I purchased the Border Patrol SEi DAC back in July 2019. Upon initial setup I hated it. It sounded thin and lifeless right out of the box. I immediately had buyer’s remorse and wanted to send it back. I put some thought into it and decided to burn it in for a couple of weeks then revisit.
In the meantime I bought a Schiit Yggdrasil. I figured that based on the design and reviews I would likely be satisfied with it. And I was. The Yggy is very versatile and does a lot of things right. I put the BP back in line and things were much better. Warmer, more depth, more dynamic, and fuller bass. The Yggy still seemed to top it in my overly analytical mind. I sent the BP over to my father in law’s place to put into his system.
While enjoying listening sessions with my father in law I grew envious of what the BP was doing for his system. There was this undeniable sweetness to the presentation that brought you into the music and made you want to listen all day. There is some fine detail loss with this DAC, and it does struggle with fast transients. But heck, for most of the music I listen to it is very satisfying. But nonetheless, my logic kept pulling my back to the Yggy. After all, how could the BP be better in any way? Too small, too light, simple design, old outdated Phillips chip.
Fast forward to April 2020 and I am revamping my system due to Covid-19 isolation boredom. I sold my Primaluna Evo 300 integrated, a Primaluna Prologue Premium integrated, a Rogue Audio Sphinx, and....(more to follow) to make room for my newly acquired First Watt F7. I am also waiting on a new Linear Tube Audio MicroZotl preamp. I am looking into a new transport as well (Either Jay’s CDt2 MkII or Project CD Box Rs2 T).
Anyway, yesterday I grabbed the BP from my father in law’s place with the intent of doing a A/B comparison between it and the Yggy once my LTA preamp arrives. Last night I put my only remaining amp into my system (Onkyo Tx8050, 80w, $299) and started playing music through it and the BP. The BP made this cheap amp sound fantastic, more so than the Yggy. In an ideal world I would keep both DACs, but I decided to let the Yggy go. I listed it on A-gon last night and it sold this morning. More money for my transport!
I know, some of you will think I am crazy for letting the Yggy go in favor of the BP. Well, for once my heart is victorious over reason. And the Border Patrol touches my heart in a way that the Yggy could not.
In the meantime I bought a Schiit Yggdrasil. I figured that based on the design and reviews I would likely be satisfied with it. And I was. The Yggy is very versatile and does a lot of things right. I put the BP back in line and things were much better. Warmer, more depth, more dynamic, and fuller bass. The Yggy still seemed to top it in my overly analytical mind. I sent the BP over to my father in law’s place to put into his system.
While enjoying listening sessions with my father in law I grew envious of what the BP was doing for his system. There was this undeniable sweetness to the presentation that brought you into the music and made you want to listen all day. There is some fine detail loss with this DAC, and it does struggle with fast transients. But heck, for most of the music I listen to it is very satisfying. But nonetheless, my logic kept pulling my back to the Yggy. After all, how could the BP be better in any way? Too small, too light, simple design, old outdated Phillips chip.
Fast forward to April 2020 and I am revamping my system due to Covid-19 isolation boredom. I sold my Primaluna Evo 300 integrated, a Primaluna Prologue Premium integrated, a Rogue Audio Sphinx, and....(more to follow) to make room for my newly acquired First Watt F7. I am also waiting on a new Linear Tube Audio MicroZotl preamp. I am looking into a new transport as well (Either Jay’s CDt2 MkII or Project CD Box Rs2 T).
Anyway, yesterday I grabbed the BP from my father in law’s place with the intent of doing a A/B comparison between it and the Yggy once my LTA preamp arrives. Last night I put my only remaining amp into my system (Onkyo Tx8050, 80w, $299) and started playing music through it and the BP. The BP made this cheap amp sound fantastic, more so than the Yggy. In an ideal world I would keep both DACs, but I decided to let the Yggy go. I listed it on A-gon last night and it sold this morning. More money for my transport!
I know, some of you will think I am crazy for letting the Yggy go in favor of the BP. Well, for once my heart is victorious over reason. And the Border Patrol touches my heart in a way that the Yggy could not.