Schiit Gungnir Multibit impressions

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Bill-P, Oct 7, 2015.

  1. Pillars

    Pillars Embarrassment to Colorado crew

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    Huge reduction in digital edge I definitely agree there. The D/S to my ears sets the presentation especially vocals a step back with a more laid back and spacious presentation. However, despite that characteristic everything is less defined, has less air and isn't as holographic as the MB.. less real too. As far as warmth goes the MB has a small uppermid forward nature (compared to the DS) giving it that more in your face less spacious sound. With less sub extension it seems less euphonic than the DS to me. Despite sounding infinitely more 'right'. It does indeed sound right too.. never heard such realistic sounding instruments. I have a feeling my impressions may change with the upcoming amp swap. I'm using a Magni3 ATM.. hardly high-end but oddly enough is able to easily convey the differences of these dacs. A huge triumph for a budget amp.
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2018
  2. elwappo99

    elwappo99 Friend

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    Oh... now you tell me!
     
  3. BillOhio

    BillOhio Friend

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    Pffftttt! You tried both those DACs, and I think you agreed.
     
  4. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    Just my own beliefs/impressions (could be wrong)...

    I just want my DAC to be the inverse of the ADC. Romanticism, or hotness, the lively sound you hear at a concert, that should be done at the transducer, or amp. Most live events use horn speakers because of their efficiency, and yes horn speakers shout at you. I enjoy that sound at times, but I also enjoy being able to swap in a headset that doesn't.

    I swap headphones when I want a hotter presentation, or tubes, but am content with Yggdrasil multi-bit just doing its job, reproduce the original wave forms, as-is, no coloration. Dig out all the subtle information present in what is recorded.
     
  5. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Gungnir enroute. Who knows, if the potential updates get it close to Yggdrasil A1 with a blacker background then it could become my primary DAC.

    I am one of the (probably) few who actually prefer Yggdrasil A1 tone to A2.

    Haha, reading up on ‘new’ Gungnir I have realised just how many times marv has referred to GumBy over the past few months...
     
  6. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Well you are in luck then because I like Gungnir the most and I guess there is a high probability that I would enjoy Yggdrasil 2 more than Gungnir Multibit 1 or 2.

    An European loaner will be great if it ever happens or if I find some Swedish member around here.
     
  7. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    Awesome, please let us know how you find Gungnir Multibit A2 compares to Yggdrasil A1. Given the similar price point of a used Yggdrasil A1 I'm curious how well the Gungnir Multibit holds up...
     
  8. Pillars

    Pillars Embarrassment to Colorado crew

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    I enjoy Gungnir Multibit however I'm still waiting for the overall 'brightness' to tame down a bit. The lower frequencies are still soft and the upper mid area has a forward presentation. I tested the Gungnir Multibit using my Event 20/20 monitors and the whole performance took a step back but sadly much of the bass impact of modern music was lost. It had a brighter/thinner presentation. I'd need a dedicated sub with this setup using the Gungnir Multibit compared to using a Bifrost 4399 which sounds and feels more right with just the speakers.
    I suppose these measure flat across the board but compared to the DS this is the most standout difference especially moving towards sub bass. Second standout difference is how much more detail through the midrange Gungnir Multibit has when using headphones. I think Synergy may save this amp from going back however as I've researched the Auralic taurus MKii well and see several people noting a slight bit of subbass boost which would essentially make Gungnir Multibit perfect for my listening preferences. Fingers crossed.
     
  9. Pillars

    Pillars Embarrassment to Colorado crew

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    So, my posts may seem a bit redundant but.. there is a bit of a reasoning behind them. Helps me compare my impressions during my trial period.

    Day 7 : Woah..

    That is all.
     
  10. Ntbm3

    Ntbm3 Friend

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    Update.. just got my upgrade email! So just over 3 weeks, not so bad.

    Strange part is I happen to check my # on the upgrade tracker and I was #175! So maybe not perfectly accurate, FYI.
     
  11. bobboxbody

    bobboxbody Friend

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    Shipping OG Gungnir Multibit in for gen 5 usb today. Just got the dac last week, been using optical. Even with toslink Gungnir Multibit made me a dac believer, can't wait to see what gen 5 sounds like compared to toslink.
     
  12. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Managed to get ahold of a used Gumby2 (a few months old) to compare to my older Gumby1. Both are Gen5 USB and also tried both with Eitr.

    Let’s just say I was not prepared for the tonal difference that others have previously described. Definitely more neutral, drier and quicker. That Gumby1 warmth and smoothness has definitely taken a hit. It caught me off guard initially with how different they sound. I have never heard a Yggdrasil to compare it to.

    However lots of other good stuff going on like great instrument separation and layering like nothing I’ve heard before, a more open soundstage with lots of micro detail, and really dense, varied timbres with great clarity and dynamics.

    But I can see this tonality difference and loss of some smoothness being somewhat off-putting if you liked what Gumby1 does (which I do). Tricky one. Probably need to spend more time acclimating my ears to this.

    Makes me wonder even more what the latest Bifrost Multibit will sound like.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2018
  13. roshambo123

    roshambo123 Friend

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    Just curious, how long has your Gumby2 been running? "Dry and quick" sounds like freshly powered up unit. If your other unit had been on for weeks I would definitely expect a jarring difference.
     
  14. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    I'm well aware of the need to have these DACs powered-on before they sound their best. It has been powered on almost 2 weeks now (had someone plug it in while I was away). Listened to it initially about 9 days in.
     
  15. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    I can echo these impressions. I have had Gumby2 for about a month after using Gumby1 for about a year. The differences are both tonal & technical. Tonally, more forward; drier; brighter; less warm. It is no longer the laid-back Mercedes air suspension ride of the Gumby1. Can actually sound a little 'hot' with certain amp & transducer pairings versus the goes-with-everything Gumby1. I prefer the Yggy2 as a tonal middle ground between the two revisions of the Gungnir Multibit.

    Technically, the new Gungnir Multibit is much improved. Less gray; less smeared; less congested; more intelligible. Sharper and more delineated transients with greater cleanliness are experienced in the bass and presence region at the expense of less euphony over the predecessor. Lacking a direct comparison, I would say it still fares 'close enough' in these areas to the Yggy2 at half the price especially for headphone systems. One can still appreciate a more open and tonally correct sound by stepping up to the Yggy2.

    In terms of warm-up, my original Gungnir Multibit was purchased used and well broken in. My experience with it was always 4 days from cold to fully settle and allow for goosebumps. The Gumby2 seemed to take 5-7 before no further change was experienced from first power on, but sounded decent after 1-2 just like the original. This is still much better than the Yggy2 which I felt was not consistent until 2.5 weeks of running.

    Personally, after a month I feel a bit of buyer's remorse. The second generation is a solid converter but I find myself missing the easy-going and laid-back nature of the original in my current system and wishing I had gone for a used OG unit at a significant savings. If you have a first generation unit with the Gen5 USB and are happy with it I would hesitate to recommend an upgrade unless you can justify the expenditure of the Yggy2.
     
  16. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    As a point of reference -

    I have not heard Gungnir Multibit, but Yggdrasil A1 had a lot going for it except ... it also was too sterile at times, a touch of metallic synthesizer in your face tonality, and a mild grey background. Yggdrasil A2 is smoother, a bit sweeter, the background is mostly non-existent. The dynamics are still there, and if there is any loss in detail (arguable), the trade off is a welcome trade off. No warm-poo, maple syrup traits, but taking that edge off has been a welcome upgrade.
     
  17. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Good to know, as I have Yggdrasil A2 inbound now as well, so I will be able to compare them. Should be interesting.

    On a side note - As a Canadian, and a waffle addict, I take offense to your connotation that anything related to maple syrup can be considered a negative trait. Please consider your words more wisely in future. :D
     
  18. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    syrup + waffle = good

    syrup + audio = questionable.
     
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    Last edited: Aug 10, 2018
  19. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Right, forgot about the synergy factor.
    Carry on.
     
  20. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    @rlow - LMAO and looking forward to visiting Canada again. syrup + waffle = great. Also looking forward to your impressions comparing them. Y2 took 3 weeks for me of always on before I was entirely content. This is a piece of gear I will never sell, and will be keep until it dies of natural causes.
     

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