Marvey's DAC Chart of Awesomeness

If any of you have heard it, where does the regular Gungir fit on this chart? I'm debating on it and a b-stock Bifrost 4490, but I am not too big of a warm sound. It seems the Gungir with the multibit upgrade is a nice upgrade over the Bifrost Multibit though. I can get the Gungir for $550, is that a good deal? (Non-USB and non-MB). Also, my headphones are the HE-400i and the amp is an Asgard 2.

 

I remember Maxvla not liking the non multibit version.

 

I have no experience with Bifrost 4490 but have owned the Gungnir DS for several months and now have the multibit version. The Gungnir DS is a great DAC, though it may be slightly on the warm side of neutral. It conveyed incredible dynamics and had a very smooth treble response relative to other DS DACs I've heard. It's not the most resolving of DACs but has a very pleasant tonality. The major advantage of going with the Gungnir now would be that you could upgrade it later. Also, as I recall, purrin indicated he preferred the Gungnir DS to the Bifrost multibit in some important instances. I have not heard the Bifrost multibit so cannot comment. In short, I would recommend the Gungnir DS with an eye on upgrading it when funds allow because the multibit is definitely worth it. If not, perhaps there are better options for the same price or cheaper.

 

I was an early Gungnir adopter who quickly fell out of love with it. I recall Maxvla being one of the few to voice the same criticisms. Marv's praise of that dac also allowed me to calibrate against his preferences, as the things I grew to dislike about the original Gungnir were the qualities that he enjoyed.

 

I think I felt the same, but, sadly, my conversation about my experience with the DAC got hijacked by an idiot who wanted to abuse me. Never mind, another forum, an other day.

 

Lol, sounds like someone. Sorry, I shouldn't laugh, cuz I totally feel ya bro.

 

We'll laugh together

 

Anyone on good old Changstar heard the Aqua La Scala II. I'm wondering if anyone has any info as to where it stacks up to the others on this list.

 

Speaking of @Greed, should I buy his Yggdrasil or a retail Gungnir Multibit? I don't crave absolute detail, but rather prefer a good splash of warmth and musicality over audio plankton.

 

@adamaley personally to me that is the single best PCM1704 implementation, LaVoce being second, Master 7 third and DAC19 fourth. After that most are too gooey for my tastes. The DAC19 barely making the cut imo.

Overall excellent in quality if you like the PCM1704 signature, also cool is that you can "DAC" roll with it, I think 2 or 3 are included? With LaVoce I'm more certain since my experience with it is much more recent. Overall it's fantastic if you want the warmer R2R based DACs, definitely and absolutely overpriced however.

That said I'd prefer Gungnir Multibit over it, much more resolving, better stage, layering and separation but still that slight hint of analog sound below. At that price point it's hard to recommend the LaScala outright but there's definitely something if you like the PCM1704 sound. But I haven't heard all DACs on the list and a ton not on the list so as always YMMV.

 

That's interesting that you rank the Gungnir Multibit over the La Scala. That's what I am currently using (a friend's) and I am on the Schiit waiting list to upgrade my Gungnir. Obviously the natural upgrade would be the Yggdrasil, but I'm looking to cast my net wide and consider all options that could be obtained ~3500 and less used or new. Hopefully @Greed posts his impressions.

 

To be fair, I feel this is a huge overstatement of that specific bracket's expectations. I've heard a Femto 33 and 77, multiple Lampizators, Metrums, Avant Garde Model 2 DAC and I can go on, Gungnir Multibit sports with most of them and Yggi outright goes above and beyond. Given and for what it's worth, I prefer the euphonic touch of Gungnir Multibit over the Yggi myself. That might be something to consider thinking about my preferences.

At those price points I think it's more about a specific signature than the technicalities. Thicker or richer sound, more rolled off for easier listening, hyper details (Yggi) etc. If you can audition some of them it would be easier to recommend it. La Scala for example sounds warmer than Gungnir Multibit, the 1704 signature is there and yet more resolving than the other 1704 implementations (the latter is important, this is no hyper resolving DAC), very natural timbre for acoustics, punchy bass, but definitely not the last word on resolution, staging, instrumental separation, layering and might (like most 1704s) sound a bit smeared. That's what you're buying when you're touching those brackets imo, specific things that you prefer over the likes of Yggi or Gungnir Multibit (or any other DAC for that matter).

 

I vividly remember this one. Thad, I've upgraded the DS to the multi-bit. Does this perk your curiosity ?

 

anybody heard a forsell DAC? have been reading quite a lot on the DAC on the pro side and forssell has caught my attention. Any of you guys has any experience with a forssell?

 

Yes, I'm curious. I can't imagine it sounding very different, so I doubt if even the multibit would suit me.

Sure, I'd like to find out. Invite me sometime soon!

 

Some Asian and some pro guys like it, that's what people told me.

 

@SKiring thanks for the clarification.

 

Maybe a new Class P,S or other entry

New PS Audio DirectStream Junior at only $4k