Schiit Happened: The Story of the World's Most Improbable Start-Up

[Ripper2860]

I think the key when Schiit, etc., talk about the Baskin Robbins approach to flavors is that when we experiment with different pieces of audio tech, it's all about how they perform in the chain with all of our other gear (speakers, headphones, cables). Even if we all wanted the same "perfect" sound, I might favor a different DAC or preamp because it works better in the chain with my other equipment. We all swap in/out different gear (or tubes) looking for the right mix.

I am wondering if the new FB implementations are going to cannibalize Schiit's preamp sales.

There are still quite a few of us that will need analog inputs on a pre.

I wash them with an ultrasonic cleaner and place in new MoFi inner sleeves before playing.

I make it a habit to remove it from the sleeve before playing, but maybe that's just me.

 

[bcowen]

I make it habit to remove it from the sleeve before playing, but maybe that's just me.

Talk about nervosa. Geeeez.

 

[Paladin79]

Yes, I agree. The more I’m in this “hobby” the more I realize it’s about synergy and personal preference. Some chase ultimate sound, others flexibility. That’s one reason I enjoy tube preamp/amps, because it does both. Gives you the best sound, and it’s easy to change tubes to tailor it to how you want it.

I can change tubes all the way from turntable to speakers but, I have my perfect sound so little need. I can also swap in a Cary phono preamp, Freya +, and Cary power amp for even more tube goodness. That is when I get some of my Melz tubes into the system.

All done with this so now back to turntable refurbs.

 

[sixergixer]

Used records get the Nitty Gritty 2.5fi treatment along with the LJC cleaning fluid recipe that I mix up here in the lab...

+1 to whoever edited in a Blue Note label on that record. We know Fred F. never had that kinda taste, though.

 

[Rayski]

DSD - why not?

I was hoping that when @Jason Stoddard announced earlier this week a byggi announcement for the yggi, that it would include supporting DSD as one of the new enhancements. DSD is now over 20 years old. There are a number of great labels producing high quality DSD music (I say this not just in terms of sound, but performance too). Unlike MQA which required all kinds of silly certification (I'm ignoring the silly snake oil explanation of its supposed riches), DSD is more straight forward. Yes a different format, but one that doesn't seem to be going away and has many excellent recordings.

Is it a technical limitation of the Schiit digital environment (I doubt it) or is a more a digital-religious view? I ask because as you guessed, I have a large number of DSD recordings.

Curious.

 

[docBliny]

I make it a habit to remove it from the sleeve before playing, but maybe that's just me.

 

[33na3rd]

+1 to whoever edited in a Blue Note label on that record. We know Fred F. never had that kinda taste, though.

That's funny!
Good eyes, I didn't even notice it until you mentioned it!

 

[yonson]

Quick question for the vinyl folks here. Do you clean your brand new unopened records before playing them or do you just play them straight out of the wrapper?

You guys are playing your vinyl? I still buy all my new music on vinyl, but rarely have time to listen to it on that format...

 

[Adam Balm]

My take on the following...

DSD, MQA, SACD, PONO, etc...phooey.

I still fully agree with Team Schiit when they said ages ago, ''for the music you have, not the music you have to buy''

 

[wout31]

DSD - why not?

I was hoping that when @Jason Stoddard announced earlier this week a byggi announcement for the yggi, that it would include supporting DSD as one of the new enhancements. DSD is now over 20 years old. There are a number of great labels producing high quality DSD music (I say this not just in terms of sound, but performance too). Unlike MQA which required all kinds of silly certification (I'm ignoring the silly snake oil explanation of its supposed riches), DSD is more straight forward. Yes a different format, but one that doesn't seem to be going away and has many excellent recordings.

Is it a technical limitation of the Schiit digital environment (I doubt it) or is a more a digital-religious view? I ask because as you guessed, I have a large number of DSD recordings.

Curious.

ALL DSD was at one point PCM to be able mix it.
What Mike and Jason have (often) mentioned. Why add another "translation" to get the end result. It adds nothing.
Even recordings that were originally done in DSD (very very very rare) have to go to PCM and back.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

DSD - why not?

I was hoping that when @Jason Stoddard announced earlier this week a byggi announcement for the yggi, that it would include supporting DSD as one of the new enhancements. DSD is now over 20 years old. There are a number of great labels producing high quality DSD music (I say this not just in terms of sound, but performance too). Unlike MQA which required all kinds of silly certification (I'm ignoring the silly snake oil explanation of its supposed riches), DSD is more straight forward. Yes a different format, but one that doesn't seem to be going away and has many excellent recordings.

Is it a technical limitation of the Schiit digital environment (I doubt it) or is a more a digital-religious view? I ask because as you guessed, I have a large number of DSD recordings.

Curious.

It's been asked/answered many times here. This forum has a search feature so here is 60 seconds of research -

MQA: Dead format except Tidal, which has strong headwinds with Apple and Amazon delivering hi-res. I am being very polite with this wording.
DSD: dead dead, not on any streaming service.

If you have a ton of DSD content, yeah, I get it. But it is a legacy.

The reality is hi-res streaming is the format of today. And Apple and Amazon are the big players who will survive. And both are PCM.

I use Qobuz pretty much exclusively. I'm just realistic about who's most likely to survive. Apple and Amazon are huuuuuuuuge. They're the safest bet you'll make. And when they chose PCM high-res, that meant the end of the MQA and DSD debate, and made streaming the de facto dominant format of today.

Let me come back to this statement, since nothing emphasizes how much things have changed since we started.

When we introduced the Yggdrasil, we were able to do full spread ads showing a dood with a billion CDs in the background, titled, "For the music you own, not the music you have to buy." Because even a decade ago, maintaining a large library of physical music, or maintaining the rips of that music on a local hard drive, was still the primary way people listened to digital.

Now streaming is ascendant. Hell, I use it almost every day--Qobuz, if anyone cares. It's a rare occasion, comparatively, to play a CD in Urd. And I haven't maintained my local digital library in forever.

That said, the statement's spirit still stands, with a revision: "for the music you have, not the music you have to create." Or, "for the recording, not the resample."

You have streaming. You may have a local library. You may have CDs. But the original music on every single one of these sources is going to be PCM at 24/192 or below, except in amazingly rare instances.

Bottom line, everything streaming is PCM. DSD lost. MQA lost. Upsampling, sure, yes you can do that, but it's another thing you have to do.

So please excuse me if I prefer to simply play the music I have, rather than trying to create something else from it.

Again, what I do isn't for everyone. Lots of choices out there. None are wrong.

 

[StimpyWan]

ALL DSD was at one PCM to be able mix it.
What Mike and Jason have (often) mentioned. Why add another "translation" to get the end result. It adds nothing.
Even recordings that were originally done in DSD (very very very rare) have to to PCM and back.

I believe that PS Audio's Octave Records produces recordings that are kept entirely in the DSD domain, even mixing and mastering, using a custom system. At least, that's according to Paul McGowan. While I applaud their pure DSD effort, I do agree that the output of a single studio is very limited, in the grand scheme of things.

 

[biodigitaljazz]

And our 15th anniversary is...very soon now.

(Formally June 10).

Aw Schiit, here we go again.

 

[MindBreak]

Questions, comments....

With all the past stuff on multibit, multiform, True multibit etc and the use of medical grade chips, vs over the counter easy peasy DS dacs...
Now Schiit is touting new DS dacs but with a BIG twist...ie using their awesome megacomboburrito filter of several kinds for Mimir and Byggys etc.

IMO ? This means the old Schiit multibit of the past is well...gone?

Byggy with all the neat new stuff "should" be waaaaaay better than all the old stuff?

Or is the real story for Schiit to have total control over the stuff it buys and makes to show their technical prowess and keep costs down for us consumers?

With Schiits movement to avoid being dependent and paying fees for others tech, and supply issues, like the AKM fire debacle. Unison to avoid the USB costs and to have better control over interfaces...

When it "rains" Schiit moves strategically to avoid the oncoming "meteors" that might impact it!

Gosh nothing stays the same in this world, does it. (well maybe vinyl and tubes!)...

Cant wait to test Mimir against all the old tired tech that was so great yesterday..

Pondering here...

:>)

Questions, and thoughts that many of us are having, as well as the reason some of us (including me) are buying Mimir to get a taste of the new Schiit DAC sound. The bright side is that they are continuing support for Yggdrasil going forward (as well as the Gungnir 2, and Bifrost 2).

It is indeed interesting that their latest high end Yggdrasil is taking aspects from both DS DACs and the innovations they started in the MB Yggdrasil.

Current supply chain constraints may or may not have played into it, but we will most likely never know.

There is a lot to take in regarding their digital focused release schedule for 2025 and beyond. I guess we will all have to take a breath and absorb on the information (and enjoy the music).

Fun times ahead.

 

[Adam Balm]

It's been asked/answered many times here. This forum has a search feature so here is 60 seconds of research -

Bingo!