It’s a common misconception that you have to spend thousands of dollars on audio equipment if you want a good sound. However, that was back in the day. Nowadays, you can find professional-grade DACs for just a few hundred dollars. Not only that, but there’s gear that combines the functionality of multiple devices into one, thus saving you more money. Schiit just announced the new Mimir, a DAC that should make you question ever spending thousands of dollars on audio gear.
With over a decade of audio mastery under its belt, Schiit knows how to make a quality product. It sells high-quality audio gear across several different price ranges. It makes both budget-friendly devices and high-end devices, so you know that you’ll find the perfect DAC for you if you look through its products.
The Schiit Mimir is a DAC that you should look into
If you’re in the market for a new DAC, don’t take out that second mortgage just yet. You won’t need to pay more than $1,000 for a decent device. You won’t even have to pay $400! The Schiit Mimir is a top-quality DAC that offers great performance for only $299. That’s a great price for all of the stuff that you’re getting.
It’s important to note that there are two configurations for this DAC. Buying the DAC by itself costs $299. However, if you want the full capabilities of the device, then you’ll need to shell out an additional $50, bringing the price up to $349. However, that’s a small price to pay for all that you’re getting.
Starting off with the DAC
The Schiit Mimir is in charge of converting the digital signal into a raw analog signal that travels down your signal chain. It uses the company’s own proprietary digital filter. The device uses a 32-bit microchip processor with a standard delta-sigma modulator. This is what makes the Mimir deliver such a high-quality sound. You can expect the type of audio you’d hear from a much more expensive device. This makes the $299 price tag that much better.
As for the outputs, you’re looking at Optical SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF, AES (up to 24/192), and Unison 384 USB input (up to 32 bits/384kHz supported, full UAC2 compliance). This means that it can pretty much fit into any audio setup.
So, what about the extra $50?
This is where the Schiit Mimir really shines. When you’re shopping for your audio setup, you’d usually have to buy devices individually. However, if you buy the Mimir with the additional Forkbeard, you’ll gain some extra functionality. The Forkbeard adds a pre-amp to the device. A pre-amp is something that you would have to buy separately. Pre-amps cost hundreds of dollars (with many of them in the thousands). However, you’re getting this functionality added for only $50.
That’s not all, as the Forkbeard also adds an EQ. So, you can monitor and adjust the sound coming through your audio setup with an EQ and pre-amp. This gives you more control over your sound. Also, you won’t have to go through several devices just to adjust your audio.
Specs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz, +/-0.04dB
- THD+N: 0.0003%
- IMD: 0.0004%, CCIR
- S/N: 118dB, referenced to full output, with or without external power
- Crosstalk: -125dB, 20-20kHz
- USB input: Unison 384™, up to 32 bits/384kHz supported, full UAC2 compliance
- Other inputs: Optical SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF, AES, all up to 24/192
- D/A Conversion: Schiit Mesh™, a unique combination of our time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter and a standard delta-sigma modulator, in this case an ES9028
- Analog Stage: Based on LME49724 for balanced output, OPA1656 for SE output, both independent, with precision thin-film resistors and film capacitors, DC coupled
- Output: XLR balanced and RCA single-ended
- Maximum Output:
- 3.0V RMS balanced, 1.5V RMS single-ended when powered via USB cable
4.0V RMS balanced, 2.0V RMS single-ended with Linear Override AC wall-wart
- 3.0V RMS balanced, 1.5V RMS single-ended when powered via USB cable
- Output Impedance: 75 ohms
- Power Supply: USB powered with charge pump rail generator for +/-5V rails, reports as 500mA USB device
Linear override via 14-16VAC, 0.5A+ wall-wart, provides +/-12V rails and reports as 0mA USB device - Forkbeard requirements: schiit.com/forkbeard
- Forkbeard Capabilities:
Input select
Sample rate reporting
Volume control
Balance control
3-band parametric EQ
Mesh or NOS filter mode switching
Loudness
Phase inversion
Size: 9 x 6 x 1.5” - Weight: 2 lb
For just $299, you will gain access to an amazing DAC, and for just $349, you’ll have an all-in-one solution to get your audio setup started. You can buy the Schiit Mimir DAC today on the company’s website.
