Schiit Gungnir Multibit impressions

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

  1. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    Enjoy the sound of multi-bit. Once you've heard it, going back to those D-S (aka Digital-Sizzle) DACs is painful.
     
  2. Huhnkopf

    Huhnkopf Friend

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    I ordered mine too right now. Saved up for it long enough. Now looking for a BNC cable to connect it to the RBPI3/Allo transport. Have the Sommer Cable Vector in mind at about 30€.

    Kinda wish the GumBrella had AES/EBU input so I could continue using my DU-U8 as a multipoint device, but Gen 5 supposedly seems to end all USB drama. Will do a comparison between the DU-U8 with coax out vs. Gen 5 anyway.

    Most of all I'm looking forward to how it changes upon DS Dacs. The Modi was great for its price but did have its shortcomings to the RS06 (which is double the price though) in detail, definition and extension (also more veiled and slightly midbassy). Was less sterile though and more exciting.
     
  3. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    This has really piqued my interest because the tonality was what I liked most about Gungnir Multibit and disliked about A1 Yggdrasil....

    Please report back how you feel about A2 Yggdrasil vs A1 Gungnir Multibit...
     
  4. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Is not the first to state such and unless the differences are now significant i can't phantom why buy the Yggi2 if you can have the A1 Gungnir Multibit, when the price difference is huge. Despite this i really want to hear the Yggdrasil A2 and the Gumba (sorry to those that don't like the "new name").
     
  5. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    I feel the Yggdrasil A2 is more of a direct upgrade from the original Gungnir Multibit than the new Gungnir Multibit is. It keeps that organic tone of the original Gungnir Multibit vs the slightly drier presentation of the newer Gungnir Multibit A2. I think people who are looking for a similar tonality to the original Yggdrasil will really like the new Gungnir Multibit, at half the price of a new Yggdrasil to boot.

    To my ears at least. It is really going to depend on individual preferences and synergy with the other gear.
     
  6. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Well then....f**k...

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    I haven't heard Gungnir Multibit, but it's definitely wise to know what traits you prefer. I was reasonably content with Yggdrasil A1, but it did have a somewhat metallic tone, treble grain, and somewhat grey background. Initially impressive, but that metallic overtone can become tiring/annoying too. Yggdrasil A2, in my mind, addressed all of those annoyances. It's every bit as lively, and dynamic sounding as the A1, very clear, but the sound is more ?organic? now. I wouldn't call it liquid or mushy poo, just smoothed over. Shorter version - I much prefer the sound of Yggdrasil A2.

    As always, these are minor differences that might be adjusted at the amp or transducer level, but information can only be erased downstream.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    On AES input for Gungnir Multibit, search up SESCOM AES to BNC adapter. Use shortest cable length possible for the last BNC leg - best is custom or DIY. No guarantees on sound. But this at least allows you to use the AES output from a transport. This is what I do. Again YMMV.

    As for tonal balance. Yggdrasil A2 is a touch bassy / organic. Gungnir Multibit is neutral. They've switched places in this regard where Gungnir Multibit was warmer and Yggdrasil neutral. My impressions are consistent with those of what a few others have already mentioned. Both Yggdrasil A2 and Gungnir Multibit compared to the prior editions have denser tone, more liquid and fluid presentation, smoother highs. Yggdrasil A2 hits harder, especially in the bass and is quite a bit more focused, precise, and resolving.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2018
  9. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    I assume you do this because you hear a real improvement from just straight coax/bnc? Does your transport output AES as well? AES outputting transports don't appear to be very common.
     
  10. Sonorus

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    Curiosity killed the cat!
    Today I opened my Gungnir Multibit again to see the board.
    The board is analogue vol.1 2015 but with the 10 gold capacitors.
    The main difference with the analogue board vol.2 posted here is mainly in the silver capacitors.
    On the new board there are less of them.
    So does anybody know is this a new analogue board with new different sound or only minor changes?
     
  11. Pillars

    Pillars Embarrassment to Colorado crew

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    Is the essence of my love for neutrality.. Gungnir Multibit A2 sounds like my cup of tea. I really like the DS, so much that I prefer it over the Bifrost Multibit/Modi Multibit. Yeah yeah multibit be damned it is much more precise to my ears. IMO, YMMV.. all that crap. I'll be directly comparing it to my DS Gungnir stroking myself with a slight hope that I think the gap is insignificant enough that I can return the Gungnir Multibit. We'll see.. I'm hoping to have the new 'goods' next week.
     
  12. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    I haven’t really followed what’s going on with Gungnir for a while. Are people still using isomax signal converters etc with their single ended amps?
     
  13. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

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    I am using the single ended outputs.
    I find them very good sounding.
     
  14. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Nope, i use single ended.
     
  15. Pillars

    Pillars Embarrassment to Colorado crew

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    I'm using SE as well, sounds fantastic. I am however looking for a neutral SS balanced amp.. I've said this before but if I could get a slightly cleaner balanced version of the Magni 3 I'd be all over that checkout button.
     
  16. luckybaer

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    Budget?
     
  17. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    The Jot is pretty darn nice. Just sayin'
     
  18. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    I'm using the isomax, I think it makes quite a difference. Word is the Cinemag transformers are slightly better.
     
  19. westermac

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    If tonal balance is similar, how do Gungnir Multibit A2 and Yggdrasil A1 compare in technicalities? Does Yggdrasil A1 still represent a significant bump in level? (considering used Yggdrasil A1 prices are now within new Gungnir Multibit territory...)
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2018
  20. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Old post about A1...

    ??

    Regardless, A2 seems like it could be more inline with my preferences. Unfortunate a loaner is a lost cause for two reasons: cost of unit and shipping & it take weeks to reach its apparent optimum state.

    Any AB Yggdrasil A2 owners hit me up!
     

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