Looking to downsize from Gungnir Multibit. Options?

Which is still a Bifrost with a different DAC module.

 

Which only makes up like 80% of the DAC's sound .

 

Yeah, but it still is a Bifrost - same chassis, power supply, etc... you could make your original Bifrost into 4490 or Multibit any time. And it's going to stay this way.

 

Bifrost Multibit uses a different output stage because of space constraints however, so the DAC module is not the only thing that changes between different Bifrosts. Of course you could cram together the 4 current Bifrosts, but the fact is that they will sound different and we have made up names for them even if Schiit hasn't. Although Schiit has advertised upgradabilty for the Bifrost, space constraints will probably limit its upgradability compared to that of Gungnir Multibit of Yggdrasil. Not that anyone is left wanting more though, the three of em' already sound great for the money

 

By the DAC module I meant the whole board, which also includes the output stage. I agree about the space constraints, but I think Schiit made the right compromise there. Not sure what else could be done, but enlarging Bifrost doesn't make sense either, as it would get it to a Gungnir territory (and I don't need a larger DAC to be honest).

 

Yeah, a Bifrost Multibit with upgraded output stage would be awesome, although we normies don't know how Schiit will solve the space constraint problem.

 

I don't even feel bad about the current design. That AD8512 precision I/V converter looks pretty great and I'm not sure the fully discrete implementation would offer any substantial benefits. Could be an important check mark for some audio purists, though. But there are more expensive offerings available to alleviate that.