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Schiit Gungnir and Bifrost Multibit Comparison (And HQPlayer Closed-Form Filter Comparison)

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Hands, Jan 24, 2016.

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  1. chakku

    chakku Friend

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    Relevant:

     
    chakku, Feb 22, 2016
    #61
  2. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Probably not so much USB vs. SPDIF as it is the USB->SPDIF converters we used sound better than the Gen 2 or Gen 3 USB inputs in Gungnir Multibit and Yggdrasil regardless of which digital format you use or whether or not they go through conversion. You can put things like the Regen in front of the USB input on these DACs, but ultimately, you're still potentially limited by the onboard USB.

    I think it's more that the really good USB->SPDIF converters out there are simply better digital implementations that most onboard USB inputs, and you gotta remember the Mutec 1.2 is still $450 or so. Not cheap.

    Some also swear that cutting out USB entirely, and having a pure SPDIF source with very low jitter, low noise, clean signal, etc., you'll get an even better sound. I think there is some merit to this based on my tests with the Theta Data III CD player's BNC output.
     
    Hands, Feb 23, 2016
    #62
  3. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    Yeah, I think Mike Moffat stated that the best inputs for Yggdrasil and Gungnir Multibit were the AES and BNCs respectively. Could you do a comparo with your Theta vs your CIA or Mutec (not sure what you had) on the same material to see how close they get?
     
    Wfojas, Feb 23, 2016
    #63
  4. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I have a thread floating around somewhere where I did a direct Theta Data III vs CIAudio Transient Mk2 comparison.
     
    Hands, Feb 23, 2016
    #64
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    @Hands, how does the Mutantec compare to the Guzzard USB to SPDIF?
     
    purr1n, Feb 23, 2016
    #65
  6. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    fwiw, I will be doing a review on 3 usb/spdif bridges in the next few weeks. Bryston, Yellowtec, Mutec.

    Long story short, the Mutec is best.
     
    bixby, Feb 23, 2016
    #66
  7. Wfojas

    Wfojas Friend

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    Looking forward to it. Which Mutec,the 1.2 or MC-3+ USB did you compare? I ask as the other two are in between the Mutec prices.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2016
    Wfojas, Feb 23, 2016
    #67
  8. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    I have the Mutec 1.2 model

    Mutec 1.2. aprox $450,
    Bryston buc-1 aprox $750,
    Yellowtec puc2lite aprox $480
     
    bixby, Feb 23, 2016
    #68
  9. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Gustard is OK...acceptable at the price point given the number of outputs, seemingly solid PC drivers, and so on. I use mine as a backup device or on my gaming PC (i.e. not my main piece of high end audio gear). Sound quality, it is a bit laid-back, a bit unfocused, easy going, kind of soft. The Mutec and CIAudio converters are both more focused and sharper sounding, more resolving, better subjective extension on the frequency extremes, and so on.
     
    Hands, Feb 23, 2016
    #69
  10. Wfojas

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    So while i had a little time in my hands, I pulled out an old unused DVD player with SPDIF out, and hooked it into the Gungnir Multibit. And proceeded to listen to track after track of CDs, I couldn't stop. Anybody who wants to hear how any of the Schiit sounds owes it to themselves to borrow, steal or buy even a cheap player that does SPDIF. Its not even funny. I can only wonder what a good transport sounds like. I'm gushing like a stupid newbie, sorry for the puddle on the ground.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2016
    Wfojas, Feb 23, 2016
    #70
  11. Madaboutaudio

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    Mutec is using DDS clock generation which is what is similar to the clock generation found in Bricasti M1. RME soundcard also uses the same type of DDS clocking.
     
    Madaboutaudio, Feb 23, 2016
    #71
  12. MrTie

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    Shoved my old essence ST back into my pc as it's digital out is very low jitter(1.48 nanoseconds). Sounds good, not sure I can tell much of difference from my mobo's toslink out but both are def less noisy than USB in my system.
     
    MrTie, Feb 23, 2016
    #72
  13. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Yup, I couldn't stop listening for a while after I discovered that difference vs. USB.
     
    rott, Feb 23, 2016
    #73
  14. Wfojas

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    Weird how USB is the CD disaster of the eighties all over again. Vinyl survived, streaming already killed media. So SPDIF holdouts are the new vinyl outcasts?
     
    Wfojas, Feb 23, 2016
    #74
  15. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    USB is more like VHS. Lower quality than the alternative, but far more convenient and ubiquitous.
     
    Merrick, Feb 23, 2016
    #75
  16. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Nanoseconds is high jitter. Everything I've read points to 200 picoseconds being about as high as you want to go.
     
    Hands, Feb 23, 2016
    #76
  17. Madaboutaudio

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    While researching on PCI-E audio interfaces, I came across this video, which he mentions "Mastering Grade D/A converter"..

    i wounder how does this compare to DACs like Schiit Yggdrasil or even the MSB Analog.



    USD$2499 for convert2.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2016
    Madaboutaudio, Feb 23, 2016
    #77
  18. jsgraha

    jsgraha 30% of my portfolio is magic beans - Friend

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    I'm quite curious how the old generation usb-spdif converter such as AP with linear power supply or offramp compare to these new generations of converters.

    Thanks
     
    jsgraha, Feb 23, 2016
    #78
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm so glad I don't have to deal with DAC / USB / SPDIF neurosis anymore. Digital is digital, whether it be from my UltraAnalog or AD5791 based DACs, a 1.2% or 3.1% better is of no consequence. I actually find Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 9, 10, 11 (or whatever latest OS version they are pushing now) missing USB class 2.0 drivers much more annoying.
     
    purr1n, Feb 23, 2016
    #79
  20. Wfojas

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    I would do analog only, but that drives me even crazier.
     
    Wfojas, Feb 23, 2016
    #80
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