Schiit URD CD Transport SOON?

I know the first run of Urds was to be rather small - perhaps 250.  I believe those may have sold out  quickly and a second run is planned.  Perhaps there are some units DOA, but I have read of only one user with this problem on this forum. Outside this forum the biggest users are on Head Fi and Superbest Audio friends forums.  I've read of some USB connection issues there, but no DOA units. 

My Urd arrived just fine - not DOA.  It works fine, too.  The USB-C connection is a bit picky about cables. Perhaps some people are having issues getting a proper compatible  UAC2, USB 2.0 cable?  Also, it helps to completely read the user manual before using the unit to understand  proper operation of the unit.  I initially had problems getting the Urd to connect and function properly until I read  user manual. 

I have had an Yggdrasil since they first came out and it has been completely reliable.  The build quality of both the Urd and Yggdrasil are very high, in my opinion.  Schiit offers a 5 year warranty on the Urd with 2 years on the Stream Unlimited transport. 
 

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.

fastcat95,

I've successfully used a DH Labs Mirage and a Kimber Kable Select Cu, both native USB-C to USB-B with no adapters.

Both of these as Urd USB output to an Yggdrasil+.  I haven't tried any digital inputs. 

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!

fastcat95,

There's a couple of reviews for the Kimber Kable on the web.  One on Hi-Fi+ by Alan Sircom and the other in German on Fairaudio.  I'd say I agree with both of those reviews for the Kimber Kable.  A lot of people on this site  have used the DH Labs cable.  So, you should be able to find many opinions on it.

The Kimber cable breaks in very quickly, and sounds good from the get-go. The DH Labs cable may need an extended burn-in time.  The presentation, to me, was a bit lean in the midrange and bass.  I didn't want to use the Urd to burn in the DH Labs for 200 to 500 hours, therefore I picked up the Kimber Kable.  I kept the DH Labs cable as I may use it as an input cable somewhere down the road.  Also, I may try to burn it in more on my PC, or loan it to a friend to burn in.

The DH Labs cable has a bit more air and sparkle up top. That's somewhat expected being a silver plated cable.  The Kimber sounds more like very good copper, if you know what that means.  A bit warmer and organic toned, with a lovely midrange.  A bit more grounded and meaty, but not too slow sounding.

Cables being so highly subjective and dependent on your system build and personal preferences, I can't say which one you'd prefer.  The Kimber is several times more expensive.  Not that that always matters.  But, the Kimber is using a very high purity, all copper design, which typically yields a more coherent presentation, in my experience.

Both companies offer returns.   

There's not many USB-C, USB 2.0, audio grade cables out there.  Oyaide Neo has a moderate priced cable that might be worth investigating.  DH Labs also has a less expensive cable. Audioquest and Wireworld also have several cables available.