Schiit Gungnir Multibit impressions

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

  1. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    So @PoochZag, what did you think of Gungnir Multibit?
     
  2. BioniclePhile

    BioniclePhile The Terminal Man - Friend

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    That's the very track I started off listening. It takes quite a fast headphone to keep up with him and his speedwagon!
     
  3. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    @sphinxvc

    I really liked it, I've been hesitant to write a brief impressions because I had a really busy stretch of work while I had it, so I got to use it a lot but couldn't really spend time comparing or analyzing.

    In short, using primarily Ethers with mjolnir 2, I found improvements in Soundstage width and imaging, as well as details especially up high. It was overall more "immersive". I'm new to nice DACs, and it's hard for me to get at more than that, especially without being able to compare back and forth extensively to my smsl DAC.

    I will also note I didn't hear these differences until about 24 to 40 hours, and was actually disappointed a bit in the first few hours after receiving (it was physically cold).

    This did help me form my own opinions on differences a DAC can make in a system, and appreciate the opportunity. Since I've recently gone higher end with headphones and amp, I've grabbed a gungnir DS off the for sale forum, and will probably Gungnir Multibit it soon
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2015
  4. Asgeir101

    Asgeir101 New

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    Has anyone compared the Gungnir Multibit to a geek pulse Xfi with lps? I can't get a Gungnir Multibit loaner and I am curious as to the difference.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  5. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Listening balanced throughout -> Liquid Carbon -> HD650.

    Fantastic, but I also noticed while listening to Eric Clapton Unplugged simultaneously via USB (ALAC / Audirvana+, PYST USB cable) and coaxial from CD player that the coaxial performance is just a tad bit better, in terms of a bit more refinement in the highs and 3D-ness (depth?) and separation. It was easy to switch back and forth using Gungnir Multibit's input selector (double-tap to switch between USB and coaxial), and the volume level was identical as far as my ears could tell.

    To me the difference was apparent right after switching inputs and drums and/or piano was also present, and it's really quite subtle. Listening at length via Gungnir Multibit's USB is still awesome, but now I know what I think I'm missing while listening to higher quality recordings via un-decrappified USB :(

    Curious to hear if anyone has experienced the same.
     
  6. Ali-Pacha

    Ali-Pacha Friend

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    I've felt the same thing with my Yggdrasil...but I should do more extensive tests, since sound is clearly louder from my CD transport.

    Ali
     
  7. IndySpeed

    IndySpeed Friend

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    I have been thinking about getting a Gungnir Multibit myself. I already have a Bifrost Multibit, and I love it. Although, I noticed it seemed to take a few hours of warm up after power up before the sound seemed to lock in. I started looking around on this forum and found that this is not unusual, and I found a posting by purrin that stated that it was also around 3 hours for the Bifrost Multibit. Another posting I believe was stating that the Yggdrasil takes around 4-7 days for warm up. So, how many hours/days does it take the Gungnir Multibit to sound its best?
     
  8. Artasia

    Artasia Friend

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    According to those standards, 1-2 days.
     
  9. IndySpeed

    IndySpeed Friend

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    Yes, that was my quess as well, but do you know for sure? Do you have a Gungnir Multibit and noticed the sound stabilize after a specific number of hours?
     
  10. BioniclePhile

    BioniclePhile The Terminal Man - Friend

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    I didn't notice much of a change over the days when I listened. It sounded fantastic the moment I started listening. Then again, mine wasn't new.
     
  11. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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    Leave Gungnir Multibit on 24-7 is the answer. Then it does not matter how long it needs to warm up.

    (Edit: Which I do...)
     
  12. IndySpeed

    IndySpeed Friend

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    There are times that I might not use it or there is a power outage due to a thunderstorm, so that might not always be possible. In short, if I have a power outage, how long should I wait until the sound stabilizes again?
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2016
  13. Hekeli

    Hekeli Facebook Friend

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    Maybe use a hair drier to heat it up faster.

    Jeebus what's with all these questions.. either you hear changes or not, decide your self. All the talk about this is as interesting as any other burnin..

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2016
  14. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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    There is no way to know the precise moment when nirvana arrives. I just listen. If the sound keeps improving, that is motion in the right direction, right?
     
  15. IndySpeed

    IndySpeed Friend

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    Sure I can do my own testing, but that might take days... I believe purrin or atomicbob have posted specifics for the Yggdrasil and Bifrost Multibit. So, I was hoping for something like that as a confirmation. I know already from my own experience that it takes about three hours for Bifrost Multibit, but I haven't found anything posted about the Gungnir Multibit that is more specific like for the Yggdrasil or Bifrost Multibit.
     
  16. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    I've done it four times now in a cold part of the house (60F) and it definitely sounds better the day after I turn in on, but hard for me to tell if it keeps improving after that. It's definitely not just 3 hours, but still enjoyable on turn on day
     
  17. Xen

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    I am almost positive I read either Stoddard and/or Moffat said 12 hours was enough. But... I can't find the quote...
     
  18. IndySpeed

    IndySpeed Friend

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    Ok, thanks PoochZag and Xen! That at least gives me a starting point that puts it somewhere between 12 and 24 hours of warm up needed.
     
  19. JohnnyCanuck

    JohnnyCanuck Acquaintance

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    Any DAC should be left powered on 24/7. My Bifrost was powered up for the few years that I was using it and my Gungnir MB has been powered up since I received it last August.
     
  20. IndySpeed

    IndySpeed Friend

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    As I mentioned earlier, that isn't always practical. Here in the midwest, we get a lot of thunderstorms in the spring and fall. Power outages are not unusual nor are power surges from lightening strikes nearby.
     

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