[purehifi192]

Spin CDs...and seamlessly integrate with streamers and computers. Urd is the only CD transport with USB output and two USB inputs. So go ahead. Dig up those old shiny memories…and run them right next to your latest streams.

CD Transport with USB or SPDIF Output
Urd is the only CD transport that gives you Unison USB™ output, allowing direct connection to a USB-input DAC. Or, choose the included SPDIF outputs—coax and AES—for easy integration with any system.

USB Hub for Your Entire System
Here’s where things get interesting: you can also connect two USB devices to the Urd. Yes, Urd has two USB inputs! Then, choose what you want to listen to—CD, USB1, or USB2—using the standard remote control. Now, you can run CDs when you feel like it, and stream when you want convenience, all with a DAC with a single USB input.

Convert USB to AES and Coax, Too
What’s more, Urd can also convert the two USB inputs into SPDIF output, for integration with DACs that don’t have a USB input. It’s a versatile centerpiece of an entire digital system. Bring your discs and your computer, choose your DAC, and you’re ready for anything.

Super High Quality Throughout
Urd starts with a real StreamUnlimited metal tray-loading Redbook CD mechanism—not a cheap computer drive or slot-loader. From there, massive computing power, including four 32-bit microprocessors, and a 100% linear supply, including separate transformers for both the drive and digital sections, make Urd a CD transport that stands far above entry-level options.

Sleek, Streamlined Design
Unlike other CD transports, Urd is thin and sleek. At 16” wide, 8” deep, and 2” high, it’s exactly the same size as a Freya or Loki Max, and stacks perfectly with them.

CD Transport
Formats Supported: Redbook CD only
Gapless Playback: Yes

Inputs
Two (2) Unison USB™ Inputs
Maximum Sample Rate/Bit Depth: 192kHz, 32 bits
Switchable USB inputs: Yes

Outputs:
One (1) Unison USB Output
One (1) AES digital output
One (1) Coaxial SPDIF output
Maximum Sample Rate/Bit Depth on all outputs: 192kHz, 32 bits
Simultaneous USB/SPDIF output: No, choose one

CD Drive Type: StreamUnlimited real actual CD drive, tray load, metal construction

Power Consumption: 15W maximum
Size: 16”W x 8”D x 2”H
Weight: 8 lbs

So Schiit does a CD player now?
Nope!

Well, this certainly looks like a CD player. What is it, then?
It’s a CD transport and Unison USB™ Hub. That means, amongst other things, it does play CDs, but it only provides digital output. If you want analog output, you need to add a DAC.

Aha. Ok. Digital out from CDs. Snore.
Well, there is the little tiny fact that Urd is the only CD transport that provides a Unison USB output.

Wait, what? A USB output from a CD? How does that work?
Very well!

Sigh. Okay, why don’t you just tell me all the wonderful things Urd does?
Absolutely, here you go. Urd is a:

• CD Transport. As in, put in a CD, get digital out via AES and coax. You know, like most transports. But you can also select the Unison USB output, which means you can play your CD directly to a USB-input DAC.
• Unison USB Hub. Urd also has two USB inputs that you can connect to other USB sources, and switch between them. This allows you to integrate a streamer or computer into the mix without having a ton of USB inputs on your DAC. Since most DACs usually have only single USB input, we figured this would be super helpful.
• USB to SPDIF converter. Urd can also convert those two USB inputs to SPDIF, and output via coax and AES.

Wait a sec! So I can plug in my streamer and switch it in when I don’t want to run CDs?
Yes.

And I can convert any USB source into SPDIF for my DACs that don’t take USB?
Absolutely.

And I can compare my streaming services to CDs?
You’re getting it!

So what’s the catch? This thing must be using a crappy drive or something?
No. Actually, we’re using a StreamUnlimited real true Redbook CD drive with a metal mechanism—basically the gold standard for drives. You’ll see it in products that cost many times what this one does. No computer drives, no slot loads, just a good old tray-loading drive.

Then it must be crap parts and engineering?
Nope! In fact, Urd has four 32-bit microprocessors inside to manage all the digital switching and format conversions, all run with Schiit’s Unison USB code—the only USB input that was designed specifically for open-standard audio formats, without the distractions of unicorn formats du jour. It also has a 100% linear power supply with two transformers (one for the drive and one for the digital section, as well as a properly-isolated AES digital output and super-high-reliability USB-C connectors. The chassis is made in USA, from heavy aluminum and steel, with machined aluminum buttons and drawer.

There’s gotta be a catch.
Only one: your source and your DAC will need to be UAC2. This is the worldwide standard for USB audio, and most DACs these days are UAC2 compliant. All of our DACs since the $99 Modi 3 from 2017 have been UAC2 compliant, for example. Some dongles aren’t, and some older DACs aren’t. If you’re unsure, ask your DAC manufacturer if they are UAC2 compliant.

So what if I want just a CD transport?
Then use Urd as just a CD transport. There’s no law against that.

Or just a USB switcher?
Weird use, but sure, why not?

How about a DDC?
Again, yes, but why not do CDs?

What if I don’t have CDs?
Then Urd may not be for you. However, if you want to get into CDs, now is a great time. Prices are low, unlike records. You can stock up on plenty of physical media for the time after Skynet takes over and wipes all the streaming files from existence.

You know, there are lots of transports out there that are cheaper than Urd.
Absolutely there are. We bet none of them are using an actual StreamUnlimited CD drive—as in, they might be using some DVD drive for computers, the kind of thing that was closed out at Frys in 2014 at $18.99—and we know that none of them have Unison USB output or USB hub functionality. And that's fine. There are plenty of choices out there, including not having a transport at all and just doing streaming. Your choice!

You know, this is a helluva deal for a transport that uses a real StreamUnlimited CD drive, and has a ton of unique tech, and is small and slim, rather than as big as a 1980's rack-mount product.
Yes, and there's that perspective too. We hope you enjoy Urd!

What is an "Urd?"
In Norse mythology, Urd is a Norn relating to fate in Norse mythology. It’s the one looking to the past. In this case, the dim dark past of 1981, and the introduction of the CD. Enjoy your retro media!

https://www.schiit.com/products/urd

 

[purehifi192]

It appears the most direct way to connect from Urd's USB-C out to USB-B input like on Bifrost is with a "USB-C Printer Cable".

Unless Schiit can guide us otherwise?

 

[purehifi192]

The press release announcing Urd refers to it as a CD "player" rather than a "transport"

CD, REBOOTED​

​

Schiit Introduces Urd CD Transport and Unison USB™ Hub

July 12, 2023, Valencia, CA. Today, Schiit Audio announced the availability of Urd, a complete re-invention of the CD player. Urd serves as a hub for an entire modern digital audio system, easily integrating streamers and other digital sources with integrated Unison USB™ digital input and output. Urd also provides USB to SPDIF conversion, for maximum compatibility with legacy DACs. Urd is available today, from $1299.

“Urd is the CD player, re-booted,” said Mike Moffat, Schiit’s Co-Founder and head of digital development. “It’s the first and only CD player with a USB output, yes, but it’s really a lot more—it’s the center piece, the focal point, of a complete digital system that includes CDs, streamers, and computer or tablet sources. By providing two USB digital inputs and a USB output, you can run an all Unison USB system. Or you can run it out to SPDIF. Urd also does the normal ‘transport stuff,’ like digital SPDIF output from a CD, but the main thing is that it does everything, does it seamlessly, and integrates with nearly anything.”

Urd provides the following functionality:

• CD transport to SPDIF output (AES and coaxial)
• CD transport to Unison USB output
• USB inputs (x2) to USB output—USB switching
• USB inputs (x2) to SPDIF output—USB to SPDIF conversion

This flexibility allows an Urd owner to spin CDs, then immediately switch to a streamer or computer source (or tablet or phone) for the convenience of a large library, or to compare to the original CDs. With many streamed sources being remastered, the comparison is sometimes very eye-opening. Urd also connects to older DACs that may not have USB input, providing a bridge between modern sources and older, but still beloved, components.

Unique technology and convenience is further bolstered by exceptional quality. In Urd’s case, a StreamUnlimited metal tray-loading CD mechanism is the heart of the player. This type of drive is used in products costing much more than Urd, and do not provide Urd’s unique flexibility.

From the drive, four 32-bit microprocessors, 100% linear power supply, including two transformers (one just for the drive), aluminum remote control, and a slim, sleek, all-metal, made-in-USA chassis, and a 5-year warranty attest to Urd’s focus on quality.

Urd’s unique USB output was the focus of several person-years of development at Schiit, in order to assure rock-solid performance and broad compatibility. Urd works with all UAC2 compliant sources and DACs that have been through Schiit’s testing; UAC2 is the accepted international standard for USB audio, and is supported by all modern operating systems.

“I was a late convert to Urd,” said Jason Stoddard, Schiit’s co-founder and head of analog design. “I mean, I figured it would be good. I have several thousand CDs, and I was thrilled to be able to play them on our own transport. But what I didn’t know was how great it would be to have everything integrated—streamer and computer and CDs—and be able to switch between them. Urd is absolutely fantastic in that respect.

Urd, like all Schiit products, is designed and produced in the USA. We label it “designed and built in California,” since it’s made at our Valencia, California facility. Urd chassis are made minutes from our facility, transformers are from NorCal, PC boards are from Simi Valley.

Schiit’s Urd is exactly the same size as Freya and Loki Max and stacks well with those products. It’s available in black and silver finish for $1299 and $1349 respectively.

https://www.schiit.com/about/news/cd-rebooted

 

[purehifi192]

Has anyone connected Urd's USB-C output into a computer's USB input (either USB-C or USB-A)? For example, to rip CDs.

What would a computer capture if utilizing a network player, ie Roon device -> Urd -> Computer?

 

[matthia]

It appears the most direct way to connect from Urd's USB-C out to USB-B input like on Bifrost is with a "USB-C Printer Cable".

I bought one of these:

https://quartzacoustic.com/shop/got...b-cable-with-improved-gold-plated-connectors/

Very well made and great sounding.

Matt

 

[purehifi192]

I bought one of these:

https://quartzacoustic.com/shop/got...b-cable-with-improved-gold-plated-connectors/

Very well made and great sounding.

Matt

Thank you. That's USB-C to USB-A though. This type of connection requires USB-C to USB-B, no?

 

[matthia]

Thank you. That's USB-C to USB-A though. This type of connection requires USB-C to USB-B, no?

Look closely and see that you can get also C to B.

Matt

 

[purehifi192]

Look closely and see that you can get also C to B.

Matt

Ah, missed that. Yes. Thank you for correcting. Stopped at the picture

 

[Dr. Cube]

Has anyone connected Urd's USB-C output into a computer's USB input (either USB-C or USB-A)? For example, to rip CDs.

What would a computer capture if utilizing a network player, ie Roon device -> Urd -> Computer?

You shouldn't be able to do anything with it at all if you plug a PC into the USB output port, because you're plugging one USB host into another USB host. I tried it anyway with a laptop, and the result on Urd's end is, as expected:

The PC didn't log anything at all about a connected USB device. And again, that's expected, because I didn't connect a USB device, I connected another USB host.

Plug the PC into one of the USB input ports and it's a different story. Urd sees a new source device, the PC logs a new USB device connected, recognizes that it's a USB Audio Class 2.0 device, and off you go.

 

[matthia]

@Dr. Cube

Does the Urd improve the USB input signal so that the USB output signal is superior than the USB input signal?

That means:
Does a system sound better when the Urd is between a server and a DAC in comparison to set-up where the server feeds directly the DAC?

Thanks

Matt

 

[Dr. Cube]

I don't know. To me it sounds virtually entirely like the DAC it's plugged into. I don't usually hear any difference between digital input connections to the same DAC, so I'm probably not the one to ask about that sort of thing. My Bluesound Node has sometimes had some weird glitches connected by USB directly to an Yggdrasil OG if the Node was also under load reindexing an SMB share, and I haven't been able to reproduce that with it connected through the Urd, yet... but I've never really been able to reliably trigger that condition on demand.

 

[purehifi192]

You shouldn't be able to do anything with it at all if you plug a PC into the USB output port, because you're plugging one USB host into another USB host. I tried it anyway with a laptop, and the result on Urd's end is, as expected:


The PC didn't log anything at all about a connected USB device. And again, that's expected, because I didn't connect a USB device, I connected another USB host.

Plug the PC into one of the USB input ports and it's a different story. Urd sees a new source device, the PC logs a new USB device connected, recognizes that it's a USB Audio Class 2.0 device, and off you go.

Hhmmmm... so there's no way to rip CDs using Urd?

 

[Dr. Cube]

Hhmmmm... so there's no way to rip CDs using Urd?

There's not a good way. I can think of some bad ways, like buying a separate USB interface with a SPDIF or AES input and capturing the digital audio stream from it. Or plugging the analog output of a DAC into an ADC... But the Urd is not a USB optical drive. I'm not sure the StreamUnlimited mechanism has the right capabilities to support it, but turning Urd into a CD ripping drive would at least require Schiit to develop new Urd firmware that implements USB Mass Storage Class, which is an entirely different thing from the USB Audio Class that Urd implements in two different directions.

It's for listening to CDs, switching USB inputs, and converting USB to SPDIF and AES and it's good at those things.

 

[purehifi192]

Thank you for the details, here. Good to know.

 

[matthia]

Some more impressions:
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/schiit-urd-impressions.13605/

Matt