A Beloved Affordable Hi-Fi Brand Just Introduced a Unique Desktop Accessory for Audiophiles

According to the brand, it can turn your old computer into “a world-class digital source.”

Schiit Audio

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By Tucker Bowe

Published April 6, 2026

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Just a few weeks ago, Schiit Audio released the Lyr 5, a desktop amplifier designed to drive high-performing wired headphones. Most interestingly, its hybrid design offers two gain modes (one vacuum tube, one solid-state), which gives you more ways to customize its sound.

The Lyr 5 costs $800, making it one of Schiit’s more expensive amplifiers.

Now, the Texas-based hi-fi manufacturer has introduced an equally nerdy desktop gadget, but one that’s substantially more affordable. Meet the Eitr 2.

Schiit Eitr 2

Black rectangular Schiit Eitr audio device with a small white LED light on the front panel, reflected on a glossy black surface. — The Eitr 2 is a digital-to-digital converter that, according to the brand, can “turn any old computer, tablet, or phone into a world-class digital source.”

The Eitr 2 is a digital-to-digital converter (DDC). It connects to your device via USB-C, reclocks the digital signal, and then outputs it to a new interface. While the original Eitr (released in 2017) only outputted via coaxial, the Eitr 2 can output via coaxial, AES/EBU, and Toslink, thus allowing it to work with a wider variety of sources.

According to the brand, it’s designed to turn any old computer, tablet or smartphone into “a world-class digital source.”

Black rectangular audio device with various input/output ports and a power switch on a reflective black surface. — The Eitr 2 connects to your computer via USB-C and can feed three separate DACs (via coaxial, AES/EBU, and Toslink), giving all three support for Forkbeard.

Add Forkbeard to any DAC

But that’s not all.

The other unique feature of the Eitr 2 is that it supports Forkbeard, Schiit Audio’s proprietary app-based platform that gives you (the listener) greater control over your system’s sound. It lets you adjust EQ, balance, loudness, and volume, as well as monitor advanced system settings.

Black rectangular audio device labeled "EITR" with a digital volume control interface showing level 48. — Forkbeard is Schiit’s proprietary app-based platform that allows you to tweak volume, balance, loudness and EQ settings.

And since Forkbeard was only introduced in late 2024, not many of Schiit’s products support it yet. To date, it’s been pretty much reserved for Schiit’s high-end DACs, such as the $1,649 Gungnir 2 and $349 Mirmir, as well as its elite components, like the $1,999 Wotan power amplifier and (most recently) the $799 Lyr 5 headphone amplifier.

With the Eitr 2, you get an affordable way to add Forkbeard to Schiit’s older product line and to non-Schiit DACs. According to the brand, the Eitr 2 can turn “any DAC into a complete digital preamp.”

Black audio device with gold connectors and a red USB stick plugged into the back panel on a reflective surface. — The Eitr can add Forkbeard functionality to any DAC.

Availability and pricing

The Schiit Eitr 2 is available now from the company’s website. It costs $149 with the Forkbeard module.

You can also buy the Eitr 2 without the Forkbeard module. Say, if you just want the extra outputs (coaxial, AES/EBU and Toslink). And that’ll shave $50 off the price.

Black rectangular audio device with rounded edges and a small white indicator light on the front panel, labeled "EITR.

Schiit Eitr 2

$149 at Schiit Audio

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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