Less Is Really More - Schiit's New Yggdrasil DAC - Less Is More


So, over the past week I have been auditioning the new Schiit Yggdrasil Less Is More Variant DAC.  In my opinion it is a significant step up from the analog 2 version of the original yggy and should be on everyone’s list to audition if you in the market for a new dac. So what makes this DAC so special ?.  First, music originates from a deep space black background and has a smooth liquidity that is just incredible to hear.  I have never heard a black ground like this.  There is a clarity that gives the effect of lifting a thin veil off my speakers.  The highs are refined but not harsh whatsoever and you can listen to this dac hours on end and never get fatigued...something I can't say about other schiit dacs I have owned in the past.  Some reviewers have said that this version rolls off the highs, but to me  everything sounds just right.  All the music is there and seems natural.  It's just that the highs never get fatiguing...perhaps this is due to the roll off effect that others have talked about.  To me, this dac sounds very evenly balanced throughout the frequency spectrum with nothing emphasized more than others.  The Timbre on this dac is the most realistic I have heard...bar none.  Piano, snare drums and cymbals just sound so real.  The bass is very detailed with great texture.  It may not have as much bass slam or bloom as the original yggy or an ESS Sabre dac but this definitely has more detail and texture.  The separation of instruments, depth and layering is incredibly realistic as well.  During complex passages I have never detected any congestion whatsoever.   Schiit dacs have a reputation for long warmup times but this less is more version only took about a day to come alive and I have not detected any other changes since.  Like all schiit dacs, you still need to leave this unit on 24/7.  If you are in the market or considering a change you should put this on your list to audition.  Schiit hit a home run with this DAC in my opinion and mine will be staying.  Note, I have no affiliation with Schiit nor am I a reviewer...just posting my experiences which are based on listening in my system.  YMMV.

jaudio1

@jjss49

Ok, fair enough.  Admittedly some of my comparisons were from memory because I don't have multiple dacs laying around but my current DAC is an MHDT Labs Pagoda which is sitting on the rack next to this new LIM yggy.  Previous dacs include original Yggy, Gungnir MB, Chord Qutest.  My current system consists of a LTA Microzotl Reference Preamp, Pass Labs XA-25 amp, Project RS2 CD Transport with LTA linear power supply, Aurender Server/Streamer, PS Audio Powerplant P12, Triode Wirelabs interconnects and speaker cables, curious evolved usb cable and audio archon powerchords.  

@jaudio1

very nice gear, and even more importantly, with the mhdt and chord as bookends, i would agree that you have heard excellent representatives from the two main camps of dacs - detailed, impactful and alive, versus smooth, refined, organic.

from my memory the schiit yggy and gumby were sort of a middle ground, perhaps a touch closer to the chords in tonality

what speakers? my guess is you forgot to mention them along with the rest of the rig

does the lim yggy still have that relay click when sensing a different sample rate of music sent to it?  i was forever hoping mike and co would address that...

@jjss49

Sorry again, forgot the speakers. Current speakers are standmount Fritz Carrera BE speakers with dual rel t7/x subs. Previous speakers Tekton Double Impacts, B&W CDM 1 SE, Paradigm...and yes...the relay click is still there...sadly.  It does not bother me to much though.

jaudio1 OP

 

Do you love your LTA Microzotl reference preamp? That has been on my radar for several years, but I got cold feet with the tube situation due to the war in Ukraine. (Maybe that’s not a worry?)

If you love it, I’d like to know your favorite characteristics of it. THX