Schiit Eitr impression and USB-SPDIF converters discussion

[davide256]

The P/S is a linear low-noise unit, but you could replace it with another if you choose. It's 6VAC 1.5A.

Not an area I've seen discussed. Any AC manufacturer options comparable to Paul Hynes or Uptone Audio DC power supplies? The better DC power supplies make clear differences
in dynamics and tone color solidity when used for source components feeding the Eitr. Apparently the 5v USB lead to the Eitr is what powers the USB receiver chip in the Eitr, so that
the PS of the connected USB component directly affects the Eitr.

 

[Ableza]

Not an area I've seen discussed. Any AC manufacturer options comparable to Paul Hynes or Uptone Audio DC power supplies? The better DC power supplies make clear differences
in dynamics and tone color solidity when used for source components feeding the Eitr. Apparently the 5v USB lead to the Eitr is what powers the USB receiver chip in the Eitr, so that
the PS of the connected USB component directly affects the Eitr.

Yes, Mike Moffat has discussed that only the USB receiver is powered from the bus and none of that power is used elsewhere in the circuit. As far as experimenting with an different P/S I have not done so as the linear supplied by Schiit seems to perform great. If you choose to experiment in this way there are several power supply vendors who make 6VAC regulated supplies at various price points. It would be simple enough to buy a couple and try.

 

[zalive]

Suffering attention deficit? This thread is about Eitr, and USB/SPDIF converters... lets not go off topic with personal "religious arguments" about cable design principles.

It's related to both, though not specifically to Eitr only, rather to all devices using SPDIF, and yes, certainly including USB/SPDIF converters.
As for 'religious' I don't understand you at all, there's nothing similar here. Here are considerations related to SPDIF and reflections:
https://positive-feedback.com/Issue14/spdif.htm
The rest is theory based on scientific (Eddy currents, material conductivity etc.), but also empirical, listening experience related to various RCA connectors (cable lengths also).

 

[PunchLine]

mm, perhaps + BNC ... I really wouldn't have bought the Eitr if it meant buying a different high cost coax cable.

I hear you... Options are a wonderful thing to have. Still, for the record, clipping off an RCA and crimping a fresh BNC is a trivial matter.

 

[pure5152]

Thanks for the info.

My Eitr started acting up with dropouts about every 20 seconds. No amount of rebooting or cable changes would clear it. After emailing to Nick at Schiit Tech Support, back to Schiit it goes. Asked for a refund and will wait for release of the self install Gen 5.

I'm also experiencing dropouts every 20 seconds with my eitr, it's pretty jarring. Has anyone else also experienced this and know a fix?

A few details:

• I'm using Schiit's own PYST usb and PSYT RCA cables to hookup my eitr -> mimby -> lyr 3 -> eikon. The cables are brand new.
• I'm using a BlueJeans coax SPDIF, 2ft.
• I purchased all of the Schiit above this week, brand new.
• I'm using a i5 2017 iMac running the latest version of OSX Mojave.
• The dropouts occur when listening using Audirvana, Tidal, and Spotify, with all other programs closed.
• Dropouts stop on all software when I go direct to the mimby, without the eitr.

Thought I'd ask here first before emailing Schiit directly (esp. since it's the weekend and their customer service doesn't open until Monday anyways). Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[davide256]

I'm also experiencing dropouts every 20 seconds with my eitr, it's pretty jarring. Has anyone else also experienced this and know a fix?

A few details:

• I'm using Schiit's own PYST usb and PSYT RCA cables to hookup my eitr -> mimby -> lyr 3 -> eikon. The cables are brand new.
• I'm using a BlueJeans coax SPDIF, 2ft.
• I purchased all of the Schiit above this week, brand new.
• I'm using a i5 2017 iMac running the latest version of OSX Mojave.
• The dropouts occur when listening using Audirvana, Tidal, and Spotify, with all other programs closed.
• Dropouts stop on all software when I go direct to the mimby, without the eitr.

Thought I'd ask here first before emailing Schiit directly (esp. since it's the weekend and their customer service doesn't open until Monday anyways). Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Just some general thoughts

1) if your heat has kicked in, you may have static electricity issues. Make sure you have decent humidity in the room
2) power strip "polluters" are not your friend, disconnect anything on the power strip not required for audio.
3) try a different coax cable

 

[pure5152]

Just some general thoughts

1) if your heat has kicked in, you may have static electricity issues. Make sure you have decent humidity in the room
2) power strip "polluters" are not your friend, disconnect anything on the power strip not required for audio.
3) try a different coax cable

Hey davide256, thanks for your reply! No heaters here, but I’ll try disconnecting stuff on the power strip and try another coax cable. I realized my 2ft coax cable might not be long enough to prevent reflections, so I decided to pick up a 1.5m coax and see if it changes anything. I’ll update later if any of the above fixes issues...

 

[pure5152]

Alright, so update: found out the problem was the 2ft SPDIF coax cable. My guess is it's too short, as when I replaced it with some generic 1.5m (5ft) coax I found on amazon, the dropouts completely stopped. If anyone else having this problem, I'd recommend getting a longer (>1.5m) coaxial cable.

The eitr + mimby + lyr + eikon combination is sounding pretty magical now...

 

[abvolt]

Not sure the length of a digital coax cable should matter I'm using a .6 meter and it works just fine..

 

[PunchLine]

Not sure the length of a digital coax cable should matter I'm using a .6 meter and it works just fine..

There's an argument that a coax/SPDIF cable shorter than 1.5 meter is out "out of phase" and susceptible to receiver deflections.
I think that's the vague provenance of the discussion above.

It's debatable, btw.

 

[pure5152]

Not sure the length of a digital coax cable should matter I'm using a .6 meter and it works just fine..

Hmm, it could be that the blue jeans cable I was using was just faulty then... not sure honestly

 

[abvolt]

Blue Jeans does make very nice cables I own a pair of xlr's I don't know why the length in your case even matters ?? enjoy the fix.

 

[pure5152]

Blue Jeans does make very nice cables I own a pair of xlr's I don't know why the length in your case even matters ?? enjoy the fix.

Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard! It’s strange to me, but the dropouts fixed after I replaced the cable, so I’m not sure? But yeah, whatever it is, the Eitr sounds great with no hiccups now

 

[zalive]

Hmm, it could be that the blue jeans cable I was using was just faulty then... not sure honestly

It might be a faulty connection with the RCA connector. Or possibly too weak shielding on Blue Jeans cable plus a lot of EM and RF garbage around in the air.

 

[riffrafff]

I have a 1-foot BJC (Belden 1694A) cable...no issues.

I'd be curious to know if your issue is reproducible...does the problem come back if you use the old cable again?