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Qutest vs Yggdrasil Analog 2 vs Gungnir Multibit

Qutest vs Yggdrasil Analog 2 vs Gungnir Multibit

Has anybody heard this group of DACs that can shed some light on how they stack up against each other?

I currently have a Gungnir Multibit that I swap between my main system and my desktop system but the swapping is getting old so it's time to pick up a second DAC for the main stereo and let the Gumby stay put with the desktop setup.

I love the Gumby and not against a second if I come across a black one. My main system is all black components and I'd like to keep it that way. Getting a DAC that I already own is kind of boring though and I'm intrigued by the Qutest and the new Yggy so I'm leaning towards those. I was looking at the Brooklyn+ also but I've heard it's bright and I don't want to move in that direction. I've heard the original Yggy can be bright too.

Any feedback helps! Thanks


samiamnot
samiamnot OP
25 posts
 
Thanks. I'm quite fond of the Schiit sound. The filter modes (Neutral, Neutral HF roll-off, Warm, Warm HF roll-of) on the Chord peak some interest. I wonder if the Warm filters would give the Chord a more laid back sound option. Not sure how drastic the filters are but they do add some versatility. I like the idea of a DAC that can be shaped to fit different music. The Yggy 2 is mighty attractive though.
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
I just bought a Benchmark DAC 1 PRE, and it is outstanding. It brought my digital front end up to what I would call first class sound (well, that and a newly gone through Modwright 9.0 SE Line Stage).

These two purchases have ended the all-consuming audio quest for me, for the long haul. End of story.

Good luck,
Dan
samiamnot OP
25 posts
 
I'm shying away from anything with preamp or headphone capabilities. I'm not a fan of having extra circuitry and features that I would never use. I once steered away from an integrated that I was interested in specifically because it had inputs for Tape, Tuner, AV, and CD. All components that I would never have hooked up to the system. It's silly but that's one thing I love about my Rega integrated. Inputs 1-5, no labels. I'm nitpicky.
docknow
304 posts
 
I am a happy owner of a Yggdrasil Analog 2/Gen5 USB.  The Schiit multibit DACs were the first to actually sound like music to me.  I had a Bifrost with two different DAC boards in it before multibit and they were fine, but di not really make me want to listen to lots of music.  That changed when the multibit board was installed.  I liked it so much that I bought a Yggdrasil for home and moved the Bifrost to work.

Please note that the BiFrost 2 is now out and includes the new Unison USB board.  It is supposedly the equal of the exiting Gen5 Gungnir.  Schiit has bought a license to develop their own USB code and by reports, it is quite an improvement over the Gen5 USB board.  Upgrades to the existing Schiit DACs are supposed to become available after 1/1/2020.

If you can wait, you should audition the Gungnir and Yggdrasil with the Unison USB board.  Hopefully we will also get a Schitt product with a Unison code sender USB port.
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