GUNGNIR 2 Balanced Modular Forkbeard plus Autonomy DAC
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Specifications:
- Model: Gungnir 2
- Features: MultiformTM DAC, Unison 384, Autonomy 2, ForkbeardTM
DAC - Connectivity: RCA and XLR outputs, AES input, Coax input,
Optical input, Unison 384 input - Upgradability: Hardware upgradable via analog, input, and DSP
cards; firmware upgradable over the air via Forkbeard
Product Usage Instructions:
Getting Started:
1. Place Gungnir 2 in a cool, well-ventilated area to prevent
overheating.
2. If using the Forkbeard module, plug it into the slot in the
back of the chassis and download the Forkbeard app from
schiit.com/forkbeard or the Apple App Store.
3. Connect the power cord and your inputs and outputs according
to the provided details.
About Drivers:
Schiit’s Unison USBTM is UAC2 compliant; therefore, it does not
require drivers for modern streamers or computers.
About Upgrades:
Gungnir 2 is hardware upgradable via analog, input, and DSP
cards. Firmware upgrades can be done over the air via
Forkbeard.
To check for available firmware upgrades, use the Forkbeard app.
For hardware upgrades, visit schiit.com’s Upgrades section for
instructions.
Connections:
Outputs:
– 1 RCA and XLR outputs. Connect to preamp or integrated amp
using high-quality XLR or RCA cables. Ensure correct polarity (R
for right, L for left).
Inputs:
1. 2 AES input: Use XLR digital input with high-quality XLR
interconnect.
2. 3 Coax input: Connect coaxial digital input using
high-quality digital RCA interconnect.
3. 4 Optical input: Connect optical digital input using
high-quality optical cable.
4. 5 Unison 384 input: Connect streamer, computer, tablet, or
USB source using a USB-C terminated cable. Recommended cable type
is USB-C 2.0 with lengths of 2m or less for optimal
performance.
FAQ:
Q: How do I check for available firmware upgrades?
A: Available firmware upgrades can be checked through the
Forkbeard app. Simply tap the icon to install any available
upgrades.
Q: Can Gungnir 2 be stacked on top of components that generate
heat?
A: It is not recommended to stack Gungnir 2 directly on top of
or under components that generate a lot of heat due to its own heat
generation.
Q: What kind of cables should I use for connecting inputs and
outputs?
A: For best performance, use high-quality cables such as XLR or
RCA cables for outputs and digital interconnects for inputs like
AES, Coax, and Optical.
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GUNGNIR 2
BALANCED, MODULAR FORKBEARD + AUTONOMY DAC
INTRODUCTION
The first MultiformTM DAC. The first DAC with high-rate Unison 384. The first DAC with Autonomy 2. The first ForkbeardTM DAC. Completely re-thought, totally modular, ready for the future, with features other DACs only dream about (that is, if DACs were human, and could dream, but wait, dogs dream too, so well, maybe if Gungnir 2 was a living thing–no, nevermind, let’s get back to this thought) Gungnir 2 completely redefines the high-end DAC…without the high-end price.
The following is required by the roughly 9,542 government agencies and regulations we have to comply with. If you have some common sense, they should seem pretty straightforward. In any case, read these instructions before proceeding farther, follow all instructions, and heed all warnings. Or else!
1. If you don’t know how to install audio devices, get a qualified professional to help. 2. Never use this device near water, and clean only with a dry cloth. 3. Assure adequate ventilation, do not block any ventilation openings, or place near heat sources. 4. Use only the supplied power cord or suitable replacement. Route cords away from traffic areas and protect them from being pinched. Unplug the cord from the outlet if the apparatus is unused for a long period of time. 5. To prevent electric shock, do not use the plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or outlet unless blades can be fully inserted. 6. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Service is required when the device has been damaged, including cord or plug damage, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the device, the device has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
GETTING STARTED
Place Gungnir 2 in a cool, well-ventilated area. Gungnir 2 runs pretty warm. We don’t recommend “stacking” it directly on top of, or under, components that generate a lot of heat.
If you’re using the Forkbeard module, plug it in to the slot in the back of the chassis and download and install the Forkbeard app. Check schiit.com/forkbeard for current supported platforms, or go directly to the Apple App Store on your device.
Connect the power cord and your inputs and outputs. The following pages go through those in detail. When you power up, Gungnir 2 will perform self checks and unmute in about 20 seconds. It will also appear as a Forkbeard device you can add to your stacks.
ABOUT DRIVERS
Schiit’s Unison USBTM is UAC2 compliant, which means it does not need drivers for modern streamers or computers.
ABOUT UPGRADES
Gungnir 2 is hardware upgradable via the analog, input, and DSP cards, and firmware upgradable over the air via Forkbeard.
Firmware upgrades, when available, will show up on the Forkbeard app. Tap the icon to install.
Hardware upgrades, when available, appear in the Upgrades section of schiit.com. Analog board upgrades slide in to the chassis via the rear panel. Input and DSP cards require removing the top chassis.
If you’d like to be the first to know about upgrades as they become available, sign up on the SPAM link on our site.
CONNECTIONS
OUTPUTS
1 RCA and XLR outputs. Connect either or both of these outputs to your preamp or integrated amp using high-quality XLR (balanced) or RCA (single-ended) cables. “R” is right, “L” is left. XLR is true differential output; do not short either hot or cold pins.
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MULTIFORM
INPUTS
2 AES input. Connect any XLR digital input here, using a high quality digital XLR interconnect.
3 Coax input. Connect any coaxial digital input here, using a high quality digital RCA interconnect.
4 Optical input. Connect any optical digital input, using a high quality optical cable.
5 Unison 384 input. Connect your streamer, computer, tablet, or other USB source with a high-quality, USB-C terminated
cable. We recommend a USB-C 2.0 cable, since you don’t need the superspeed stuff for audio. Keeping the USB 2m or less in length also helps. This input supports bit depths and sample rates up to 32 bits/384 kHz.
6 Unison 192 input. Connect your streamer, computer, tablet, or other USB source with a high-quality, USB-C terminated cable. We recommend a USB-C 2.0 cable, since you don’t need the superspeed stuff for audio. Keeping the USB 2m or less in length also helps. This input supports bit depths and sample rates up to 32 bits/192kHz.
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GUNGNIR 2
0A1234567
115VAC 30W
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POWER
7 Power switch. Up for on, down for off. Simple as that. However, it won’t work unless you have a power cord plugged in (below).
8 AC input. Connect the supplied AC cord here (or any other IEC-terminated cord is fine as well). Ensure that you’re not plugging a 115VAC product into 230VAC, though–that won’t end well.
CONTROL
9 Forkbeard port. Plug a Forkbeard module in here to enable remote control via the app, sample rate and input reporting, and more.
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OPERATION
1 Mode select. This button allows you to select inverted phase and NOS mode, to compensate for inverted recordings or to run your DAC without the digital filter (nonoversampling, or NOS, mode):
Short press: toggles inverted phase on and off.
Press for 2 seconds and release: toggles NOS mode on and off.
2 Inverted phase indicator. When this LED is on, Gungnir 2 is inverting phase. This is helpful for some recordings.
3 NOS mode indicator. When this LED is on, Gungnir 2’s digital filter is bypassed. In this mode, you can experiment with other upsampling algorithms on your computer (and probably go insane due to the nervosa, but hey, who are we to judge–go HAM on it!)
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4 Input select. Press to step through the inputs. Stop on the one you want to listen to.
5 Input indicators. These indicate the selected input. In order: Unison 192, Unison 384, optical, coaxial, AES.
6 IR sensor window. If you’re using the IR remote, don’t block this window if you want it to work. Forkbeard doesn’t care.
7 “Buy better gear” indicator. When this LED is on, this indicates if an input is out of range (high jitter or off-frequency). With Gungnir 2’s new programmable oscillators, we don’t expect you’ll see this indicator on. Ever.
8 Mute indicator. When this LED is on, this indicates that the DAC output is muted. You can unmute with the remote control or via the Forkbeard app.
Note: all controls are also available remotely via the Forkbeard module, using the Forkbeard app. Please visit schiit.com/forkbeard for currently supported platforms and Forkbeard-specific information.
REMOTE
2 3
An IR remote control is included with Gungnir 2. You may also choose a Forkbeard module for more advanced remote control, reporting, and integration.
1 1 Input select. You can step forward and back through the inputs with the IR remote. Whee!
2 Phase invert. Press this button to invert the phase.
3 Mute. Press to mute and unmute.
Changing the Battery
1. Push the remote open by inserting the end of an open paper clip into the hole in the back and pressing firmly.
3. Replace the battery inside with one of the same type.
4. Reassemble the remote by first inserting the clear LED in the front, then dropping the panel down onto the matching magnets.
FAQ
I hear hum from Gungnir 2. What do I do? Gungnir’s noise floor is insanely low, so it’s most likely a ground loop. To fix a ground loop, try a HumX or a ground loop isolator.
Hey, this thing clicks between songs/ between inputs/etc! Yes, it does.
Care to explain why, smartass? Sure. That’s the muting relay engaging when there’s no input. We went with a muting relay because it’s the best way to ensure there are no clicks or pops when the input is unlocked.
I have a version of Windows earlier than Windows 10, where do I get drivers? We do not provide drivers for earlier versions of Windows. All modern operating systems support our UAC2 compliant input without drivers.
I don’t get any sound from Gungnir 2! Are your sources on? Check those first. If you’re using a computer source, ensure that your computer’s sound output is set to go to Unison USB in BOTH your Control Panel/ System Prefs AND your player software.
Can I leave Gungnir 2 on all the time? Sure, if you want to. It won’t hurt anything.
It doesn’t turn on, what do I do? Plug it in to a different AC socket. Ensure you are not currently in a blackout. Then email us if it still doesn’t turn on.
How do I get this Forkbeard thing? You can order it with the product, or purchase a module separately at schiit.com. For the Forkbeard app, check current supported platforms at schiit.com/forkbeard.
WARRANTY
Schiit Audio warrants to the original purchaser that this product shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for five (5) years from the date of purchase. If a defect covered by this warranty occurs during this period, Schiit Audio will repair the defective product, free of charge. Date of purchase will be based on customer receipts, otherwise date of manufacturing will be used.
If you believe you need warranty service, contact us first. Schiit Audio products sent back to us without a Return Authorization (RA) will be returned to the sender without repair. To contact us and obtain an RA, email info@schiit.com.
Warranty Limitations. This warranty shall not apply if a product: (a) is modified or tampered with; (b) is damaged by negligence, accident, unreasonable use, or other causes unrelated to defective materials or workmanship, or (c) has had the serial number altered or removed.
Any implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are hereby limited in duration to the warranty period of 5 years. In no event shall Schiit Audio be liable for consequential or incidental damages resulting from the breach of any implied or expressed warranties. Some states do not allow these limitations, so they may not apply to you. You may also have other rights which vary from state to state or province to province.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
· Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. · Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. · Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected. · Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operated the equipment under FCC rules.
IN THE BOX
(1) Gungnir 2 (1) Power Cord (1) Forkbeard Module (if you ordered it!) (0) ESS, AKM, or other standard DACs (0) Standard digital filters (Various) Stickers and stuff (Infinite) Appreciation from the whole Schiit crew in San Antonio and Corpus Christi (Even more) Thanks from our chassis and PCB guys in California, Nevada, and Utah.
This product is in compliance with standards and regulations of the European Community.
ENABLED
SCHIIT.COM INFO@SCHIIT.COM
Documents / Resources
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SCHIIT GUNGNIR 2 Balanced Modular Forkbeard plus Autonomy DAC [pdf] Owner's Manual 0000, 115VAC-750W, GUNGNIR 2 Balanced Modular Forkbeard plus Autonomy DAC, GUNGNIR 2, Balanced Modular Forkbeard plus Autonomy DAC, Modular Forkbeard plus Autonomy DAC, Forkbeard plus Autonomy DAC, Autonomy DAC, DAC |
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SCHIIT Gungnir 2 Balanced Modular Forkbeard Plus Autonomy DAC [pdf] Instruction Manual Gungnir 2, Gungnir 2 Balanced Modular Forkbeard Plus Autonomy DAC Balanced Modular Forkbeard Plus Autonomy DAC, Modular Forkbeard Plus Autonomy DAC, Forkbeard Plus Autonomy DAC, Autonomy DAC, DAC |
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SCHIIT Gungnir 2 Balanced Modular Forkbeard Plus Autonomy [pdf] User Guide MULTIFORM SINGULAR, 0AGU1N11G25NV3AICR43205W67, Gungnir 2 Balanced Modular Forkbeard Plus Autonomy, Gungnir 2, Balanced Modular Forkbeard Plus Autonomy, Modular Forkbeard Plus Autonomy, Forkbeard Plus Autonomy, Autonomy |