Schiit Gungnir 2 vs Denafrips Pontus 15th vs Others

dhodgeh

dhodgeh

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Just put together another Bottlehead 300B system (BeePre/Kaiju) , and need a DAC. I currently have a Schiit Bifrost 2/64 on another system and would like to take the next step up for this system.

The Denafrips Pontus 15th is leading the way, but my gawd, that is a massive beast, and at the moment it would be a challenge to physically integrate that piece of equipment into my system. My second choice is the Schiit Gungnir 2. Still a good size piece but less physically challenging.

So has anyone had a chance to compare these two head to head, and if so, have any opinion on the devices. I'm into mainly rock, but do like any guitar instrumental music regardless of genre, from acoustic to hard driving rock to jazz.

Also, any other recommendations would be appreciated.

TIA

D
 
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dhodgeh said:
Just put together another Bottlehead 300B system (BeePre/Kaiju) , and need a DAC. I currently have a Schiit Bifrost 2/64 on another system and would like to take the next step up for this system.

The Denafrips Pontus 15th is leading the way, but my gawd, that is a massive beast, and at the moment it would be a challenge to physically integrate that piece of equipment into my system. My second choice is the Schiit Gungnir 2. Still a good size piece but less physically challenging.

So has anyone had a chance to compare these two head to head, and if so, have any opinion on the devices. I'm into mainly rock, but do like any guitar instrumental music regardless of genre, from acoustic to hard driving rock to jazz.

Also, any other recommendations would be appreciated.

TIA

D
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Are you stuck on an R2R type of DAC? Otherwise, there are plenty of great sounding D/S DAC’s that have a small footprint.
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you might want to hold off for a few months, Schiit are in the midst of revamping their DAC lineup. They've added another version of Yggdrasil, "Byggy" and have revamped their entry level DACs. Mimir, which replaced the Modius multibit, has received glowing reviews, with comparisons putting its performance on the level of the Bifrost 2/64. It also adds their new Forkbeard module, which allows app control via smartphone or tablet, switching between their proprietary filter and Non Oversampling mode, parametric EQ and the ability to control output gain, effectively turning the unit into a preamp. The Modi 5 received the same DAC and output filters as the Mimir, but eschews the Forkbeard control. Next up is a revised Bifrost, which if the previous two models are any indication, may make the Gugnir effectively obsolete, or at the very least, redundant. It has been reported to be available as an upgrade card for Bifrost 2 & 2/64 owners or with a new chassis, which will include Forkbeard, presumably with similar, if not expanded features from the Mimir: device control, PEQ, NOS Switching, gain. It follows that there would be improvements to the Gumby after that, if only to give it Forkbeard. :dunno: I'd expect an announcement on the Bifrost in the next 6-8 weeks.
 
Gigantic said:
you might want to hold off for a few months, Schiit are in the midst of revamping their DAC lineup. They've added another version of Yggdrasil, "Byggy" and have revamped their entry level DACs. Mimir, which replaced the Modius multibit, has received glowing reviews, with comparisons putting its performance on the level of the Bifrost 2/64. It also adds their new Forkbeard module, which allows app control via smartphone or tablet, switching between their proprietary filter and Non Oversampling mode, parametric EQ and the ability to control output gain, effectively turning the unit into a preamp. The Modi 5 received the same DAC and output filters as the Mimir, but eschews the Forkbeard control. Next up is a revised Bifrost, which if the previous two models are any indication, may make the Gugnir effectively obsolete, or at the very least, redundant. It has been reported to be available as an upgrade card for Bifrost 2 & 2/64 owners or with a new chassis, which will include Forkbeard, presumably with similar, if not expanded features from the Mimir: device control, PEQ, NOS Switching, gain. It follows that there would be improvements to the Gumby after that, if only to give it Forkbeard. :dunno: I'd expect an announcement on the Bifrost in the next 6-8 weeks.
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This is interesting. The Mimir is certainly not too costly to get one and see what develops over the next few weeks.
 
I've owned a first and second gen Gungnir along with a first and second gen Pontus. In my rig, the Gumby a bit more forward and dynamic while the Pontus a bit smoother and refined.
 
I have only heard the Pontus 15th so can't make a direct comparison. The 15th is a wonderful sounding DAC and I feel no need to look any further.

Keep us updated in which ever way you proceed as I am currently pondering a Bottlehead 300B Kaiju and would appreciate your feedback on how well, or not, it pairs with your DAC selection.
 
No experience with either DAC in question but I am several weeks into owning the Mimir and am very happy with it. One of the top Schiit people said during one of their videos that it is currently the best DAC in their product line. Now whether that is someone doing a little marketing or just a temporary title until they revamp their DACs further upstream who knows. If you decide to go with a Schiit DAC I recommend getting the Forkbeard option. Very easy to use and adds a bit of versatility.
 
The latest Schiit DACs, ranked by performance would be:
4) Modi 5
3) Mimir
2) Gungnir 2
1) Yggdrasil "Byggy"

"Byggy" is Schiit's new take on a Delta/Sigma DAC. Designed in house, with all discrete parts; no off the shelf DAC chips from other manufacturers. Said to be glorious in sound, but it's roll out has been slow. Current Yggdrasil owners get the "Byggy" upgrade first. Full on "Byggy" DACs, for new owners, haven't hit yet. Probably worth the wait.

The current Bifrost is in a redesign phase. It's assumed they'll hit later in the year. D/S or MB, no one knows?

Good luck.
 
CLB3 said:
Correct! I replaced my much used and loved first gen Gungnir MB with the Gungnir 2. And, it is a fabulous DAC. I highly recommend it!
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Good to know - I've got a Gungnir 2 on order and did get a Mimir (which is very good as it is) to tide me over until that day the Gungnir arrives (another couple of weeks I hope)

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My Gungnir 2 arrived yesterday. It does sound really good, but is it $1300 better than the Mimir? To be determined - I did not have that 'Whoa, this is so much better' moment when I first listened to the Gunny. Gonna run it a while then do another comparison.

D
 
dhodgeh said:
My Gungnir 2 arrived yesterday. It does sound really good, but is it $1300 better than the Mimir? To be determined - I did not have that 'Whoa, this is so much better' moment when I first listened to the Gunny. Gonna run it a while then do another comparison.

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It’s a DAC. It is doubtful there would be a “Whoa, this is so much better” moment.
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dhodgeh said:
My Gungnir 2 arrived yesterday. It does sound really good, but is it $1300 better than the Mimir? To be determined - I did not have that 'Whoa, this is so much better' moment when I first listened to the Gunny. Gonna run it a while then do another comparison.
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You won't have such a moment with a DAC unless:
  • one of them is total crap (or defective)
  • one of them is intentionally designed to color the sound (e.g. FiiO Warmer R2R)
  • they aren't perfectly level-matched
Otherwise the differences are very subtle at best - assuming they are audible at all.
I suspect that most "night and day" differences that people report between two reasonably decent DACs can be attributed to the third bullet point above. If the output levels are not matched perfectly, within 0.1 dB, all bets are off. The one that's even a teensy-weensy bit louder will seem to sound better.
 
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Vlad Soare said:
You won't have such a moment with a DAC unless:
  • one of them is total crap (or defective)
  • one of them is intentionally designed to color the sound (e.g. FiiO Warmer R2R)
  • they aren't perfectly level-matched
Otherwise the differences are very subtle at best - assuming they are audible at all.
I suspect that most "night and day" differences that people report between two reasonably decent DACs can be attributed to the third bullet point above. If the output levels are not matched perfectly, within 0.1 dB, all bets are off. The one that's even a teensy-weensy bit louder will seem to sound better.
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I’m going to have to admit that just yesterday I had a “Whoa, this is so much better” DAC moment. I have been listening with my FiiO Warmer R2R DAC in my main system for quite a while now and I love how it makes my system sing. Many months ago I bought a Fosi ZD3 DAC to try in a secondary system, but I first tried it in my main system. I did not like it and found it to be too edgy sounding. At the time I was using a Geshelli J2S and really like(d) it.

So just for the heck of it I pulled the ZD3 out of the closet and put it in my main system. Man, it was horrid! Super edgy and the music sounded like it was covered in razor blades. It was that bad! I couldn’t get it out fast enough. Back in went the FiiO Warmer, and….Ahhh….Now that’s more like it. Beautiful.
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Yes, if the DAC is intentionally designed to have a specific sound signature, then you can indeed have a wow moment with it.
 
Vlad Soare said:
Yes, if the DAC is intentionally designed to have a specific sound signature, then you can indeed have a wow moment with it.
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No doubt, but I will say that comparing my Geshelli J2S with Sparkos 3602 opamps in all positions to the FiiO Warmer is not a huge difference. I simply prefer the buttery smooth nature of the FiiO Warmer but could easily and gladly live with the Geshelli.
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