SCHIIT Yggdrasil Plus Fully Modular DAC User Manual
- June 3, 2024
- SCHIIT
Table of Contents
SCHIIT Yggdrasil Plus Fully Modular DAC
INTRODUCTION
Yggdrasil+ is simply the ultimate Schiit DAC—and maybe the ultimate DAC, period. With insane design throughout, from the choke-input power supply to unique time- and frequency-domain digital filter, to complete modularity that ensures you’re ready for the future, Yggdrasil is a true flagship. Enjoy!
LEGALESE
The following is required by the roughly 9,542 government agencies and regulations we have to comply with. If you have some common sense, they should seem pretty straight for ward. In any case, read these instructions before proceeding farther, follow all instructions, and heed all warnings. Or else!
- If you don’t know how to install audio devices, get a qualified profes-sional to help.
- Never use this device near water, and clean only with a dry cloth.
- Assure adequate ventilation, do not block any ventilation openings, or place near heat sources.
- Use only the supplied power cord or suitable replacement. Route cords away from traffic areas and protect them from being pinched. Unplug the cord from the outlet if the apparatus is unused for a long period of time.
- To prevent electric shock, do not use the plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or outlet unless blades can be fully inserted.
- Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Service is required when the device has been damaged, including cord or plug damage, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the device, the device has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
CONNECTIONS
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Connect the XLR outputs to your balanced preamp or integrated amp.
Use good-quality XLR cables. We do not recommend connecting directly to your amp, even if you are using digital volume control on your source. -
If you don’t have XLR inputs on your preamp, connect the RCA outputs to your preamp or integrated amp. Two sets of outputs are provided. All outputs—balanced and single-ended—are active at the same time, so feel free to connect to subwoofers and other devices as well as a preamp or integrated.
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Connect the Unison USB™ input to your streamer, computer, or tablet. Use a short (2m or less), USB 2.0-rated cable. Depending on your source, you may need an A-B, C-B, or Mini-B USB cable.
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Connect the optical input with a short (3m or less), high-quality Toslink-style cable. Some lower-quality cables, especially long cables, will not be able to support 176K and 192K sample rates.
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Connect the RCA coaxial digital input with a high-quality 75 ohm coaxial cable.
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Connect the BNC input with a 75 ohm co-axial cable to a BNC digital source, (if you have one, these seem to be rare these days!
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Connect the AES/EBU input with a high-quality digital-rated XLR cable. If you aren’t using Unison USB, we highly recommend AES/EBU.
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Plug in the power cord. Use the supplied IEC cord. The other end goes in the wall. Yep, we know you knew that. And yes, you can use another power cord if it makes you feel better.
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Turn on the power using the power switch. Up for on, down for off. Very simple. You can leave Yggdrasil on all the time if you’d like, or turn it on and off as you use it.
CONTROLS
- Push the Input Select button to pick your input. Miss your input? Keep pressing.
- Use the Phase & Mode button to switch absolute phase and to use NOS mode. Push once, quickly, to invert the phase, or to leave inverted phase mode. Push and hold to enter or leave NOS mode.
- Use the Mute button to mute output. Press and hold to mute. When in mute, LED 9 lights.
- This is lit when phase is inverted. Press button 2 to go back to normal phase.
- This is lit when you’re in NOS mode. Press and hold button 2 to leave NOS mode
- The Sample Rate LEDs indicate what format is coming in to Yggy—44.1K or 48K, plus the multiple (1, 2, 4, or 8X.)
- The Input LEDs show what input you’ve selected. Hopefully it doesn’t show more than one
- The Low Quality Source lights when clock regeneration must loosen its algorithm due to poor source. AKA the “buy better gear” light. You should pretty much never see this light. If you do, check your source and cables.
- This lights when muted. Press button 3 to unmute. It also flashes when Yggdrasil is first turned on and it’s doing self-checks.
- This is the remote control sensor. Don’t block it if you want the remote to work.
REMOTE
The remote allows you to cycle through inputs, mute the output, and invert the output.
Changing the Battery
- Push the remote open by inserting the end of an open paper clip into the hole in the back and pressing firmly.
- Replace the battery inside with one of the same type.
- Reassemble the remote by first inserting the clear LED in the front, then drop-ping the panel down onto the matching magnets.
UPGRADES
Yggdrasil+ is upgradable via its modular design—the USB Input, SPDIF Input, DSP, and DAC/Analog cards are all updatable. When it’s time for your upgrade, we’ve taken great care to ensure that Yggdrasil+ won’t have to come back to us. However, if you want the confidence of a factory-installed upgrade, the Schiit Upgrade Queueing system ensures you can keep your DAC until the moment we’re ready to do the upgrade. If you’d like to be the first to know about upgrades as they become available, sign up on the SPAM link on our site.
FAQ
I hear hum from Yggdrasil+. What do I do?
Yggdrasil’s noise floor is insanely low, so it’s most likely a ground loop. To
fix a ground loop, try a HumX or a ground loop isolator. Hey, this thing
clicks between songs/between inputs/etc! Yes, it does.
Care to explain why, smartass?
Sure. That’s the muting relay engaging when there’s no input. Many computer
sources turn off the digital audio out-put between songs and when changing
sampling rates. We went with a muting relay because it’s the best way to
ensure there are no clicks or pops when the input is unlocked. But it does
click a bit.
It takes a few seconds to change inputs and play music?
Yes, it does. Yggdrasil+ is doing a lot when you change inputs. It’s actually
looking at the quality of the input signal and making a decision on which
clock regeneration system to use, as well as which clock frequency is
appropriate to the sampling rate. It’s a hell of a job, so it can take a
little while to lock in.
My computer doesn’t see the Yggdrasil via USB. What’s up?
It depends on the computer. Some Mac and PC operat-ing systems have draconian
restrictions on the amount of power their USB ports can provide. Check
schiit.com/faq/USB-problems for some possible solutions.
How do I install the Windows USB drivers?
No modern Windows computer needs drivers. We are fully UAC2 compliant, so we
work with Windows, Mac, Linux (most streamers), Android, and iOS.
What if I’m still having glitches or intermittent connectivity when
connected to a computer?
Start at schiit.com/faq/DAC-problems for troubleshooting. I don’t get any
sound from Yggdrasil+! Are your sources on? Check those first. If you’re using
a computer source, ensure that your computer’s sound out-put is set to go to
the Yggdrasil via SPDIF or USB in BOTH the Control Panel/System Preferences
AND your music player software.
Can I leave my Yggdrasil on all the time?
Sure, if you want to. In fact, we leave all our DACs on all the time. It won’t
hurt anything.
So when do I get the next upgrade from you?
Make sure you’re on the mailing list, and we’ll let you know when we’ve
released new USB or analog boards.
It doesn’t turn on, what do I do?
Plug it in to a different AC socket. Ensure you are not cur-rently in a
blackout. Then email us if it still doesn’t turn on.
WARRANTY
Schiit Audio warrants to the original purchaser that the product shall be free
from defects in material and workmanship for five (5) years from the date of
purchase. Exceptions: Tubes and remote controls. Tubes are covered by a 90-day
limited warranty with the same terms, and remotes are covered by a 1-year
limited warranty with the same terms. If a defect covered by this warranty
occurs during this warranty period, Schiit Audio will repair the defective
product, free of charge. Date of purchase will be based on customer-submitted
receipts, otherwise date of manufacturing will be used to determine warranty
period.
OBTAINING WARRANTY SERVICE
If you believe you need warranty service, contact us first. There may be a
simple solution to your problem. Schiit Audio products sent back to us without
a Return Authorization (RA) will be returned to the sender without repair. To
contact us and obtain an RA, email info@schiit.com.
We will respond quickly to email inquiries.
WARRANTY LIMITATIONS
THIS WARRANTY SHALL NOT APPLY IF THIS PRODUCT: (a) IS MODIFIED OR TAMPERED
WITH; (b) IS DAMAGED BY NEGLIGENCE, ACCIDENT, UNREASONABLE USE, COFFEE, OR BY
OTHER CAUSES UNRELATED TO DEFECTIVE MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP; OR (c) HAS HAD
THE SERIAL NUMBER ALTERED, DEFACED OR REMOVED. ANY APPLICABLE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE HEREBY LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE WARRANTY PERIOD (5
YEARS). IN NO EVENT SHALL SCHIIT AUDIO BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR
INCIDENTAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE BREACH OF ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS
WARRANTIES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED
WARRANTY LASTS OR EXCLUSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO THE
ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights
which vary from state to state or province to province.
IN THE BOX
- (1) Yggdrasil+
- (1) Power cord
- (Various) Stickers and stuff
- (Infinite) Appreciation from the whole Schiit crew in Valencia, CA and Corpus Christi, TX
- (Even more) Thanks from our chassis and PCB guys in California, Nevada, and Utah.
References
- Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California
- Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California
- Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California