Bifrost 4490

Does anyone have any input on this variant? It's supposed to be "better" than the former Uber version, but I've seen very little talk about it since all of the focus has been on the MB version.

I'm curious how close this comes to the MB.

I can't afford $600 for a DAC, but I might be able to swing this and then save up for the upgrade in the future if I think it's worth it.

 

For what its worth, I asked this question in the "shoutbox" and Marv said it is pretty awesome.

 

4497 is coming!!! only one week.

 

Link? I haven't seen anything about it.

 

should be unveiled at CES

AK4497

 

Ah, okay, but if/when Schiit decides to implement it is a whole other story, I assume...

 

The AK4490 is a very good DAC chip. As usual, the implementation / circuit around it will have a large impact on how it performs. For its price point, Uber is a good implementation.

 

My friend just bought a cheap Chinese DAC, Xmos+4490...for $50. I've heard it for a few times, it ain't good...

correct: fixed some typos. I should say it ain't no good...

 

Lol what were you expecting for just $50?

 

Can't complaint for this price. Actually my friend has never heard any other DACs, so I told him: "this is pretty good, let's rock!"

 

I have a AKM4490 DAC (http://mirand-audio.dk/?product=ak4...ort-discrete-diffse-shield-pcm-filter-setting) with very good power (digital & analog). The discrete IV he built is one of the best DAC IV's I've ever heard. Stellar. The DAC implementation around the AKM4490 chip is top notch too. I'll bring it along to Denver meets in a bit so others can hear, but for a DS DAC, it's exceptional.

 

It would be interesting to know what filter (of the 5 that are built into the 4490 chip) Schiit chose.

I have heard Mr. Rogers dual AK4495 based dac and would place that ahead of the Bifrost Multibit for overall sound satisfaction.

I am curious as to how good the Bifrost 4490 might be with a very good usb bridge feeding it. Anyone want to loan me the dac? I have the bridge.

 

Can you educate me a little here? Why would I choose MB over 4490? What are the supposed superior sound characteristics? I know it's "supposed" to be better since it's $200 more and all, but what's the reasoning for this?

I know MB is all the rage, but really don't have the technical understanding to know why that's the case.

 

One bit of education might be in Chapter 17 of the Schiit Bible, er,.................... story linked here

There are more bits of dissing of DS around the web, and you will have to use your bud, Google, to find them. But in reality it may not be as bad as one might surmise. You can have good DS and poor DS and you can have good non-DS and poor non DS.

I'll leave it to those more knowledgeable of the math for filters and the inherent digital manipulation involved which highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, but in the end, I usually rely on my ears. And they have told me there is goodness to be found in both camps.

 

Oh, and just because I enjoy seeing other people brains hurt as badly as mine usually does

when trying to make sense out of the "logical" side of this hobby, here are some additional lite reading links:



Link on the math, follow Idiot Savants posts, if you can......

Link of DS benefits

And finally a link on the AD side of the equation for some balance

Let me know when you have it all figured out.

 

LOL, just check the the EAR DAC (which is high on Marv's chart), WM8741 (this chip is pretty cheap) multi-bit delta-sigma, price=nearly $6k.

 

Just sent in an order for the 4490. I've had the Bifrost Multibit loaned out to me for a couple days back when it was first released and it was great to listen to. Great sense of space, timbre more natural, sublime imaging and layering. However, instead of spending the $250 (+shipping), I'd rather save for the Gungnir Multibit and have an endgame DAC I can live with for a long time.

Anyway, thought I'd allocate my funds to an amp first, so my Gungnir Multibit plans are now put on the backburner. And I figured that I'll just stick to the 4490 upgrade in the meantime. I'll write up my impressions when the board comes this week.

 

I hope Schiit uses the "original sound" filter which has high fidelity, accurate staging similar to the cheaper AKM chips. Checked on the Grace M9xx which has a 4490 but is less resolving than the MM 2U stack. The "powerful sound" filter (the default F1 on the Grace) sucks.