Yggdrasil Refined - New Schiit Yggdrasil Analog 2 (Yggdrasil A2) Sound Impressions

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by drgumbybrain, Jan 16, 2018.

  1. Jeff LeFever

    Jeff LeFever New

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    Marvey,
    Marvey, this is my first post and you seem to be the one to ask regarding the Yggdrasil Analog 2 boards. Love me Yggdrasil - update4d to the Gen 5 USB and all is well. I am waiting to hear more reviews on teh Analog 2 boards before shipping back to Schiit. But here is my question (and I am not sure if you are connected via USB or if you have done USB cable comparisons) - But I have noticed differences in SQ with different usb cabling even after the Genn 5 upgrade (which I thought was supposed to make cabling less a question)... I currently have a AntiCable Reference USB 3.1 as my USB cable - tried a couple others, but there have been no significant sonic changes worth getting a new cable (I tried tosslink too) until a friend sent me his Wire World Starlight Platinum 7 USB cable for a week trial. The noticible difference in the music was significant and that cable is now on my upgrade wish list after the Analog 2 Yggdrasil upgrade. BUT - in my mind - the price between theSchiit upgrade with shipping and the Platinum 7 cable are close enough to consider getting the cable first and waiting on the Analog 2 till later in the year. Have you had any experience with the Wire World Paltinum 7 USB cable? HAS ANYONE in the group (in case Marvy says no... just covering bases here in a shout out). The improvement in timbre and volume dynamics, and stage depth and micro details was night to any other cable into my Yggdrasil (with Gen 5) (the anticable USB was chosen over an Inex, a Audioquest Carbon, and Straight Wire USB - FYI) ---- If yiou have experience - which of the two upgrades (analog two, or Platinum 7 USB cable) would btter improve the music sound quality? If you have experience. I was surprised that the Wire World, expensive as it is, was similar to having a new DAC. It seems less a cable and more a comopnent (rarely do I say that about wires). THanks, Marvy - or anyone else if you have had listening experience that might shed more light on these tow upgrades and SQ.
     
  2. iDesign

    iDesign Almost "Made"

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    Simple. The Analog 2 upgrade makes a larger improvement in sound than the Platinum Starlight 7 USB 2.0 cable. And for what it is worth, the Silver Starlight 7 2.0 cable is a cable I dont recommend and felt it compromised the sound of my Yggdrasil (and the Chord DAVE when I had it). I feel the Straightwire USB-LInk 2.0 cable is very good with the Yggdrasil and it is the same as the PYST cable Schiit re-sells directly. I hoped to post a review of the Analog 2 and Gen 5 USB upgrades but because I do not have a way to conduct a direct A/B test, I have decided not to post a review-- I realize people make purchase decisions based on reviews and it does not seem appropriate to post feedback on SBAF based on my of last experience with the Gen 3 Yggdrasil which was some 40+ days ago.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2018
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    With Gen 5 USB, cable differences seem to be minimized. I still use Belkin Gold as my reference USB. There is audiophile stuff worse and different. I have not tried the aforementioned cables.

    I will however state that the USB output device from the PC or laptop seems to matter much more than cables. Heck, a cheap dedicated USB card with proper power fed from the power supply is a significant upgrade from most motherboard USB outs. And 99% of laptop USB outputs suck.

    In my experience, save the tweaks, cables, and sundry accessories for last. They never make a fundamental difference. And if you think they make a fundamental difference, then best to back off the zoom from 300mm to 50mm. Also cables that work great in one iteration or stage of your path may not necessarily work later.

    What I heard from the Analog 2 output cards from Yggdrasil cannot be done by cables.
     
  4. snoogans

    snoogans New

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    @Marvey If Gungnir Multibit is 90% of Yggdrasil, then what would be the percentage with Yggy2?
     
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's not close.
     
  6. snoogans

    snoogans New

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    The difference is now THAT significant? Guess I won't be holding out for a unicorn black Gungnir Multibit anymore.
     
  7. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    wonder if any persons have recently purchased a Gungnir Multibit and it's serial number (sticker) starts with a 'B' ?
    or even if the serial number would mean anything.
     
  8. joeexp

    joeexp Don't ship this man FD-X1 ever

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    The serial number of the Gungnir Multibit on the Schiit website starts with "C" .....
     
  9. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    My Gungnir Multibit is at least 18-24 months old (purchased used) and starts with "C".
     
  10. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    I’m still thinking a potential Gungnir Multibit upgrade is for me. Granted, the A2 Yggdrasil is the hot setup right now, and everybody’s audio wet dream, but I still can’t shell out the dough.

    I’m excited that the upgrade is here because of the trickle down that hopefully will occur.
     
  11. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Exactly the same page as me (and I'm sure many others).

    Hopefully @baldr will be so kind as to give the same heads-up as before, right before the new version was announced (and the price went up).
     
  12. Scott Kramer

    Scott Kramer Friend

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    I'm thinking it'd make sense laying out Yggdrasil a2 and gum a2 boards simultaneously... could already be complete and a silent release. Let's see if there are D S/Ns floating out there!
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2018
  13. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    The way I’d lay it out is to get the A2 upgrades in play, and wait for a decrease in the demand so that when it tapers off as Yggdrasil owners get the upgrade complete, they can announce the new upgrades to the Gungnir Multibit and Bifrost Multibit and control the amount of demand on their limited staff.

    When most Yggdrasil owners are happy with their A2, I bet we’ll see an announcement.
     
  14. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Aren’t there limitations to what upgrades can be done on the Gungnir Multibit and Bifrost Multibit in relation to the Yggdrasil? That’s not to say the analog outputs can’t be upgraded, but I know one of the benefits of the Yggdrasil is virtually every part of it can be upgraded.
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    If I were Schiit, I'd just release the Gungnir Multibit A2 as a running change. Not worth it to deal with the BS.

    Ford or GM don't let their customers upgrade when new versions of the Mustang or Camaro come out.

    Schiit allowed an Yggdrasil upgrade (at $550, actually extremely cheap if you think about it for a $2300 DAC) and it seemed to be more hassle than it was worth for everyone. People feel too entitled. So they should get exactly what they deserve: nothing.
     
  16. winders

    winders boomer

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    Folks, let’s not forget that Yggdrasil is a much larger box which allows Mike a lot more freedom in his designs compared to Gungnir. Bifrost is obviously even more limited. Don’t assume that what was done with the analog section(s) of Yggdrasil can be done with the other DACs in the line.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2018
  17. SnowPuppy

    SnowPuppy Facebook Friend

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    Disagree. They should let their customers upgrade if there is a significant upgrade. People buy their DACs partly because of upgrade ability as promised in their marketing. They should stand by that. Charge enough to make it worth their while. I will gladly pay for the next Bifrost Multibit upgrade. I paid $250 for the last one. Not a hassle to me at all. I just put it in my Schiit box and send it in. Easy. Only difficulty is listening to the whiners. Not hard for me to ignore.
     
  18. iDesign

    iDesign Almost "Made"

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    I completely understand your sentiments and fortunately Schiit is not Apple. I am glad they are keeping their promise of offering upgrades to the Yggdrasil rather than taking advantage of our consumerist culture and throw away mentality that has been driven by the iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, 5, 5S/C/SE, 6, 6S, 7, 8, X cycle. Offering upgrades has the effect of increasing brand loyalty, reducing the secondhand market and allows Schiit to maintain sales during an economic downturn since upgrades are more affordable than all new products. Thank you, Mike Moffat.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2018
  19. mrflibble

    mrflibble Friend

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    I can appreciate that we are not entitled to every possible upgrade, but Gungnir Multibit is marketed as being upgradable. IMO, it is somewhat mean to say that the customer deserves nothing.

    It would be very nice if the improved analog boards came out as an upgrade for Gungnir Multibit My good experience with the Gen 5 USB upgrade makes me more amenable to additional upgrades. For me, having the upgrade service option is hugely more compelling than having to sell Gungnir Multibit and rebuy it just to get the upgrade - which is something I probably would not do.
     
  20. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Any recommendations for good quality ones?
    Half of my USB ports on my PC are dead anyway.
     

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