Schiit Eitr 2 -Can this Unit be Explained?

Quadaptor!

Quadaptor!

Active Member
I'm not so sure where the Schiit Eitr 2 falls in relation to the forums on Audiokarma, but this one looks logical. Can someone better expalin the function of the Schiit Eitr 2? Is it a digital to digital converter? If so, can it be used between a laptop and a DAC to reduce jitter or as a digital reclocker? I currently am using a SMSL PO100 PRO between my laptop and my DAC (a Modi 3+ soon to be replaced with a Modi 5) as a digital reclocker. And it works great in "cleaning" up the sound when compared to taking the signal directly from my laptop to the DAC. I have an extensive digital music library on my laptop that I use for most of my playback. However, I am a fan of Schiit's gear and the Eitr 2 has caught my interest if, in fact, it is a DDC and can be used in the same manner as the SMSL. Also, how does the Eitr 2 compare to the PO100 PRO in sound performance? Many thanks and I look forward to reading your comments.
 
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I can't help with your specific questions and I have to admit that a DDC device was new to me until I heard about the Eitr 2 (which probably means I don't need one). That said, I looked into it out of curiosity.

Quoting from the Eitr 2 description on the Schiit site,
"Turn Any Old Computer, Phone, Or Tablet Into a Spectacular Digital Source
Forget overpriced streamers. Turn any old computer, tablet, or phone into an uber-quality digital source with Eitr 2",

Here is the question I have:

What is the definition of any old computer, etc. that would benefit from this?
 
Trays said:
I can't help with your specific questions and I have to admit that a DDC device was new to me until I heard about the Eitr 2 (which probably means I don't need one). That said, I looked into it out of curiosity.

Quoting from the Eitr 2 description on the Schiit site,
"Turn Any Old Computer, Phone, Or Tablet Into a Spectacular Digital Source
Forget overpriced streamers. Turn any old computer, tablet, or phone into an uber-quality digital source with Eitr 2",

Here is the question I have:

What is the definition of any old computer, etc. that would benefit from this?
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Good question. I'd say my laptop qualifies as any old computer. Sometimes Schiit errors on the side of inadequate information in their approach to accessible product description. The more I think of this, the more I think its a DDC. The DDC SMSL PO100 PRO I integrated into my system between my "any old laptop" and the Schiit Modi 3+ made a big difference. I'm thinking the EITR 2 would do the same thing with the addition of the Forkbeard capability. The next problem I would have would be logistical. And tht would involve about 16-feet of USB cable between my seating and HIFI locations. At present, I se a short run of Audioquest USB C to A cable between the laptop and the SMSL that is firmly attached to a nearby end table. From the SMSL I use a 16-ft run of digital coax to the Schiit Modi. And all works well given nobody trips over the coax. With the EITR I would need to run an audio quality cable from the USB port on my laptop straight over to the EITR 2, whach would be placed at the HIFI and not the end table. And after looking at Audioquest, they make nothing that would service this problem. Unless there are things out there like an HDMI to digital coax adapter or a USB 3.0 (output on the laptop) to digital coax or USB Micro cable (input on the EITR 2) of sufficient (16-ft) length. Thanks
 
I would say the "Converter Only" version of the Eitr 2 is generally a similar product to the SMSL PO100 PRO, i.e. they are both DDCs.

The "Digital Preamp" version of the Eitr 2 is a DDC with volume, parametric EQ, and loudness via Forkbeard.

So I guess that could be connected as old computer > Eitr 2 > DAC > power amp.

(No help with the long cable runs. That sounds kind of hairy.)
 
Trays said:
I would say the "Converter Only" version of the Eitr 2 is generally a similar product to the SMSL PO100 PRO, i.e. they are both DDCs.

The "Digital Preamp" version of the Eitr 2 is a DDC with volume, parametric EQ, and loudness via Forkbeard.

So I guess that could be connected as old computer > Eitr 2 > DAC > power amp.

(No help with the long cable runs. That sounds kind of hairy.)
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That seems to be the sum of it with the ETR 2 vs the P0100 PRO. The cable run is actually manageable if I maintain the same footprint as I have with the SMSL. However, I'm driven to put an Eitr in with the rest of my HIFI and that turns the logistical problem into one long long (16-ft) cable that would take a USB A port from my laptop into the USB C port in the back of the Eitr. Anyone know of an audio quality 16-ft long cable that has USB A male on one end and USB C male on the other?
 
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I keep forgetting to ask SchiitTalker things.

Answer to question about old computer use case for Eitr 2:
Example of an old computer it is for:

A Windows 10 (or 11) laptop from ~2015–2018 that still runs fine but you don't want to use as your main daily driver anymore.

That's the sweet spot the product is aimed at—perfectly usable older hardware that can still speak modern USB Audio Class 2.

What it's not for:

Anything stuck on Windows XP or Windows 7 (those are explicitly called out as "out of luck").
 
So here's a question. The Eitr 2 is a DDC and, as such, I assume it can be used as a digital reclocker for mitigation jitter between a laptop and a DAC. Presently, I am using a SMSL PO100 PRO in this capacity and, for those who haven't tried the SMSL, the unit made a noticeable difference in sound quality when compared to the laptop being plugged straight into the DAC. As I understand it, the Eitr 2 could be used in the same capacity. The difference between the Eitr 2 and the PO100 PRO, not taking Forkbeard into the equation, is Schiit's "in house" MESH technology. This leaves me wondering of the Eitr 2 with the MESH technology would improve the sound quality of my system over what it is now with the SMSL PO100 PRO? my DAC is a Schiit Modi 3+. In theory, and per Schiit's descriptions of the unit, the Eitr 2 should also improve the sound quality of the older Modi 3+. Any thoughts or observations here? Thanks again.
 
Quadaptor! said:
So here's a question. The Eitr 2 is a DDC and, as such, I assume it can be used as a digital reclocker for mitigation jitter between a laptop and a DAC.
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At core, afaik, it's a USB to SPDIF converter/bridge not a reclocker per se. Although, I don't know formally what that exactly means.

Based on ASR info on the Eitr, it appears whether or not it may improve things is case by case depending on the USB or SPDIF competence of what you'd connect it to.

As well, based on that ASR, it seemed like Schiit developed it because the USB input wasn't so great on some of their stuff, so using the Eitr with better USB characteristics and then feeding SPDIF downstream in fact did improve performance of certain Schiit stuff. But, in their test, using Eitr degraded the performance of a Topping(?) unit on the presumption the Topping USB input was as good or better than Eitr, but that the Topping SPDIF input maybe wasn't as good so putting Eitr in the loop was worse than just USB direct to the Topping unit.

Long story short, I think the point whether it helps or hurts depends on the other gear.
 
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whoaru99 said:
Long story short, I think the point whether it helps or hurts depends on the other gear.
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That and the empirical approach of just trying it out. I'm kind of curious how things would work if I swapped out the SMSL for the Eitr. That is, putting the Eitr in between my laptop and the Modi 3+ DAC. And I'm not sure if the PO100 PRO is supposed to be a reclocker too. However it did make a big difference when put into the signal chain. Thanks
 
Quadaptor! said:
I'm not so sure where the Schiit Eitr 2 falls in relation to the forums on Audiokarma, but this one looks logical. Can someone better expalin the function of the Schiit Eitr 2? Is it a digital to digital converter? If so, can it be used between a laptop and a DAC to reduce jitter or as a digital reclocker? I currently am using a SMSL PO100 PRO between my laptop and my DAC (a Modi 3+ soon to be replaced with a Modi 5) as a digital reclocker. And it works great in "cleaning" up the sound when compared to taking the signal directly from my laptop to the DAC. I have an extensive digital music library on my laptop that I use for most of my playback. However, I am a fan of Schiit's gear and the Eitr 2 has caught my interest if, in fact, it is a DDC and can be used in the same manner as the SMSL. Also, how does the Eitr 2 compare to the PO100 PRO in sound performance? Many thanks and I look forward to reading your comments.
Click to expand...
I owned the original Schitt Eitr. When it came out a few years ago, it was intended to convert a USB signal to digital coax (can't remember if the original Eitr also supported optical out). The use case was for someone who owned, for instance, an older DAC that didn't have a USB input. This would allow that person to send a USB output (from a computer or cell phone for instance) to their legacy DAC.

Fast forward to 2026, I think the use case is still the same if ordered using the "converter only" option. Selecting the "converter with Forkbeard" option adds additional functionality, such as a "volume control" and an EQ. However, the core functions of the product are still the same: USB input to Coax or Optical output.
 
whell said:
The use case was for someone who owned, for instance, an older DAC that didn't have a USB input.
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Also as an upgrade to earlier Schiit units before their Gen 5 USB and newer variants. Essentially it moved the USB input to the Eitr because it had better USB than the USB integral to the earlier units.

Presumably Eitr 2 would have even newer/better USB input so if that is better than the integral usb of some other device then at least there would be potential improvement.
 
whell said:
I owned the original Schitt Eitr. When it came out a few years ago, it was intended to convert a USB signal to digital coax (can't remember if the original Eitr also supported optical out). The use case was for someone who owned, for instance, an older DAC that didn't have a USB input. This would allow that person to send a USB output (from a computer or cell phone for instance) to their legacy DAC.

Fast forward to 2026, I think the use case is still the same if ordered using the "converter only" option. Selecting the "converter with Forkbeard" option adds additional functionality, such as a "volume control" and an EQ. However, the core functions of the product are still the same: USB input to Coax or Optical output.
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Thanks. How does the basic function of the Eitr 2 (not counting the Forkbeard add on) compare to the SMSL PO100 PRO? Currently I'm using the latter as a reclocker/master clock between my laptop and my DAC. And it makes a positive difference in sound quality when put into that position in the signal path.
 
Quadaptor! said:
Thanks. How does the basic function of the Eitr 2 (not counting the Forkbeard add on) compare to the SMSL PO100 PRO? Currently I'm using the latter as a reclocker/master clock between my laptop and my DAC. And it makes a positive difference in sound quality when put into that position in the signal path.
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I don't think the Schitt Eitr 2 does any "reclocking", at least from the info I see on their web site. You might ask the folks at Schitt and see if they have any input on that question. info@schiit.com
 
Yeah, reclocker I think is a bit of a stretch.

The SMSL unit appears to be essentially same core function as Eitr, a USB to SPDIF converter/bridge.

In that regard same/similar things apply as mentioned in post #9. Whether using it makes an improvement or a step backwards, because either can be true, will depend on its competence vs the competence of what you're using it with.
 
Yeah, I would remove reclocking from anything you think the Eitr 2 does or is for.

The main use case looks like to send an improved signal to an older (non-Schiit) DAC or improve a signal from an old computer.

It's hard to imagine a reason to install it between a modern computer with USB-C out and a modern DAC with USB-C in.

Note that the Eitr 2 is listed under the Fun category on their products page. To me that means give it a try and report back to us with the results.
 
whoaru99 said:
Yeah, reclocker I think is a bit of a stretch.

The SMSL unit appears to be essentially same core function as Eitr, a USB to SPDIF converter/bridge.

In that regard same/similar things apply as mentioned in post #9. Whether using it makes an improvement or a step backwards, because either can be true, will depend on its competence vs the competence of what you're using it with.
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Thanks whell, whoaru99 and Trays. That makes sense and totally addresses my question.
 
Trays said:
Yeah, I would remove reclocking from anything you think the Eitr 2 does or is for.

The main use case looks like to send an improved signal to an older (non-Schiit) DAC or improve a signal from an old computer.

It's hard to imagine a reason to install it between a modern computer with USB-C out and a modern DAC with USB-C in.

Note that the Eitr 2 is listed under the Fun category on their products page. To me that means give it a try and report back to us with the results.
Click to expand...
it looks like the reason for reviving the Eitr was to include Forkbeard in it to gave one the ability to give a dac forkbeard functions-digital pre, eq, loudness etc.
 
Schiit's Unison Eitr 2 tech does have a dedicated clock source, as well as offer galvanic isolation. It's operating software was completely developed and written by Schiit, as a dedicated music transfer system. Not other USB functions other than that. So, also along with it being a DDC, and with Forkbeard, a digital preamp with EQ, it's one of the best music interfaces for a USB feed from a computer. If I didn't already have the original Eitr, I'd already have an Eitr 2.

Oh, Eitr 1 was USB In and Coax Out. No other signal connections. It sounded great with my Bifrost MB, until I upgraded the Bifrost to Unison.
 
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