Bifrost 4490 and Bifrost Multibit Subjective Comparison

Thanks. Surprised I didn't notice that.

 

Yes, as @Merrick stated in his post - USB through the Wyrd. @MLegend I can do measurements, however my graphs aren't the same as what SBAF is used to. I don't have the measuring equipment like some of our dedicated measurement Staff and members have.

 

Looks like I'm late to the party. Thanks @The Alchemist for the awesome comparison! I think finding a good b-stock or used 4490 might be the next hurdle .

 

4490 upgrade officially ordered today. Looking forward to it

 

Finally made the decision, very very nice. You will not be disappointed.

 

Yeah, saving money on the MB allowed me to also get a replacement headphone cable that I've been needing.

Win, win.

 

Waiting on my 4490 upgrade aswell ... looking forward to it!

 

sweet

 

Very nice write up!

 

Thank you @sbninja

 

Slightly off topic but if there's a difference with the Bifrost Uber should there be more apparent difference vs the Modi 2? Wondering if the 4490 would be a good upgrade

 

I've spent the past week or so with a Modi 2 Uber and a 4490. I find the 4490 more enjoyable to listen to when I'm not listening critically, but it took me a few days to train myself to reliably pick out the differences from the Modi. My initial impressions are here: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/bifrost-4490.918/page-9#post-54142 and there's a follow up post a little later in the thread.

 

I gave in and purchased a Bifrost Multibit, partially to discovering this review. Not disappointed, at all. It's great!

 

I'm curious to if the differences are closer with the updated Modi 2 4490

 

They are closer. I got a Modi 2U 4490 and compared. Impressions here: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...iit-modi-2-uber-ak4490.2290/page-4#post-59447

 

I would be curious to see a 4490+Uptone Regen vs Bifrost Multibit. I have the 4490, and the Regen made a significant improvement in my system, basically on the things Bifrost Multibit did better (instrument separation, soundstage, detail, more analog/less digital, etc)... So I am wondering now how close it would be to a Bifrost Multibit.

 

I gather that you haven't heard any of Mike Moffat's multibit creations?

When compared to its DS 4490 counterpart, the Bifrost Multibit has a different presentation. It almost apples and oranges. What multibit destroys at is presentation and cohesiveness. No matter how much you reclock/regenerate/reclusterfuck the USB input to the Bifrost 4490, you will never achieve the multibit's presentation. In terms of detail and soundstage dimensioning you might come closer, but the holographicness... sorry no can do.

 

I understand. But some actual A/B comparisons would obviously hold more water (since the Regen does improve the 4490 and the difference between 4490/Bifrost Multibit were already close/subtle from everything I've read), which is why I asked.

 

I've read that BF4490 has a bigger but slightly more diffuse stage than the more intimate and precise Bifrost MultiBit.
Similarly I've read that Gungnir Multibit and Yggdrasil, both offered bigger stage than Bifrost MultiBit. It seems that soundstage size is not one of Bifrost MultiBit stronger points.

I've read very few comments like yours saying that Bifrost 4490 "comes close" to Bifrost MB in terms of soundstage.

 

But then wouldn't you be able to use a Regen on the Bifrost Multibit and it would again gain the edge?

Or better yet use coax and bypass USB entirely.