of each note and the way it resonated in the vocalist's mouth."

    It's these tiny little nuances that turn the Yggdrasil into a DAC of the gods...
     
  11. kirayamato

    kirayamato Friend

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    @drfindley if you don't mind me asking what kind of songs did you use to reach your decision do you listen to like the newer top 100 stuff could you do a comparison with like daft punk or something as I do listen to some classic stuff but my main form of listening is the newer stuff in the market

    my headphone is the hd800
     
  12. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    Sorry, missed this earlier. Yes, just leaving the Yggdrasil on is great. The Wyrd doesn't matter, but I don't even know if it has an off switch.

    I listen to mostly rock and some jazz. Most of my music is new within the last 10 years, but I do have a soft spot for 90s alternative/grunge and classic rock.

    I decided on the Yggdrasil because I care about music sounding natural and I enjoy resolution. I've found that the Yggdrasil excels at both more than any other DAC I've tried.

    Why do I leave it on? When it's cold, it sounds like mud. When it's warm, it sparkles. I'm sure it warms up super fast now, but I have no reason to turn it off.
     
  13. kirayamato

    kirayamato Friend

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    @drfindley alright thanks I think I'll like the yggdrasi aswell then and thoughts on the sound staging separation etc were you implying you prefer the gungnir sound stage presentation in the original post or do you think the yggdrasil is more refined in staging aswell? thanks
     
  14. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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    Thanks for the reply, dfindley. Yes Wyrd has an off switch. I find it quite useful to return sound to my computer.
     
  15. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    I prefer the soundstage of the of the Yggdrasil and it's resolution. I think the Yggdrasil/HD800 is best when paired with a tube amp. I'd recommend the EC Zana Deux Super
     
  16. kirayamato

    kirayamato Friend

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    @drfindley just wanted to ask what gain setting do you use on your ragnarok?
     
  17. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    I set it to high gain and never looked back.
     
  18. kirayamato

    kirayamato Friend

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    what about the black widow compared to the Zana Deux super?
     
  19. USAudio

    USAudio New

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    The Gungnir Multibit uses the Gen 2 USB input module whereas the Yggdrasil has the new Gen 3 module, correct?
    If so, any chance the Gen 3 USB input module will be available soon for the Gungnir Multibit as well?
     
  20. Tuco1965

    Tuco1965 Suffring from early onset Alzheimer's - Friend

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    According to Schiit it's just for Yggdrasil.
     

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