New Yggdrasil - First (and second) Impressions

Did you compare it against the Oppo yet?

Yes, of course. In this context the comparison I'm doing is playing some flac 16/44 or higher via the Oppo's USB port. The Oppo is connected to my amp via RCA, and connected to the Yggy via coax. The Yggy is also connected to the amp via the same RCA type cable.

At the moment, I cannot hear any *profound* difference. Whatever difference there may be is subtle at best. Overall, with the Yggy things do seem a fraction less digital and a bit more "open" (space between instruments). However, this could very well be placebo too.  Further, and as you know given the past years worth of posts I've made specific to the Oppo (UDP205), I have always stated it is a stellar performer. So, I would expect that the Oppo *should* be tough to best. Many have suggested and I come to understand it can be extremely difficult to differentiate among good digital/DACs. This is something that frankly I thought it best for me to find out first hand.

I am also open to the unfortunate possibility that my own personal hearing capability may be insufficient to detect any difference. However, I do take some solace in believing that some advantage, even if only theoretical, has been introduced. And I am open minded to theoretical advantage. For instance, I use 6 feet of speaker wire instead of 30 because the 6 feet offers less resistance. Would I hear a difference if I used 30 instead? Of course not. Still better to use 6 though, as I think you would agree.

I remain hopeful some more burn in and time will cause a blossoming of sorts as many others have suggested will be the case. 

I’ll be getting my Yggy tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the listening...

If your so inclined to read the 400 pages of posts from this other forum, you will certainly find that all the Yggy users found that break-in is a must.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-yggdrasil-impressions-thread.766347/

@gdhal Since it looks like you are planning on keeping the Yggy past the 15 day window, here’s something to consider.

Throw away the critical evaluation hat. I really mean it.

Enjoy your music for a month or so. Then listen to each setup for a few days each. Be introspective about which one you seem to keep wanting to come back to.

(When listening via the Oppo, keep the Yggy on. You don’t need to run signal through it).

You are lucky because both components are well regarded and have active followings. Either will be easy to resell. Consider the differential you lose to be a very worthwhile investment towards your learning and movement along the journey.

What a timely thread.  I just posted a question about the benefits of an external DAC with my Oppo 103 because I have heard zero change in the SQ with a DAC in the signal path or not. I demo'd the Gungnir and ran it in for 15 days and heard zero SQ improvement with it in the path.  As a matter of fact, I called Oppo and asked a technician why I wasn't hearing any improvement in my system using an external DAC.  His languid response what that the DAC in the Oppo CD player was quite good.  That is exactly what my ears tell me.  

If indeed the Schitt DAC benefits from being run-in longer than 15 days, why doesn't Schiit permit a 30 or 45 day run in period?  I sent my Gungnir back after 15 days for refund.  My Channel Island Audio DAC does not make any sonic difference in my system.  Just my take. 

Hi gdhal,
Nope, I’m not the Grateful Dead Bill G. 
He Sounds interesting though.