Schiit Gungnir 2 Impressions + comparo

With my MJ3 and speaker rig the difference between downgrading from the Yggdrasil GS vs MM2 was substantial, not even close. To me at least the biggest difference was how well the GS handled the extremes at the top and bottom of the FR...

 

Any news on this? And, uh, how do I get in on it? I'm assuming that if I have to ask...

 

Didn’t want to wait for a loaner, so I bought one last week.

@purr1n ain’t shillin’: this DAC is freaking legit!
It’s the most even-handed Schiit DAC I’ve personally heard (everything except MILFB, B2/64 and Modi 2 MB) and it’s definitely the most detailed. Granted, my chain changed completely from the time I owned the Yggdrasil A2 so it’s an apples to oranges comparison. Regardless, I don’t need to compare this DAC to X or Y DAC to tell it’s just excellent. In fact, I don’t care to compare to any DAC, I just want to listen to music!

Sound-wise, I can’t find any obvious sin of omission, nor can I find any sin of commission (unlike every other MB Schiit DAC that has its own “character”). Like I said: the most even-handed DAC in Schiit’s lineup.

In terms of usability, the only slight miss is the lack of I2S, but I see Schiit’s point about it being non-standard. Another minor quirk is the use of USB-C for both USB inputs (a USB B for one of them would be nice for the idiots, like me, who believe in cables and own (in)decently expensive ones).
The DAC more than makes up for it with the presence of 2 really excellent USB inputs. I use my streamer on the Unison 384 and my Steam Deck on the Unison “192” input. Super convenient!

Forkbeard has also been working flawlessly so far. The interface is rather intuitive and the guide when running the app the first time is well done.
Now I wish @schiit offered an upgrade path to Forkbeard my Kara

Chain: Magna Mano Ultra III.5 (USB) -> Gungnir 2 -> Vinnie Rossi LIO w/ silver AVC (no tubes) -> Enleum HPA-23RM -> ZMF Caldera Closed

 

[QUOTE="The Zone, post: 438466, member: 6049"BUT, the reason I'm posting is speakers. I switched on my cheapo JBL305 monitors (the old massdrop edition ones), and holy moly this was eye-opening. I always expect these monitors to sound the same with any components above a certain level, but going G2 to MJ3 to the JBLs was like listening to these monitors (which I'm very, very familiar with) on steroids. The have become so much more detailed, so much more liquid, and have an amazing amount of, forgive me, PRAT. This inspired me to move G2 to main living room system with large JBL speakers I use for vinyl listening and home theater. Again, this was immediately striking. To cue up another cliche, this was incredibly "vinyl" sounding in this system. I'm wondering if the way G2 eases off a bit in terms of bass oomph mimics the way vinyl systems are often lighter in the lows while layering so much dimensionality and ease in the mids and highs.

Anyway, I didn't get G2 with speakers in mind but I think it might steer me to more speaker listening because it's that compelling. I can see why Schiit is packaging it with Kara and Wotan as a complete 2-channel system.[/QUOTE]




----- I had a similar experience using my leftover Bifrost 2 for kicks with a pair of Edifier 1280DB powered desk speakers. Real Synergy! The Edifiers are GREAT speakers in their (low) price range, but thru the Bifrost 2 they really came alive!
Moved the speakers off my desktop to the kitchen divider close by, added a small sub, a Sony BDP-6700 under the Bifrost, and streaming via pc for Amazon HD. Aimed them in my general direction, and wow! Big Boy sound! Air, detail, mids, and seperation way beyond what I expected. They've been together for 2 years now.
Glad I didn't sell the Bifrost 2 after picking up the Gungnir A2 for my main speaker system!
I'm now looking real hard @ the G2 as an upgrade; though I I'm still happy with the Gungnir A2.
Like what people have been saying about the new one so we'll see..

 

We will start upgrading Karas shortly, we just needed to get our feet under us from the move and the holidays and the FB intro. It'll soon be an option on the Upgrades page. Probably a $50 operation (plus shipping.) Or if you ask, they may be able to do it now.

Kara is, unfortunately, the only product we can do this for. Freya+, Vidar 2, Aegir 2 don't have the internal wherewithal, whereas Kara was used for FB development and therefore just needs a firmware update.

 

I did ask and got a negative answer

 

Should be soon, then.

Edit: checked in with San Antonio. They are checking if they have enough Forkbeard-punched bottom chassis today. If they do, we can start this week.

 

We just need to get access to this kind of upgrades in Europe now and Android support

Anyway: Gungnir 2 + Kara great combo with my Genelecs!

 

Oh ya, same boat!!

 

I got my Gungnir 2 up and running yesterday in my speaker setup.

The thing that came to my mind in the first 10 seconds was, "LOL, Schiit has made their own variation of the Soekris dac2541". And that is not an insult in any form!

Even if I don't possess a dac2541 anymore in my repertoire, I dare to claim even after this momentary span while the Gungnir 2 shares a closely analogous tonal balance including the vintagey wetness it is the more accomplished and fleshed out version of the same sound signature. Schiit is definitely a full step a head in terms of detail, while also delivering a deeper, more spacious and accurate sound stage. And a bit of a conundrum is how it does this without sounding bright at all.

I'm pretty certain of the engagement factor being at the same level with the dac2541, which indicates microdynamics being at a high level. And I'm yet to experience this having any adverse effects on macrodynamics, which someone might have felt being the Achilles' heel of the dac2541.

Anyways, more listening awaits! I may need to compare G2 with Yggdrasil A2, which is presently configured in a different setup.

Listening chain: Holo Audio Red (AES/EBU) -> Gungnir 2 -> Lindemann 882 -> B&W 804D2

 

Yes, please! Especially helpful given your use in (what I assume to be) a listening / living room speaker setup.

 

Unless the MIB is really that much better than the A2 and LIM, I think @schiit just killed the Yggdrasil when they released the G2.

I was up till 1:30AM listening to it in bed instead of getting some rest for a (looooong) day of work and taking care of 4mo twins... Music flows like pure Scandinavian water (sorry for the analogy, it is the cleanest water I've personally seen. Definitely not LA water ) and I don't think this DAC has any flaws to speak of.

I know I said I didn't feel the need to compare it to other DACs (free time is a luxury, currently ), but now I'm really curious if it could replace... my Wavedream Edition XLR .

 

@Clemmaster probably gugnir is the best multi form R2r but I would wait for the singular. They wouldn’t gut the Yggdrasil. I just have a feeling Marv is holding back until it gets released. It was supposed to be on the gungnir first, but switched to the Yggdrasil and Jason didnt seem to have plans on multiform on the Yggdrasil. My 8 ball says it might actually be a leap instead of a flavor for the Yggdrasil.

Edit: I would jump on the gungnir, but impressions of the SE outputs sounding different/thinner, has me on the fence.

 

Jason said there won't be a multi form Yggdrasil - ie. a Gungnir 2 with better supporting components and analog stage etc?

 

He said he would explore multiform for the Yggdrasil in the future if enough interest in the last livestream. Didn't seem it was already in the works. @schiit correct me if I'm wrong.

 

@schiit do it! There's interest!

 

I would also be interested in a G2/A2 Yggdrasil comparison should you get a chance.

 

Fully agree with: slight vintage wetness tonal balance while having good detail and dynamics, yet lacking brightness. While I can't compare Yggdrasil, I can say that those who have intentionally built systems to synergize with G1A2 might find G2 ever slightly too dark or mellow. I missed a touch of that G1A2 mid/treble brightness that brought singers further into the room. I have now compensated with a RPi OS - Mercury V3 running MoOde and Linn. YMMV!

 

Edited out, mod can please delete

 

Any impressions of Gungnir2 in NOS mode? How does it compare to Holo Audio DACs in NOS mode?