Schiit (MultiBit) Bifrost

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by FlySweep, Oct 2, 2015.

  1. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Compile of posts on HF regarding Manhattan Project.

    Mike:

    "Funny you should ask -- I am taking a long look as we speak of alternative filter algorithms for "The Manhattan Project". This is a completely new and unprecedented audio component. We already have a running prototype of "The Gadget" (absolutely hair-raising) but have yet much software to try. It can be frustrating, as this device has NO precedents for audio. But then again, neither did the first pre-Theta stuff 30+ years ago."

    Jason:

    "I think Mike will approve of me disambiguating The Gadget a bit, if for no other reason than to salve any consternation about "hey, wait a minute, I just bought a Yggdrasil/Gungnir Multibit/Bifrost Multibit, are you guys working on something else?"

    1. It is not a DAC.
    2. It is not an ADC.
    3. It is not a superultramegaWyrd.
    4. It is not a DSD combobulator.
    5. It is not a disk spinner.
    6. It is not a server.

    It is, however, a digital product. Beyond that, I can't say."


    Jason:

    "And it is not another USB-SPDIF converter, nor another class D amp, nor another room correction system, nor another digital preamp.

    We're calling this development The Manhattan Project. As in, never been done before. Components like The Gadget simply have never existed. It is not another anything. As Mike said, this is an undertaking of a magnitude similar to creating the first standalone audio DAC."


    Jason:

    "I also see this as being fundamentally different than saying:

    1. "We're going to be doing this Ragnarok thing with these kind of specs, and here's a rendering," then ending up being 2 years late.

    2. "Check out the sexy photos of this new Lyr, we plan on shipping them a the end of the month," then ending up being a couple of months late.

    Some things you can expect from us:

    1. We'll always be developing something new. Always. As in, always. However, many of these experiments won't go to market.

    2. Most of the time, it will be a fairly recognizable product. In The Gadget's case, it is not a product that can be likened to other things.

    So, when Mike mentioned it, I felt the need to disambiguate (look it up) and reassure everyone that this wasn't gonna be some crazy DAC at 3x the Yggdrasil's price, or a better DAC than Yggdrasil at 1/8 the price, or anything like that. The DAC line is solid. The digital filter is not in flux. Everything is as it should be in DAC-land. Cool?"
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2015
  2. GoldfishX

    GoldfishX Facebook Friend

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    Note to self: When using JRiver as a media source, make sure the output mode settings have the Schitt driver selected and not the primary sound driver.

    I thought Bifrost Multibit sounded kind of flat today, before I did that. Now we're rocking again.
     
  3. JewBear

    JewBear Almost "Made"

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    Thinking about selling my Bifrost Multibit. It's a bit too warm for my tastes. Especially with the LC coming it may be too much for the types of headphones I like.

    Is the Gungnir Multibit bright like the modi or just neutral?
     
  4. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    I am in a similar situation. What headphones are you using JewBear? HD650 with Bifrost Multibit & Valhalla is good. Really good. However, it can also seen a little too warm at times. It would be interesting to hear what HD800 would bring this setup...
     
  5. JewBear

    JewBear Almost "Made"

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    Currently, I'm using Fostex TH-600. The Bifrost Multibit really makes them euphonic, with a lot of sub-bass. I'm going to get some Blackwoods soon, and will probably pick up some prefazor Audeze at some point.
     
  6. SKiring

    SKiring Friend

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    Same type of analog undertone, still more euphonic than the Yggi, definitely a good bit more slam and stage than Bifrost Multibit and more leaning towards neutral. I wouldn't say the difference are as much as when I went from my Hugo to the Bifrost Multibit. Though the HDVA600 is a good bit "DAC deaf" so I'll need to do a test if and when I can add the Copperhead to the chain.


    Is that the Val1 or Val2? I think Val2 should be great with Bifrost Multibit, it's the Val1 that might be a bit too warm overall. In my audition my modded HD650 and modded HD800 sounded excellent with the Val2 + Bifrost Multibit. Of course YMMV. :)
     
  7. JewBear

    JewBear Almost "Made"

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    So, who wants to talk to my fiance about why I need the Gungnir Multibit?
     
  8. nedifer

    nedifer Facebook Friend

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    All I can say is do your buying before the first child arrives... Your general liquidity (not to mention your allowed discretionary spending) will plummet after that.
     
  9. joeexp

    joeexp Don't ship this man FD-X1 ever

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    I switched the Bifrost Multibit off for a couple of hours by mistake; And would you believe it - the weird sample rate switching problem started again ….
     
  10. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Somehow this makes more sense to me - this would seem to imply it's warmp-up as opposed to burn-in. The idea that burn-in would do this seems odd to me, although I can't back that up.
     
  11. Tuco1965

    Tuco1965 Suffring from early onset Alzheimer's - Friend

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    Well that's interesting. Do you have many hours on it? I remember Mike saying that it should go away after 100 hours or they want to hear from you. Mine was an upgraded Uberfrost and fixed itself early on.
     
  12. blackships

    blackships Friend

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    Mine's been on constantly for about a month, but I have problems switching from 16 bit to 24 bit. A switch in either direction leads to a high-pitched squealing until I cycle the inputs. I sent Schiit a message, but haven't heard back.
     
  13. SKiring

    SKiring Friend

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    Mine got fixed a few days ago after turning it off, taking the power out and then turning it on again, just for a few seconds. It was off a few minutes yesterday when I brought it over to a friend of mine for some auditioning fun. Still gone, so for me after keeping it on for weeks and it being my primary DAC for everything, it was that, that fixed it.
     
  14. Tuco1965

    Tuco1965 Suffring from early onset Alzheimer's - Friend

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    I definitely suggest rebooting the Bifrost Multibit if this affects anyone.
     
  15. blackships

    blackships Friend

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    I'll give that a shot this evening.
     
  16. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Val 2, stock tubes. Do you find your HD800 increases the resolution of the setup? My instincts tell me it won't. I am starting to think even HD6x0 'out resolves' Bifrost Multibit...
     
  17. audiofrk

    audiofrk Guest


    If you want to make those headphones sound neutral you need a Hugo. Trust me you won't notice the collapse in sound stage or loss of detail.
     
  18. SKiring

    SKiring Friend

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    Definitely more resolution or at very least detail retrieval than many things within it's price range. That said it's no Yggi or Gungnir Multibit in that sense. Though I do feel that a more resolving amp could work here, but considering my main is the HDVA600, it's not known for its huge resolution either.

    I don't feel that it was that big of a difference on my setup when auditioning the Gungnir Multibit, same with the Val 2 (I don't own one myself), but as always ymmv is at bay.

    Personally before changing my DAC I'm interested in testing it with the hopefully soon to be released Copperhead. If the impressions give me anything, it's that it would probably be an excellent combo.
     
  19. PerfectAnalog

    PerfectAnalog Acquaintance

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    Is there a reason why we don't see waveform comparisons of DAC outputs to compare them?
    Wouldn't a waveform of a multibit bifrost side by side with an uber bifrost into a 300ohm load make pretty clear marketing material?
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    HD6x0 will outresolve Yggdrasil with a proper amp.
     

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