DACs — Schiit Audio Gungnir 2

The Gungnir 2 is a balanced multibit DAC from the American company Schiit Audio and sits below the Yggdrasil in the maker's converter range. It replaces the earlier Gungnir Multibit with a new architecture that Schiit calls Multiform, pairing four DAC8812C converters from Texas Instruments with a new balanced multiplying analogue stage. Schiit sells it for USD 1,599 with a 15-day return period minus a 5 percent restocking fee, and the limited warranty on parts and labour runs for 5 years. Other converters in the current catalogue include the Bifrost at USD 799 and the Modi 5 at USD 149, which puts the Gungnir 2 in the upper part of the range.

Key specs that matter

Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.06 dB. Schiit states THD plus noise below 0.0008 percent, intermodulation distortion below 0.0006 percent on the CCIF test, a signal to noise ratio above 112 dB at full output and a crosstalk figure of minus 128 dB across the audio band. Maximum output is 2.0 V RMS from the RCA outputs and 4.0 V RMS from the XLR outputs, and each output type presents 75 ohm. Inputs are coaxial and optical S/PDIF plus two USB ports, and the Unison 384 USB input accepts up to 32 bit at 384 kHz and DXD while the other inputs reach 32 bit at 192 kHz. The case measures 406 x 203 x 51 mm, the unit weighs 5.4 kg and it draws 24 W.

Engineering and use context

The DAC8812C is a medical and defence grade multiplying converter rather than a typical audio chip, and Schiit builds its own filter around it. That digital filter is a proprietary design tuned for time response as well as frequency response and runs with 8x oversampling on an Analog Devices SHARC DSP. A true non-oversampling mode bypasses the filter altogether for owners who prefer it. The power supply uses two separate transformers, one for the analogue side and one for the digital side, followed by 13 stages of regulation. The chassis is modular, so the analogue block can be swapped, and an optional Forkbeard module adds full digital preamp and EQ functions with system control and monitoring from an iOS app.

Pairing

Offering single-ended and balanced outputs, the Gungnir 2 links to a balanced preamplifier, a headphone amplifier or directly to an integrated amplifier. When the Forkbeard module is fitted and its volume control is used, the DAC can drive power amplifiers or powered monitors without a separate preamp.

Alternatives

The Schiit Yggdrasil is the higher-priced DAC above it in the range, listed at USD 2,299.