Schiit Urd Impressions

I reinstalled ROCK on my Roon Core. Will update in a month or so if I fail to see the issue again, will report back readily if the USB connection goes to hell.

 

How did you run Pi2AES to Urd? Pi2AES provides SPDIF output but Urd only has USB input.

I don't see how that makes it a Roon issue. What you have in common with @keemniloc is using Urd USB to Yggdrasil. Urd is Schiit's first product with USB output (developed with their own implementation of USB), and it was a difficult project that caused delays. Have you contacted Schiit about your issue?

 

Right, it mitigates against it being a Roon issue because it's never happened via AES connection to Yggdrasil, only when using USB. I haven't contacted Schiit because it only happens in my context with Roon. Roon isn't officially supported, and I can't reproduce the issue on-demand. It'd suck to pay to ship it back and forth, be without it for however long, and then have them tell me they can't reproduce. That said, I believe that's my next step as I've confirmed from two users that they also experience this but haven't been able to identify cause or solution here or elsewhere.

 

Technically pi to urd, yup! roon -> pi4 -> (pi2aes or urd) -> Yggdrasil.

 

But the PI2AES hat doesn’t have USB, so you must be using the pi4 usb port, yes? If so, the problem could be with the PI4 usb interface.

 

USB audio output has to be enabled by ropieee. Check the configuration to see if it's selected.

 

I'm using Moode Audio w/ the RoonBridge plugin and everything is enabled. USB output is working/works fine 99% of the time except for when it doesn't.

 

Just for the reason of Urd's heralded Unison-to-Unison thing, I'll keep my eye open for one. I know Jason said that an Urd Jr. without a CD drive was not the idea - but god, just the DDC or even just the Unison USB switch would be heavenly. It might nicely fit with a Modi/Modius setup on the desktop too, where USB switching can be a real boon, and still be stackable with a Gungnir/Yggdrasil.

Here's to dreams...

 

I've been using the Urd in a different setup w/ a Gugnir via USB and a Sunvalley DAC I picked up from @bobboxbody via coax and no issues so far w/ the weird screeching issue with Roon. Maybe something specific to the Yggdrasil LIM? Maybe a Roon update? Who knows. One thing I've noticed is that the CD playback from Urd is significantly better than Roon streaming Qobuz via an iFi Zen Stream over wifi. More relaxed, 'more analog', more blackground, better layering within the soundstage etc. I would have thought the Urd would sort the difference but it doesn't seem like it.