D to A converter purchase....

This thread discussion is beginning to read a lot like this one :)

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/schiit-yggdrasil-21-bit/post?highlight=2097152&postid=148...

Yeah... ha!

However there is an important point to reiterate here. Using two DAC chips in a hardware balanced configuration doesn't increase the number of possible output levels (unlike what you implied above and as mentioned in the other thread) but it does double the output signal level relative to the noise level. When you then use that fact in the formula for signal-to-noise ratio, 20*log(S/N), you get a 6 dB increase, which is equivalent to one bit.

All this isn't to say that the Gungnir isn't a good DAC. I just think it's rather silly to claim you're "preserving the original samples" when it's clearly not the case for 24-bit source material.

I just think it's rather silly to claim you're "preserving the original samples" when it's clearly not the case for 24-bit source material.

Are you referring to the Yggdrasil or Gungnir? I think you are referring to the Yggdrasil, as I do not read the "preserving" text elsewhere.

In the case of the Yggdrasil, Schiit addresses the 24 bit issue. From their web sites FAQ page.
---------------
If your 24 bit recordings actually have 24 bits of resolution, we’ll eat a hat. And those "32-bit" DACs? Well, they have this measurement known as “equivalent number of bits.” This means, in English, how many bits of resolution they really have. And that number, for most of them, is about 19.5. And 21 is better than 19.5, in all the math books we know.
--------------

So I'm not sure it is "clearly not the case". Moreover, I've played plenty of 24 bit material at various sample rates and it sounds really, really, good to my ears. :)

Bottom line though is that Schiit gear isn't for everyone.  It's akin to what Jerry has to say about the Grateful Dead.

“We're like licorice. Not everybody likes licorice, but the people who like licorice really like licorice.”

I gots a 321 and I like it. The 321 is also a preamp as well and I don’t think the Shiit DACs are. I normally front the 321 with a Rogue RP-1 but that is down while I embezzle money to shop for vintage tubes, so the pre in the 321 has come in handy (others will see this as a negative). I go balanced out when running the 321 pre but single ended when running the RP-1 as it does not have balanced. I went with the 321 because it was on sale for 50% off because the new Di322 had just come out and the Di322 supports DSD where the 321 does not. 321 is a ES9018S Sabre chip and a Cirrus Logic upsampling receiver. Another reason I got the 321 was the reviews it had "warm" characteristics and that was a goal and I think it delivers. There is a used 321 on Ebay now for $1K. The 321 foot print is significant so be aware of that and it’s built like a tank. My sources are W4S moded Sonos Connect, cheapo CDP and Airplay Optical for radio.I don’t use the USB input much. Here is a review from a few years back. http://www.absolutesounds.com/pdf/main/press/HFN_Wadia32_June2015.pdf

Are you referring to the Yggdrasil or Gungnir? I think you are referring to the Yggdrasil, as I do not read the "preserving" text elsewhere.

See the first question of the Gungnir FAQ (copied below):

Wait a whole entire second there, buddy! Are you saying that this has the same insane digital filter and multibit architecture as the Yggdrasil?
In the case of Gungnir Multibit, yes.

So with the Gungnir Multibit, you're essentially missing 25% of the content in all those 24-bit files you've been playing. Granted, this is material that lies at ~108 dB below full scale, so it's doubtful that you'd hear any artifacts. However, audiophiles can be a picky bunch.