[artur9]

Interesting! I am considering a BDP like Bryston, but the new ones are $3,500. Ouch.
I have heard that the old BDP-1 has stability issues like power blips causing system resets ... have you experienced that?
...
I still believe the AES will sound the best, if you have that option (read YGGY), but the GMB doesn't have an AES input.

I was using the AES out into my preamp but we moved recently and the setup changed so now it's coax into GMB. I still haven't set up the system properly to say what difference, if any, that's making.

My BDP-1 has been stable with no random system resets. It's always been plugged into low-end power "stabilizers" (currently a SurgeX unit) as I've always suffered from odd power glitches. One blew out my electric car's charger and its charging station!

I run mpd on the BDP and feed that mpd music over ethernet. I'm therefore not keeping any music on the BDP or have any attached storage. Maybe that makes a difference. I do use the USB ports to try out new music and I have copied some music to it but that's not the primary way I use the BDP.

I had a SoTM SMS-200 which was a great unit. That was USB-only and once I decided to pursue non-USB it needed to be replaced. Selling it and using the proceeds to cover 90% of the cost of a BDP-1 was one of the best audio decisions I've ever made. Still batting something like a whopping .005 overall though when it comes to audio decision making

P.S. My Gumby does not have USB of any kind so that's not currently an option.

 

[Dr.J]

For anyone interested in a quality CD player, I’ve decided to sell my Meridian 508.24; it has had little use, is in mint condition and has, of course, coax out. If interested, feel free to contact me.

 

[RCBinTN]

I was using the AES out into my preamp but we moved recently and the setup changed so now it's coax into GMB. I still haven't set up the system properly to say what difference, if any, that's making.

My BDP-1 has been stable with no random system resets. It's always been plugged into low-end power "stabilizers" (currently a SurgeX unit) as I've always suffered from odd power glitches. One blew out my electric car's charger and its charging station!

I run mpd on the BDP and feed that mpd music over ethernet. I'm therefore not keeping any music on the BDP or have any attached storage. Maybe that makes a difference. I do use the USB ports to try out new music and I have copied some music to it but that's not the primary way I use the BDP.

I had a SoTM SMS-200 which was a great unit. That was USB-only and once I decided to pursue non-USB it needed to be replaced. Selling it and using the proceeds to cover 90% of the cost of a BDP-1 was one of the best audio decisions I've ever made. Still batting something like a whopping .005 overall though when it comes to audio decision making

P.S. My Gumby does not have USB of any kind so that's not currently an option.

Thanks for the info ... my batting average in this hobby is pretty low as well .

Another Head-Fi pal is using the BDP-1 with USB music, that's where I heard about the drop-outs.
I just thought that keeping music on a thumb drive (or SSD) feeding thru a server sounds like an easy way to manage digital files.

Why does your GMB not have any USB at all? I'm using the Gen 5 as my go-to connection (from Mac) and it works very well -

Cheers!
RCB

 

[artur9]

Another Head-Fi pal is using the BDP-1 with USB music, that's where I heard about the drop-outs.
I just thought that keeping music on a thumb drive (or SSD) feeding thru a server sounds like an easy way to manage digital files.

Why does your GMB not have any USB at all? I'm using the Gen 5 as my go-to connection (from Mac) and it works very well -

I use MinimServer to organize the music on my server. Way more flexible than what the BDP can do on its own. As a classical music listener I need that flexibility.

I misspoke about the Gumby not having USB. I know it's not Gen5 because the Gumby is too old for that.

 

[Dr.J]

You can update your Gungnir’s USB to Gen five; I think Schiit charges $100 for the parts, if you do it yourself and $150 installed!

 

[artur9]

You can update your Gungnir’s USB to Gen five; I think Schiit charges $100 for the parts, if you do it yourself and $150 installed!

I know but since I'm not using anyway haven't felt the need.

 

[Eldair]

About usb. Just buy Curious Cable and it will change sound pretty much. This cable has a fuller, darker and richer musical perspective than any of the USB cables I have tried.
I used to be like cables don´t matter but then i hear this in friends place with my equipment and i was blown away. It is just great.

 

[RCBinTN]

About usb. Just buy Curious Cable and it will change sound pretty much. This cable has a fuller, darker and richer musical perspective than any of the USB cables I have tried.
I used to be like cables don´t matter but then i hear this in friends place with my equipment and i was blown away. It is just great.

Interesting stuff. Here's a write-up on the Curious Cable and one other.
The author writes that the USB cable can change the tone of the music. One has more mids, the other has more bass.

https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-usb-cables-curious-anticable/

I'm using Alex's Wywires Platinum (the link above contains a link to the Wywires Platinum review) and am very happy with it, but will ask his opinion of the Curious Cable design.

 

[earChasm]

I got the Taurus MKII used for $1000, and might've even overpaid by about $200. iFi Pro iCan should be much better than the HDVA600 from what I hear. Violectric V281 used is another option. Then there's more obscure stuff like the Gustard H20 that you'll have people claiming is really good.

I think Questyle is crap too. Had the 400i at home, used 600i at a store. HDVA600 vs CMA600i is like being stuck between a rock and hard place. But if you are content with the Gumby + HDVA600 that's what matters.

Ok, I'm not posting this reply to be a pain but to close the discussion with a bit more knowledge on my part. Actually, I wrote quite a bit explaining what I auditioned, heard and whatever but I decided to delete everything since this the Gungnir thread.

...so, I fell in love with the Auralic Taurus MK1 and decided later to buy the MK2 (got them both at the moment). As a general consensus, yes it beats the HDVA600. With the Auralic I can enjoy music (like 80's albums) which sounds like crap on the HDVA600. If I had to choose one it would be the Taurus 100%.

That being said. There is something special about the HDVA600 I don't want to miss. I hear the same stuff as the Taurus but in a different way. Like me at a young age trying to be first (Taurus) and me like now, "there will be plenty left when I arrive"...

Does the HDVA600 suck? No, not in my book. It's a flavor I don't want to be without (so its going nowhere).
Do I like the Bryston BHA-1? No, way too sharp.
Do I like the iFi Pro? Not really, sorry I can't hear anything special. And what's with the tubes?!
Do I like the Violectric V281? Hell yes, but I'm not paying so much money for such an ugly box.
And last but not least, the Taurus is here to stay :.)

Thank you @rutter , without you there would be no Taurus behind me .



Dull my senses
steal my pride
principles denied
Passion faked and sold to the anthem green and gold.
Colour of the virtue by working like a slave
More precious than life? itself
what's the colour tempting fate?

What's the colour of money?
what's the colour of money?
Don't tell me that you think it's green
me I know it's red.

 

[rick3333]

Just upgraded from Bifrost Multibit to Gungnir DS....... i am the 3rd owner and the unit is 3+ years old. I shall upgrade to Multibit as soon as funds allow and also get the Gen 5 USB board fitted at the same time. Thanks go to Fraser for selling it to me at a very reasonable price. A nice piece of kit and despite being delta sigma has a sound signature that i can live with for now. It has Gen 2 USB which is what i use currently.

 

[earChasm]

Just upgraded from Bifrost Multibit to Gungnir DS.

Noticed any sound differences and if yes, care to share :.)
A few weeks ago someone was selling a Gungnir DS for 350€. I was so tempted to buy, just to be able to compare both. I'm glad I didn't coz it would be silly. "Look ma, 2 Gungnirs" :.)

 

[rutter]

Do I like the Violectric V281? Hell yes, but I'm not paying so much money for such an ugly box.

This is ideally what I would get next, if I'd get something at the moment. Not even close on money though, even used. At least I know what I'm getting in a 2080 ti graphics card.

 

[rick3333]

Noticed any sound differences and if yes, care to share :.)
A few weeks ago someone was selling a Gungnir DS for 350€. I was so tempted to buy, just to be able to compare both. I'm glad I didn't coz it would be silly. "Look ma, 2 Gungnirs" :.)

The difference for me compared to the bifrost multibit is hard for me to quantify...... i was an early adopter of the bifrost and upgraded to uber before upgrading to gen 2 usb and multibit. I guess i had the bifrost 6+ years and all i can say is that the sound from the gungnir sounds less congested to my ears, however its a bit brighter in the treble . I could not afford £1100 for a new gungnir multibit so decided to by one used (i am the 3rd owner).... i paid £395. Soundwise i have left it on for a week so far and find the Delta Sigma chip to be quite good. I am 55 so my hearing has deteriorated compared to say a teenagers. The sound is about on par with the bifrost multibit so i am looking forward to the Gen 5 usb and multibit upgrade for the gungnir.... Apologies if i am not describing the sound properly.... I very rarely post and have only been a member for 2 years. It was always my intention to source a gungnir DS secondhand because of the price and then upgrade. I will do my best to give a more coherent opinion about the sound when i have listened to the dac for another 3 or 4 weeks as this will give me time to play my music and find out the gungnirs signature soundwise. By the way i listen for 8 to 10 hours a day when i get the chance.

 

[Dan Lee]

This is ideally what I would get next, if I'd get something at the moment. Not even close on money though, even used. At least I know what I'm getting in a 2080 ti graphics card.

From what I have heard and read about the V281 man that amp would be end game for sure. I could see myself going for one someday but happy with MJ2 for a while. There is a lot of great SS options in that V281 price range. Also I too wouldve thought the iFi iCAN Pro woulda been an awesome headphone amp from all the reviews Ive seen. iFis 3d/crossfeed is also just incredible. It does something different then a standard crossfeed that I just cant explain. When I had the micro idsd black label I loved it with the hifiman he400i but when I stepped up to the LCD-X the headphones were already so 3D sounding on their own that the light use of the 3D effect on the micro was no longer apparent. But I have heard that the pro make a more noticeable difference as it has more steps. But that type of stuff isnt for everyone. V281 or Headamp GSX-MKII would prolly sound better long term.

 

[Dan Lee]

@earChasm @rutter Ive heard you guys talk about auditioning amps and headphones and what not. I gotta ask how are you doing this? Are you just fortunate to live somewhere with a high end shop close by or do you order it and return it? I live in palm coast, Fl and google searching high end audio shops shows me things like best buy and guitar center haha which is not quite high end audio. God I would love to have a place to go where I could autdition some of this stuff rather then just hoping the 30 reviews I read and watched will suit my taste.