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To Schiit or not to Schiit

CASE2112

CASE2112

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Hello all!
I just registered today. Here is my situation.
Currently, my desktop configuration is:
1) Schiit Bifrost DAC - AK4490
2) Schiit Lyr (version 1) - multiple tubes, most used = Vostok "Rockets"
3) Emotiva Airmotiv 4's
4) Cans: Hifiman HE 400s
I have, much to my consternation, come to the decision that I am growing tired of falling through the rabbit hole of vacum tubes. I know, I know...I can hear the gasps from many astonished devotees. I'm fond of the all inclusive DAC/AMPs available with their desktop form factors versus the ubiguitous stacks. So, I've been pondering a solid state AMP/PreAMP for my desktop. The dilemma is selling the old Schiit and buying new Schitt such as the Asgard 3 sans DAC or scrapping the whole pile of Schiit and going all in for a solid state combo. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

EDIT: CANS: HIFIMAN 400S
 
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A Topping DX7 pro sorts all your needs- keep the old Schiit and mix and match with the new kit. But definitely try some SoA solid state.
 
Hmmmm...if the DX7 pro is both DAC & AMP why keep the Schiit and mix and match the two? I'm curious...
 
CASE2112 said:
Hmmmm...if the DX7 pro is both DAC & AMP why keep the Schiit and mix and match the two? I'm curious...
Click to expand...

Well- ditch the bifrost, but stack the Lyr atop the DX7 and youve still got the tube headamp backed with SoA "new" DAC, as well as the great headamp in the DX7 . Best of both. Assuming your speakers can take XLR from the DX7 and the Lyr takes the RCA?

EDIT- Im sure you could replicate that setup with any number of new DAC/amps as long as they have dual outputs- hell the SMSL M500 would do that for a fraction (not the best headamp though) .
 
Ok. This is clearer to me, but honestly I'm more apt to sell the Lyr (with or with out the tube collection) and just go straight to the Topping. I enjoy "rolling" my own, but I'm just plain tired of the whole thing (not to say that I won't return to tubes one day) and want a space saving combo and with the bluetooth the Topping seems very exciting, indeed!
 
CASE2112 said:
Ok. This is clearer to me, but honestly I'm more apt to sell the Lyr (with or with out the tube collection) and just go straight to the Topping. I enjoy "rolling" my own, but I'm just plain tired of the whole thing (not to say that I won't return to tubes one day) and want a space saving combo and with the bluetooth the Topping seems very exciting, indeed!
Click to expand...

Just one thing to note- applies to any you decide on (and if you dont need the second set of outputs, @raistlin65 suggestion is sure as heck better bang for your buck)- check the output impedance on the HP amp. The DX7 pro is (relatively) high at 6 plus ohms- not sure what the Lyr is currently.

The Heresy and some of the new breed of uber performing but cheap HP amps are a lot lower at 1 or 2 ohms but some of the Topping kit seems to stand out for having quite high OE on the HP socket. Wouldnt be a problem for the 400s as planar, but other low impedance dynamic phones might not sit well with the DX7 pro (and some of their other combos)
 
CASE2112 said:
Thank you! Less Schiit is always good, right?
I suppose there is a Topping version with Bluetooth...
Click to expand...

Think the D50 Topping DAC has a BT version- more expensive than E30. Sure others do too. The DX3 dac/amp combo does
 
CASE2112 said:
Thank you! Less Schiit is always good, right?
I suppose there is a Topping version with Bluetooth...
Click to expand...

If you are going to use the bluetooth, sure. The D50S measures very well. I have the D50S, and then never used the bluetooth. lol
 
The recommendation from me for DAC with BT and remote which is also future proof (balanced/unbalanced, Optical/Coaxial...) is SMSL M300 MKII which is around 240$.

Edit: keep the collection of tubes!
 
Ah, now I see the misdirection of my newbie way of thinking. I was thinking, but NOT communicating, that I wanted to transmit and not receive - my PC does not have a transmitter connected. So, the suggestions for a DAC & (PRE)AMP are greatly appreciated. I'll approach BT transmission later. Many apologies.
 
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CASE2112 said:
Ah, know I see the misdirection of my newbie way of thinking. I was thinking, but NOT communicating, that I wanted to transmit and not receive - my PC does not have a transmitter connected. So, the suggestions for a DAC & (PRE)AMP are greatly appreciated. I'll approach BT transmission later. Many apologies.
Click to expand...
A BT transmitter from pc to wherever is easily solved. Any number of dongles. But if your pc is primary source and store of music files, I'd keep a wired or otherwise lossless connection to your DAC. If you got a BT dac, handy for beaming music /streaming content to it from phones etc for social listening /bgm
 
Jimbob54 said:
A BT transmitter from pc to wherever is easily solved. Any number of dongles. But if your pc is primary source and store of music files, I'd keep a wired or otherwise lossless connection to your DAC. If you got a BT dac, handy for beaming music /streaming content to it from phones etc for social listening /bgm
Click to expand...

I don't use a cell-phone or otherwise to stream/broadcast from - just don't use that particular function. Yes, my PC holds my entire library. The Schiit Bifrost is connected via USB. Previously, I wanted a desktop solution to drive my cans as well as control the volume to my monitors. Now, solid state all-in-one DAC/AMPS seem relevant to both the cans and monitors. As suggested previously I may keep select pairs of tubes, but right now seems to be the time to move onward...BT seems to be a solution to get audio from the PC to elsewhere within the house. Audio tech changes rapidly and it's difficult to keep apace. Lol
 
CASE2112 said:
I don't use a cell-phone or otherwise to stream/broadcast from - just don't use that particular function. Yes, my PC holds my entire library. The Schiit Bifrost is connected via USB. Previously, I wanted a desktop solution to drive my cans as well as control the volume to my monitors. Now, solid state all-in-one DAC/AMPS seem relevant to both the cans and monitors. As suggested previously I may keep select pairs of tubes, but right now seems to be the time to move onward...BT seems to be a solution to get audio from the PC to elsewhere within the house. Audio tech changes rapidly and it's difficult to keep apace. Lol
Click to expand...

WiFi is the best solution if you want to lose the wires. BT has limited range, not as reliable and even the best variety isn't lossless.

What you need is a little streamer. May only be a little raspberry pi. But if your dac and pc will only be couple of metres apart, stick with USB
 
Jimbob54 said:
WiFi is the best solution if you want to lose the wires. BT has limited range, not as reliable and even the best variety isn't lossless.

What you need is a little streamer. May only be a little raspberry pi. But if your dac and pc will only be couple of metres apart, stick with USB
Click to expand...
Their is A class BT which range is far better (50~60 meters) then even 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi with big antena. Of course sticking to cables is still imperative.
 
Only the newest shit is worth a salt.
 
I hear that there is some new Schiit on the scene, the Modius DAC. I wonder how Schiity it really is...
 
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