Schiit Eitr Preview Thread

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Rotijon, Jul 17, 2017.

  1. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    With Eitr readily available and most DACs having S/PDIF in is there really a use case for a product like the Uptone USB or ISO REGEN?
     
  2. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Yep. You sort of answered your own question: USB only DACs. Just like the DAC cards that Schiit just launched.
     
  3. zalive

    zalive New

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    You're right, 6 inch PYST is indeed analog RCA pair, i overlooked this...funny length for analog cable...

    Anyway, my own experience is still as it was, as for various lengths. I used Supra Trico 75 Ohm double shielded coax cable and made myself different lengths digital RCA's (20, 40 and 80 cm, plus QED factory terminated 1 m), nothing expensive and fancy, and between those, the shortest among them sounded the best in my system.

    I'm not electronics wiz either, theory and issues related to S/PDIF can be found on the net.
     
  4. Marlowe

    Marlowe New

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    The cables are intended to connect stacked Schiit components (such as Magni and Modi) and are the perfect length for that.
     
  5. Wallabee

    Wallabee New

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    Hi all, my current audio chain is:

    PC(USB) -> Modi 1 -> Vali 1 -> AKG K712 Pro

    I plan on upgrading in the near future and I had planned on something like the following:

    PC(USB) -> Modi Multibit -> Loki -> Jot -> Headphones

    The Jot seems most flexible for future headphone upgrades (also planning) with both the SE and Balanced Outputs.

    I have not had any noise issues from my USB on my motherboard, so I never even knew about "USB Decrapifiers". Then I stumbled upon this thread and started wondering if I should throw an Eitr into the mix:

    PC(USB) -> Eitr -> Modi Multibit -> Loki -> Jot -> Headphones

    As I got further into the thread, USB Gen 5 became a thing. And then I thought, well what if instead of an Eitr I do this:

    PC(USB) -> Bimby (Gen 5) -> Loki -> Jot -> Headphones

    That chain does increase the cost by roughly $150 or so ($599(Bifrost Multibit) - ($249(Modi Multibit) + $179(Eitr)) - $20(Coaxial Cable))

    But it brings the pile of schiit down from four to three units and two less cables (coaxial, power) taking up space.

    If going with a Jot, why not the new MB Module you ask? Two reasons:

    1) I plan on hooking up my gaming consoles to this stack (via HDMI Matrix w/ audio Extractor), so I need the extra Coaxial/Toslink source inputs.

    2) Loki. I currently use Equalizer APO for an OS wide parametric EQ to boost the much needed low end on the K712's. But switching to a Loki I could achieve the same thing AND also affect other sources like my consoles, and not only my PC.

    I'm open to any opinions/suggestions,

    Thanks
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2018
  6. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Bifrost Multibit sounds like a good way to go in my opinion. I think you already covered why that is.
     
  7. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    Agree go with the Bifrost Multibit consider it a bargain at $600 and it is upgradeable. Plus you don't have to buy a separate Eitr. Unless you are sure you will need the balanced option Jot provides also consider Lyr 3 (amp only.)
     
  8. Lasollor

    Lasollor Friend

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    Recently I’ve noticed some hiss and buzz with my Eitr. It only happens at very high volume (I can’t turn it up this high with any music playing) so it’s not really a problem for actual listening but I’d like to know the why.
    My chain is Roon->Rpi3->Eitr->yggdrasil->elekit tu-8200.

    The hiss starts around 12 o’clock on the volume knob and the buzz at 3 (where 5 is the max), I usually listen with the volume knob at 9. 10 with some really quiet albums. (And thats with -16db headroom in Roon to compensate dsp)

    The amp on it’s own is dead quiet on full volume, as direct USB from PC, or XLR and BNC from an 502DAC too. The hiss and buzz only happens with the Eitr. It’s there with BNC and XLR input(with converter), and with PC, RPI, or iPhone as the source. The noise only starts when I connect something to the Eitr with the USB cable (I’ve tried different cables), connecting Eitr on its own doesn’t introduce the noise.
    Any ideas?
    Edit: I’ve found I have audible hum even without the Eitr, (I couldn’t hear it the other day because the ambient noise lvl was too high) it seems the Yggdrasil is causing it. Other dacs are dead quiet. But other amps are also quiet with the Yggdrasil. The temporary solution was moving the Saga back between the Elekit and the Yggdrasil, that made the noise disappear.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2018
  9. maverickronin

    maverickronin Friend

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    You might want to look at the RME ADI-2 DAC.

    It's a DAC/amp combo with a built in DSP. It has a 5 band parametric EQ and crossfeed options. I plan to to do pretty much the same thing with my Switch. It seems to be out of stock everywhere at the moment, but I have one on order. Too many cool features for me to resist.

    The only real downside is that it doesn't have any analog inputs.
     
  10. missingtime

    missingtime New

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    Happy with Gen5 USB and stole a MIT Stylelink for $39 but I guess that parties over. Denon dvd 2910 with analog cable instead of digital coaxial continues to unimpress.
     
  11. JayNYC

    JayNYC Friend

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    Question for the Eitr experts: Can I use a 'data only' USB cable to connect an Apple Lightning USB3 adapter to the Eitr? In other words, does the Eitr require power from the USB source? The reason I am asking this is because when I inquired with Schiit Tech Support the same question for Yggdrasil Gen5, the answer I got back was "No it should not require power from the USB source." Trying to understand if Eitr and Yggdrasil Gen5 are different in USB (source) power requirements.
     
  12. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    You mean without the CCK? Eitr definitely draws power as an earlier comment indicates

    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...-eitr-preview-thread.4729/page-36#post-192692

    I think Gen 5 might be different though.
     
  13. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Jason had confirmed that both Eitr and Gen5 draw power from USB - its part of the core isolation feature for both according to him. Their tech support folks must still be confused about it.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2018
  14. Renekton

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    Schiit is in the house. Eitr only showed up as WASAPI in jriver 23 (and direct sound). That sucks, WASAPI definately has resampling smear and reacts differently to different windows audio device settings, sample rates. Even on a sampling rate matching the source file, there is smear.
    //EDIT so if your eitr or gen5 sounds softer than normal, WASAPI might be the problem.//
    Fortunately I fixed this by installing ASIO4ALL v2. Google is your friend.
    Alex Peychev told me most downloadable asios are actuall kernel streamers, but that's fine.
    With this asio you get a little window that shows you what sample rate is playing, it adjusts when you play different files. Every time it sounds much more focused, separated and just "right" than WASAPI.
    Schiit did not respond to my email asking what ways are there do deliver bit perfect data to eitr, even thought they got the ticket.
    Other gen5 usb schiit dacs probably have this same software... issue.
    Good luck.
     
  15. Renekton

    Renekton Acquaintance

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    WASAPI is like a more complicated direct sound, it still depends on windows audio device settings.
    Kernel streaming and asio are truly direct communication and dont care if the audio device is disabled, they just work.
     
  16. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Sorry, but you're just plain wrong. WASAPI communicates directly with the DAC and is the preferred way to connect.
     
  17. Renekton

    Renekton Acquaintance

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    But wasapi doesnt show up at all if I dont have eitr enabled as an audio device. Windows 10. (EDIT so it depends on windows in some way?)
    And it sounds different, so I suggest people try downloading an asio and checking it out for themselves, I feel like it helps.
     
  18. Renekton

    Renekton Acquaintance

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    I just listened again to make sure it's not my imagination. asio4all v2 is noticeably more focused and sharper, especially treble.
     
  19. Dzerh

    Dzerh Friend

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    - what mechanics you would attribute this difference to?
     
  20. Renekton

    Renekton Acquaintance

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    @Dzerh Ok fine, I don't really know exactly how these work. I guess it's either resampling smear or jitter. I just wanted to share my subjective experience, that's all I can do.
     

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