Ok All you Schiit Eitr's

Thanks. 

There may be other advantages (galvanic isolation; equipped with a linear power supply) but for me it was simple...
the Gungnir DAC I bought did not have USB input (only BNC, RCA & Toslink for digital inputs).  At first I was using a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 to convert USB to SPDIF to enable listening to USB output from a Macbook Air (now from an Aries Mini).  

USB advanced over the years.  I purchased the Eitr as an upgrade to the V-Link and because it incorporated Schiit's latest (5th gen?) implementation of USB, plus I really did want another piece of Schiit in the system :-)  Someone buying a DAC equipped with USB input wouldn't necessarily need the Eitr.    

Yes, but why use one?  I’m quite serious. Can you give an example? Thanks

@maritime51- the Eitr is a USB to SPDIF converter.  http://www.schiit.com/products/eitr

What is this device for?

when I switched from USB to coax via the Eitr on my Hegel HD25 DAC it was probably the most satisfying upgrade I've done to my system.  And that was initially using a basic BJ coax.   A few months later I happened to have the chance to borrow an AQ Carbon coax.  I expected nothing much, but gave it a shot anyway.  It took only seconds to confirm that the AQ made a substantial difference for the good.  I sold my BJ coax and have never looked back.

Hope the Eitr brings greater enjoyment from your music, radioman. I expect it’ll sound pretty good right out of the box. BTW - there is a lengthy and still active Eitr discussion thread over on HeadFi.org. As to whether USB vs Coax is more critical to the sound, my O-pinion at the start was that the coax cable would have more impact on the sound. Now I am not so sure, so I can’t really answer for you; will just relate my experience.

A number of participants over on HeadFi like the Pyst USB cable. Good performance to price. It is actually a Straight Wire product. Of course there are advocates for higher end stuff...mainly the AQ Carbon, Coffee & Diamond but also a contingent advocating WireWorld Platinum Starlight.

I had tried some entry level USB cables from Pangea (all silver...not silver plated) and AQ (the Pearl...all copper). I came across an Absolute Sound review that led me to try an Oyaide neo D+ Class A USB. The difference vs the Pangea AG and AQ Pearl was not subtle...much greater than the difference on the coax side between the D-750, XV2 or Silverstar. Am still very curious about Coffee and Platinum Starlight but for the money the Class A Oyaide is really really good. Would the difference in performance with the Oyaide have been as apparent with a coax other than the Silverstar?....I think so, but never really did that experiment.

I guess where you put your $ will depend on what coax you use now and cost to upgrade that vs an upgrade of the Pyst USB. Read the reviews, of course, and scour the used market (here, US Audio Mart, Used Cable.com, Audio Asylum Trader are the ones I visit most often). Good luck.

Another juvenile product name from Schiit, as usual.

hey ghosthouse thanks for that info!  It will help because I just received one to go with my Bifrost 4490.  Another question if I may I've been using their Pyst USB cable with the Bifrost since I bought it (2yrs)  Which cable do you think would be more critical of the sound, USB or the digital?  

Anyway thanks again!  By the way who is that you in your Avatar?

Not to be flip, but seems to me just about anything electronic and audio-related benefits from "break in".  Typically, before that's accomplished, either the bass will be MIA and/or the sound will be closed in - HF somewhat rolled off, ambient cues weak or absent.  Having said that, I can't say I noted a huge improvement in sound with break in of the Eitr.  Maybe it was the exception to the rule, or just didn't have a significant impact, or maybe it was because other system changes made around the same time masked it.  

Tried a few different coax cables on the Eitr including a DH Labs D-750, a Stereovox XV2 and a Blackcat Silverstar! 75 (v1). I use the Silverstar full time.  I thought the Silverstar, in addition to being more detailed, also presented a more fully fleshed-out soundstage.  

Hope this is of some use.   

Oh, by the way, re your thread title?
Yes I am and proud of it.  ;-)