The DAC Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by señorhifi, Oct 16, 2020.

  1. eternaldrake

    eternaldrake New

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    I forgot I actually have one of those lying around here (pi + allo digione). In my case the Eitr was handling all my PC audio (so music, but also gaming/voip/etc.), so unfortunately I don't think there's quite a way to proxy all that through the pi+hat. At least I couldn't figure one out last time I was looking into it.
     
  2. Mr Rick

    Mr Rick Acquaintance

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    Could someone direct me to a thread that outlines the evolution of the Schiit Yggdrasil from its original production run, through its authorized upgrades, and including its newly released variations?

    This would be very helpful in assisting me ( and perhaps others ) in understanding what could become available on the secondary market.

    Perhaps someday I will find something to replace my beloved Gungnir Multibit OG.
     
  3. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    IIRC, someone can correct if I've forgotten anything:
    1st release Yggdrasil had Gen 3 USB, A1 board
    Gen 5 USB upgrade
    A2 board
    Unison USB upgrade
    Yggdrasil GS (A1 boards in a new production body with updated firmware and Gen 5 USB)
    Less is More/More is Less (OG is same as A2+Unison, just a name change)
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2021
  4. magicscreen

    magicscreen New

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    Which one is the cheapest and best "anti-digititus" DAC?
     
  5. señorhifi

    señorhifi Friend

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    From the stuff I have tried, the Modi 3 has no digitus that I can hear, in fact it can sound a bit dull. It sounds as if it's there, but the Modi is smoothing it over.

    The Modi Multibit V2 isn't quite as resolving, but makes up for it with better imaging and staging. Warmed up, the treble is smooth and slightly subdued/rolled off. No digitus at all. It's different in the treble from the Modi3 in that it actually sounds subdued, not just smoothed over.

    The iFi Zen Dac V1 I had, did have digitus, but nothing crazy. It was still okay. I would call it sparkly rather than annoying. I think I like the treble on this one a bit more than on the Modi. Comes down to synergy I guess, and also simple sheer preference.

    The Teac UD301 I owned (which thanks to SBAF I got rid off), had lots of it. Really peaky and annoying treble on that one.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2021
  6. Jerseysam

    Jerseysam New

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    The Schiit Modius and Gesehlli J2, both at around $200, are the best "affordable" DAC's I've personally come across. Modius has the wider sound-stage and is a bit more punchy in dynamics to my ears.....the J2 smoother/touch dark (but fast) in delivery, with a more intimate soundstage (not as wide as the Modius). Digital sheen/glare seems to be my biggest kryptonite here in my early goings with hi-fi....and those two DAC's are generally solid by my ears as DS go.

    In terms of "not Delta-Sigma"....Bifrost 2 at $700 the best "affordable" discrete DAC I've personally heard. My two cents only.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2021
  7. MaxBuck

    MaxBuck New

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    Without getting into "how they sound" (as I have never heard any significant differences between competent audio components, as opposed to transducers), I have a DAC/DSP question. My listening room is highly nonoptimal; it's basically nothing but hardscape and openings, with one side wall being glass doors opening up to a golf course view (and no acoustic improvements are happening there), the wall behind the speakers being marble to a height of about 4 feet and drywall above to a cathedral ceiling (also drywall) at about 18-ft height, a large opening on the other side wall to another living room area, and porcelain tile floors. Total room volume about 6,000 cu ft.

    Because the listening room isn't going to change substantially (maybe an area rug), I need opinions on how DSP might improve things, whether Dirac or some other software. If Dirac is likely to be helpful, I'd probably go with a miniDSP DDRC-22 (all digital) and then feed its output into something like a Topping D30Pro and then into my NAD C298. If less elaborate room correction might suffice, I might instead try a RME ADI-2 FS and employ its parametric EQ in concert with some other software. Either way, I'd hope to eliminate my current preamp as it is the least energy-efficient part of my current system.

    As an aside, the sound I'm getting right now is by no means objectionable, and I love listening to my system, but I'm interested in seeing whether digital room correction would improve it.

    Advice would be welcomed! TIA
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2021
  8. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Are you referring to DSP rather than DSD?
     
  9. MaxBuck

    MaxBuck New

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    Why, yes I am! D'oh! Edited accordingly.

    I'm old, and therefore hard to train properly.
     
  10. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Alternatively: you're not young enough to know everything. ;)

    You might want to check the Digital Room Correction (DRC) discussion thread, and some others in the Speakers subforum - General Speaker Advice and Recommendations ; Xec needs listening/whisky room advice ; Acoustics, speaker placement, subwoofers ; Acoustic Treatment / Soundproofing would all be relevant. You can see from the post counts and dates where and when most discussion has been taking place.
     
  11. señorhifi

    señorhifi Friend

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    Did anybody here ever get to compare the multibit card to a Modi Multibit V2? What were your findings? I kinda miss the Multibit Modi V2 I had, and seeing how a guy has a Multibit Card for really cheap, I am wondering if it's worth it? From me searching around... well, it is worse, but just how much?
     
  12. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I had both BF1 MB and Modi MB V2. I'd fail horribly on an ABX test. Modi MB ever so slightly softer low end because of noise from power supply that BF1 does not have. The low end BF1 has was ever so slightly more defined. This is with Coax source. Barely even noticeable.

    BF1 can be upgraded to Unision and even could have USB-5, which is an upgrade over USB-2 which is the same as Modi MB.

    However, both can be upgraded with different output chips if you feel confident soldering SOIC-8 chips.
     
  13. North Pole Cowboy

    North Pole Cowboy New

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    I had a Modi MB v2 and Jot 1 with two AK4490 and MB DAC modules. The MB DAC sounds worse than the Eitr - Modi MB - Jot 1 - HD600. MB DAC is less resolving compared to the Modi MB, drums hit softer on MB DAC. + you can't ungimp MB DAC's USB with usb-s/pdif converter, it is what it is. They have similarities in sound, but Modi MB with good s/pdif source is the better option, I don't like how Modi sound from USB, it's too soft. Just as the Modi MB does not sound as good as Bifrost MB A2, same thing with MB DAC and Modi MB.

    If you need all in one option then AK4490 is the better sounding DAC then MB module. It doesn't have 3d thing and instrument separation that MB DAC can offer but it's more resolving and cost less.
    But if you can buy MB DAC for cheap I'd go for it.

    Schiit released ESS ES9028 DAC module with Unison but I have no idea how does it sound.
     
  14. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    DSP can help to fix uneven frequency response in the room. However, DSP cannot help with issues of room echo, which can only be addressed by reducing reflections from hard, flat surfaces. The area rug will help for the porcelain tile floor, but you also mentioned glass doors and marble walls that will remain problematic without treatment to reduce reflected sound.
     
  15. MaxBuck

    MaxBuck New

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    Thanks for the reply. That's consistent with my understanding; really trying to get a handle on whether the room echo problem will likely overwhelm any improvements I might get from the DSP.
     
  16. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    I'm not sure if this is the correct thread to ask this but, I was hoping someone could help me solve an issue or give me your own thoughts on what could be causing this issue.

    Would anyone have an idea why a Yggdrasil OG/Unison won't detect a BNC or RCA signal from a PC soundcard, but my Gungnir Multibit Gen 5 does without issue? When I send a signal from my PC through BNC/RCA none of the lights illuminate including the BBG light and there is no sound. Unison USB works without issue on the Yggdrasil.

    I purchased a used Yggdrasil in the past that gave me the same issue, so I thought it was the BNC input on the DAC, but since it's happening again with this unit it leads me to believe it's either being caused by the Unison card or the firmware.

    I've tried swapping cables, power cycling Yggdrasil, different sampling rates/bit depths, and power cycling the soundcard, but nothing produced any sign of a possible fix.

    Does the Yggdrasil require a lower jitter amount than Gungnir in order to detect the input signal?

    Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated.
     
  17. Zimmer266

    Zimmer266 Facebook Friend

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    Does the sound card driver need an update?
     
  18. ColdsnapBry

    ColdsnapBry Almost "Made"

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    My motherboard has an S/PDIF optical digital output, if I was using a Modi would it be best to go with that or USB?
     
  19. scblock

    scblock Friend

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    It would be best to try both and choose which sounds better to your ears. SPDIF from a motherboard can be hit or miss.
     
  20. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    I thought that could be a potential cause as well, however, the most recent driver is the one that's already installed.
     

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