Comments on Profile Post by rlow

Which one do you own?

Both at the moment...started comparing only recently.

Is this a tonality thing or presentation?

You are not alone.

@Lyer25 yeah it’s mainly a tonality thing. Probably along a similar vein to the previous generations of each. Gumby2 has more body and weight with more meat on the bones. Yggdrasil is light and airy and open and definitely feels bass light (across all bass frequencies) in comparison.

That'd make you and @Elnrik kindred spirits of a sort then, haha. He's also got a "tonality before technicality" mindset (for headphones), whereas I can tolerate effed up FR if it means it's otherwise technically competent (see: my headphones, lol). [1/2]

In all, though, I'd say good on you for not just going with the pricier option. I've heard neither, but in my admittedly limited experience comparing nice DACs it really is a matter of splitting hairs, so there's no wrong answer to make, except maybe the S19 :P

And hey, you make more money on the inevitable sale! [2/2]

@rlow - Thank you for confirming that my Gungnir Multibit doesn't need upgraded to Yggdrasil. Now I can focus on other things.

G2 has some really great technicalities as well though, a fairly big advancement over OG Gungnir Multibit. I don’t feel like I’m losing much over Yggdrasil, although maybe not as much of microplankton and the recording space perhaps. Should mention this is comparing on speakers. Layering, separation and staging on G2 is excellent.

@Elnrik happy to provide your DAC nervosa inoculation. It will last approximately 3 months ;)

If you've got the "tonality before technicality" mindset, it can get really difficult in this hobby. Especially if you take the mission for "natural sound" seriously. A lot of technically impressive gear just does not work for you. A lot of brilliantly written reviews or comparisons do not help a bit. Pricing or publicity does only loosely indicate potentially impressive gear. You are on your own at times, I feel.

Honestly, I think the Gungnir Multibit A2 > BW2 > ZMF Eikon nails my personal preference. It's my work setup I keep fussing about

I assume there are numerous dacs on the market that I would like better, but I haven't heard any of them.

I read that the Gungnir Multibit A2 was colder than the Yggdrasil A2?

@rlow thanks for the tonal comparison; my favorite aspect of the Gungnir Multibit A2 is the timbre density and weight... Helps put my itch for the Yggdrasil A2 A2 to rest.

Thanks for this (I think?) I was under the impression that the new G-A2 was leaner, less bass overall. I wasn't sure if I wanted to upgrade...now I know I HAVE to hear it for myself. Glad you're enjoying it!

What is your digital source? I think the USB input homogenizes the differences between the Gumby2/Yggy2.

Using a SoTM SMS-200Ultra currently, but I’ve been going back and forth between straight USB from the SoTM, and routing it through an Eitr (SPDIF at that point obviously) only because cable swapping was easier with the Eitr/SPDIF.

Any updates now that some more time has passed? I should get my upgraded Yggdrasil back this week.

I second that... curious if you're impressions are the same.

Guys don’t poke the bear. You might not get what you want to hear! ;-)

@zonto to your PM about smoothness in the treble, I don’t get that Yggdrasil A2 is smoother than GumBy2. For the stuff I listen to, G2 is warmer and fuller and seems a bit more forgiving on top than Y2, although in a different way Gumby1 did, which is just softer overall. I don’t know that it’s going to soften things on top the way you’re hoping. Y2 is more extended and transparent up top IMO.

To overall impressions, I’ll stick to my initial impressions: G2 is fuller and denser in tone, but also a bit more blunt/dry. Y2 is wetter but also leaner and slightly less forgiving. However if soundstage, layering, microplankton and atmosphere is high on your list of priorities, Y2 wins.

I’ll try to write up a comparison soon and post in one of the Schiit DAC threads, or Torq’s Yggdrasil thread.