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Schiit Yggdrasil -- 21 bit?

Schiit says that Yggdrasil is a 21 bit DAC. But the DAC chips that they put in the device ( Analog Devices AD5791BRUZ, 2 per channel) are 20 bit with the error of plus-minus 0.5 LSB.

How can the DAC be 21 bit if the chips are 20 bit? Using two chips per channel does reduce the RMS voltage of the noise by  a square root of 2. But how can you get to 21 bit from there?

Can someone please explain.
defiantboomerang
zoophaugus
12 posts
 
Udishamir,

"When connected with the Lynx sound card, then everything "opens up" started to hear new elements (especially in electronic music, soundtracks)."

Hello, I was wondering if the Lynx card made any difference in the sound of Yggdrasil that you may have noticed or was it more so noticeable only on Soekris? 
Just curious being an yggy owner... 

gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
I just found this post/quote from Mike Moffat and it appears to directly answer the OPs question.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-yggdrasil-impressions-thread.766347/page-123#post-12342937

"Two twenty bit DACs (one per phase) double the resolution for a balanced signal. Double the resolution only adds 6db (one more bit) for a total of 21 bits. In this case, 20+20 equal 21."



georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
Just as a side note the AD5791 is close to $100 and the ESS’s around 1/10th of that.
Looks like the AD5791 took over where the PCM1704 left off.
PS Loved the video interview with Moffat and Stoddard.
Cheers George
defiantboomerang OP
141 posts
 
@gdhal 

great find, thanks. 
defiantboomerang OP
141 posts
 
@gdhal 

great find, thanks. 
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