Life after Yggdrasil: Watering the Ash

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Torq, Mar 1, 2017.

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  1. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    Any observations on Analog 2 via Gen 5 USB vs Analog 2 via AES? I'm vaguely contemplating getting a new Yggdrasil for my office system to replace its SU-1>I2S>Holo Spring KTE 3. The current setup is happily fed by a low-cost Allo USBridge Roon endpoint which replaced without any loss a 4x more expensive streamer. But if AES is needed to get the best from Analog 2, I'd need a different Roon endpoint. I'm really fond of Allo's USBridge for its price/performance, easy configuration, and lack of pretension.
     
  2. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    I'm surprised you managed to post that link with a straight face given it includes a cartoon skunk to tell us about why the product stinks how the product works.
     
  3. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    If there's a difference, I'm not hearing it at this point (in my systems at least, I suppose other's could vary). That's based on a number of comparisons, as done here. They didn't change with the use of Analog 2 boards vs. the original ones.

    If, in your system, you found a difference between USB Gen 5 and AES you have a few options, none of which should require you to swap your current end-point. You could still use your existing endpoint with the SU-1, since it has an AES/EBU output, and have that drive Yggdrasil via AES. Or you could use an Eitr with a COAX->AES balun from your current end-point.

    ...

    I have an Yggdrasil Analog 2 in my "day job" office setup. I did a blind(ish) test with the USB Gen 5 input there vs. an Auralic Aries via AES, and couldn't reliably tell a difference. So that Yggdrasil is now just connected via USB. May not work out that way for all systems, but in that one it did and the Aries was sold the next day.

    --

    I should add, I don't hear any difference between USB Gen 5 and Eitr ... so I wouldn't go with the Eitr on an upgradeable Schiit DAC unless I either want to be able to use it elsewhere at some point or really wanted to avoid having a unit with an earlier USB interface upgraded.
     
  4. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Hi as usually, nice review. How about the holo spring dac level 3? Does it still holds a candle when compared to Yggdrasil+?
     
  5. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    Thanks.

    If you're going to run it in NOS mode and/or want native DSD capability, then the Spring DAC L3/KTE is still a very nice sounding unit. Other than to enjoy the different presentation in NOS mode (i.e. super-incisive and a sweetness to its tone), however, I'd basically gone back to using my original Yggdrasil more and more.

    And then getting the pre-production "Analog 2" boards pretty much killed off my use of the Spring DAC entirely, and as a result I sold my Spring DAC L3/LTE in October last year.

    I did, while I had both, do a direct comparison between the two. I've not written that up, and likely won't - beyond saying that if I was comparing Yggdrasil "Analog 2" with the Spring DAC today, it would not be nearly so hard to choose just one of them.

    And that choice would be the Yggdrasil "Analog 2".

    ...

    If I wanted a NOS-DAC again, I'd first want to compare the Spring DAC against the recent/updated Metrum units (and not just the Pavane/Adagio level stuff).
     
  6. sacredgates

    sacredgates Audio-Technica's high priest

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    I would so much appreciate some good SBAF ears to give us impressions on the Metrum Acoustics Jade and/or Onyx!
     
  7. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    The problem with this is getting one for an extended audition.

    I don't think the volume of sales is high enough for any of the three US dealers (that I know of) to want to be sending units around on loaner tours.

    It would be completely unfair to buy one with no intention of keeping it , and then taking advantage of the return period. And even if someone did pull such a shitty stunt, they'd still be out $350 (10% restocking fee, $50 shipping each way).

    So someone has to buy one, be that an individual or SBAF. And in the case of SBAF shelling out for one for a loan tour, I'm not sure whether there are enough people legitimately considering a $2,400 DAC purchase to make it make sense.

    And then finally, and I acknowledge that this is probably a perspective that's unique to me, but unless the general consensus is that Onyx beats the original Pavane, then - reduced footprint or a preference for NOS-delivery excepted - why bother? Original Yggdrasil, let alone the "Analog 2" updated version, was competitive with Pavane ... so if the Onyx wasn't at least as good, why wouldn't you just buy the Yggdrasil and save $100?
     
  8. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Because of sound flavor, footprint and look.
     
  9. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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  10. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    This just reminded me the brunnet, redhead or blond bombshell dilemma before my wedding... ahhhh those glorious days.
     
  11. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Did you marry all 3?
     
  12. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I might buy an Onyx to try. I've had Yggdrasil Analog 2 in my system for 2 weeks and have a good feel for it. I'll definitely compare them if I end up getting Onyx. I'm also sure it would be easy to sell if need be.
     
  13. MyPetSasquatch

    MyPetSasquatch Friend

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    Would love to hear your comparison with the latest PS Audio firmware for the DirectStream DACs. Red Cloud is incredibly good both in spatial detail retrieval.
     
  14. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    The direct comparisons I've done have been as follows:
    • Yggdrasil vs. Analog 2 (Pre-Prod) vs. DAVE vs. Spring DAC :3/KTE vs. DirectStream (Torreys) vs. Linn KDS/3
    • Yggdrasil vs. Analog 2 (Production) vs. DAVE vs. Linn KDS/3
    • DirectStream (Torreys) vs. DirectStream (Red Cloud)
    A specific, direct, comparison between Analog 2, DAVE and DirectStream (Red Cloud) is not something I've managed to pull off yet. At least not to a suitable extent that I'd want to write it up. It'll happen. Probably on Monday*.

    --
    *Per my last post positing the next update might get pushed out on a Monday, I did not specify which Monday ...
     
  15. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    [​IMG]
     
  16. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    Best make that a huge bag of popcorn; you'll be needing to chew on it for a while ... as the note about "not specifying which Monday" was not in jest!

    So, just to set expectations properly ... chances are this will post first - which could potentially be by this coming Monday:
    • Yggdrasil vs. Analog 2 (Production) vs. DAVE vs. Linn KDS/3
    And this, might not post until I can do it properly with an Analog 2 updated Yggdrasil at the same time:
    • DirectStream (Torreys) vs. DirectStream (Red Cloud)

    ...

    I'm interested to know how much of the interest in this sort of stuff, i.e. comparisons to DACs in the $5K-and-up category is based on actually guiding near-term pre-purchase auditions vs. just morbid curiosity/general interest.
     
  17. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    I don't know how many PS Audio owners there really are on the forum -- the number of high-end amp owners would suggest there is at least a moderate amount of interest in multi-thousand dollar dacs. I only know of myself with a DSJ and @winders with a full DS. Interestingly we've both had Yggdrasil's prior to our current offerings.

    I think "system specific" is annoying to read as most just want to read about what's best but synergy is important for one's overall goals, in my humble opinion. My like throwing a bunch of expensive parts in a box, it doesn't necessarily equate to sounding the best (or even good).

    Nevertheless, given your caliber of equipment and experience, my curiosity is certainly piqued.
     
  18. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Morbid curiosity! :D

    I greatly appreciate that someone with the ears and experience and means can do comparative reviews of products of this caliber, but Yggdrasil is my limit for multiple reasons.
     
  19. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    I have a real interest. I have a chance to buy the psaudio DSD used for 3900 dollars in my country. And i would very much like to know if its worth the money. Dear Ian, I was joking about the popcorn, but i DID take the "aleatory monday" dead serious.
     
  20. Rick Russell

    Rick Russell New

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    I have a keen interest, as I am looking to purchase a DAC in the next 30 days, and am presently considering the Analog 2, DirectStream (Red Cloud) and the Metrum Pavane/Adagio. At this moment the Metrum Pavane/Adagio is my most likely purchase, in part because there is limited comparisons available between the three.
     

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