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I would prefer to get access to that WMG 100,000+ masters library in pristine PCM 24/192 quality, without MQA compression/DSP/etc.

BNC or Coax SPDIF is the best. Use Schiit CMedia USB only with a regen-type device. At $825, Hydra paired with Gungnir will make the total cost at around $2100, which is nearly at the Yggy's price. Tough value proposition, given that Yggy gives you 21 bits of true resolution, over Gungnir's 19 bits.

USB is the worst input on Gungnir. Even Wyrd should give some support to the subpar Cmedia USB interface on the Gungnir. The Intona galvanic isolation could make a greater difference than a premium USB cable.

Both can give excellent results, the problem is that most audiophile DAC designers/manufacturers are computer science illiterate and resort to pre-fab USB or ethernet solutions. So in the end, implementation is what determines which connection gives the best performance.

http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/Intro/SQ/VolumeControl.htm

You can get a similar price or even lower on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chord-Mojo-DAC-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B0171LBE78 All thanks to recent events with the pound.

Great news if Apple Music would acquire lossless/hi-res music.

I too think that the current iPhone is an excellent performing portable source, but only for on-the-go/gym/travel/etc with headphones or CIEMs. For stereo or highend headphone listening at the office or home, I still think its well worth it to invest in a proper DAC.

Schiit's CMedia USB board is quite mediocre, what USB decrapification can do for it is limited, and vary from one system to another. Alleviating Cmedia from USB bus power and galvanic isolation would probably squeeze the best out of it. Alternately, you can try using a USB-to-SPDIF converter and skip Schiit's USB interface altogether.

ping View Profile: Archimago - Computer Audiophile

There are over 1000 results if you search Dynamic Range Database for hdtracks. You can even sort the results by DR value: Album list - Dynamic Range Database Note that the DR rating doesn't tell the whole story. Something like MusicScope can provide more in-depth information on mastering quality.

I rather see the ultimate DAC input board where it doesn't matter whether you use coax, USB or Bluetooth. If the digital signal gets in without losses (i.e. all samples arrive bitperfect, even with jitter), then the DAC input board should be able to regenerate the signal.

Not surprising, the AKM Schiit DACs I heard were not really impressive. It takes the multibit upgrade to make the Schiit shine. Though, don't expect any smooth roll off or coloration as some weird DACs have. The multibit BiFrost will let you bypass the internal closed-form filter and operate in NOS mode. This way, you can compare some software filters/upsamplers with the built-in one, and possibly better match your overall audio system preferences.

The "USB32" is for their older VIA based USB input, it will *not* work with new XMOS U8 input. Here is the download link for the XMOS driver: http://www.audio-gd.com/Xmosdriver.rar Taken from this page: ºÍ§Ó­µ响

Gumby's resolving power is 19-bits, whereas Yggy's is 21-bits (ENOB). No amount of USB manipulation or "cleaning" would bring Gumby to Yggy's level, but you can affect how those 19-bits are presented by improving the USB feed to Gumby. FYI, USB inputs in all Schiit DACs rely on the USB 5V line.