New Yggdrasil - First (and second) Impressions

@dlcockrum

I appreciate your kind remarks Dave. Thank you.

My desire to test the sound under cold start is born out the understanding that multibit R2R is optimized when its resistors temperature is constant. Even Schiit "highly recommends" leaving the unit on 24/7, and I may wind up doing this. I’d just like to hear (or attempt to hear) any difference with my own ears.

Benchmark engineering goes even further with regard to the criticality of resistor ladder DACs by stating (I have email correspondence from Rory Rall) "Even if the resistors are precision trimmed, they drift with temperature. This drift is not just a function of the ambient temperature. The change in resistance can even be induced by the instantaneous heating caused by the audio signal."

Imagine that. Temperature change caused by the signal itself effecting (negatively in this case?) the audio. 

I’d like to hear that to believe it :)

@gdhal   Good write up, a couple of posts ago.  Glad it is working out for you.

the Yggy’s usefulness increases as the “density” of the instruments increase and the overall quality of the recording is increased

Thank you, @david_ten

All -

I expect this post will be perceived as very interesting feedback. One that I am happy to report.

THERE IS NO AUDIBLE DIFFERENCE FROM A COLD START.

First, I compared my Oppo to ERC-3. Why, because in fairness to the Oppo, it has a digital filter setting that can be used to tweak the sound. So, giving it the benefit of the doubt, and despite the fact that I previously tested all filters and opted to stay with the default mini phase fast, I thought it worthwhile to ensure that it sounds very much like the ERC-3, and specifically with respect to the elements that are lacking in comparison to the Yggy. To reiterate, that would be a tinny top end, less "evolving" middle and not as "rich" bass. For purposes of my test, they can be considered identical.

I then compared the Yggy - at immediate start up (cold after being powered down 18+ hours) - against both ERC3 and UDP205 and the same "improvements" were evident in the Yggy as they had been when warmed up for days.

So, I take solace in *knowing* that as I listen via Yggy from a cold startup, theoretically the sound should improve *during the listening session*. Granted , that would not be audible nor will I set out to prove that, but I do know with certainty that even from a cold start up, the Yggy does sound better. And, if I had to state a one word reason why, "authenticity".

Interesting thread. Gdhal, which is your best souce combination - the one feeding the AES/EBU?
I keep swapping between the 2 below both sourcing files from my NAS via ethernet.
1. NUC - USB in Gustard U12 - AES in Yggy
2. Oppo 103d - Optical in Yggy
I am currently enjoying the Oppo option more. Blacker background, hear more high, PRAT, separation, ...
BTW, i am hoping your Oppo UDP test means using its SE out into the amp.