This thread will be about a comparison of two DACs:
1. Schiit Yggdrasil DAC
2. Berkeley Alpha DAC 2
Both were heard by several WBF members in my system whose impressions will be posted below.
The Schiit Yggdrasil DAC ('Yggy') with fixed output was run through a Pass B1 buffered passive preamp to my amps. The Berkeley Alpha DAC 2 was either run via its digital volume control directly to the amps as I always had done for years before purchasing the Yggy, or through the Pass B1 with fixed output set, per factory recommendation, at level 54 out of a max. of 60 (-6 dB from max.). Ack noticed a slight improvement of micro-dynamics and transients by running the Berkeley through the Pass B1, but the differences as heard in my system are small enough as to not significantly change the overall character of the presentation.
You will read the description of rather pronounced differences between the DACs. My first impressions of the Yggy, reported on the Schiit thread, had been that it sounded surprisingly alike to the Berkeley, even though there were some features that I found different and that I liked. Yet now also I hear profound differences. There are two possibilities:
a) I was too focused on the similarities in sound to not being able to properly hear differences
b) the sound of the Yggy changed dramatically during break-in
I assume it is probably a combination of both. That the sound of Schiit DACs changes a lot during break-in has also been reported by others. Peter A. was the first to hear the Yggy in my system, when it had broken in about one and a half weeks playing 24/7 and when I also started to hear major differences between the DACs.
According to my and many others' experience, it is imperative to never compare cold DACs. Both DACs were fully warmed up at all times (no interruption of AC supply for several days).
Data source was a Simaudio Moon 260 DT CD transport, feeding the DACs via an MIT Proline digital cable through the AES/EBU connection. This connection is considered superior by many manufacturers of digital equipment.
1. Schiit Yggdrasil DAC
2. Berkeley Alpha DAC 2
Both were heard by several WBF members in my system whose impressions will be posted below.
The Schiit Yggdrasil DAC ('Yggy') with fixed output was run through a Pass B1 buffered passive preamp to my amps. The Berkeley Alpha DAC 2 was either run via its digital volume control directly to the amps as I always had done for years before purchasing the Yggy, or through the Pass B1 with fixed output set, per factory recommendation, at level 54 out of a max. of 60 (-6 dB from max.). Ack noticed a slight improvement of micro-dynamics and transients by running the Berkeley through the Pass B1, but the differences as heard in my system are small enough as to not significantly change the overall character of the presentation.
You will read the description of rather pronounced differences between the DACs. My first impressions of the Yggy, reported on the Schiit thread, had been that it sounded surprisingly alike to the Berkeley, even though there were some features that I found different and that I liked. Yet now also I hear profound differences. There are two possibilities:
a) I was too focused on the similarities in sound to not being able to properly hear differences
b) the sound of the Yggy changed dramatically during break-in
I assume it is probably a combination of both. That the sound of Schiit DACs changes a lot during break-in has also been reported by others. Peter A. was the first to hear the Yggy in my system, when it had broken in about one and a half weeks playing 24/7 and when I also started to hear major differences between the DACs.
According to my and many others' experience, it is imperative to never compare cold DACs. Both DACs were fully warmed up at all times (no interruption of AC supply for several days).
Data source was a Simaudio Moon 260 DT CD transport, feeding the DACs via an MIT Proline digital cable through the AES/EBU connection. This connection is considered superior by many manufacturers of digital equipment.
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