Schiit’s Eitr 2 is a digital-to-digital converter (DDC) in a 5 × 3.5 × 1.25 in chassis: Unison USB on a USB‑C port in, and AES/EBU (Neutrik 3‑pin XLR, 110 Ω, transformer‑coupled), coaxial S/PDIF (RCA, transformer‑coupled), and optical TOSLINK out- officially rated bit‑perfect to 24‑bit / 192 kHz. Schiit sells it as Converter Only (DDC alone) or Digital Preamp – w/Forkbeard with the Forkbeard module installed; you can also add or move a Forkbeard module between compatible Schiit gear later. With Forkbeard installed, an iOS or Android device drives digital volume, balance, parametric EQ, loudness, and related functions over the module’s Bluetooth link, turning any downstream DAC (Schiit or not) that accepts AES, coax, or optical into a remotely controlled digital preamp ahead of a power amplifier. Power can be USB bus only (device enumerates as a 500 mA load) or 6 VAC wall‑wart (then USB reports 0 mA to the host, per Schiit’s spec block). The interesting split is whether you only need a clean format bridge into legacy inputs or whether Forkbeard is the reason the box exists in your stack at all.
What a DDC is doing in your rack
A DDC does not decode to analogue — it reclocks and routes a digital stream from one electrical format to another. Schiit positions Eitr 2 as a way to feed coax‑only, optical‑only, or AES‑preferring DACs from a single USB‑C output on a laptop, tablet, or phone. Schiit’s FAQ on the product page argues that if your DAC’s USB stage is already excellent, you may hear little change as a “sound quality upgrade” — the honest pitch is compatibility, galvanic strategy, and (with Forkbeard) control.
Inputs, outputs, and the optical caveat
Input: Unison USB on USB‑C, the same in‑house USB interface family Schiit uses on current DACs. Outputs: AES/EBU on a Neutrik XLR with 110 Ω output impedance; S/PDIF coax on RCA; TOSLINK specified to 24‑bit / 192 kHz. Schiit warns explicitly that 176 kHz and above on optical can be unreliable depending on cable and receiving hardware — plan on coax or AES for borderline paths.
USB bus vs wall‑wart power
Run bus‑powered and the unit presents as drawing 500 mA from the host — relevant for battery‑powered tablets and phones. Add the supplied 6 VAC adapter (Schiit asks for 1000 mA or more capability) and USB current to the host drops to 0 mA, which Schiit says can matter for iOS hosts that are picky about USB power budgeting. That is a practical North American desk detail: keep the wall wart in the drawer even if you normally run from a laptop port.
Forkbeard: when the box stops being “just a bridge”
The optional Forkbeard module is what turns Eitr 2 from a format translator into a system node. Schiit states you can order the Digital Preamp configuration with Forkbeard pre-installed, add a standalone Forkbeard module later, or reuse a module from another Forkbeard‑compatible product. Control is through Schiit’s mobile app; the company stresses no subscription and no mandatory account in its FAQ tone.
The compelling home‑theatre and two‑channel story is simple on paper: DAC → power amp with remote volume and EQ in the digital domain ahead of the DAC’s analogue section — as long as your DAC is happy being driven from one selected S/PDIF or AES input and you accept digital attenuation trade‑offs versus an analogue resistor ladder.
Who it is for (and who can skip it)
- Buy in if you own a vintage or minimalist DAC with no USB but a great coax/AES/optical receiver, or if you want AES into pro or high‑end gear without adding a dedicated streamer box just to move bits.
- Strong Forkbeard case if you want app‑controlled EQ and loudness without adding a miniDSP or AVR to the chain.
- Skip or wait if your DAC’s USB implementation is already your trusted reference and you do not need AES or digital preamp features — Schiit essentially says so in the FAQ.
Specs and warranty
- Resolution: up to 24‑bit / 192 kHz, bit‑perfect (per Schiit)
- Size / weight: 5 × 3.5 × 1.25 in · 1 lb
- Lead time: Schiit advertises ships in 1–3 days on the product page — confirm on the live listing
- Warranty / returns: 3‑year limited warranty; 15‑day money‑back window with restocking terms if you return it, per Schiit’s product copy
- Build: Schiit claims PCBs in Corpus Christi, chassis in California, full instrument + listening QC
FAQ
Is Eitr 2 a DAC or a streamer?
Neither. It is a DDC (and optionally a digital preamp controller with Forkbeard). You still need a DAC after it unless you are only passing digital on to something else that decodes.
Will it make Spotify sound better?
It will output a clean digital stream in the format your DAC wants. Whether that is an audible upgrade over USB straight into the same DAC depends on the DAC’s USB stage and your room — manage expectations.
Does it do DSD or MQA?
Schiit’s FAQ emphasises PCM and UAC 2; treat this as a PCM conveyor, not a universal format Swiss army knife.
Where do I buy Forkbeard separately?
Schiit lists the Forkbeard module as its own accessory on the accessories grid if you want a spare or an upgrade path outside the preamp bundle.
Note: Schiit ships direct from the US; international buyers should pick the correct voltage / plug SKU on the product page. Nothing here is sponsored by Schiit.
