Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Review

[Soundmig]

While I agree that the Gumby (and probably even more so the Yiggy) produce very analog like sound, I don't completely agree that a good analog stage is not their equal (or maybe superior). My analog rig is a bit less pedigreed than those most of you guys listen to, but it is very good and meticulously set-up. I find that, in some cases, the analog rig is capable of a slightly deeper soundstage and a slightly more realistic presentation of detail and timbre. Then again, some high rez digital files (and some redbook files even) cross over into "analog like" reproduction using the Gumby. Granted the analog world is fraught with variabilities of set-up, eq, cartridge loading, arm/cartridge match, etc., but I think it can be (in some cases) superior (or at least as good as) what Gumby is able to reproduce.
I guess at the end of the day it almost always comes down to the quality of the recording and how well the mastering was done - regardless of the media. The salient point in what everyone is saying is that one can play a high quality analog set-up and then switch to a Gumby (or Yiggy) and not be "disappointed" which really can't be said of most digital products. Dang, I'm really wanting to hear a Yiggy in my system now!!!

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Soundmig

While I agree that the Gumby (and probably even more so the Yiggy) produce very analog like sound, I don't completely agree that a good analog stage is not their equal (or maybe superior). My analog rig is a bit less pedigreed than those most of you guys listen to, but it is very good and meticulously set-up. I find that, in some cases, the analog rig is capable of a slightly deeper soundstage and a slightly more realistic presentation of detail and timbre. Then again, some high rez digital files (and some redbook files even) cross over into "analog like" reproduction using the Gumby. Granted the analog world is fraught with variabilities of set-up, eq, cartridge loading, arm/cartridge match, etc., but I think it can be (in some cases) superior (or at least as good as) what Gumby is able to reproduce.
I guess at the end of the day it almost always comes down to the quality of the recording and how well the mastering was done - regardless of the media. The salient point in what everyone is saying is that one can play a high quality analog set-up and then switch to a Gumby (or Yiggy) and not be "disappointed" which really can't be said of most digital products. Dang, I'm really wanting to hear a Yiggy in my system now!!!

Once again, it can only be directly compared if you have the same material to listen to on two forms of media. A digital file vs vinyl. A general observation that "sometimes" my vinyl rig or "sometimes" my digital rig sounds better is mostly due to the various recordings and their quality. We all know that many great LPs out there can and do sound better simply due to mastering and the care that usually goes into vinyl. I never had a great variety to compare and some of my vinyl that I simply did not have on CD back in the day did sound better. Some of the better CDs, especially the XRCD which are carefully mastered from analog tapes blew the doors off my vinyl rig, that was when I was using a McIntosh MDA1000/MCD1000 combo to compare to my SME table. So it does depend heavily on the recording quality. A great recording on a great vinyl rig that is properly setup is what sets the benchmark against which digital should be judged in terms of analog smoothness and naturalness of sound. My Gumby exceeds what my SME table offered on those recordings that I am familiar with and have heard on both.

[jdandy]

This thread is not about vinyl versus digital sound or turntables versus DAC's. It is about the Schiit Audio Yggdrasil DAC. Please, lets keep it on topic.

[John49]

Originally Posted by jdandy

This thread is not about vinyl versus digital sound or turntables versus DAC's. It is about the Schiit Audio Yggdrasil DAC. Please, lets keep it on topic.

[emoji106]

[JMAC]

Ditto, John49

___John



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[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Fantastic review Dan. Glad to hear YggY is bringing you so much listening satisfaction. I had little doubt that would be the outcome after the extended burn in. Thanks for sharing your findings in a very detailed and enjoyable review.

By the way, you really should do reviews on a professional level. Your enthusiasm, experience and a thorough approach to evaluating and putting your thoughts into an enjoyable and informative reviews should be rewarded.

+1 on this Dan! You can start a new career. I can safely bet the ranch that you would have plenty of followers.

[usbyte]

I am one of his followers.

[Audiophilehi]

All hail Dan.

[jdandy]

You guys are too much.

It would take a crowbar to pry me out of retirement. .

Don't think I don't appreciate the sentiment, though. .

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by jdandy

You guys are too much.

It would take a crowbar to pry me out of retirement. .

Don't think I don't appreciate the sentiment, though. .

Well deserved my friend!