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Metrum Onyx vs Schiit Yggdrasil?

Hey all:

I'm about to be in the market for a new DAC and have narrowed things down to the two referenced in the subject line. But I'd really like to hear more about each of these DACs. I can't really seem to find current reviews of them. Perhaps they're just older machines, or maybe my googling skills just suck.

I should say that I own and like a Metrum Musette, so I'm leaning towards the Onyx. But if the Yggy is great and could save me some money.

I ALSO HAVE TO SAY THIS: I would be using largely the USB input. I know the Yggy is supposed to have an awesomely engineered USB input, and I do wonder about the Metrum USB input. The Musette has a HiFace 2 USB input which, if I recall, was pretty good for the time (nine or ten years ago.)

So...if anyone can point me towards user reviews, I'd really appreciate it. Or if anyone wants to talk about their first-hand experience with either of these DACs, that would be really great.

Thanks, all!

P.S. I know there are a lot of internet darling DACs right now, but I think I've pretty much settled on one of the two. No offense to your favorite dac. :)

dasherma
dasherma OP
19 posts
 

Thanks @yyzsantabarbara. Could you tell me why the musician guy said the Yggy+ LIM is "awful"?  Do you find it awful compared to the OG?

yyzsantabarbara
5,564 posts
 

Lot of people like the LIM because of the reasons the guy at Schitt disliked it. He found it rolled off on top resulting in the loss of some resolution. He wanted to hear everything on the track not a rolled of "musical" version.

Saying all of that, there is something about the LIM that is really fun to listen to. I am listening to it as I type this post. I use the LIM in my office with the Benchmark HPA4 preamp | Sanders Magtech amp | Magnepan LRS+ speakers. The only thing that could be considered warm on this system is the LIM DAC and my Magnum Dynalab MD108T tube tuner,

I did try the OG on this office system and thought the DAC was better however, I am afraid to convert my LIM to the MIB model to be more like the OG. The LIM has some magic to it that works great while I listen and work. I guess the loss of detail is not important for the office listening experience.

Another thing that I noticed on the OG vs the LIM is that the OG has very strong bass. The best bass I have heard on any DAC I have had in the house.

The Audiophile Style web site has some good discussions on the Yggi+ DACs.

 

 

 

dasherma OP
19 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara, thanks again!

You've actually set my mind at ease about the Yggy+ LIM. I'm one of those guys who absolutely dreads getting a super-resolving component. I want more fun!

Too often in hi-fi, "resolution" means "Rejoice, rejoice! Your old recordings will sound like utter crap again!"

If I didn't have about 10Gb of CDs mastered from old 78s and singles from the 50s and 60s, I might feel different. :)

calvinandhobbes
327 posts
 

FWIW, a comparison of the Yggy vs the Denafrips Pontus II from a friend that might provide some insight into how the Yggy sounds. Both tend toward a warner, more analog-like sound, but the Yggy and the Pontus are slightly different in their presentation.

  • The Pontus communicates more tonal color.  The Pontus is better at presenting all parts of the music with balance. The Pontus also presents with more reverb.

  • The Yggy is more emphatic in how it conveys pace. The Pontus seems more realistic in its pace.

  • The Pontus sounds more relaxed and laid back in its presentation, but has a greater range than the Yggy in being able to convey more or less pace or vary its presentation in line with the emotional intensity of the music being played

dasherma OP
19 posts
 

Hey, @calvinandhobbes, thanks for the comparison.

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