All Yggdrasil+

Inputs: Unison USB, AES/EBU XLR, RCA SPDIF, BNC SPDIF, Optical SPDIF
Input Capability: up to 24/192 for all inputs
Input Receiver, SPDIF: AKM AK4113
Input Receiver, USB: Unison USB™,  based on Microchip PIC32 microprocessor

Clock Management: Bitperfect clock management at all native sample rates via Adapticlock analysis and VCXO/VCO regeneration
Digital Filter: proprietary Schiit time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter implemented on Analog Devices SHARC DSP processor
Output: One pair XLR balanced and two pairs RCA single-ended
Output Impedance: 75 ohms

Power Supply: two transformers (one for digital supplies, one for analog supplies) plus one input choke for discrete, dual mono, shunt-regulated analog +/-24V supply, plus 12 or more separate local regulated supplies for DACs and digital sections, including high-precision, low-noise LM723 regulation in critical areas.

Upgradability: Fully modular architecture. Separate digital input board, USB input board, DSP engine board, and DAC/analog output boards.

Power Consumption: 45W

Size: 16 x 13” x 2.875”

Weight: 25 lbs

Yggy+ LIM (Less is More)

Frequency Response, Analog Stage: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.1dB, 0.5Hz-200KHz, -1dB
Maximum Output: 4.0V RMS (balanced), 2.0V RMS (single-ended)
THD: Less than 0.002%, 20Hz-20KHz, at full output
IMD: <0.002%, CCIF, at full output
SNR: > 110dB, referenced to 4V RMS
D/A Conversion IC: Texas Instruments DAC8812 x 4 (2 per channel, dual hardware balanced configuration)
Analog Stage: Integrated, using LME49724 differential stage 

Yggy+ MIB (More is Better)

Frequency Response, Analog Stage: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.1dB, 0.5Hz-100KHz, -1dB
Maximum Output: 4.0V RMS (balanced), 2.0V RMS (single-ended)
THD+N: -118dB referenced to full output (0.0001%), -96dB at 20kHz, 90kHz bandwidth
IMD: <0.0002%, CCIF, at full output
SNR: > 128dB, referenced to 4V RMS
D/A Conversion IC: Texas Instruments DAC11001B x 4 (2 per channel, dual hardware balanced configuration)
Analog Stage: Integrated, using LME49724 differential stage 

APx555 Report for Yggdrasil Less is More
APx555 Screen for Yggdrasil More is Better 

Yggdrasil+? What’s the “+” for?
Depending on your point of view, it can mean nothing but marketing puffery, or it can mean the plus of having the flagship True Multibit DAC, the plus of having remote control, the plus of having a unique closed-form digital filter, the plus of having the only truly modular, ready-for-the-future DAC, the plus of smart features like phase inversion and NOS mode.

That’s a lot of pluses.
Yeah, but Yggdrasil+++++++ is a really dumb name.

Hey, you’ve done it before.
Point taken. Got any real questions?

What’s the the difference between flavors?
$400. 

No, I mean, technically?
Ah yeah. Gotcha. I think we covered that in the product description, but let’s get into a bit more detail here. What’s common across all models is the same number of inputs, same Unison USB, same basic hardware up to the analog cards. Then, each flavor has a specific pair of analog cards and DSP firmware that runs them. The flavors are as follows:

• Yggdrasil Less Is More. Least expensive. Uses four TI 16-bit DACs and integrated differential amplification afterwards. Because it’s 16 bits, and because the DACs cost less than the other options, it is less expensive than any other version. It also measures a bit better than the Yggdrasil OG (!) despite being down 4 bits. This is the wonder and magic of dither. 
• Yggdrasil More is Better. Uses the all-new precision-champion TI DAC11001B, four of them to be precise, to make the highest-performance, best-measuring multibit DAC in history. At -118dB-120dB THD+N, it’s near the top of the charts—and it sounds great!

How do I know which to choose?
Sigh. That’s the problem, isn’t it? Let’s see if we can help:

• If you’re looking for the highest value, and the one the Mike Moffat likes, and perhaps the smoothest of all Yggdrasil variants, look at Less is More.
• If you want clean, precise performance that isn’t harsh or shrill, More is Better is the ticket. 

How do I know which flavor I have?
The name of the product and the flavor appear on the serial number sticker. 

I am offended that I have to think and choose. Why can’t you be like other companies that double the price of the new model, make me buy a new one, but soothe my ego by saying I will see unicorns and meet god without taking drugs?
Because we truly believe, based on years of research (and 10 Yggdrasil analog card variations) that once you reach this level of performance, you’re really talking about system synergy, rather than night and day differences. Hence, “flavors.” Some companies would have done Less is More, priced it at $3995, and called it a day. However, we are weird. We do things like “Thunderdomes” to give you options, and we don’t believe in one true path. Because if there was one, we wouldn’t periodically “rediscover” products like ancient DACs, antique Class A power amps, and various tube gear dating back to the time the earth cooled. We also do weird things like pricing products based on what it costs to make them, rather than what the market will bear, so all of the Yggdrasil versions are based on the prices of their D/A converters. That’s why in the end, we decided to offer different versions of our top product, run a double-blind listening test with three reviewers to help you choose, and see where that takes us. If you don’t like our approach, we completely understand—there are many other companies producing fine equipment out there.

I still find it hard to believe your bestest brightest DAC tops out under $3,000!
We don't believe in fancy casework, nor in blingy displays, nor in any kind of complication that just ups the price for the sake of upping the price. So yes, this is our top DAC. A DAC that can look any other DAC in the world in the face and not flinch. That is, if it was human. And if DACs had faces. Hell, you know what we mean.

How can this possibly be better than, say, the Arglebargle $15,000 DAC when this is so much less expensive?
Because the Arglebargle was most likely designed to the expectations of today, using commonly available parts in a super-fancy case, while we started with a clean sheet of paper. 

But the Arglebargle has like twelve 32-bit DACs in it! Yours only has 17 to 21 bits! Hell, that’s not a full 24 bits even! What about my 24-bit recordings?
If your 24 bit recordings actually have 24 bits of resolution, we’ll eat a hat. 

But it’s only 17 to 21 bits! I can’t get over that!
We can’t get over the fact that delta-sigma DACs are actually 2- to 5-bit designs. Different strokes for different folks.

What about DSD or MQA?
Yggdrasil plays DSD just fine, as long as it's converted to PCM by your software player. Same for MQA—Yggdrasil plays MQA just fine as long as your software or hardware does the "unfolding." (Unspindling and unmutilating are, we suppose, extra.)

What? But I hear DSD and/or MQA is the future!
Yeah, and reel-to-reel was the future in the 1970s, and it’s dead now, and DAT was the future in the 1980s, and it’s dead now, and HDCD was the future in the 1990s, and it’s dead now, and SACD was the future in the 2000s, and it’s dead now. But, let's say Sony suddenly opens their vaults and offers 30,000 DSD albums with guaranteed direct-from-DSD provenance at $5.99 each, or if Apple and Spotify and Amazon start streaming only MQA for free (yes, we know, stop laughing) then hey, Yggy is fully upgradable.

What’s this bullschiit about a unique time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter, and why does it matter?
Most digital filters destroy the original samples in the process of upsampling. They’re just like sample rate converters or delta-sigma DACs. We’re all about the original samples, so we created a unique digital filter that performs a true interpolation, which means it retains all the original samples. This is a major difference between Schiit True Multibit DACs like Yggdrasil and every other DAC in the world. 

I don't believe you!
Then ask Mike Moffat, the father of audiophile digital playback, about his 5-year quest to perfect this digital filter, involving 1917 Western Electric papers on pulse-code modulation, a professor emeritus of mathematics who devised a way to get around the divide-by-zero problem, a RAND corp mathematician to implement it, and a master programmer to get it to run on our SHARC processor engine. In his words:

"The below are the claims of the digital filter/interpolator/sample rate converter in Yggy:

1. The filter is absolutely proprietary.
2. The development tools and coefficient calculator to derive the above filters are also proprietary.
3. The math involved in developing the filter and calculating has a closed form solution. It is not an approximation, as all other filters I have studied (most, if not all of them). Therefore, all of the original samples are output. This could be referred to fairly as bit perfect; what comes in goes out.
4. Oversimplified, however essentially correct: The filter is also time domain optimized which means the phase info in the original samples are averaged in the time domain with the filter generated interpolated samples to for corrected minimum phase shift as a function of frequency from DC to the percentage of nyquist - in our case .968. Time domain is well defined at DC - the playback device behaves as a window fan at DC - it either blows (in phase) or sucks (out). It is our time domain optimization that gives the uncanny sonic hologram. (It also allows the filter to disappear. Has to be heard to understand.) Since lower frequency wavelengths are measured in tens of feet, placement in image gets increasingly wrong as a function of decreasing frequency in non time domain optimized recordings - these keep the listener's ability to hear the venue - not to mention the sum of all of the phase errors in the microphones, mixing boards, eq, etc on the record side. An absolute phase switch is of little to no value in a non time domain optimized, stochastic time domain replay system. It makes a huge difference with an Yggy.
5. This is combined with a frequency domain optimization which does not otherwise affect the phase optimization. The 0.968 of Nyquist also gives us a small advantage that none of the off-the shelf FIR filters (0.907) provide: frequency response out to 21.344KHz, 42.688KHz, 85.3776KHz, and 170.5772KHz bandwidth for native 1,2,4, and 8x 44.1KHz SR multiple recordings - the 48KHz table is 23.232, 46.464, 92.868, and 185.856KHz respectively for 1,2,4, and 8x. This was the portion of the filter that had the divide by zero problem which John Lediaev worked out, to combine with #4 above AND retain the original samples.

This is what other DACs typically offer: frequency domain optimization FIR filters with Parks-McClellan optimization. Any avoidance of the Parks-McClellan pablum requires a lot of original DSP work. Am I a prophet who received the tablets from God or some other high-end audio drivel. Hell, no. I was the producer and director of this project and worked with Dave Kerstetter (hardware-software), John Lediaev (Math), Tom Lippiat (DSP Code), Warren Goldman (Coefficient Generator and development tools) for a total of 15 or so man years. These folks either taught math at The University of Iowa, Computer Science at Carnegie-Mellon University, worked at think tanks like the Rand Corporation – you get the idea. We did this for no money - What we all had in common was that we loved audio. All other audio pros were interested in Parks-McClellan and pointed and laughed at us. That's the way it happened. It was worth it, every hour, day, and year."

What is Unison USB?
Unison USB is our own proprietary USB input, not based on C-Media or XMOS or any other off-the-shelf USB receiver out there. Instead, we spent a couple of person-years developing our own code for a standard Microchip PIC32 microprocessor, which allowed us to create a higher-performing USB input than anything else on the market.

So why is Unison USB so special?
Unison USB is special because it was developed for a single purpose: to provide the highest performance input for PCM digital, period. It doesn’t have ten thousand un-used functions, nor is it trying to optimize for five different unicorn formats that will probably be gone tomorrow. It also uses very high-quality local clocks and offers complete electrostatic and electromagnetic isolation from the source. It also provides lower power draw and complete UAC2 compatibility. 

So what platforms does your Unison USB input support?
Actually, the question should be “What platforms support your Unison USB input?” since our Unison USB input is 100% UAC2 compliant (that is, USB Audio Class 2, the accepted standard for USB audio transmission.) So, here you go:

• Linux. As in, many popular streamers. Also most Linux distros that support UAC2 natively will be plug and play. Please note that we cannot provide detailed technical support for Linux.
• Windows 10 and 11. No, we don’t provide UAC2 drivers for earlier versions of Windows, sorry. Yes, it is time to step into the present (not the future, Windows 10 has been out for several years now.) Yes, it is time to upgrade. Yes, it’s worth it. Windows 10 and 11 are actually very nice platforms.
• Mac OSX. From 10.10 on up, Macs are good to go. This now includes Mac OS 11.
• iOS. From iOS7 on up, iOS devices work with USB Camera Connection Kit, Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, a Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter, or directly with the new USB-C models. 
• Android. As in, some popular streamers. Also phones and tablets. Most Android devices that shipped with Android M or above will work using a USB OTG cable. Some may require separate player software, like USB Audio Player Pro. 

How is Yggdrasil+ different than Yggdrasil?
Yggdrasil+ is the current version of Yggdrasil. Yggdrasil is the original version, built from 2014-2022. Yggdrasil+ adds the following features:

• Remote control. Now you can control inputs, phase inversion, mute.
• NOS mode. And you can actually turn off our own time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter and go no oversampling, if you want.
• Slim, flexible chassis. The new chassis is sleeker, adds a button, and, much more importantly, makes Yggdrasil much more flexible and easier to upgrade. A replaceable back panel provides assurance in case of future input options. The top now slides off with 4 screws, not 39.

Can I upgrade Yggdrasil to Yggdrasil+?
Yes. See the Upgrades section. $499 for black, $599 for silver. You have to send it to us or an authorized distributor. The price only reflects what you’re choosing, not the original color. Here’s your chance to switch it up!

Do I get anything else when I upgrade?
You get anything else you ordered. If you'd like to upgrade to Less is More or Unison USB, you can order those as well and we'll do it all at once. 

Is it worth it to upgrade?
If you want remote control, NOS mode, a sleeker chassis that's easy to upgrade, and a 2-year warranty reactivation, then it's worth it. Otherwise, no worries. If we come out with additional analog upgrades or other stuff in the future, you can always swap the chassis at that time. Or not. It's up to you.

A chassis upgrade?
Hey, why not? You get a new, much more flexible product with additional features, plus a warranty extension (or re-activation) for 2 years.

Do I get the old chassis back when I upgrade?
Why? Are you gonna use it for a planter or fishtank or something? But yeah, if you want to pay for packaging and shipping to send it back to you, we can do that. Otherwise they will be recycled.

What is Yggdrasil?
In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is the World Tree from which all springs. Pretty cool name for a DAC, huh? Well, except for the unpronouncible bit. Call it Yggy. We won't be offended.

Yggdrasil+ Manual