Schiit Gungnir DAC

[lukeap69]

I was going to do a big "shootout" kind of writeup of the two but decided against that format.  It kinda sucks because there's always a winner and loser of a shootout and both of these are fantastic DAC's.  So instead I'm going to write up two full reviews and mention some comparisons in each review.

Until then, I'll probably list out some bullet points on pros and cons for folks who are champing at the bit.  Not sure where yet, maybe in the LC DAC thread since that seems like a nice impartial location.  :-D

Boo! I vote for a shootout.

 

[Stillhart]

Here's something fun for the GMB owners out there:  if you have a transport besides USB, try it out.  I'm pretty sure it sounds better through coax.  But I'm curious what you all think.
 
I tested mine with the Audio-GD DI-2014 digital interface.  It's what I use to drive my vintage DAC's that have no USB ports.

 

[Youth]

   
I was going to do a big "shootout" kind of writeup of the two but decided against that format.  It kinda sucks because there's always a winner and loser of a shootout and both of these are fantastic DAC's.  So instead I'm going to write up two full reviews and mention some comparisons in each review.
 
Until then, I'll probably list out some bullet points on pros and cons for folks who are champing at the bit.  Not sure where yet, maybe in the LC DAC thread since that seems like a nice impartial location.  :-D

 
Can you link me to the LC DAC thread? I can't seem to find it.
 
Also, how much does the DAC 19 cost? I looked on their website but couldn't find any prices.

 

[MattTCG]

^^ $850...

 

[Youth]

  ^^ $850...

 
Thanks. I just doublechecked, and see now where I missed the price. 

 
 
This thing is alot cheaper than GMB. Can't wait for the comparison now. 

 

[AudioBear]

   
Can you link me to the LC DAC thread? I can't seem to find it.
 
Also, how much does the DAC 19 cost? I looked on their website but couldn't find any prices.

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/newestpost/763905
 Finding a DAC for the Cavalli Liquid Carbon Only 4 Months to Go
 
I have one on order and it's slightly delayed but maybe in Sept I can try it with my Gumby

 

[leafs]

Hi all,
 
Just to do a brief share of my impressions of Gungnir Multibit after 32 hours. (Gungnir Multibit > Soloist > LCD2 r2). I feel that it started out thin when I hear it shortly after plug in. I simply left it to burn in after that. I stick to several songs (all flac) and revisit the same songs throughout the burn-in. It helps me to pick out the differences. My impression appears similar to many impressions that other folks have already shared. Highly detailed, revealing, easy to hear tiny details in the music, smooth mids, bass is textured.
 
Note that I have been using odac for nearly 3 years, and only start to look out for a new dac early this year. I must say that after switching to Gungnir Multibit, the overall differences is very apparent to me. Hidden musical information that I didn't hear before, suddenly starts popping out. The soundstage becomes big as I heard and in depth as well. Several songs that I enjoy and have been repeating now are "Spanish Harlem" by Rebecca Pidgeon, "Somethin' Else" by Cannonball Adderley, Marvin Gaye's What's Going On album, Distance, Light & Sky album, "Skyfall", "Set Fire to the Rain" and "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Adele, "Riverside" by Agnes Obel, "Aerial Boundaries" and "Ritual Dance" by Michael Hedges, Yosi Horikawa's Vapor album, Sophie Zelmani album, "Time" and "Us and Them" by Pink Floyd, "Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross, Joe Hisaishi album.. and many many more. 
 
I didn't hear Yggy before, but overall I find Gungnir Multibit is clean, smooth, and musical. I will continue to burn-in Gungnir Multibit and observe. Hopefully by early next week, I can start to burn-in my ETHER and get drown in music. I'm tempting to get Mojo 2 despite having preordered a LC.
 
 
 
 

 

[Stillhart]

Might I suggest we take talk of the DAC-19 to the DAC-19 thread?  
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/759872/new-audio-gd-dac-19-10th-anniversary-edition

 

[TubemanRQ]

Waiting my turn for my next two Gungnir multibit upgrades..........waiting.................................................................waiting........................................................waiting..
 
Meanwhile, the Gungnir multibit on my tweeters is sounding ohhhh soo sweeeett!! Very 3-dimensional and enveloping! It is starting to sound warmer and lusher again, yet more detailed and nuanced without sacrificing transparency.
 
-TRQ
 
P.S. I have always used the Gungnirs via coax in. My PC transport is USB out to 3 WYRDs in series, then to the Peachtree 24/192  USB/SPDIF converter. I am in the works of building new digital cables that will have RCA 75-ohm connectors on one end, and the Gungnir end 75-ohm BNC. I think this will sound even better than the coax RCA input on the Gungnirs.

 

[Hardwired]

  Here's something fun for the GMB owners out there:  if you have a transport besides USB, try it out.  I'm pretty sure it sounds better through coax.  But I'm curious what you all think.
 
I tested mine with the Audio-GD DI-2014 digital interface.  It's what I use to drive my vintage DAC's that have no USB ports.

 
As a "because I can" I ran a coax cable out of my DX90 into the GMB and my eyebrows went up at the quality of the sound. I'm not sure it was better than the USB, but it was certainly good enough for me to take notice. Now I'm wondering about the optical quality.

 

[sheldaze]

  Here's something fun for the GMB owners out there:  if you have a transport besides USB, try it out.  I'm pretty sure it sounds better through coax.  But I'm curious what you all think.
 
I tested mine with the Audio-GD DI-2014 digital interface.  It's what I use to drive my vintage DAC's that have no USB ports.

I have to stop the music to switch from straight USB to my Peachtree X1, which is connected to both COAX and Optical ports of the GMB. The difference (if any) between the three input options is very subtle (and likely attributed to different cables and the X1). I like the sound of all three 

 
Perhaps if I listen to the COAX for a while, I might note a difference when switching back to the USB?

 

[Mediahound]

  Might I suggest we take talk of the DAC-19 to the DAC-19 thread?  
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/759872/new-audio-gd-dac-19-10th-anniversary-edition

Yeah really. I could care less about some made in China DAC. I'm hear to talk about Schiit USA made goodness. 

 

[TubemanRQ]

  I have to stop the music to switch from straight USB to my Peachtree X1, which is connected to both COAX and Optical ports of the GMB. The difference (if any) between the three input options is very subtle (and likely attributed to different cables and the X1). I like the sound of all three 

 
Perhaps if I listen to the COAX for a while, I might note a difference when switching back to the USB?

I have the Peachtree X1 also. GREAT piece of gear isn't it!!! I have only listened to the Gungnirs downstream from this via coax RCA. I couldn't really tell if USB or TOSLINK, or BNC were better. I think the new digital cables I'm building with true 75-Ohm RCA connectors on one end, and the Gungnir ends having true 75-Ohm BNC connectors will sound best.
-TRQ

 

[Stillhart]

 
Yeah really. I could care less about some made in China DAC. I'm hear to talk about Schiit USA made goodness. 

 
Actually, it was more just about keeping the conversation on track.  I want to be clear that I don't share your xenophobic opinion.

 

[Mediahound]

   
Actually, it was more just about keeping the conversation on track.  I want to be clear that I don't share your xenophobic opinion.

 
Liking Schiit or Audeze (or any other US based manufacturer) is not being xenophobic. I resent that comment. 
 
Look up the word "Xenophobic" in a dictionary. It means one has a fear of people from other countries. Choose your words wisely lest you accuse someone of being something they are not.  
 
Preferring US-made stuff does not mean you are xenophobic. Geez.