Enquiring minds want to know – will it do DSD??
New Product - Schiit Byggy DAC Details
I was told that Schiit recently announced a program for Schist YGGY DAC owners to upgrade to the new Schiit BYGGY DAC (see upgrade link below). Perplexity AI describes the new DAC below the =======. The BYGGY uses a bespoke delta-sigma architecture, not the traditional Schiit True Multibit approach. The core of BYGGY is the Singular™ 7/6 converter: a 7-bit, 6 MHz delta-sigma modulator, fully developed in-house, paired with a discrete Nexus™ analog output stage.
Please note that only EXISTING YGGY DAC owners can order the BYGGY. General BYGGY availability is after these upgrades have been completed. An exact general availability date is TBD.
SCHIIT says “Byggy represents Schiit’s shift to a state-of-the-art delta-sigma DAC, with a focus on in-house engineering and top-tier sound quality”.
Initial BYGGY owner comments note excitement for the sonic improvements promised by Schiit, but also acknowledge that sound quality verdicts will depend on more hands-on listening once units are in the field.
================================= (Source is Perplexity AI in quotes)
"Overview
• The Schiit Byggy is Schiit’s new flagship DAC, succeeding the Yggdrasil+ at the top of their lineup.
• It shares the same chassis as the Yggdrasil+ but features a different rear panel and entirely new internal design.
Technology
• Byggy uses a bespoke delta-sigma architecture, not the traditional Schiit True Multibit approach.
• The delta-sigma modulator is custom-designed by Schiit, running at 6MHz with 7-bit depth, and implemented via FPGA.
• The analog output stage is a fully discrete Nexus™ differential design.
Inputs and Features
• Two USB inputs, one optimized for higher bitrates, and compatibility with Schiit’s Forkbeard interface.
• Designed to connect between digital sources (like computers, streamers, CD transports) and analog devices (preamp, amp, receiver, headphone amp).
Positioning and Sound
• Schiit claims Byggy is their most advanced DAC, stating it sounds better than previous Yggdrasil models.
• Multibit DACs remain in Schiit’s lineup, but Byggy’s delta-sigma implementation is currently considered their best.
Price and Upgrade
• Byggy is priced at $2999 new, with an upgrade path from Yggdrasil for $2000 (unit must be returned to Schiit).
Byggy represents Schiit’s shift to a state-of-the-art delta-sigma DAC, with a focus on in-house engineering and top-tier sound quality.
The Schiit Byggy DAC’s delta-sigma implementation is considered highly advanced due to several key factors:
• Fully Custom Design: The delta-sigma modulator is 100% Schiit’s own design, based on proprietary closed-form mathematical models rather than off-the-shelf DAC chips or standard architectures.
• High Operating Rate: It runs at an exceptionally high clock rate of 6 MHz, which is much faster than typical delta-sigma DACs. This high oversampling rate reduces quantization noise and improves resolution and linearity.
• 7-Bit Depth Modulator: The modulator uses a 7-bit depth, which is relatively high for delta-sigma designs, allowing more precise digital representation before conversion to analog.
• FPGA Implementation: The modulator is implemented on an FPGA driving individual resistors, enabling precise control and customization of the conversion process.
• Discrete Nexus™ Output Stage: The analog output stage is a fully discrete Nexus™ differential design, enhancing analog signal integrity and reducing distortion.
• Innovative DSP and USB Interface: It incorporates Schiit’s Unison 384™ USB inputs and Forkbeard™ control system, enabling advanced digital preamp functionality and seamless integration.
Together, these innovations allow the Byggy to achieve superior sound quality and technical performance, making it arguably the most advanced delta-sigma DAC implementation in the world today.
In essence, Byggy’s delta-sigma design combines high oversampling, custom math, FPGA precision, and top-tier analog output to push the boundaries of what delta-sigma DACs can achieve.
Schiit’s delta-sigma modulator in the Byggy DAC is considered among the most advanced in the world for several reasons:
• Fully Proprietary Architecture: Unlike standard delta-sigma DACs that use off-the-shelf chips, Schiit’s design is based on their own closed-form mathematical models and implemented in-house, allowing for complete control over the digital-to-analog process and noise shaping.
• High Oversampling Rate: The modulator operates at 6 MHz, far higher than typical consumer DACs, which enables more effective suppression of quantization noise and greater signal fidelity.
• Greater Bit Depth: Byggy’s modulator uses a 7-bit depth, which is unusual for delta-sigma designs (many use 1-5 bits), allowing for more precise representation of the audio signal before conversion to analog.
• Custom Digital Filtering: Schiit incorporates their unique, closed-form digital filter (originally developed for their True Multibit DACs), which is designed to preserve time and frequency domain accuracy, further enhancing performance.
• FPGA Implementation: The modulator runs on an FPGA, offering flexibility and precision beyond what’s possible with fixed-function DAC chips.
These factors combine to set Schiit’s delta-sigma implementation apart from typical designs, pushing the boundaries of performance and sound quality in the DAC world.
A bespoke delta-sigma architecture refers to a delta-sigma modulator and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) system that is custom-designed by a specific manufacturer, rather than using off-the-shelf or generic delta-sigma chips commonly found in mass-market audio products.
In a typical delta-sigma DAC, standard components process the input signal by oversampling and noise-shaping to achieve high resolution and low noise. However, a bespoke (custom) delta-sigma architecture means the manufacturer—like Schiit—develops their own modulator, digital filters, and sometimes even the analog output stage from the ground up, tailored specifically for their performance goals and engineering philosophies. This allows for greater control over sound quality, noise shaping, and signal processing, setting the product apart from generic implementations".