Schiit Eitr impression and USB-SPDIF converters discussion

[Puma Cat]

Yeah as a necessity of distance, but it also lets me use the usb switch to share the Eitr & Mimby between two computers.

The Eitr cleans up the signal from a laptop and from a full-size gaming computer so well that if I play the same material I can't tell the sources apart!
Same noise floor too!

Yep, Eitr is a kick-*ss product; was pretty astonished what it did for my Modi 2 Uber...

 

[slex]

If you're going to look into analog RCA cables in the price class of the Oyaide Across 750, I'd give the Audioquest Columbia serious consideration. Right now they are on sale for approx $250/meter at Music Direct, and they would be a superior cable to the Oyaide sonically. The Columbias originally sold for $500/meter, and I'm using them throughout my Conrad Johnson-based system except from preamp to amp, where I am using an Audioquest Colorado. The AQ Columbias were superior sonically, more open, sweeter, musical, transparent and notably quieter than the Zu Mission RCA analog ICs I was using. This cable is a screamin' deal at this price. Plus, with their 72V DBS system they require virtually no burn-in.

I bought directly from Amazon Japan. 2 pairs across750 0.7m cost me around US$200 inluding shipping. AQ comlumbia is terminated or bare?

 

[Puma Cat]

I bought directly from Amazon Japan. 2 pairs across750 0.7m cost me around US$200 inluding shipping. AQ comlumbia is terminated or bare?

Terminated with very high quality RCA or XLR connectors. Silver-plated copper with no solder used for the connection. Also has the 72V dielectric bias system.

 

[Ghosthouse]

http://passionforsound.lachlanfennen.com/massive-usb-comparison-test/

@Puma Cat - have you seen this review? Just got done reading it so had some additional "context" for understanding your comments about Coffee. Am curious what you think or know about Carbon. Still a bit of a stretch but more in keeping with my "planned" budget.

Also, reading that review was helpful in terms of getting straight in my head some of the design variables. If you look at the Pangea AG & Premier SE designs on the Audio Advisor site, both look like high value products based on construction and asking price. Very tempting.

The Shunyata Venom USB was also on my radar. I had in fact auditioned the Shunyata digital coax before deciding to go with the Black Cat Silverstar. It had a nice midrange fullness to it but not the neutrality, clarity or imaging of the Silverstar (and I do tend to favor warmth and midrange vs ruler straight neutrality most of the time). The Shunyata Coax also reminded of the DH Labs Silversonic D-750 which I already owned. It is possible a longer break in time would have altered that impression. Not opposed to trying the Venom USB, however.

I think Eitr (w/Kimber USB) is more neutral than the V-Link 192 with Douk Mall split USB (separate signal & power leads) cable. Maybe a bit more detail and clarity too with Eitr/Kimber. The price, however, might be a reduced "fullness" to the sound...things are a little leaner, I think. Need to put the V-Link 192 back in to confirm. All that to say I'm hoping a different USB might restore a little of that weight. Certainly don't want to go in the direction of even greater leanness! Could experiment with putting the D-750 back in as well, I suppose.

 

[Puma Cat]

http://passionforsound.lachlanfennen.com/massive-usb-comparison-test/

@Puma Cat - have you seen this review? Just got done reading it so had some additional "context" for understanding your comments about Coffee. Am curious what you think or know about Carbon. Still a bit of a stretch but more in keeping with my "planned" budget.

Also, reading that review was helpful in terms of getting straight in my head some of the design variables. If you look at the Pangea AG & Premier SE designs on the Audio Advisor site, both look like high value products based on construction and asking price. Very tempting.

The Shunyata Venom USB was also on my radar. I had in fact auditioned the Shunyata digital coax before deciding to go with the Black Cat Silverstar. It had a nice midrange fullness to it but not the neutrality, clarity or imaging of the Silverstar (and I do tend to favor warmth and midrange vs ruler straight neutrality most of the time). The Shunyata Coax also reminded of the DH Labs Silversonic D-750 which I already owned. It is possible a longer break in time would have altered that impression. Not opposed to trying the Venom USB, however.

I think Eitr (w/Kimber USB) is more neutral than the V-Link 192 with Douk Mall split USB (separate signal & power leads) cable. Maybe a bit more detail and clarity too with Eitr/Kimber. The price, however, might be a reduced "fullness" to the sound...things are a little leaner, I think. Need to put the V-Link 192 back in to confirm. All that to say I'm hoping a different USB might restore a little of that weight. Certainly don't want to go in the direction of even greater leanness! Could experiment with putting the D-750 back in as well, I suppose.

Thanks, I just skimmed through it quickly, but I would agree in large part with his comments and findings, with the exception that I think the improvement the Coffee brings over the Carbon is more significant than he found. Coffee is also notably quieter as it has a better noise-dissipation construction. I think Carbon is a good, but not great, sounding USB cable. I agree that Coffee is the warmer-sounding cable than Diamond, as to be expected with copper vs. silver, but Diamond trumps it on an overall, absolute basis. I personally think Coffee is the real sweet spot and worth what you pay for it used. I would pony up the additional money for a used Coffee over a Carbon any day of the week. I also agree with him that you definitely obtain an improvement in sound quality as you go up the AQ line. My experience for AQ Columbia and Colorado, too.

 

[theveterans]

I'd pay for curious cables though instead of audioquest if I'm shopping for an expensive USB cable. So far, Schiit PYST is perfect enough for me.

 

[slex]

Lets talk about Eitr provided 6VAC power adapter.

I having it plug into my balance transformer power supply. Im wary it will induce noise to other components connected to it.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Ghosthouse]

@theveterans
Thanks for the input. Funny how these things evolve (or maybe devolve?). I wasn't really shopping for "an expensive USB cable". Was hoping to keep the spend under $100!
I'll see what info there is about "Curious Cables" though I'm guessing they'll be way over my budget.

Just fyi - On another site (Audio Circle? or SuperBest Audio Friends??) read someone claiming PYST was actually a StraightWire product. Looking closely at the photo of the PYST USB on the Schiit site, that does seem to be the case. Might be something everyone was already well aware of.

 

[Puma Cat]

Lets talk about Eitr provided 6VAC power adapter.

I having it plug into my balance transformer power supply. Im wary it will induce noise to other components connected to it.

What are your thoughts?

Do you mean a "balun transformer" power supply? If so, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Ghosthouse]

Im wary it will induce noise to other components connected to it.

That is reportedly a risk with switching power supplies but by providing a linear PS, I think Schiit has eliminated that concern.

 

[Puma Cat]

That is reportedly a risk with switching power supplies but by providing a linear PS, I think Schiit has eliminated that concern.

Agreed. I mean...Jason and Mike do know what they are doing.

 

[Puma Cat]

@theveterans
Thanks for the input. Funny how these things evolve (or maybe devolve?). I wasn't really shopping for "an expensive USB cable". Was hoping to keep the spend under $100!
I'll see what info there is about "Curious Cables" though I'm guessing they'll be way over my budget.

Just fyi - On another site (Audio Circle? or SuperBest Audio Friends??) read someone claiming PYST was actually a StraightWire product. Looking closely at the photo of the PYST USB on the Schiit site, that does seem to be the case. Might be something everyone was already well aware of.

If you want to keep the spend at $100, get the Wireworld cable. Job done.

 

[Letmebefrank]

read someone claiming PYST was actually a StraightWire product. Looking closely at the photo of the PYST USB on the Schiit site, that does seem to be the case. Might be something everyone was already well aware of.

Yes all of the PYST cables are straightwire.

 

[theveterans]

Just fyi - On another site (Audio Circle? or SuperBest Audio Friends??) read someone claiming PYST was actually a StraightWire product. Looking closely at the photo of the PYST USB on the Schiit site, that does seem to be the case. Might be something everyone was already well aware of.

Correct. They are Straight Wire cables, made in USA. The PYST cable comes with straight wire branded cable ties.

 

[Hifi59]

If anyone use's an iPad as a source and also has an Eitr please let me know if you have run into any issues.

I have been using Eitr with my Cambridge 851N streamer/Dac and ipad Air2 and IPad Pro without issue for several months now.