Schiit Audio announced the immediate availability of Yggdrasil+, its flagship True Multibit DAC. Featuring a choice of audiophile D/A converter options, remote control, NOS mode, and phase inversion, the Yggdrasil+ offers exceptional performance and value in a high-end DAC, together with the peace of mind of a fully modular platform that is ready for the future. Schiit Yggdrasil+ (read the OG review) prices start at $2,299 and top out at $2,799, depending on D/A and finish options.
“Yggdrasil+ is the successor to Yggdrasil, which we introduced in 2014,” said Mike Moffat, Schiit Audio’s co-founder and head of digital development. “But it’s not a replacement—current Yggdrasil owners can upgrade to Yggdrasil+ to get remote control, NOS mode, and new chassis that looks better, offers way more flexibility, and substantially simplifies upgrades.”
Jason Stoddard, Schiit’s co-founder and head of analog development, also notes that Yggdrasil+ starts at the same price as the original Yggdrasil. “Despite 8 years of inflation, despite offering more features, despite offering higher performance, despite a much cooler-looking chassis design, Yggdrasil+ starts at the same price as the 2014 Yggdrasil.”
Schiit’s high-value design doesn’t stop at battling inflation, however. Since all former Yggdrasil are upgradable to Yggdrasil+, Schiit protects its customers investment in the platform. In addition, the new chassis makes upgrades much easier, with only 4 screws to get at all modular boards, and a replaceable back panel to accommodate any changes in connectivity in the future.
“Our customers have been asking for an easier, more convenient way to do upgrades, and Yggdrasil+ delivers—without abandoning the whole platform,” said Mike Moffat.
In terms of performance and value, Yggdrasil+ sets the standard for high-end DACs. At a relatively modest price, it includes Schiit’s True Multibit™ platform—a unique time- and frequency-optimized digital filter implemented on Analog Devices DSPs, plus medical/military grade multibit D/A converters from TI or Analog Devices; Schiit’s own Unison USB™ input, implemented on a Microchip 32-bit processor; massive choke-input power supply with two transformers and local regulation; unique adaptive reclocking to accommodate both high- and low-quality sources, and features such as remote control absolute phase inversion. Yggdrasil+ can even be put into “non-oversampling,” or NOS mode, to bypass its digital filter entirely.
Yggdrasil+ models are as follows:
- Yggdrasil+ Less is More (TI DAC8812 based)—$2299/2399 black/silver
- Yggdrasil+ More is Less (TI DAC11001 based)—$2449/2549 black/silver
- Yggdrasil+ OG (Analog Devices AD5791 based)—$2699/2799 black/silver
All Yggdrasil models are in stock and available to purchase at schiit.com.
Customers who already own Yggdrasils can upgrade to Yggdrasil+ for $499 in black, and $599 in silver. The price reflects only the final color; customers can choose to swap colors when they upgrade. The original chassis will be recycled (it is 100% aluminum and steel), or shipped back to the customer at the cost of packaging and shipping if they request it.
The Audiophile History of Schiit
In an industry often defined by high prices, mystique, and an air of exclusivity, Schiit Audio took a different path. Since its founding in 2010, the California-based company has made its name by being direct—both in its engineering and its approach to the market. Schiit Audio didn’t set out to be a luxury brand or chase audiophile status symbols. Instead, it offered a refreshing blend of transparency, performance, and value, with a heavy dose of personality.
The company was founded by two industry veterans: Jason Stoddard and Mike Moffat. Stoddard brought a deep background in analog amplifier design from his time at Sumo, a 1980s-era amplifier company he co-founded. His designs emphasized solid engineering, short signal paths, and a “less is more” approach that emphasized measured performance and reliability. Moffat, on the other hand, had made his mark as the founder of Theta Digital, a pioneering company in the world of digital-to-analog conversion. His legacy involved early work with multibit DACs and digital filter development at a time when the digital side of audio was still in its infancy.
Together, they created Schiit with a goal that was as much about philosophy as it was about products. They wanted to build affordable, high-performance audio gear in the United States and sell it directly to consumers. That meant bypassing traditional distribution models, cutting out markup-heavy dealer networks, and offering better products at more accessible prices. They also decided from day one that Schiit would manufacture its products in California—no offshore outsourcing, no cheap plastic enclosures, and no compromises on build quality.
The company launched with the Asgard, a discrete, Class A headphone amplifier that was unlike anything else available at its $249 price point. It was quickly followed by the Valhalla, a pure tube amp, and the Bifrost, a modular DAC that laid the foundation for Schiit’s growing reputation in digital audio. Each product shared common traits: robust construction, honest specifications, and no-nonsense functionality.
Schiit gained traction among headphone enthusiasts during the headphone audio boom of the early 2010s. With flagship headphones becoming more expensive and more demanding in terms of power, many listeners began to recognize the limitations of smartphone and laptop audio outputs. Schiit filled that gap with products like the Magni headphone amp and Modi DAC—an entry-level pair that could drive a wide range of headphones with authority, all for under $200 combined.
What set Schiit apart wasn’t just pricing—it was approachability. The brand’s tone was irreverent, its product names intentionally cheeky, and its marketing refreshingly transparent. Stoddard wrote openly about product design, the challenges of manufacturing, and the philosophy behind each release. The company’s website included detailed specs, measurements, and honest statements about what products could and couldn’t do. In a space often cluttered with vague claims and audiophile folklore, this kind of clarity was welcome.
On the digital side, Moffat pushed forward with Multibit DACs, a category that Schiit helped re-popularize. While most DAC makers relied on off-the-shelf delta-sigma chips and standard filter implementations, Schiit’s Multibit models used AD and TI R2R DACs with custom-written digital filter code running on DSP hardware. Products like the Bifrost Multibit, Gungnir Multibit, and Yggdrasil became cult favorites for listeners who valued timing, texture, and realism—traits that some claimed were missing from ultra-precise, modern delta-sigma designs.
As the company grew, Schiit expanded beyond the headphone market. Products like the Vidar power amplifier, the Saga and Freya preamps, and modular components like the Jotunheim gave users a path to build two-channel speaker systems while staying within the Schiit ecosystem. True to form, these products avoided frills and focused on sonic fundamentals: clean power, flexible inputs, and minimalist signal paths.
Manufacturing remained entirely in Southern California. Schiit invested in its own production infrastructure, including chassis machining, board assembly, and testing. This level of control allowed for tight quality assurance and made it possible for the company to respond quickly to design revisions and market demands.
Schiit has never tried to position itself as a lifestyle brand or luxury product. You won’t find multi-thousand-dollar speaker cables or chrome-plated limited editions. What you will find is a steady stream of sensibly priced, well-engineered gear that’s designed to last. And while the company isn’t afraid to poke fun at industry norms, its products are taken seriously—by both reviewers and listeners.
