I think the URD will come to market. Several reasons. One is that there seems to be a renewed interest in high performing but somewhat reasonably priced CD transports, which explains the units from Cambridge, Audio Lab, Shanling, and Project. Another is the invested time and effort that Schiit has put into the engineering of working prototype units, which will also double as USB Unison hubs. It is also known that Covid slowed down the progress on several fronts. And there has been the issue of obtaining parts (like the drives they are using). Since Schiit has many products (and issues) to deal with, I would not expect them to make the URD a priority, and hurry it to market. I intend to remain patient and see if it does show up at least by early Fall.
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Yes, the URD is out! One of the reasons for the lengthy development period (maybe a GOOD thing to work out bugs) has been covid, and material shortages. I believe that SOL went away because of high assembly demands and issues with the sources of machined parts (Schiit does not do machining). And Schiit has had some delays getting the drive mechanism. The mechanism and support electronics is made by Stream Unlimited, who make the best CD drives short of very expensive ($$$$) custom designs. So this transport will not go away because Schiit is a small company, or because they are lacking in mechanical ability (the drives are made elsewhere). If it does go away, it would likely be due to poor sales or sonics that fall short (from Moffat???). In addition to having the Stream Unlimited drive & electronics, the URD has 2 transformers, linear regulation, (4 !!!) 32 bit microprocessors, and a proprietary Unison USB output solution, as well as USB hub functions. The URD is easily the least expensive CD transport to use the Stream Unlimited drive system. It may turn out to be a bargain, and with a 5 year warranty.
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There seem to be more and more transports (mostly Redbook playback) out there in the 3K and below level. As far as the URD, it is the cheapest transport to use the Stream Unlimited drive and support electronics, which seem to have the best sonics. Time will tell as to whether Moffat has produced something that approaches the sonics of more expensive transports (like the Project, or Jay's Audio CD2 Mk III). If it does, it could be seen as a bit of a bargain. Stay tuned....
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The URD actually uses the same basic drive as the CD Pro 8. The Pro 8 is different in that the drive/sled assembly is housed in a CNC machined aluminum block, as opposed to molded composite frame. The electronics/servo board in the URD is the CD88, while some use the CD84 (Project). There is basically no difference between the boards, other than the form factor. For most practical purposes, the URD drive is more or less equal, and I note that the excellent Bryston BCD3 ($4500) uses the same Stream Unlimited drive and electronics board as the URD. For most high end manufactures, there are few drives and laser head assemblies to choose from. Many (if not most) are using the Stream Unlimited drives. Only with the few very expensive CD transports (like the Teac Esoteric) do you get what could be considered a true "high end" CD drive that is able to fully maximize data extraction from a spinning CD disc. Most CD drives and laser heads have gone the way of "cheap" compared to what once was the case.
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jriggy: I worked in Acoustics & vibration research & development for 33 years. The Pro 8 housing is a very hollow block of aluminum (most of it has been CNC machined out). The housing (now with thin aluminum walls) would still be subject to resonant vibration issues (no internal damping applied). The only real advantage (a very mild one) is that possibly the alignment of drive parts will be a bit more precise in the CNC milled box. As to the carbon fiber, it is very light and stiff, but is used in a way that is likely to have no impact as far as vibration or resonant energy. And carbon fiber is not noted for any superior vibration damping characteristics (it is actually very low) There have been discussions at DIYaudio.com about the deceptive elements of the Pro 8 aluminum drive; the earlier Phillips "PRO" drives that had a die cast enclosure (not entirely unlike the Pro 8) were similarly deceptive in that it could be perceived that there were "superior" components inside, which turned out not to be quite the case.
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I received an URD on 7/24. No problems reading CD disks (or CDRs). It did not sound too great right out of the box, but now that I have 35 hours of break in, it is starting to sound really good. I suspect that it will get better still by the 100 hour mark. I have so far been using the SPDIF coaxial output exclusively, feeding a Denefrips Pontus II 12th.
My experience with the break in issue does not surprise me; similar things have happened with other components of various manufacture. It will be interesting to see just how good the URD gets when it is fully broken in. If it comes within 90% or better of the Jays Audio unit, I would say it is a bargain. I will post further when I reach 100 hours.
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I am at the 70 hour mark with my URD break in. Only the URD was changed in my system (same coax cable - SPDIF). The unit did not sound too good right out of the box, but has settled in significantly at this point. The major thing I am hearing (compared to the previous transport) is that there appears to be greater resolution, clarity, and a sense of greater illumination in the presentation of the music. My previous transport evoked a more "burnished" sound quality that had a slightly softer focus, and a presentation that had less illumination (as if the lights were turned down a bit in a room). I was very accustomed to the previous sound quality, so this change, though not great, was initially mistaken for a sense of "digital glare", but continued listening convinces me that this is not what is happening. There may be further change in the sound as I approach 100 - 150 hours of break in. Would love to hear other's impression on their URD.
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I now have about 120 hours on my URD. No problems reading CD disks (or CDRs). It did not sound too great right out of the box, but now is sounding really good. I have so far been using the SPDIF coaxial output exclusively, feeding a Denefrips Pontus II 12th.
This transport needs between 100 and 150 hours of burn in before making any serious observations. I have not noticed anything that sounds out of balance, or an emphasis in any particular aspect of the sound. At this point I like what I am hearing. This looks like a very solid transport, and I will eventually begin listening via the USB connection to see if there are further sonic gains.
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Sorry to hear your unit was DOA. Sort of strange since Schiit says they run units for a day before shipping. I wonder if the few issues I have heard about are centered in the Stream Unlimited drive / electronics board, or the Schiit boards? I have had no issues with my unit (now over 120 hours of play).
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mooglie:
What specific USB cables have worked with your URD? I have had issues with that type of connection, and have an inquiry in to Schiit about the issue. My unit now has about 135 hours on it, and sounds great! No problems with it other than the USB connection. And, yes, build quality is very solid.
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mooglie:
Thanks for the input on the cables! What would you say are the differences you hear between the Kimber USB cable and the DH Labs Mirage using the URD?
Thanks!
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mooglie: Thanks for the cable input! You mention the USB cable connection between the URD and Schiit DAC as being "picky". Can you comment further on this? I have a URD feeding a Pontus II 12th, and a cheap USB C cable I tried did nothing, although I learned (from Denafrips) that there needs to be a +5 vdc from the transport to trigger their USB receiver. Have a pending question to Schiit on the +5 vdc availability.
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mooglie: You have again brought up some good points! The URD does output a +5vdc from the USC C output socket when the USB output is selected. As to the Denafrips DAC; since they have created their own processing code for USB, there is a question of compatibility that needs to be investigated. I suspect that the high end audio world is still in an uncertain place in regards to USB compatibility (fixed standards) as well as questions regarding the I squared S output (which I believe has no standard at all). This is turning into another learning experience!
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