Schiit Yggdrasil DAC, why did they change it ?

I have a WANTED ad to buy a second Yggi+ OG., not the older one but the latest. I have not heard the older ones, but the last iteration of that DAC sounds so good that I wanted to replace the Less Is More with a second OG. The LIM is very good and a fun listen, but it is rolled off on top. I was also thinking of converting the LIM to the OG's replacement, the More Is Better.

Last night I wrote a long post about how much better the LIM sounded with the $8 USB cable from Benchmark that I accidently ordered. I am now going to buy the same cable for the OG too. I am throwing away my $200 or $400 name brand USB cable for this basic $8 USB cable.

I bought the cable because my 3rd DAC is the Benchmark DAC3B, and I had gotten tired of switching USB connections. I recently traded for a 3rd Sonore opticaRendu streamer, now connected to the DAC3B The DAC3B was also much improved with the cheap USB. Some harshness went away, and the mystical 'musical' term came into my thoughts.

My office headphone system is all Schitt based gear:

• Less Is More DAC
• Mjolnir v3 (which I like more than the Freya+ and the CODA 07x preamps)
• Aegir v1 mono amps
• RAAL CA-1a amp interface and CA-1a headphones.

This is the second-best way to listen to the CA-1a I have, the best being my RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp. The change to the $8 USB cable closed the gap but I have not heard the USB cable yet with the VM-1a (later tonight).

Here is what Benchmark says about USB cables. I am going with this logic for the Yggi+'s too, I am a convert.

"Due to the jitter attenuation provided by the Benchmark UltraLock™ systems, special "premium" USB cables are not recommended."

BTW - some of the best audio advice I got was when I called Schitt up at the SchittR and the guy working that day, who was a musician, gave me advice on their DACs. He hated the Less Is More that I owned (so did another musician friend of mine with great ears). Though I do love the LIM for some brighter setups.

The guy at the SchittR said the very best DAC they have ever made is the last iteration of the Yggi+ OG. He said they are no longer making it due to a part shortage and that if he had the cash, he would pick up the last unit from the Clearance page of the web site. He suggested that I do the same if I had the cash. I bought it immediately at full price, $2899. It took a month of break-in, but I love this DAC and no longer looking for anything else, other than getting close to the OG sound with maybe the MIB.

BTW2 - let me further my cable conspiracy theories. I recently bought a used Magnepan Mini system to replace my sold LRS+ system. I have a smaller office now. The LIM DAC is also hooked up to this pathway.

I was reading where the Maggies may not need fancy speaker cable and that a 10 AWG Blue Jean cable (2 sets for around $200) could be as good as fancy cables.

Well, I did have a fancy Audience FrontRow speaker cable (around $5k) on the old LRS+ system and still have this cable. I got the Blue Jean cable and set it up on my Sanders Magtech amp (connected to the Benchmark HPA4 preamp). This was the same setup as the LRS+. The sound was a bit better than the LRS+ system. Now I attribute this to the fact that the Mini is likely better than the LRS+ (in the appropriate space). Main point was that the cheap Blue Jean cable seemed to be as good as the FrontRow on the LRS+. I was not able to try the FrontRow on the Mini due to length and termination on the cable.

I put the Audience FrontRow up for sale. I have a second Audience FrontRow on my Yamaha NS5000 speakers, the Blue Jean was a real fun listen on that too, but the FrontRow is the keeper on that speaker.

As I recall -

Prior, during Covid, and coming out of the pandemic I recall the same as others about parts availability issues, boards, along with some price hiking going on with processors - they were not too happy about. That’s how I ended up with a different Schiit DAC to try, wanted to try another unit with the new TI processors just to check it out. Resold it in six months. Was clean, detailed, yet lacked some of the lushness for me. During all of this, Jason made a video of what he used on his desk at the time, and he had also commented about them making the new DACs a little smaller for better fitment for the mass market. Seems like they were hyped up at the time about the new stuff [because maybe that’s what they could offer at the time] but as I recall some diehard customers kept bringing up Yggy and older versions too. As i’ve learned with my current DAC, keep it if you really like it.

I still have one of the brand new [still in wrapper] remote controls from one of those Schiit DACs that I should probably go list for someone who needs it or wants a backup. 

I have a OG with the V.2 analog cards and Unison USB I upgraded myself, when I found out about the upgrade program I thought cool, I'll get the latest and greatest chips in my unit. 

When I took it into the Schittr they guys there said that mine is the best sounding, better than the new versions, and no need to upgrade the DAC chip, so I just paid for the chassis upgrade which was well worth it since it's smaller, I changed from silver to black, and I have the remote control now which really helps.

Robert Harley and Herb Reichert reviews almost made me want to upgrade from my gungnir to yagdrassil.

@yyzsantabarbara  Hi, is Yggi+ OG equivalent to Yggi+ / A1 analog board / Unison USB or Yggi+ / A2 analog board / Unison or none above.  If none above, what is it?  Thx.

@lanx0003 I cannot answer this, but I recently got this email from Schitt when I asked them a question about an older OG that someone offered to sell me.

info@schiit.com

I’m glad you are enjoying the Yggdrasil. The Yggy that is in the picture you sent appears to be an OG Yggy in the original Chassis. It looks to have a Gen 5 USB card and has the original 1.0 OG analog cards. The only upgrade I can see from that picture would be the Gen 5 USB as it might have had a GEN 3 USB originally. From pictures I’m unable to tell exactly what cards are installed in it, but no other upgrades are indicated from the picture you sent.

If you bought your previous Yggy+ OG from us directly in the past year it is probably the 2.01 OG analog card version. Unless it is a GS YGGY+ (which would have the GS at the beginning of the serial number). In that case, it would have the 1.0 Analog cards.

I hope I answered your questions. If you need any other clarification or have other questions, please feel free to ask.

Sean Entrikin

Schiit Audio

I did not buy the older OG based on the conversation I had with the musician guy at the SchittR,

I bought the original GS with analog 1 cards and Gen 5 USB. I later upgraded to analog 2 cards, the Less-is-More chip, and the Unison USB card, which I upgraded myself; Schiit sent a new label to replace the GS. Then the new Yggdrasil+ came out with a remote control and the smaller chassis. I sent the old case is and got the new one back. Turns out I could have reinstalled all the old cards, but I sent back the fully upgraded piece. I miss the old, larger case. I worked it out, it cost me the same amount to get all the upgrades as to buy a new unit entire. I think the Gen 2 analog made the biggest difference in the sound, brought the sound stage to a more coherent whole, where I had been getting some odd imaging, like cymbals at my feet, bass notes beyond the walls of the room, which was most disconcerting to me. 
My only hope is that the promised user upgrades will bring further joys and any degradation the new parts might contribute. 

    Interesting read gentleman. I just contacted Schiit as my Gen III card is intermittently not working and my streamer won’t recognize my Yiggy. I didn’t think much about the age of the Yiggy until I saw A000058 on the back. It’s pending a Unison USB replacement and they commented on the age of the unit. Does that make me the Oldest Fart here ? Only downside is they’re shut down for the move. Guess they’re leaving Ca, but all the posts have been deleted. Whoops, hope I don’t run out of TP. Cheers , Mike 

I still love my old OG Yggy. I also love the idea that I can swap and upgrade parts if I want. Or if they break. Right now the system it lives in is so dialed that I don't want to upset anything. So I leave it alone. Can't say I haven't been tempted a few times though. If I used USB I would at least do that upgrade but I am AES all the way in that system so no point. 

I'm considering the Bifrost 2/64. Do any of you have experience with it compared to the Yggy versions? Does it too sound "dark" similar to the Yggy LIM or would it be more neutral? I've heard good things about it, but not sure I want a DAC that is too "rolled off" in the highs, even though my hearing tops out now around 12,500 Hz. Thanks. 

@moonwatcher while I had the new BF 2/64 for less than a year, I did not own the Yggy prior. Liked Yggy, just wanted a smaller footprint dac to try that was close enough to try, maybe. I still gather Yggy in some versions is its own gem of course. Not discounting that.  One reason I tried it is - owner of Schiit Jason S moved from an Yggy to the BF 2/64 for his own desktop system. Imo, the DAC is not too rolled off at all. You have the switch mode too on that DAC. I was in the smaller crowd that preferred BF 2/64 in NOS switch mode. Some liked the opposite, Schiit’s proprietary Mega Combo Burrito (MCB) filter switch mode better. I did not, my system is transparent and I could sense all etch. NOS switch mode in this multi-bit DAC is neat. I resold it in one day, was happy to let someone else try it. For the money, both member @hilde45 and I tried it felt its a solid buy. I gather some of the older Yggy versions might provide a softer presentation, but ask around. Those members over on head-fi.org are really tuned in to all of the Schiit DACs, much more than here on Agon, check there too. Best of Luck.

I had an original A1 (USB 3) and later an A2 (USB 5). Both sounded really, really good from coaxial inputs. On each new USB version they kept claiming it was finally "there" with traditional coax, but let me tell you - USB 3 and 5 both really sucked, so color me skeptical about the Unison (I know it’s been out a while now).

Both OG Yggys sounded much better than an OG Gumby - I don’t get anyone who claims to like that one better. It wasn’t close.

Both my OG Yggys developed issues that required repair from Schiit. One had a control board failure (no input / bitrate switching), the other a choke failed (no signal from outputs). It’s very rare I’ve had any electronic components with problems (other than very high voltage electrostatic headphone amps, which is a different animal), and I’ve had a LOT, so being 0 for 2 here really sucked.

I ended up with DACs I like better than Yggy OG (Phison PD2, Meridian UltraDAC), though at much greater expense. I think the OG does deliver on its promise of sound quality beyond its price point. I’ve read enough to concern me about the SQ of new LIM / etc models, I’ll just avoid them if I get an itch to own a Yggy again (not likely because of their failure history with me).

I agree with mulveling, I had the same issues…not going there again…I have the Denafrips Venus and a Dac from Denmark the New Ontech Dac 07 which is my go to Dac the Venus is a spare…no problems ever with these Dacs that are not expensive…

I sold the Yggdrasil twice hoping for something better before i bought it again for the 3rd time. I have the OG and it is end game for my specific tastes, especially when i run DHertz MasterClass files through it.

I have audited everything from Berkeley, Holo, Nagra, Aavik, Vermeer, MSB, Mola Mola, etc on one of my rigs....not interested, but, doesn't mean you won't be.

I thought the More is Whatever version and the full AP reports were just a JStoddard/MMoffat answer to some 0.0000001 THD chasing scientists who are forged in the flames of another forum.

@decooney thanks for that input. Nice to know it (the Bifrost 2/64) isn't a "rolled off" dark sounding DAC. I'll take all that under consideration for its price point of under $1K. Other reviewers have mentioned that to "best" it, you do indeed have to go up the food chain to something like a Yggy, Holo, Denafrips, or LAIV, but those are $$$ more, and I'm not sure my system (or my old ears) could hear a demonstrable difference.  I find it appropriate then that Schiit offers the 2/64, and the next step up is all the way to the Yggy (in its various incarnations) to get a solid difference in audio quality. 

@moonwatcher not dark, that's for sure. I had come from some warmer dacs prior, and including an upgraded tube dac [different cap and tube options] too which was open but warmer too if that makes any sense. I needed a fill-in dac to use while I was deciding and eventually having another dac built a certain way (in the meantime) is how I ended up with the Schiit Bifront 2/64 multi-bit dac for a year or so. Also, I just wanted to try it for the entry price, and used it as a backup reference dac to other dacs. I found it to be quite neutral, open, with added nuance to the depth of detail in fact. Was not lush though.  Just plain neutral maybe. I'd rotate it in/out, and would say it's a bit more detailed than some dacs, coming with that newer TI multi-bit chip set in it, even with the filter switch.  Agree, if you want that extra finesse to the sound, I could see where many step to the Yggy. For me, I did want a little more warmth with a bit more lushness to the sound, and moved on. 

For Moonwatcher,  I have the Bifrost 2/64, and my hearing also rolls off at about 12.5 to 13 kHz.  I love the Bifrost, although the only other DAC I have experience with are those in my iPad Pro, the AQ Cobalt Dragonfly, and the ESS DAC in my Schiit Jotunheim.  Perhaps due to my hearing loss, I don’t notice a roll-off.  My  LPs—such as Sheffield LPs of the 1980s do sound more “brilliant” when the appropriate content is there, but the Bifrost, IMO, does a very good job.  I am particularly pleased with the imaging/soundstage (both lateral and depth) and tonal qualities of the instruments.as reproduced by my Rogue RP-7 tube preamp, Odyssey Kismet (upgraded almost to Kismet) SS monobloc amps, and Fyne F-702 speakers, augmented by a pair of Rythmik F12 subwoofers.  I’ve considered stepping up to the Yggdrasil MIB, but I wonder how much improvement I would get for three times the price.

heading to Capital Audiofest this weekend and plan on auditioning several DACs. Not sure the Yggy will be there, but do know Geshelli Labs will be there, very interested in hearing the different versions of their Dayzee. I've been researching the Yggy, Dayzee and the LTA Aero. I'll listen to a bunch of others, will be hard to really tell due to all of these will be running different systems in different rooms, but I hope to determine their nature and help me decide which one I will order for home trials. Should be a fun weekend.