PREFACE
Question: I would be curious to hear how it stacks up to the MSB DAC's. Since the MSB stuff is so far out of the price range of most people and even most audiophiles... Appreciate the write-up on this! Interesting to see the history behind this and its relationship to the Theta DAC.
Another's Answer (from someone who heard v0.96): Stomps the Analog DAC on technicalities. Some might prefer the Analog if they want that thicker tone/timbre which is honestly verging on a romantic coloration to me but tastefully done. I'd say competitive with the Platinum DAC though none of MSB's stuff has ever really impressed me for ultimate resolution. In fact, using the same demo tracks they use I've found that it might be a bit more forgiving than my own headphone rig. Whether that's from the DAC or other aspects of various chains found at various shows, I just feel after 3-4 years of hearing their stuff in various situations I always come away with the same feeling.
I'd say MSB's tuning is more geared toward natural ease of listening without being offensive as too dry and analytical or warm and relaxed. I prefer gear more focused on honesty and transparency to the recording not that their stuff doesn't do that well, it's just not a number one priority based on my listening experiences so far.
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FAQ for v0.99
The MSB DACs are mere toys.
There comes a point where words like warm, natural, digital, analog, raspy, romantic, timbre, tone, resolution, dynamics, micro-dynamics, liquid, analytical, organic, involving, soulful, flat, boring, lively, low level information, etc. make absolutely zero, nada, no ******* difference. Yep, no ******* difference. The audiophile's pursuit, at least from my point of view and I know Anax is of the same opinion, is to recreate the musical performance to be as true as possible to the real thing - to fake us out into thinking it IS the REAL thing.
The Yggy does that. It is the most REAL source I have ever heard. We are talking about v0.99 (essentially what the production model will be) which I was finally able to preview. The iteration Ravi heard was v0.96. This final version is a huge, HUGE step up - especially in terms of the intangibles.
Q: I'm worried about the Yggdrasil being too analytical because you guys said it was so resolving down to the the original source tapes. I'm afraid of resolution.
A: **** you. Do you think of resolution or analytical when you listen to the REAL thing?
Q: How's the tone? I like a warm sound and I don't like nasty treble.
A: **** you. Does the word REAL mean anything to you? REAL means the complete gamut of every kind of sound.
Q: I have sucky recordings. Will the Yggdrasil make things sounds worse?
A: Absolutely not. The Yggy will scrape whatever is left of the soul of the recording and rendering it in the most REAL way possible. In fact, bad recordings sound great, because you get a new take on them.
Q: How does it compare to X or Y DAC?
A: Do X or Y DAC fake you out into thinking the recording is REAL?
Q: What do you mean by it's real?
A: I'm listening to Taylor Swift's second record right now from the Yggdrasil. Ho Lee ***. Ho Lee ***. I keep saying to myself. I cannot believe it. I am at a concert. This is real. She and her band are in my living room. Yeah, Ho Lee ***... Ho Lee ***. I am going to explode.
Q: I don't believe you.
A: I don't give a ****. Go waste your money on an MSB DAC if you prefer American or Total DAC if you prefer European.
Q: How does this compare to the Audio-GD Model X or Y?
A: **** you. Are you a retard?
Q: Does the Yggdrasil sound like a ladder DAC, or delta-sigma DAC, or a combination of the best qualities of both?
A: **** you. Does REAL life sound like a ladder DAC or delta-sigma. Give me a ******* break.
Q: I want a relaxo sound with imposed fluidity and warmth, like the Metrum or TDA15xx based NOS DACs.
A: Then go get a ******* Metrum or POS TDA15xx based DAC.
Q: Does the Yggy sound natural?
A: **** you. Do you ask yourself if REAL life sounds are "natural"?
Q: Can I copy and paste this post into a HF thread?
A: Yeah, sure.
Q: I'm afraid of the bite of trumpets, the blare of horns, crunch of guitars, smack of snares, crash of cymbals...
A: Get another DAC. Might want to consider an expensive PCM1704 based one. Wadia or wait... Resolution Audio come to mind.
Q: How long does it need to be warmed up? I heard about the long warm up times.
A: Just leave it on. All the time. Sucking juice. I've done that with every DAC I have owned. True audiophiles need to make sacrifices. But to answer your question: 3 days minimum, 1 week for optimal performance.
Q: I find this warm-up phenomenon rather incredulous or either Schiit engineers must be incompetent.
A: Go buy an ODAC.
Q: I prefer NOS because the marketing spiel from the NOS DAC manufacturer says that NOS does not muck up the signal. Is the Yggy an NOS DAC?
A: Are you a ******* retard? Do you know what a brick-wall filter does to the original signal at 44.1kHz NOS?
Q: How good is the Yggdrasil's USB Gen 3 implementation?
A: Finally, a good question. I found the built-in USB Gen 3 to be cleaner and blacker sounding than the AES and SPDIF outputs from the Off Ramp 5. My OR5 does not have the turboclock or OTL upgrades.
Q: Does Wyrd improve the sound?
A: **** off. Do you think people who drive Bugatti Veyrons or Lexus LFAs bother with aftermarket intakes for their cars?
