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#1
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Yggy first impressions
The Yggdrasil arrived a couple days ago and I finally got my "stuff" together today and put it in the rack. This is a key part of a series of upgrades that includes a new room.
The Yggy is replacing a Benchmark DAC1, 2008 vintage, connecting my Mac Mini to the McIntosh MC2500 preamp. The MC2500 has a very good DAC already, but a pre without a DAC is in my future. The Benchmark had been in storage for a while, and is still a fine piece of equipment, leading to the topic at hand... The Yggy straight out of the box sounded more "full" - not putting down the Benchmark here, but the best way I can describe this is that the old DAC sounded somewhat thin by comparison. I also hear more detail, especially in the mid range. Have had it on just a couple hours, and only once has it sounded a bit edgy, which might have been more detail showing up on that track. This DAC is widely reported as needing something like a couple days' continuous running to settle in. I look forward to that. The final test was the WAF - Boss Girl walked into the room and while I was playing the second track with the Yggy, asked "Sounds good, what changed?". I'd like to thank Tom (W9TR) for his sage advice, and Dan posthumously for his influential review. Here's a picture of the unit with a little something we picked up in Roskilde years ago that I found when unpacking.
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Sources: Vinyl: Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable with 9" Universal tonearm, Da Vinci V2 cartridge, Stillpoints SS & Stillpoints clamp, McIntosh MVP 901, Apple Mac mini via Benchmark DAC 1, Aurender N100C via Schiit Yggdrasil Control: McIntosh C1100, Mcintosh MX151 Power: Mcintosh MC2301s (front), McIntosh MC501 (center), Mcintosh MC402 (rear) Speakers: Sonus Faber Amati Futura (front and back), SF Vox center Power/connections: PS Audio Power Port receptacles, RGPC 400 pro (2) WireWorld interconnects and speaker cable |
#2
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#3
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You hit the nail on the head as to why I bought a C2300, 100% completely analog. I love my C2300, MC402 and Yggy; I’m looking at new speakers right now, primarily Spatial M3. I’m also looking to upgrade my streamer to a Auralic. I contemplated trending my MC402 for a 452 but I think I’m going to stay.
I love my Schiit so much I thought about buying one of their garage sale Yggy’s. |
#4
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As @Puma Cat mentions above the Yggy will change during it's settling-in period. If you can drop in with your impressions during this process I'd be interested in hearing about your experience.
One day, in a few weeks, it will all come together sonically and you'll know it.
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Schiit URD CD Transport > Schiit Yggdrasil Analog 2 DAC > Schiit Loki Max EQ > Bryston BP-26 Preampamplifier > Schiit Vidar Power Amp > B & W 805D + JL Audio E112 subwoofers (x2); Power- Shunyata Venom 16; ADD-Powr Symphony Pro & Eau2's; Equitech Son of Q; Cabling- Wireworld IC, Synergistic Research SC, Shunyata PC. |
#5
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Let me know what you decide. We had Clayton Shaw of Spatial Audio on as our guest at the last SFAS meeting, and it was great hearing him talk. I am seriously interested in the new Spatial Audio M3 or M5 Sapphires.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#6
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I remember when I received the Yggy (1st Gen) and turned it on the first time. I was disappointed as the sound was thin and veiled. After leaving it on 24/7, everything bloomed over 3-5 days or so. Give it some time, and you will be rewarded. Mate it with a quality streamer/server, and you will be very happy. It does run a bit warm though.
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Ken -------------- Two-channel: Preamp: VAC Master with 1960’s Cryoed Kevin’s Stash Telefunken 6922's. Shunyata King Cobra CX PC Amps: Pass Labs X250.8 for the mids and highs and Bryston 7B SST's for lows below 250Hz, Revelation Audio Labs Precept CryoSilver Reference and VH Audio Flavor 4’s Source: Auralic Aries G2.1 w/ internal Samsung 860 EVO 2TB SSD, Shunyata Sigma NR v1 PC. DAC: Holo Audio KTE May. Shunyata Omega USB. Paul Kaplan HE v1 PC. Crossover: Pass Labs XVR-1. Shunyata Anaconda CX PC Speakers: Biamped Magnepan 3.6R's Subs: REL 212/SE (left) and 2 x S/5 SHO (right) subs using Longbow. HT with above 2-channel: Preamp/Processor: Theta Casablanca IVa with D3 Xtreme DAC. Shunyata King Cobra CX PC Amps: 2 x ModWright KWA150SE's for center and rears with Shunyata Alpha NR v1 and Anaconda CX PC’s Blu-ray player: Oppo 203 with Oppomod LPS SE, BD ROM stabilizer and Audio Magic Pulse Gen ZX. WW Platinum Starlight 7 HDMI. Paul Kaplan HE v1 PC Speakers: Center Channel - Maggie "tri-center" with MG10QR's and CC3. Center sub - Velodyne DD12 Rears: Magnepan 1.6QR's Power conditioning: Shunyata Everest with Sigma XC v2. Shunyata Denali 6000/S v2 with Alpha XC v2 Ediscreation Extreme Silent Switch OCXO with WireWorld Platinum Eclipse 8 Ethernet cable Cabling is all WireWorld IC's with Platinum 7's for main 2-channel listening and older Golds elsewhere. Speaker cables by Alpha Core Goertz MI series. |
#7
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I am sure you will enjoy your Aries... I do mine. I’d be interested in hearing how easy the SSD install goes. My Aurender has a couple tb but I did not put any in my Aries... might be nice when the wifi is a bit wanky.
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George Main: Aurender W20SE music streamer, ARC REF 9SE DAC / CD, Linn LP 12, Koetsu Rosewood SignCartrige, ARC REF 3 Phono Stage, ARC REF 6SE Preamp, ARC 160s amp, Sonus Faber Amati Traditional Speakers,Transparent Ultra IC & SC Library:Aurender N100, Ayre QB9 2020 DAC, Woo WA5-LE amp upgraded tubes, Focal Utopia HP, Sennheiser 800s HP, LCD HP. |
#8
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The install was quite easy, but then I can take my Yggy apart with one hand behind my back. There are instructions on how to install an SSD into an Aries G2 on a dealer’s website. The G2.1 has a copper enclosure around the entire circuitry and power supplies. All you need is a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the bottom cover and hard drive holder. For the copper cover in the G2.1 you use a Torx T10. Initiation was easy and file transfer took time of course. I’ve read that an EVO 860 4TB works as well. As for the sound, well for those who think that a Mac Mini is a decent server, you don’t know what you’re missing (cuz you’re not hearing or experiencing it) even with a hefty LPS.
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Ken -------------- Two-channel: Preamp: VAC Master with 1960’s Cryoed Kevin’s Stash Telefunken 6922's. Shunyata King Cobra CX PC Amps: Pass Labs X250.8 for the mids and highs and Bryston 7B SST's for lows below 250Hz, Revelation Audio Labs Precept CryoSilver Reference and VH Audio Flavor 4’s Source: Auralic Aries G2.1 w/ internal Samsung 860 EVO 2TB SSD, Shunyata Sigma NR v1 PC. DAC: Holo Audio KTE May. Shunyata Omega USB. Paul Kaplan HE v1 PC. Crossover: Pass Labs XVR-1. Shunyata Anaconda CX PC Speakers: Biamped Magnepan 3.6R's Subs: REL 212/SE (left) and 2 x S/5 SHO (right) subs using Longbow. HT with above 2-channel: Preamp/Processor: Theta Casablanca IVa with D3 Xtreme DAC. Shunyata King Cobra CX PC Amps: 2 x ModWright KWA150SE's for center and rears with Shunyata Alpha NR v1 and Anaconda CX PC’s Blu-ray player: Oppo 203 with Oppomod LPS SE, BD ROM stabilizer and Audio Magic Pulse Gen ZX. WW Platinum Starlight 7 HDMI. Paul Kaplan HE v1 PC Speakers: Center Channel - Maggie "tri-center" with MG10QR's and CC3. Center sub - Velodyne DD12 Rears: Magnepan 1.6QR's Power conditioning: Shunyata Everest with Sigma XC v2. Shunyata Denali 6000/S v2 with Alpha XC v2 Ediscreation Extreme Silent Switch OCXO with WireWorld Platinum Eclipse 8 Ethernet cable Cabling is all WireWorld IC's with Platinum 7's for main 2-channel listening and older Golds elsewhere. Speaker cables by Alpha Core Goertz MI series. Last edited by kmmd; 08-30-2020 at 01:05 PM. |
#9
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#10
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We had the Yggy on for several hours yesterday, and it seems like the settling in won't be a linear progression. Seems more like a stock index graph where it improves, but has some ups, downs, and pauses along the way. I am pleasantly surprised by the improvement.
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Sources: Vinyl: Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable with 9" Universal tonearm, Da Vinci V2 cartridge, Stillpoints SS & Stillpoints clamp, McIntosh MVP 901, Apple Mac mini via Benchmark DAC 1, Aurender N100C via Schiit Yggdrasil Control: McIntosh C1100, Mcintosh MX151 Power: Mcintosh MC2301s (front), McIntosh MC501 (center), Mcintosh MC402 (rear) Speakers: Sonus Faber Amati Futura (front and back), SF Vox center Power/connections: PS Audio Power Port receptacles, RGPC 400 pro (2) WireWorld interconnects and speaker cable |
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