Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Review

[imprezap2]

Originally Posted by Dr Tone

You don't put the PCM only Yggy behind any transport if you have a large SACD collection.

That is what I mean, for me a K01x or Yggy with a transport are two completely different options, not really comparable.

[bart]

Originally Posted by imprezap2

That is what I mean, for me a K01x or Yggy with a transport are two completely different options, not really comparable.

And still... Dan did a fantastic job in his comparison.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Dr Tone

You don't put the PCM only Yggy behind any transport if you have a large SACD collection.

Just a note that one can add SACD to their Yggy setup very easily by buying a Schiit Loki (version 1) DSD only DAC, which has a pass-through for use in conjunction with a PCM DAC for about $100-$150.

And don't let the price fool you; Loki version 1 outperforms $1500 DSD DACs I've heard.

[robfine]

From where can one by a Schiit Loki (DSD DAC) these days?

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by robfine

From where can one by a Schiit Loki (DSD DAC) these days?

Used on that auction site.

[jdandy]

I just reread the Yggdrasil review. There isn't a single word in the description of the Yggy's performance that isn't the absolute truth. It is a truly remarkable digital to analog converter.

Last night I listened to Bill Frisell - Good Dog Happy Man on CD from the MOON Neo 260D transport through the Yggy. The layering of guitars, organ, bass, and drums is so well presented on this recording. The six minute tune "Shenandoah" drew me deeply into the interplay between Bill Frisell's unique guitar style and that of Ry Cooder's guitar. The Yggdrasil presented this entire CD in my living room as if there was no equipment at all, just sweet music at my beck and call. I have yet to listen to the Yggdrasil and not be immediately mesmerized when the music flows. This is a phenomenal DAC. It is worth all the praise it has received and then some. Adding the MOON transport is icing on the cake.


. . . .

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

I just reread the Yggdrasil review. There isn't a single word in the description of the Yggy's performance that isn't the absolute truth. It is a truly remarkable digital to analog converter.

Last night I listened to Bill Frisell - Good Dog Happy Man on CD from the MOON Neo 260D transport through the Yggy. The layering of guitars, organ, bass, and drums is so well presented on this recording. The six minute tune "Shenandoah" drew me deeply into the interplay between Bill Frisell's unique guitar style and that of Ry Cooder's guitar. The Yggdrasil presented this entire CD in my living room as if there was no equipment at all, just sweet music at my beck and call. I have yet to listen to the Yggdrasil and not be immediately mesmerized when the music flows. This is a phenomenal DAC. It is worth all the praise it has received and then some. Adding the MOON transport is icing on the cake.


. . . .

Great looking pair Dan. I already miss the sweet music Gumby was creating in my system. Interesting how overall just about any DAC with smooth, "musical" filters can tame the signal and make it very presentable (as is the case in my system right now with the German Violectric DAC) but as I keep listening it is quite apparent the piano is no where near as accurate as it was with Gumby and saxophones sound smoothed over but not reedy, vibrant and natural. It is quite obvious some DACs just try to smooth over the sound to make it sound more pleasant with the artificial "filtration sweetness" but once one experiences the natural smoothness that is Schiit DACs, there is no going back. Can't wait for YggY to show up. Hopefully soon.

[jdandy]

Yesterday I made a direct A/B comparison of the Wireworld Silver Starlight coaxial digital interconnect with the Wireworld Gold Starlight AES/EBU balanced digital interconnect. I had both the Gold Starlight AES/EBU digital interconnect and the Silver Starlight coaxial digital interconnect installed between the MOON Neo 260D transport and the Yggdrasil DAC. The Gold Starlight cable has 165 hours on it. The Silver Starlight cable has 400+ hours on it. I wanted to wait until I had over 150 hours on the new Gold Starlight AES/EBU cable so that I was comfortable it had a decent amount of break-in before making a comparison. What I notice with the AES/EBU cable feeding the Yggdrasil DAC is a slightly more refined musical essence, a sensation of the sound being ever so slightly more realistic in warmth and timbre. It is not a night and day difference that you would immediately identify without direct A/B comparison with a number of different recordings. The added refinement appears most in the dimensional characteristics of vocals, particularly female vocals. I also notice a tiny improvement in the tonal richness and lingering harmonics of solo piano notes and full chords.

After a couple of hours of direct A/B comparisons yesterday I am satisfied that the Wireworld Gold Starlight AES/EBU balanced digital interconnect is the superior digital connection between the Simaudio MOON Neo 260D transport and the Yggdrasil DAC. I am not certain how much of the difference I noticed between the coaxial and AES/EBU inputs is attributed Schiit Audio's implementation of the two Yggdrasil SPDIF inputs versus the sonic impact of the two different Wireworld digital interconnects. In either case I decided the Gold Starlight AES/EBU balanced digital interconnect reins supreme. I have removed the Silver Starlight coaxial digital interconnect from the system.

[Puma Cat]

Its really great to hear how well Yggy is working out for you, Dan. Now, hopefully Serge will get his soon!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Its really great to hear how well Yggy is working out for you, Dan. Now, hopefully Serge will get his soon!

Stephen.......I am super pleased with the Yggdrasil DAC. The more I listen to it the more it captures my heart. Lately I find myself favoring the living room sound system with the Yggy over the Studio system with the K-01X. The Yggdrasil is so pleasing, so analog in its presentation, and so captivating of my attention. It delivers a truly pleasurable listening experience.

I am not saying I now favor the living room over the studio system, or the Yggdrasil over the K-01X. What I am saying is having the Yggdrasil in the living room sound system has raised the performance bar to a new and higher level that I am soaking up like a sponge. I am so happy you and Serge provided the catalyst that pushed me off the ledge to purchase the Yggdrasil. This is one DAC I would have been remiss not to have found a place in a sound system to enjoy. The Yggdrasil delivers astonishing performance and is an exceptional value.