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I suspect the same thing....I have heard the PS Directstream DAC the last two years at RMAF and was somewhat dissapointed. I was hoping the software engineering accomplished would have rendered a sound that stood out but IMO this was not the case. I think a good DAC comparison shootout would be between the Directstream and the Yggi. OF course its hard to tell how good a component sounds in a hotel room with other rooms around blasting music. For both years the room with the Directstream has not really been a standout though if you read the RMAF reviews and impressions. Yeah it will be interesting to see if other manufacturers take on the multi-bit ladder approach.
I believe you are in for a very pleasant surprise if you are commenting at 20 minutes play time Starchild. I recalled my initial thoughts being very glad of a honeymoon period to return my Gungnir to becoming "holy chit this thing is awesome!!'.I was able to very quickly switch between playing direct to the preamp and playing through the Gungnir to the preamp. I remember one day alarmed at what the heck just happened to my system it sounded so flat and lifeless. Only to realize I selected "CD" on the preamp, which was direct player to preamp, instead of "Special" which sourced from the Gungnir.You can find my comments in one of the forums here regarding this.Andy
Glad you're enjoying it Starchild....which DAC did you replace with the Gumby??
True. I guess my statement would have been more accurate if I had said that you wouldn't get dsd out of a ladder dac (having said that, someone who has a better understanding than me will dispell my comments-such is life). Never-the-less, my point was that Schiit probably would not have developed the multi-bit dac if they were going to add dsd capabilty to the Yggy. I think that's a valid inference. Agreed?
Heres a quote on DSD from Mike Moffatt designer of Theta and Schiit dacs:Even worse is DSD, which I have previously addressed. These are offered by all of the “audio” chip makers, complete with reference designs and “Howto” data sheets that make it possible for fourth graders to build them as class projects. They are cheap, and have resulted in digital audio technology that is nearly as universal as it is insipid. That's not to say that a builder can't add “designer” capacitors, over-designed analog sections or power supplies, fancy over-machined front panels, water-cooling, palletized delivery, jewels, etc., etc, ad nauseum. This sort of extravagance is perfect for the user who wants to invite people over to have his guests admire the piece first. Unfortunately, even though you have wrapped plastic around the vile-smelling “audio” parts, they still have the same performance stench.
I agree, the DSD in the version of the DS I heard was a disappointment. Lampi DSD is in another league. If you get a chance, check it out and let me know what you think. Stop going off opinions of gurus and listen for yourself and THEN you will KNOW.Just because you like the YGGY for PCM does not mean that there isnt DSD playback out there that will warm up your soul.
I'm afraid I'm going to tell you more than you want to know but here's the short version of a long story. I had a Margules Sdac 1.1 for several years (I know, you never heard of it) that I liked very much (I got rid of a Museatex IDat44 to buy it). The Sdac 1.1 developed a problem with the chip which had gone out of production. While I was trying to get that serviced, I bought an old Musical Fidelity X-can dac (read cheap) to get me over the hump. I eventually decided to buy another dac but bided my time while I got a better handle on what was happening in the market place (plus the old X-can sounded pretty good when fed properly). On top of that, I weas also in the process of assimilating computer audio, While I was deciding what dac I could afford, I almost pulled the trigger on a Teac U501 when I opted to buy a used Bryston Buc-1 USB converter instead (do not under estimate the impact a god usb converter). Fast forwarding to the present, after much research I concluded I wanted a ladder dac and was about to buy a used Monarchy Audio M24 when the Gumby was announced. Having already decided that multi-bit was the way to go and having great respect for the genius and experience of Mike Moffat, I inhaled deeplyand took the plunge for the Gumby. I'm convinced it will be one of the better purchases in my audiophile journey. Sorry to drag on but that's the short version. TMI right? Anyhow, I really like this dac.
I was considering a Margules mid-range enhancer about 20 years ago when I bought my first tweek which was a Z-man audio-enhancer- tube buffer stage for any disc player....I have a Monarchy audio DIP Upsampler into the channel Islands audio DAC.......will have to wait a while to updrade but Im ready now! Glad you are enjoying it Starchild - are you still using the Bryston USB converter? I want to eventually put my 300+ Redbook CD's on a server...may try to get that done this winter depending on funds.
