Post by zappytheviking on Apr 9, 2018 11:52:32 GMT
Just got a new DAC, Schiit Gungnir MB.
Plugged in and warming up, according to forum feedback it needs 3-7 days for initial "warm-up". Being a R2R multi-bit ladder it will need to reach thermal equilibrium and stabilize. A product you never turn off since it will need 12-24h to sound decent.
After initial listening, I most certainly agree, sound is muddy, vocals are forward, background instruments can hardly be heard. At one point there was a strange warble on the background soundscape.
At this point my old Burr-Brown Arcam RDAC is the winner, especially with battery power and Tonkin supercaps and Linear DC-DC converter. The RDACs highs are sparkly, the bass is well defined. What it isnt good at is busy orchestral and rock/metal, dynamics are good but it just doesn't have the resolution to separate the sounds.
At this price(1100£) the Gumby better beat it or its going back.
12h later, considerably better soundstage and clarity but still has a plushy velvet mush draped around it,flabby undefined bass.
36h, Vocals are less forward and background is clearer, still too smooth and the bass/clarity is not up to the RDACs level.
Gods I hope this is a warm-up issue. Mind you , I am not using the XLR, the amp and DAC both are true balanced capable, I am likely missing out on some performance. Got to order a new 4 channel attenuator, not going to unless Gumby clearly beats the RDAC on standard single ended.
Positive note at this time, the Gumby does clearly win on more complex and busy tunes, Chris Cornell - You know my name, on RDAC it becomes a bit of a mess, it just doesn't separate enough, the vocals dissapear into a cloud of instruments, Gumby brings out the vocals and separates the instruments nicely.
48h Further improvement, I am still missing some bass slam.
60h, Magic moment, much of the warm plushy curtains fell away.
Clannad - Oh this land , suddenly noticed I was holding my breath in certain passages, this is where trusty old RDAC gets left in the dust. Gumby is clearly better AND diffrent. Naturally presented detail, some say vinyl like, not sure I agree, mostly since I havent heard a vinyl setup in 20y. I would say very detailed yet pleasant, there is a hint of dryness to the overall sound.
David Munyon - Four wild horses , not as enjoyable anymore, it doesnt fill the room like it used to, the first bass notes no longer have that deep gut feel to them, less vibrant, vocals are dry and forward. Intruments are drawn in and behind vocals. Maybe the RDAC was failing at placement but I liked it.
Win some, lose some.
72h , Vocals not as forward anymore, soundstage is better/bigger. Bass is still somewhat tubby.
144h, some AB listening
RDAC, clearer spacious, slight bit of siblant, indistict airy vocals, midrange might have a slight bump, likely to cover for lack of detail. The midrange is pleasing in its own way, I like the effect in many songs, etheric. Some sharpness/siblance at times but also makes acoustic guitarr sound like it has power and snap. Makes a mess of complex busy music, rock and orchestral. Calm intrumental music sounds lovely.
Gumby, focused and locked in vocals, warm/dry.
The bass is good in comparison, improved with time. Vocals have great accuracy, can hear slight trembles and textures like never before, the soundstage is solid, I interpret that as accuracy in signal processing.
Everything is pleasant, this character seems a little like an effect similar to the RDACs space and treble sparkle.
Its a good DAC no doubt, but do I want to pay 1100£ for it?
Quite the dilemma,
Leaves me wondering if a superCap SEG would be a better choice. At around 4x the price there would be plenty left over for LPSU and wiring upgrades that will likely bring more benefit.
Plugged in and warming up, according to forum feedback it needs 3-7 days for initial "warm-up". Being a R2R multi-bit ladder it will need to reach thermal equilibrium and stabilize. A product you never turn off since it will need 12-24h to sound decent.
After initial listening, I most certainly agree, sound is muddy, vocals are forward, background instruments can hardly be heard. At one point there was a strange warble on the background soundscape.
At this point my old Burr-Brown Arcam RDAC is the winner, especially with battery power and Tonkin supercaps and Linear DC-DC converter. The RDACs highs are sparkly, the bass is well defined. What it isnt good at is busy orchestral and rock/metal, dynamics are good but it just doesn't have the resolution to separate the sounds.
At this price(1100£) the Gumby better beat it or its going back.
12h later, considerably better soundstage and clarity but still has a plushy velvet mush draped around it,flabby undefined bass.
36h, Vocals are less forward and background is clearer, still too smooth and the bass/clarity is not up to the RDACs level.
Gods I hope this is a warm-up issue. Mind you , I am not using the XLR, the amp and DAC both are true balanced capable, I am likely missing out on some performance. Got to order a new 4 channel attenuator, not going to unless Gumby clearly beats the RDAC on standard single ended.
Positive note at this time, the Gumby does clearly win on more complex and busy tunes, Chris Cornell - You know my name, on RDAC it becomes a bit of a mess, it just doesn't separate enough, the vocals dissapear into a cloud of instruments, Gumby brings out the vocals and separates the instruments nicely.
48h Further improvement, I am still missing some bass slam.
60h, Magic moment, much of the warm plushy curtains fell away.
Clannad - Oh this land , suddenly noticed I was holding my breath in certain passages, this is where trusty old RDAC gets left in the dust. Gumby is clearly better AND diffrent. Naturally presented detail, some say vinyl like, not sure I agree, mostly since I havent heard a vinyl setup in 20y. I would say very detailed yet pleasant, there is a hint of dryness to the overall sound.
David Munyon - Four wild horses , not as enjoyable anymore, it doesnt fill the room like it used to, the first bass notes no longer have that deep gut feel to them, less vibrant, vocals are dry and forward. Intruments are drawn in and behind vocals. Maybe the RDAC was failing at placement but I liked it.
Win some, lose some.
72h , Vocals not as forward anymore, soundstage is better/bigger. Bass is still somewhat tubby.
144h, some AB listening
RDAC, clearer spacious, slight bit of siblant, indistict airy vocals, midrange might have a slight bump, likely to cover for lack of detail. The midrange is pleasing in its own way, I like the effect in many songs, etheric. Some sharpness/siblance at times but also makes acoustic guitarr sound like it has power and snap. Makes a mess of complex busy music, rock and orchestral. Calm intrumental music sounds lovely.
Gumby, focused and locked in vocals, warm/dry.
The bass is good in comparison, improved with time. Vocals have great accuracy, can hear slight trembles and textures like never before, the soundstage is solid, I interpret that as accuracy in signal processing.
Everything is pleasant, this character seems a little like an effect similar to the RDACs space and treble sparkle.
Its a good DAC no doubt, but do I want to pay 1100£ for it?
Quite the dilemma,
Leaves me wondering if a superCap SEG would be a better choice. At around 4x the price there would be plenty left over for LPSU and wiring upgrades that will likely bring more benefit.
