My test bed:
Desktop with Corsair AX power supply (better caps for cleaner power)
Spotify
Both dacs set to 24/44.1 for all listening
The two dac setups:
Yggdrasil -> Integrated Gen3 USB -> Desktop
Master 7 -> I2S -> DI-2014 (with upgraded clock) -> USB -> Desktop
YMMV/IMO/etc.....
When I plugged my Master 7 in, I got most of what I'm used to.
Amazing resolution, dynamics, soundstage, clarity, presence, control.
Of course if you're spending $2k+ on Dac, this is expected. The M7 in the arena of DACs is no slouch.
With that said, it seemed ... hot? Hard to explain. In direct comparison with the Yggdrasil, it seemed louder. Not in the sense of volume, just blown out.
Please keep in mind, when I say "blown out", it is in comparison between the two, I'm talking about nuances here.
Maybe could be the fact that the M7 XLR outputs 5v, while the Yggdrasil XLR ourputs 4.5v?
I've read others reviews between the two, the general consensus was, M7 is more "liquid" and "tamer". Upon finally A/B'ing myself, I found quite the opposite to be true.
I had to listen to songs I've been recently listening to, because that's really the only way to make even remotely good comparisons.
Van Halen:
Hot for Teacher - Starting drums slightly more defined (maybe not defined, but clearer...) with the Ygg
Cymbals after the drums more articulated. Guitar itself less "blown out" with the Ygg
Kleerup:
Longing for Lullabies - Female focal lost it's nuances, bland with the M7.
I don't particularly like the vocals on this song, but I was at a party
and listened to this about 20 times recently.
Rone:
Parade - More ethereal with the Ygg, better microdetail.
Slash:
Anastasia- The opening guitar really lost it's life with the M7. After it breaks out into the louder guitar part after that, the M7 again gave me this "blown out" feeling. (please keep in mind this is still nuances in direct comparison to the Ygg). The solo starting at 3:04 is simply better with the Yggdrasil, less harsh, more articulated.
I'm going to a meetup this Saturday, and was going to keep the M7 in my office for a few days until that, because it's not the easiest job to swap around the audio chains. After work, I just wanted to listen, and put the Ygg back into my Stax chain, if that tells you anything...
Not sure what others have heard when they reviewed these two, but it could be because the two items below were not done:
Keeping the Ygg on 24/7 (for at least 1 month after buying) to get it's full quality.
Also, some peeps over in the Yggdrasil thread said the Gen3 USB needs burning in as well.
To summarize, I like the Yggdrasil much better with my Carbon+009 setup.
The M7 is no slouch, but yea.