New Schiit - Eitr 2, not just a USB input DDC (Unison 384) but full digital preamp with Forkbeard

[john61ct]

from 'WiiM Ultra Streamer Preamp Review' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...tra-streamer-preamp-review.57342/post-2555025

For those wanting USB-C input from a host / PC

Here's a new DDC to connect USB input cleanly to Wiim via your TOSlink input

Schiit Eitr 2, costs $100 as a DDC

turns a computer or tablet or phone into a high-quality digital source

S/PDIF output, both coax and TOSlink
plus AES/EBU outputs, so good for any DAC

add $50 and Forkbeard turns it into a full-fledged digital preamp

put a TOSlink switcher in there, Wiim Ultra becomes just one output

remote control for any DAC!

volume with variable loudness compensation!

also L/R balance, a (limited) parametric EQ, even phase invert (??)

Schiit's USB-C "Unison interface" is UAC2 compliant.

EDIT not the newer "Unison 384", thanks @mSpot

...

Sorry for the hype but I love Schiit almost as much as Wiim, and no USB input has bothered me for a while in many devices not just Ultra.

yes someone should order one in for the Amir treatment

 

[90sNintendoKid]

I was going to buy one but the shipping to the UK was almost the same price as the device.

 

[john61ct]

Yes, might take a while for the UK distribution to get them in stock.

But they'll likely boost the price

 

[mSpot]

Schiit's USB-C "Unison 384 interface" is not just UAC2 compliant but

(not relevant here) supports up to 384 kHz/32-bit.

Eitr 2 doesn't have the newer Unison 384. It has the original Unison that supports up to 192 kHz, which is the maximum for SPDIF interface (coax, AES, optical).
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...most-improbable-start-up.701900/post-19070757

 

[EJasonC]

I'm confused ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :

"Turn Any DAC Into a Full Digital Preamp and EQ
Order “Digital Preamp” to add a Forkbeard module and transform any old DAC into a full digital preamp. It doesn’t even have to be a Schiit DAC! Forkbeard gives you digital volume, parametric EQ, and Loudness via your iOS or Android device, for ultimate convenience."

Please explain how this works; does this mean volume is controlled in the digital realm before it reaches the DAC?

If so, how is bit perfect resolution maintained?

I'm curious because I have an old DAC with AES/EBU & Toslink input that I would like to connect my Mac mini to that only has USB output.

 

[NTK]

I'm confused ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :

"Turn Any DAC Into a Full Digital Preamp and EQ
Order “Digital Preamp” to add a Forkbeard module and transform any old DAC into a full digital preamp. It doesn’t even have to be a Schiit DAC! Forkbeard gives you digital volume, parametric EQ, and Loudness via your iOS or Android device, for ultimate convenience."

Please explain how this works; does this mean volume is controlled in the digital realm before it reaches the DAC?

If so, how is bit perfect resolution maintained?

I'm curious because I have an old DAC with AES/EBU & Toslink input that I would like to connect my Mac mini to that only has USB output.

The S/PDIF (and AES) protocol does not support hardware volume control, and modifying/scaling the data is the only way to adjust volume.

However, with 20 bits (something DAC these days can routinely achieve), you'll get a dynamic range of 120 dB. If your system can produce an absolute max level of 120 dBSPL in your room, that means the quantization noise is 0 dBSPL, which is easily >30 dB below the ambient noise level. Not a practical concern, and the noise of your system from other non-digital related sources is most likely higher and therefore digital resolution is unlikely your bottleneck.

If you want to apply EQ, then you are by definition changing the signal, and bit-perfect is meaningless in this context.

 

[EJasonC]

The S/PDIF (and AES) protocol does not support hardware volume control, and modifying/scaling the data is the only way to adjust volume.

However, with 20 bits (something DAC these days can routinely achieve), you'll get a dynamic range of 120 dB. If your system can produce an absolute max level of 120 dBSPL in your room, that means the quantization noise is 0 dBSPL, which is easily >30 dB below the ambient noise level. Not a practical concern, and the noise of your system from other non-digital related sources is most likely higher and therefore digital resolution is unlikely your bottleneck.

If you want to apply EQ, then you are by definition changing the signal, and bit-perfect is meaningless in this context.

Thank you for that explanation.
So in practical use then I assume controlling volume with Forkbeard will allow me to connect my DAC directly to either power amp or active speakers?
That's my biggest concern.
And $150 is minimal so long as it does what it says; don't want to blow my speakers should said volume control fails!

 

[john61ct]

By definition, any digital volume control alters the original digital data stream before it reaches the DAC, meaning the path is not bit-perfect.

Not just volume control, but loudness control balance, PEQ etc

However, 32-bit arithmetic maintains the integrity of the 16-bit or 24-bit source material, keeping the signal-to-noise ratio high enough that the "loss" of bits is inaudible.

controlling volume with Forkbeard will allow me to connect my DAC directly to either power amp or active speakers?

To the extent that was your roadblock yes. But the Mac has that right?

 

[EJasonC]

By definition, any digital volume control alters the original digital data stream before it reaches the DAC, meaning the path is not bit-perfect.

Not just volume control, but loudness control balance, PEQ etc

However, 32-bit arithmetic maintains the integrity of the 16-bit or 24-bit source material, keeping the signal-to-noise ratio high enough that the "loss" of bits is inaudible.

Cool! I think my concerns are now resolved; I'm ready to pull the trigger. Seems like a credible real world application of a device!

 

[john61ct]

Consider drop shipping to Amir, likely they would jump on the chance to get all objective on that Schiit :-D

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

Eitr 2 doesn't have the newer Unison 384. It has the original Unison that supports up to 192 kHz, which is the maximum for SPDIF interface (coax, AES, optical).
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...most-improbable-start-up.701900/post-19070757

When you say not the newest, clearly, the only difference would be the speed support and not some lesser performing interface. They wouldn’t put something that performed less than the current standard in a new device. It’s just that he cannot say 384 when you’re only outputting 192. I think that’s the reality.

 

[john61ct]

I did not mean to imply there's any audible "quality" difference. Just correcting the mistake based on my assumption, ofc there's little point in the input having more bandwidth than necessary.

In general even from before Unison, Schiit's USB inputs have been great quality.

 

[rebbiputzmaker]

I did not mean to imply there's any audible "quality" difference. Just correcting the mistake based on my assumption, ofc there's little point in the input having more bandwidth than necessary.

In general even from before Unison, Schiit's USB inputs have been great quality.

Just wanted to mention it because people here often interpret things negatively. Especially when involves certain manufacturers.

 

[Jobian]

I was going to buy one but the shipping to the UK was almost the same price as the device.

My eitr 2 arrived today in the UK ( postage wasn't that bad )

 

[john61ct]

When you say not the newest, clearly, the only difference would be the speed support and not some lesser performing interface. They wouldn’t put something that performed less than the current standard in a new device.

Yes that is exactly why they chose not to use their "Unison 384" interface.

The OUTPUT interfaces

S/PDIF Coax, TOSlink and AES/EBU

cannot exceed 24-bit/192 kHz PCM

 

[maelstr0m99]

Got mine in this week, will be able to do more testing with a better dac/processor arriving today. Not sure if I discern a difference between it and a XU316 ddc on my older berry dsp. My first POS (piece of schiit) looks very well made, nice walwart included for reserving usb for data only. If it tests better than XU316 its a very good deal (and the digital preamp gain stage is helpful for a big sound system if you opt for forkbeard!) Any word on when/if measurements are going to be posted on here by Amir?

 

[mhardy6647]

so... I've kind of ignored this whole "Forkbeard" thing, but for whatever reason, this particular product caught my attention. I just looked at the EITR2 page and the "Forkbeard module" page on Schiit's website. The former says:

The latter says:

So... just iOS or iOS or Android?
Any of youse guyses happen to know?

 

[john61ct]

Yes the Android version of the app has been released a few months now, well received

Schiit Happened: The Story of the World's Most Improbable Start-Up

You only have yourself to blame Question for Freya+ owners. I've got one, and I'm going to be swapping out the quad of JJs for a pair of Sylvanias and a pair of Tung-Sols. Which two sockets are the buffer side and which two sockets are the gain side? I've seen two different arrangements...

www.head-fi.org

 

[mhardy6647]

Thank you @john61ct
I mean, I am not sure I need this stuff in any way, shape, or form*... but I could manage to use it and it's certainly inexpensive.

______________
* EDIT: Check that: I don't need it, but that doesn't mean I might not buy it.

 

[maelstr0m99]

the android app is clean can confirm. hope they update with a couple things but mainly got it for the digital attenuation which theres a blurb on schiit about so its like having a preamp if you dont need a ton of knobs or lots of bands of eq, anyway im listening to it right now sounds great and if anything 50$ is a steal just for the digital preamp stage