Schiit Audio Yggdrasil

“The Forever DAC?” Yes. Introduced a decade ago, Yggdrasil is still compared head-to-head with the most expensive DACs in the world. And, unlike those car-priced designs, Yggdrasil’s complete modularity means you have options now—and assurance for the future. 

Ultimate Flexibility: Choose From Three Models

Yggdrasil+ is available in two flavors, including one that costs the same as the original 2014 Yggdrasil—and provides higher performance, additional features, and remote control. Progress--without the price!

• Yggdrasil Less is More. The most affordable Yggdrasil uses four TI DAC8812 16-bit D/A converters. 
• Yggdrasil More is Better. The highest-performance multibit DAC in history. Uses four ultra-precision TI DAC11001B 20-bit D/A converters. 
• Yggdrasil Singular. The only DAC in the world with no purchased or canned functionality. Uses our proprietary Singular™ FPGA-based delta-sigma modulator and discrete Nexus™ output stage. Includes two Unison 384™ high-rate USB inputs, as well as standard Forkbeard™ system integration, preamp, and parametric EQ.

Unique Closed Form Digital Filter

All Yggdrasils feature our proprietary time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter, implemented on a powerful Analog Devices DSP. This digital filter has a closed-form solution—it retains the original samples, performing a true interpolation. Only this digital filter gives you the best of both NOS and upsampling designs. Go ahead and compare—all Yggdrasils also offer non-oversampling, or NOS, mode.

Unique Digital Conversion Architectures

Yggdrasil Less is More and Yggdrasil More is Better both use defense- or research-grade multibit DACs not used in any other DAC. These integrated solutions allow much higher precision than long discrete resistor ladders and ensure reliable, drift-free performance for decades. Yggdrasil Singular uses the most advanced delta-sigma modulator (7 bits, 6MHz), based on our proprietary math. 

Singular: The Only Pure DAC

Yggdrasil Singular is the only DAC in the world not using “canned” or purchased functions. Everything from the USB input to the digital filter to the delta-sigma modulator to the discrete output stage was developed by us. We don’t buy any USB receivers, DACs, digital filters, or even op-amps for gain or I/V conversion. It is a truly pure and singular vision of a DAC, from a team the includes the originators of the external DAC, Mike Moffat. 

Convenience and Flexibility

All Yggdrasils include a wide variety of inputs, including our own Unison USB™ interface with complete electromagnetic and electrostatic isolation. In addition, both balanced and single-ended outputs, each optimized and providing the same high level of performance, are included. Ease of access is assured with standard remote control, and we’ve provided features like absolute phase inversion and NOS mode so you can optimize for your individual system and recordings.

Forkbeard for Ultimate Control

Yggdrasil Singular also includes Forkbeard, our patent-pending system control and integration platform that gives you full digital preamp and EQ functionality. With Forkbeard, you can control volume and balance, apply parametric equalization, and apply Loudness compensation for a complete digital system with no analog preamp. Or, you can easily integrate one or more of a dozen Forkbeard-enabled amps and preamps for a fully capable system that provides real-time feedback on capabilities like Visual Volume.

Fully Modular Architecture—Ready for the Future

Only Yggdrasil offers the flexibility and assurance of a truly modular architecture, both hardware and firmware. Literally every board—from input to output—is replaceable, and its uniquely reconfigurable chassis provides for future expandability. This modularity gives you many options to configure the perfect Yggdrasil now, as well as assurance that you’re ready for tomorrow.

Designed and Built in the USA

By “designed and built in the USA" this is what we mean: the vast majority of the total production cost of Yggdrasil—chassis, boards, assembly, etc—goes to US companies manufacturing in the US. Our chassis and transformers are made in California. Our PCBs are made by us in Corpus Christi (or in California or Utah), and it all comes together in our San Antonio facility.

5-Year Warranty, Easy Returns

Yggdrasil is covered by a 5-year limited transferrable warranty that covers parts and labor. And if you don’t like your Yggdrasil, you can send it back for a refund, minus 5% restocking fee, within 15 days of receiving it.