For me, 800S is smooth, slightly sweet, transparent, with the well known width and depth. In comparison, LCD-3 initially seems slightly smaller and darker. But after a couple hours, all the detail and more is there, including realistic timbre of all instruments, including a great bass...

I’m in an old age crisis and like my 800S, Aeolus, LCD-3, and others at different times. The LCD-3 weight hasn’t snapped my neck yet.

Yep, I had Unison installed just last year, for resale value and the +2yr warranty extension on the whole unit.

Oh I just noticed the Pi. Should be really good.

Yep, file delivery matters. I started fiddling with headphone audio in 2012. First few years, some good dacs, Dacmagic, Benchmark, Bifrost, others. For me, ALL had poor usb implementation, leaving me with apparent transparency but a flat and lifeless overall presentation. “Solved” this somewhat...

Same file delivery for both? Unison?

You’re absolutely correct! Shorting plugs are for unused INPUTS only.

Just leave it on 24/7 and listen to music when you feel like it.

Lately, I’ve returned to an old favorite rectifier for my WA6 (1st Gen, caps upgrade) and am really enjoying it. It’s the Winged C (SED) 5U3C blackplate from 1950s -1960s. Most rectifier changes with this amp are audible, and the characteristics of this one are immediately shown. It is the...

I guess at some point, a “Yggy spotters guide” will be needed. 😎 When I bought my first one, the original, in 2015, the serial # started with “A”. Schiit’s first “upgrade” was a new analog board. The digital conversion was the same, same chips. I sold mine and bought a new one in 2018, and am...

Good sign for first day running it in on ripped albums. Occasionally “dropping in” has me wanting to continue listening to whatever album is playing. No desire to search for something else. Realistic timbre, touch, texture, and overall presentation. Only the setup shown at this point; will slide...

Pietus Maximus serial #00092, one owner, I purchased it new from Nitsch. About 36 hrs “on” time. Reboxed and like new in every way. Silent background at all gain settings (it’s great to have three settings), dynamic, transparent, open, true texture and body. Original box, packing, power cord...

Yes I agree completely. Comparing components over the years, I find quickie A/B is for discerning frequency response differences (this one is brighter, etc.) But the full essence (true timbre, space, alive dynamics and presentation) shows over hours and days of listening to and enjoying (or not)...

Original Schiit Mani serial #18000113, works great, looks great. Packed away (inside) for a few years, so light use. I’ll pay my PapPal fees and buyer pays shipping on the (8 X 6 X 4.5) 1.2 lb box. Thanks for looking!

You just touched on the biggest joy for me in the hobby, “meeting these people”. Seattle area meets 2014 -2020 where we would get 10 - 20 rigs set up, components listened to, shared, loaned, etc. We usually even had our Spring meet at Bottlehead, great people! Here’s a couple pics, one at the...

For years, I’ve never been able to identify burn-in changes with tubes. Old stock tubes, even those sold as NOS, may have been run for many hours, so are already burned. I do find cumulative improvements in keeping all contacts clean with DeOx and 99% alky, and that certainly includes tube pins...

As @phoneslave86 suggested, I’ll go back to basic drivers for a few days. Cleaned a couple RCA 6DE7 and combined with one of my favorite rectifiers, Mullard CV378. Texture, touch, depth, acoustic bass especially alive.

Here’s a brief summary of my USB experience. I started fiddling with computer based audio in 2012. I delivered digital files via USB to a variety of dacs; Dacmagic, OG Bifrost, Benchmark come to mind. Though clear and detailed, I found all to be a flat and lifeless presentation compared to the...

I’ve used, when needed, in line attenuators, such as those from Harrison or Rothwell. They’re passive, and have no volume pot. Everything we put in the path will damage the signal some, but I haven’t been able to hear degradation with these.

For me, delivering AIFF files from my modded Mac Mini, Dante (Ethernet - AES) is more transparent than Unison USB. Keep in mind that it’s not just which Yggy input you’re using. File delivery includes the sending component, the cabling, and the receiver. Sounds like you have been real happy with...

It’s no secret that reviewers sometimes get free product. Also that people in the industry can get “accommodation pricing”. When I was in retail, it was 50%. On high demand products, I’ve seen Schiit take the approach of taking care of their real customers first, an admirable business practice.

Khang (infinity3914) is a great buyer. Immediate payment and good communication. A+++

For all the angst I’m seeing here over the different flavors, I say relax and buy one! These flavors aren’t radically different dacs. You can’t buy the “wrong” one. My Yggy history is Yggy A in 2015, Yggy B in 2018. Despite having ears on lots of great dacs (Chord, Denafrips, Holo, etc.) at...

In recent years on everything I’ve used the older Audioquest power cables, with solid core LGC copper, ferrite ring, and good quality connectors, in 12 or 14 guage depending on component. I have two dedicated 12/2 Romac runs in this room for the hi-fi. Trying to keep things basic. When I’ve...

“Phantom Hotspots —- a 21st century tragedy!” 😎