What I find especially interesting are some of the older threads on agon, where circa 2009, individuals are preferring DAC's like the BADA 1, Bryston, PWD MK1 to their Theta Gen VIII. I've heard the BADA, Bryston and owned both PWD gens, and there isn't all that much there. Is it the Offramp? I love mine to pieces but can this piece of kit truly account for the puzzling differences of opinion?

I have personally found marvs ears to be tried-and-true, often he articulates what I am unable or unwilling to, but still this seems quite the divide in opinion. I suppose it leaves me with little choice but to venture towards the vintage world of DACs.

I'm still blown away with the SFD-1, if the Theta manages to best it in so many areas I fear my brain would melt.   I'm also looking forward to the Yggy, I hope it goes toe-to-toe with the Theta or gets pretty close.

Your brain will melt. SFD-1 is warmer, but Gen V pretty much betters it all aspects. Like all, each and every, etc.

BTW, I'm going to hide this tidbit on the Yggy here. Had a sneak listen to Yggy today vs Gen V. Yggy was cold and only had time for one hour warm up. (I think the Yggy could have used more time to warm up.) Anyways, these two DACs sound very similar to each other - not surprising. (Three people at Schiit were involved with the Gen V). Both DACs tonally neutralish with Gen V being a little bit more laid back tonally. Yggy is slightly more upfront, both tonally and stage. (reminds me of how Gungnir is voiced, but from what I understand, this was not intentional at all). But otherwise:

Yggy = (1) most resolving DAC I've ever heard. plankton galore. it's not even close. if Anaxilus heard the Yggy, he would laff at the MSBs and call them fail; (2) absolute clarity; (3) soundstage a la Theta Gen V. Yggy is like a more resolving, harder hitting, and clearer sounding Theta Gen V. There are technological reasons for each of the three aspects. I'll let you guys guess. If you've been paying attention, lots of hints around, and some guesses on my part which turned out to be right.

When I hear a tom-tom drum hit on lower left stage on one of Luis' Harry Belanfante remasters (using headphones), and I turn my head to see if it's there. Yeah. Scary.

To reiterate the staging capabilities of the Gen V / Yggy: Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Session. You can hear and get an exact sense of the size of the Church of the Holy Trinity based on the reverb and spatial cues.  Yeah. Scary.

P.S. No OR5 or Wyrd USB nonsense necessary. Maybe it does something. But when the core is that much better... whatever. Tweak on your own accord.

I'm sure you will eventually. Jason already hinted at possible tech going into Gungnir. Obviously there would be some issues to solve like getting the custom DSP into it.

  Thanks Marvey.  I look forward to the Yggy with much anticipation, who needs a brain anyway? 

.... Maybe my DAC lust will be sated?

Quote from: Audio Jester on October 28, 2014, 12:05:59 PM

I'm still blown away with the SFD-1, if the Theta manages to best it in so many areas I fear my brain would melt.   I'm also looking forward to the Yggy, I hope it goes toe-to-toe with the Theta or gets pretty close.

Your brain will melt. SFD-1 is warmer, but Gen V pretty much betters it all aspects. Like all, each and every, etc.

BTW, I'm going to hide this tidbit on the Yggy here. Had a sneak listen to Yggy today vs Gen V. Yggy was cold and only had time for one hour warm up. (I think the Yggy could have used more time to warm up.) Anyways, these two DACs sound very similar to each other - not surprising. (Three people at Schiit were involved with the Gen V). Both DACs tonally neutralish with Gen V being a little bit more laid back tonally. Yggy is slightly more upfront, both tonally and stage. (reminds me of how Gungnir is voiced, but from what I understand, this was not intentional at all). But otherwise:

Yggy = (1) most resolving DAC I've ever heard. plankton galore. it's not even close. if Anaxilus heard the Yggy, he would laff at the MSBs and call them fail; (2) absolute clarity; (3) soundstage a la Theta Gen V. Yggy is like a more resolving, harder hitting, and clearer sounding Theta Gen V. There are technological reasons for each of the three aspects. I'll let you guys guess. If you've been paying attention, lots of hints around, and some guesses on my part which turned out to be right.

When I hear a tom-tom drum hit on lower left stage on one of Luis' Harry Belanfante remasters (using headphones), and I turn my head to see if it's there. Yeah. Scary.

To reiterate the staging capabilities of the Gen V / Yggy: Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Session. You can hear and get an exact sense of the size of the Church of the Holy Trinity based on the reverb and spatial cues.  Yeah. Scary.

P.S. No OR5 or Wyrd USB nonsense necessary. Maybe it does something. But when the core is that much better... whatever. Tweak on your own accord.

So... ygg the best?