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New Yggdrasil - First (and second) Impressions

Okay, so I’ve finally (on order over 2 months) received my Schiit Yggdrasil. The unit arrived in exactly perfect condition (i.e. well packaged).

Upon first (and second) listening through all sources/inputs, I would need a stethoscope to discern any difference among my current components and connectivity. I also cannot detect any difference using the phase inversion button.

I suppose the aforementioned is a testament to how good my current system (before/without Yggy) already sounds. :)

I can easily A-B test because the Yggy is hooked in via balanced and my other components are also hooked directly to amp via RCA or USB.

Also, obviously I have NOT let the unit "burn in" for days because I just got it, however, it has come to full operational temperature after being powered on continuously over 24 hours.

System configuration: (Yggdrasil > XLR > Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amplifier > Golden Ear Triton Reference speakers )
all cables blue jeans cables "best" offering

Emotiva ERC-3 CD player > AES/EBU > Yggdrasil
Oppo UDP-205 blue ray player > coax > Yggdrasil
Samsung SMT-C5320 cable box > optical > Yggdrasil
Gateway NV79 Windows 10 64-bit computer > USB > Yggdrasil

I’ll be patient, but if there are any suggestions to "try" in order to hear *some* audible difference, that would be great. Appreciate any feedback you have.

Thanks.
128x128gdhal
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Oppo UDP-205 > Belden 1694A (Canare RCAPs) coax > Schiit Yggdrasil

Emotiva ERC-3 > Belden 1800F AES/EBU > Schiit Yggdrasil

Samsung SMT-C5320 > Optical Mitsubishi Eska POF > Schiit Yggdrasil

Gateway NV79 > Belkin e129760-c usb > Schiit Yggdrasil

gdhal - Now you have a good DAC. In order to get the performance from it, you need good digital sources and good cables. This is the best advice I can give you.

Audiophiles that upgrade the DAC and not the digital source and cables are usually the ones reporting that the upgrade was not that significant. They are the ones that report that most DACs sound the same.

The source is actually more important than the DAC. Most systems need a source/cable upgrade much worse than a new DAC.  Even a $599 Synchro-Mesh reclocking your CDT will make a huge difference.  If you want to start cheap, get an IFI SPDIF iPurifier for $149.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

gdhal's avatar
gdhal OP
1,641 posts
 
The source is actually more important than the DAC.

@audioengr

That is interesting and appreciated information Steve. I’ll have to "digest" that for a bit before making any moves, but I certainly will keep it in mind.

Of course, I do realize and have heard/read that if we are speaking about the music itself (which really is the "source"), that certainly plays a major role; probably the most important one. But you are speaking (unless I’m misunderstanding) of my electronics and cabling that are feeding the DAC.

Keep in mind though that I *initially* reported the upgrade to Yggy was not that significant. Once I found source (music) material that could easily reveal the upgrade and was advised of the specific characteristics (dimensionality, cymbal decay among them) to listen for it became rather apparent. Further, and as many owners of the Oppo and Emotiva report, they really do sound pretty good to begin with.

Nevertheless, let me "stew" in your recommendations/suggestions for a while. I'm certainly not finished making any further upgrades, just paused for the time being.
limniscate
241 posts
 
I agree with Steve and have tested $100 DACs such as the ODAC all the way up to the Chord Dave and Ayre QX-5 Twenty.  None of the DACs made as big of an improvement as adding a Sonore microrendu or SOtM sMS-200 Ultra.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Sorry I find the opposite.
That dacs make a bigger difference than what transports do, when reading CD's and using spdif proper 75ohm BNC connected coax, as RCA are not 75ohm.
 
But using AT&T GLASS optical link (especially with indexing fluid)  receiver and transmission as Wadia used to do as an very expensive extra, is better than proper 75ohm spidf coax with proper 75ohm BNC connections, as RCA "are not" 75ohm.

Cheers George   
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
I ... have tested $100 DACs such as the ODAC all the way up to the Chord Dave and Ayre QX-5 Twenty.  None of the DACs made as big of an improvement as adding a Sonore microrendu or SOtM sMS-200 Ultra.

WOW!
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