anyone have experience with both the Schiit Gungnir Multibit and PS Audio DirectStream

i have had both, the directstream sound varies considerably depending on the firmware version... the latest sunlight version is more forward and overtly detailed sounding than the gumby

both have nice air/openness, excellent bass (ds maybe a touch better) and natural mids

i was surprised how much the character the ds changed going from the windom version to sunlight (like you went from a mhdt tube dac to a chord) - took a sweet musical laid back sound and really pushed it forward, almost etched and aggressive

know also that with sunlight, there will be no more further firmware updates for the psa ds platform... it is the end of road for that generation of psa dacs

I had the opposite perception with Sunlight. The soundstage fell back a few feet and the instrumentation SQ got closer to reality. It"s very simple to load any of the firmware, they are all downloadable. Just load on separate cards and exchange at will, to suit your ear or mood.

’It"s very simple to load any of the firmware, they are all downloadable. Just load on separate cards and exchange at will, to suit your ear or mood.

That’s excellent flexibility in my opinion. Choose the particular ’sonic signature ’ firmware download that suits you the best. Seems very straightforward. 

Charles 

Wow, great info from you guys. VERY much appreciated, thank you! I didn't realize that no more updates will be forthcoming, nor that you can download and use the various firmware downloads. Thanks again, any further responses welcome also.

I have the Gumby and do not experience the relay click between tracks. It does click when I first play a new source, but not between tracks. This would be a function of your streamer. I have used a Pi, Node 2i and Sonos Connect, no clicks between tracks. 

I have the Gumby and do not experience the relay click between tracks. It does click when I first play a new source, but not between tracks. This would be a function of your streamer. I have used a Pi, Node 2i and Sonos Connect, no clicks between tracks. 

I've done some research and I've been told that  the relay click is used to switch between different "sample rates and bit depths".   So if you're listening to an album that was all recorded (digitally) identically, you will get no click.  If there is any difference, then you'll get the click.  I think you can also get the click is there is a short period of silence between the tracks (when streaming) that is not presented in the same format. 

this is correct - the clicking is pita...  bad when you have a playlist that has tracks of different types

There are certain transports, like the Cambridge, that if you put a playing disc in pause, the Gung clicks constantly until you resume play.  A design feature, I gather.

The only clicking I’ve heard is from the Bluesound Node for most but not all mp3s. Irregardless of DAC.
This made me convert them to #8 compressed .flac.

Clicks gone

Hi,
Didn't know there'd be so much comment on the Gumby's clicking (sometimes) between tracks. I'm a playlist listener, so I hear the click very often when changing tracks. This is what Schiit has to say about the clicking, from from the FAQ at the end of the Gungnir manual. Thanks again to all of your for your comments!

"Hey, this thing clicks between songs/between inputs/etc!
Yes, it does.
Care to explain why, smartass?
Sure. That’s the muting relay engaging when there’s no input. Many computer sources turn off the digital audio output between songs and when changing sampling rates. We went with a muting relay because it’s the best way to ensure there are no clicks or pops when the input is unlocked. But it does click a bit."