Metrum Onyx vs Schiit Yggdrasil?

FWIW, a comparison of the Yggy vs the Denafrips Pontus II from a friend that might provide some insight into how the Yggy sounds. Both tend toward a warner, more analog-like sound, but the Yggy and the Pontus are slightly different in their presentation.

• The Pontus communicates more tonal color.  The Pontus is better at presenting all parts of the music with balance. The Pontus also presents with more reverb.

• The Yggy is more emphatic in how it conveys pace. The Pontus seems more realistic in its pace.

• The Pontus sounds more relaxed and laid back in its presentation, but has a greater range than the Yggy in being able to convey more or less pace or vary its presentation in line with the emotional intensity of the music being played

Hey, @calvinandhobbes, thanks for the comparison.

I have an Onyx with the Level 3 DACs and have also heard the Yggdrasil OG pretty frequently.  I would say they are pretty close (although admittedly I think a lot of DACs are pretty close unless given a long listen).  Both have that “something about them” that is non-fatiguing and relaxing - with the Onyx it strikes me as kind of a smooth depth to the sound, while with the Yggdrasil its more incisive and expressive.  I like them both more than some other DACs I’ve had from Mytek, LUMIN, etc.

I’ve only used my Onyx with the Ambre streamer, both in the USB and I2s inputs, with the latter being better.

I’m planning to stop by the Schiit store later this week on the way to LA to try and hear the MIB if they have it.  Who knows, I may leave with one and then can do some more comparisons when I get home.

Thanks, @rowlandc31 - the more I hear, the more I'm inclined towards the Onyx. Of course, I do already have a Metrum Musette DAC that I've enjoyed for about eight or nine years now.

I don’t think you can really go wrong either way.  If you do get the Onyx, get the newer DAC3 chips - I upgraded from the the DAC2 chips and it was pretty significant.