Schiit Bifrost 2

Another check in since upgrading the firmware on the BF2. Since the fw upgrade this DAC has performed flawlessly. Not one hiccup, period. And now after an extended listening period, I couldn't be any happier or more impressed with it. The price/performance ratio is just insane.

Judging other DACS that I've owned in a similar price range, the bf2 trounces the competition. Comparing the bf2 against the likes of Gungnir Multibit with an EITR, I'd still take the bf. Because: I prefer the bass response, footprint, black color option, price, similar/same performance of both SE and balanced outputs and the overall tonality of voices and instruments. Hell, I didn't even mention user upgrade-able firmware and the very impressive Unison USB.

This bf is a serious player in the market. I love how schiit undercuts the competition and raises the bar on what a dac at this price should sound like.

 

I have an original Bifrost. I wanted to upgrade to a Gungnir Multibit. It appears that the new Bifrost is at the same level as the Gungnir Multibit. Should I wait until the Gungnir Multibit upgrades to Unison or just get the new Bifrost

 

Sorry for lack of info.
I use a Melco n100 server/streamer. ISO/Regen with lush usb cable from Melco to ISO/Regen and solid USB into Bifrost. Tom Evans Vibe and Pulse 2 PS pre amp,Both upgraded.
gamuT D200 Mk3 power amp. Harbeth Super HL5plus speakers.
I do not use headphones.
After getting the Melco I realised that there are significant improvements in sound quality to be had. That is the reason I am looking to upgrade the Dac.
I listen mainly to rock ( blues ), classical, jazz and electronic.

 

Has anyone who lives "overseas" received their FW update microSD card? I was reminded that I haven't yet received mine while reading Jason's latest update on crapFi.

 

If you haven't gotten your MicroSD card, contact [email protected]. They were sent a few weeks ago.

 

I've already done the update and don't really need one. It'd be a waste of postage and resources. Was just wondering what the timings were on overseas deliveries and if anyone outside of CONUS had received one yet.

 

I've been waiting 3 weeks for a pair of XLR PYST from the Dutch distributor so I expect nothing from them

 

@schiit : did you notice some of the BF2 had a narrower than normal aluminum cover?
Mine is definitely narrower than the gray steel bottom enclosure, which looks a bit odd when stacking the Lyr 3. Looks like it has cheeks.

looking at others pictures, the aluminum top plate is at least flush to the bottom case, if not wider, like on the Lyr 3.

 

Nope, that shouldn't be a thing. Contact [email protected] if you have cosmetic issues.

 

Pics or it didn't happen...

 

Here are the pics.
It's quite hard to see in pictures (and it's not grossly off either in real life, just enough to be noticed).

 

Andro Gold

 

Replaced Modi 3 D/S +Eitr in my desktop computer setup. Fed through a Gilmore Lite mk2 which sounds fantastic with HD600 and I'm now rediscovering my neglected HD650 as well. The Bifrost 2 brings more dimensionality and less "rounding", as well as other comparative characteristics that have already been described by others. This combination sounds very clean, dynamic & satisfying. The only annoyance, which doesn't bother me too much, is the clicking noise heard when changing sampling rate. Might be an issue if you have a playlist that really mixes up 44.1k & hi-res tracks.

In terms of cost it's quite a step up from the base Modi 3 which I would still recommend as a no-brainer for $100. All things considered I felt it was a fair upgrade cost to get similar performance as my Gungnir Multibit (which will remain connected to a disc-spinner and Lyr 3).

 

The clicking is a mild annoyance, but losing the first fraction of a second more so. Guess this can't be helped if your player is set to gapless and the new track has content right at the beginning. I only have this issue with my test track playlist, so not a biggie.

 

One thing I like about Roon, you can set a delay for when there's a sampling rate change. I thought fb2k could do it too, maybe it was a plugin.

 

I let my new Bifrost 2 warm up for about an hour before listening and my initial impressions are:

1. I definitely prefer this to the Topping D70 ( which I bought on a whim, wanting to test a random Chinese DAC w/ak4497). The D70 is very clean and neutral, but has less mid-range body and ever so slightly bright top end.

2. I don't know how much of the sound can be attributed to the Unison USB or to the super combo burrito filter, or the analog section tuning in general, but even after 1 hour, this DAC sounds really f'ing good.

3. I'm 90% sure I prefer this presentation to the Gungnir A2, which I felt gave up some tonality for greater clarity. I think the B2 sounds much richer in presentation with less need to synergize components, similar to the OG Gungnir MB, but this feels, initially at least, like it's more resolving, fewer DAC chips be damned.

Edit: these impressions are through the SMSL sp200 THX amp. I've heard the massdrop 789, and this sounds more or less identical.

 

Interesting. This is not a balanced amp right, the XLR-4 is just for convenience? Are you using RCA or XLR for inputs?

 

it is not a true hardware balanced amp, but you still get the noise cancellation benefits of using balanced connections
Initially I'm using the RCA outputs on the Bifrost. I think I recall Jason saying that the XLR outputs are 6db hotter or something like that. I couldn't find it in the specs. But performance-wise, they are supposed to be identical. I am going to use the balanced inputs in a couple days.