Schiit Audio Gungnir 2

[bagwell359]

IMHO, the PSU is the achilles heel of the G2. The newer and more resolving Ti chips do need to have more power filtering than the older AD chips to get that bass moving. You'd have to step up to Yggy (any flavors) to get the bass back while keeping the resolution of the G2

Guess I'll go PEQ or keep the G1 A1 AND the G2. The bass of the Yggy A2 and LIM is too technicolored for me. My G1 A1 was better then the Yggy A1 right off the bat - IMO and that of quite a few others. Can't afford the MIB. Or maybe get a variac and step up the AC to 126- which given how they dirty up the power isn't happening

Add: OK, after a bunch of my reference bass tracks:

very good: timbre, depth/layering, and you can hear the snap/membrane of things like Roto-Toms very well.

have to live with: Yeah at low volumes which is usually not super dedicated listening for me - a PEQ to bring up the bass is going to be the way. At regular levels, its not a problem.

warning: for fans of things like the Fostex TH-900 II and other closed cup bass cannons OR for low volume listeners that don't/won't use PEQ/EQ - demo first, I predict most of you won't find the G2 your cuppa.

More love: doesn't add detail that's not there - hence very low coloration - seems like less than the 3 Yggy's I know, but no ability for a direct comparison. But where there is details hidden/obscured a tad by the G1 A1 - it's there in the G2. If like me you like the slight analog warmth of the G1 A1 - the clarity and honesty of the G2 is a different thing, and the fact that the G2 doesn't glare, isn't sibilant, and has to my ears zero IM distortion even in ultra complex passages - it's a different take, but I'd say a better one. It also seems clearer in the upper bass/low mids than the G1 A1 - so male vocals and lots of low mid instruments are a tad better. Both excel IMO at female vocals. Un PEQ/EQ G1 A1 would do better for rock/blues of average or worse recording technology.

 

[ZoNtO]

The bass of the Yggy A2 and LIM is too technicolored for me.

Could you please elaborate? I owned an Yggdrasil Analog 1 for years and upgraded to Analog 2 boards years ago, so trying to triangulate.

 

[theveterans]

Could you please elaborate? I owned an Yggdrasil Analog 1 for years and upgraded to Analog 2 boards years ago, so trying to triangulate.

Not directed towards me but I think @bagwell meant bloomy and boomy from the Yggy A2.


Side note of my thoughts living with the MIB as it relates to the G2.

MIB to me is definitely the most honest of Yggy flavors and can easily be sterile or "Chord like" without any tube coloration in the analog stage, hence why Marvdunn considers the G2 a drop-in for the MIB. The bass impact is definitely unmistakenly Yggy yet has the nimbleness and delicate bass texture of the G2. IMHO, G2 is actually even more neutral than the MIB hency why Marvdunn considers the G2 having even more inner details on some tracks than the MIB on his G2 YT video review. The MIB though is even more laid back than the G2 hence needing careful digital and analog matching to bring the best out of the MIB (the way Lachlan from Passion4sound hears the G2 and MIB comparison) or else it'll sound exactly what rythmdevils at SBAF experienced in his A2 vs MIB head to head comparo where it's flatter in every aspect of sound. I have tweaked a lot of things on the digital side (DDC + USB cables swappings + a bunch of sources swapping) to experience both Lachlan's and rythmdevil's sound description

TLDR: synergy is king and one can easily tweak things to make G2 suit their own preferred signature

 

[Guidostrunk]

OK, I'm still in the first 36 hrs of it being on, and about 30 hrs of it playing. I found one thing I don't like. At low volumes (while my housemates are sleeping) the bass reminds me of a passive pre-amp, lacking drive/pace. At nornal volumes for me (peak high 80's I like the bass) but 20 db down from that - its PEQ time if this remains the same.

Question of those that have owned the G2 for awhile - and feel its fully broken in - will that change?

I've had mine for a few months now. Been on since I got it. I would say let it get to the 100 hour listening mark. I personally noticed it flesh out more the closer I got to that mark. Even the layering and dimensionality greatly improved. Seemed to settle after that mark. I know exactly what you're referring to and it would force me to volume up. With that said, my other components are different so take it with a grain of .

 

[Rattle]

All this talk of Gungnir ! Great to see G2 released. I've owned an A2 for a few years now and today was able to borrow an A1 gungnir finally after all these years. This will be fun l, never heard anything else besides the bifrost 2 and 2/64.

 

[bagwell359]

Could you please elaborate? I owned an Yggdrasil Analog 1 for years and upgraded to Analog 2 boards years ago, so trying to triangulate.

Yeah I'll try. The A1 I found head to head using about 1k cuts to not be as good as the G1 A1, so I bought the G1 A1.

The Yggy A2 seems to me - very much an audiophile/non-bass head listener to emphasize the bass too much (impact/volume). The LIM which I know less seemed to have a bit of emphasis on the bass, more than the A1, but less than the A2 by a good deal. I never compared these 3 Yggy to each other, or my Gumby to the LIM, but to the A1 and A2 Gumby.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To Guidostrunk: Excellent to hear this!

To: Veterans post #454 - superb post

2/25: It's been on for 120 hours and the bass has filled in very well. I'm taking listening notes, and will write a review in a week or two. @adydula's review is superb, and no way can I match it, but I'll add a few observations. I find lots to nit pick about just about every audio thing I've heard or bought. Pretty skinny list for the Gumby 2 - have to read my review for more.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

automojo said some months back "The Gungnir 2 isn't going to sound like a Yggy."

He is right. The G2 Is better by a good measure than the:

G1 A1 Unison
Yggy A1
Yggy A2
Yggy LIM

It's not even very close. I'm working on a review which is delayed a bit due to family matters, but its coming.

 

[xTrIpX]

It's not even very close. I'm working on a review which is delayed a bit due to family matters, but its coming.

Can't wait!

 

[adydula]

Yeah I'll try. The A1 I found head to head using about 1k cuts to not be as good as the G1 A1, so I bought the G1 A1.

The Yggy A2 seems to me - very much an audiophile/non-bass head listener to emphasize the bass too much (impact/volume). The LIM which I know less seemed to have a bit of emphasis on the bass, more than the A1, but less than the A2 by a good deal. I never compared these 3 Yggy to each other, or my Gumby to the LIM, but to the A1 and A2 Gumby.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To Guidostrunk: Excellent to hear this!

To: Veterans post #454 - superb post

2/25: It's been on for 120 hours and the bass has filled in very well. I'm taking listening notes, and will write a review in a week or two. @adydula's review is superb, and no way can I match it, but I'll add a few observations. I find lots to nit pick about just about every audio thing I've heard or bought. Pretty skinny list for the Gumby 2 - have to read my review for more.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

automojo said some months back "The Gungnir 2 isn't going to sound like a Yggy."

He is right. The G2 Is better by a good measure than the:

G1 A1 Unison
Yggy A1
Yggy A2
Yggy LIM

It's not even very close. I'm working on a review which is delayed a bit due to family matters, but its coming.

I am so humbled!
Thanks for the kind words.

Glad your enjoying the unit!
IMO its stellar!

 

[pabloaguas]

So, for those of you that have actually heard both, is the Gungnir 2 worth the upgrade from the original Gumby? Opinions?

 

[Clemmaster]

So, for those of you that have actually heard both, is the Gungnir 2 worth the upgrade from the original Gumby? Opinions?

Without question.

 

[prazvt]

So, for those of you that have actually heard both, is the Gungnir 2 worth the upgrade from the original Gumby? Opinions?

I have the Gungnir MB (A1) and the Gungnir 2; I can certainly tell the difference between the two and the Gungnir 2 is an improvement. Whether it's spending another $1600+ improvement ... you really have to hear it and decide. I'd say buy it and take that potential 5% restocking fee on the 15 day return policy on the chin and make an informed decision based on your ears / your gear / your music.

What I have noticed for sure is that the Gungnir 2 is a little more resolving and generally sounds livelier than the Gungnir 1 MB. My experience is the same - once I start listening to music, I don't find myself analyzing everything ... everything just sounds great; which is why I've had my Gungnir 1 in some form since 2012 haha (+MB in 2016, +gen5 USB in 2019). But TBH, I also don't listen to that system every single day.

 

[bagwell359]

I have the Gungnir MB (A1) and the Gungnir 2; I can certainly tell the difference between the two and the Gungnir 2 is an improvement. Whether it's spending another $1600+ improvement ... you really have to hear it and decide. I'd say buy it and take that potential 5% restocking fee on the 15 day return policy on the chin and make an informed decision based on your ears / your gear / your music.

What I have noticed for sure is that the Gungnir 2 is a little more resolving and generally sounds livelier than the Gungnir 1 MB. My experience is the same - once I start listening to music, I don't find myself analyzing everything ... everything just sounds great; which is why I've had my Gungnir 1 in some form since 2012 haha (+MB in 2016, +gen5 USB in 2019). But TBH, I also don't listen to that system every single day.

It's not $1600 more if you have a Gungnir MB A1 Unison, they are still getting $800 and more...

My G2 and old G1 MB A1 are closest in enjoyable female vocals. But the G2 still better, in other spheres such as soundstage depth, bass layering, proper low mid timbre, treble purity, lack of haze - no question, and the best thing is the top to bottom coherency - so yes you can listen and stop the critiques.

 

[prazvt]

It's not $1600 more if you have a Gungnir MB A1 Unison, they are still getting $800 and more...

My G2 and old G1 MB A1 are closest in enjoyable female vocals. But the G2 still better, in other spheres such as soundstage depth, bass layering, proper low mid timbre, treble purity, lack of haze - no question, and the best thing is the top to bottom coherency - so yes you can listen and stop the critiques.

OK but not everyone has a Gungnir MB A1 Unison. So what's your point? Literally, people are asking if it's worth it to upgrade - and depending on the person, that "worth it" means different things based on their situation. As for "stopping the critiques" - What does that even mean? This whole thread is people giving their subjective impressions about something. All I said was go listen to it yourself; that's the only way anyone will really know if they like something.

 

[bagwell359]

OK but not everyone has a Gungnir MB A1 Unison. So what's your point? Literally, people are asking if it's worth it to upgrade - and depending on the person, that "worth it" means different things based on their situation. As for "stopping the critiques" - What does that even mean? This whole thread is people giving their subjective impressions about something. All I said was go listen to it yourself; that's the only way anyone will really know if they like something.T

The G1 MB A2 gets a good price too. The point is that for I would say for many if not most buyers there is already a DAC in hand they can sell to defray the cost of the G2. So, $1600 isn't by necessity the actual cash outlay required. In terms of value its the best DAC I have ever heard outside of the DAVE. I have not heard most of the $1-10k DACS, but a good sampling.

Stopping the critiques refers to me. I'm a very critical listener (lots of evidence of that including pieces I have bought), and after less than 100 hrs I'm done trying to define what is wrong or right with it. It's right to me, and a number of others that have heard it. There isn't much more one could want. Adding that to the speakers I bought shortly before the G2 I have two such pieces, and its been almost 10 years since that has happened in my main system, which I had to downsize.

Yes, of course people should listen to it if at all possible. I could not, and bought it. I was a devotee of my Gumby A1 for nearly 10 years, including installing the Gen5 update myself - and took the chance that the G2 would be a nice upgrade - it is - to me.

This site is full of people offering opinions. Most of the time I try to find out what people listen too, what equipment they like/don't like, so I can tailor the advice to them, not just a list of what I like. For instance earlier in this thread I mentioned bass heads (like those that like closed back bass cannons) would likely not like the G2. I make no secret of the fact I like equipment that gives a good approximation of live unamplified music. The G2 IMO does that - and better than any G1, Yggy A1, A2 - IMO. Feel free to disagree or ignore.

 

[prazvt]

Ahh okay. Well I have no issues with anything you said up there