Nicholas Seltzer
100+ Head-Fier
I have a Gungnir Multibit with gen 5 USB connected to a gaming PC with a 15ft standard spec USB cable. Would I Wyrd offer any benefit, either as a USB cleaner or as a repeater?
I have a Gungnir Multibit with gen 5 USB connected to a gaming PC with a 15ft standard spec USB cable. Would I Wyrd offer any benefit, either as a USB cleaner or as a repeater?
Freya will do the same thing as the high end passive preamps you linked, since it can operate in passive mode. Freya and Saga use relay-stepped attenuators, so in passive mode, that's basically like putting a single resistor between the DAC and the power amplifier.
With all the discussion about speakers to match with amplifiers, I thought that mentioning an internet direct speaker company that is in many ways similar to Schiit would be appropriate. Ascend Acoustics is owned by Dave Fabrikant and located in southern California. The speakers are sold only from the website, so there is no dealer/distribution mark-up. Dave used to work for M&K, and started his own company around 2000. I think the speakers are an incredible value. There are many similarities in philosophy and approach between Schiit and Ascend. Dave does all of the design work. The transducers he uses are his custom designs he buys from Seas, Raal, and others. His top line of speakers use bamboo (not MDF) cabinets. He does not advertise, and no longer goes to any shows. He sells all the speakers he can make. His website (ascendacoustics.com) is in dire need of an update (which he has been promising for a while now). I am trying not to sound like a fanboy, but I do own a set a Sierra Lunas that I use in a nearfield listening situation, powered by a Vidar. Neutral, clean, balanced, and articulate. The Raal tweeter is smooth, crisp, and devoid of any harshness. These small speakers are not very efficient (85 dB) and are effortlessly handled by the Vidar. His top of the line towers ($2800/pair with Raal tweeters) are more efficient (93 dB) and would go nicely with a pair of Aegirs in most situations I would guess.
Bottom line: if you like the kind of company at Schiit is, I think you would like the company that Ascend is.
With all the discussion about speakers to match with amplifiers, I thought that mentioning an internet direct speaker company that is in many ways similar to Schiit would be appropriate. Ascend Acoustics is owned by Dave Fabrikant and located in southern California. The speakers are sold only from the website, so there is no dealer/distribution mark-up. Dave used to work for M&K, and started his own company around 2000. I think the speakers are an incredible value. There are many similarities in philosophy and approach between Schiit and Ascend. Dave does all of the design work. The transducers he uses are his custom designs he buys from Seas, Raal, and others. His top line of speakers use bamboo (not MDF) cabinets. He does not advertise, and no longer goes to any shows. He sells all the speakers he can make. His website (ascendacoustics.com) is in dire need of an update (which he has been promising for a while now). I am trying not to sound like a fanboy, but I do own a set a Sierra Lunas that I use in a nearfield listening situation, powered by a Vidar. Neutral, clean, balanced, and articulate. The Raal tweeter is smooth, crisp, and devoid of any harshness. These small speakers are not very efficient (85 dB) and are effortlessly handled by the Vidar. His top of the line towers ($2800/pair with Raal tweeters) are more efficient (93 dB) and would go nicely with a pair of Aegirs in most situations I would guess.
Bottom line: if you like the kind of company at Schiit is, I think you would like the company that Ascend is.
I have a Gungnir Multibit with gen 5 USB connected to a gaming PC with a 15ft standard spec USB cable. Would I Wyrd offer any benefit, either as a USB cleaner or as a repeater?
I have a Gungnir Multibit with gen 5 USB connected to a gaming PC with a 15ft standard spec USB cable. Would I Wyrd offer any benefit, either as a USB cleaner or as a repeater?
I have a Gungnir Multibit with gen 5 USB connected to a gaming PC with a 15ft standard spec USB cable. Would I Wyrd offer any benefit, either as a USB cleaner or as a repeater?
Or if your PC has an optical audio output, try connecting that to Gungnir. An optical cable (assuming you don't already have one) is a lot cheaper than a Wyrd. Maybe it will sound better.
For my situation and my computer, my optical out does not achieve the sampling rate that the USB out does. I have glass toslink cables, many are plastic but I may need to upgrade my computer to get a better digital signal there.
Sometimes audio equipment manufacturers have quality USB cables made for them so at 15 feet I hope you got a decent one. Personally I use an American made cable that has superb shielding and a larger wire gauge than you would find in some of the low cost cables. Many that i know of use small gauge wire and aluminum braid on the inside but I have only cut open a couple dozen brands to check them out. This is especially important in my opinion when you get close to the maximum distance where a USB cable might function, use that same wire at 3 feet and it might be quite good. There are shielded twisted pairs and individually shielded twisted pairs, for distance I trust the latter.
I have not studied this much so I am sure others on here know more about it.I have a quality Toslink as well, Yggy will only do 24/96, I think this is common.
I have the USB cable Blue Jeans sells. It's made in China but seems like good quality. Mostly I worry about the distance.
I have some new audio grade USB cables coming, I'll compare to my others.