Schiit Bifrost 2

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by RobS, Aug 28, 2019.

  1. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Well, Gungnir MB and Yggdrasil still have better clocking schemes for the S/PDIF inputs...

    I'm using the Yggdrasil A2's SE outputs with my Lyr 3 at work (I love this amp with a Psvane tube) and all this talk about non-gimped SE output has me wondering. We all know how that's gonna end :rolleyes:.
     
  2. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's tonal balance makes it easy to match. I'd say the Yggdrasil and Gungnir have more character which make it more difficult to get the best results and synergy if you are nitpicking.

    Most evaluation was mostly done with this setup (except not with the XA25, but with the Aegir as the power amp). Note Bifrost 2 not pictured. It's been returned to Schiit.

    IMG_20190825_175338.jpg
     
  4. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    @purr1n , not to side track the thread, but XA25? Oooohhh...Compare to Aegir coming?
     
  5. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    what do you think of the pass labs XA25 amp you have in that pic? Once you reply I'll move this to another thread :)
     
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  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Not sure if I want to talk about it right now. Maybe in three months, and embedded in some thread about global warming. You can ask @julie so I can absolve myself of all responsibility since no one will believe me anyway.
     
  7. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    @purr1n any observations on warm-up time? In line with nu-Gungnir Multibit?
     
  8. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Don't be a butthead. Spill the beans.
     
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    A day? I just plugged it in when I got home and did the real listening the next day. TBH, really didn't think about it. Seemed to clear up and less PCM vintagey after 24 hours, but hard to say.

    A lot of these DACs I've had for a while don't seem to require long warm up anymore after being unplugged. It could be that I'm a lot less neurotic about gear and more into finding the right Japanese vinyl for Judas Priest these days.

    My advice these days about gear is just to have your loved ones buy you an authentic Supreme shirt, treat yourself to some dadcore sneakers, and just chill and listen to music.
     
  10. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    I love leather daddy Halford.
     
  11. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    Don't feed the neurosis. It's already been WAAAAAAAYYYYY overblown. Like USB decrapifiers.
     
  12. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I would love to hear this against the OG Beefroast I have available. If there is a loaner please count me in!
     
  13. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    @schiit would you be able to use both balanced and SE output simultaneously to two amps? I believe the Gungnir Multibit could do this.
     
  14. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    Yes, both outputs are active at all times.
     
  15. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Same boat with Gungnir Multibit A1 and Lyr 3, it's always been in the back of my mind with the claims of gimped SE output...but I got too much other shit to worry about and am just enjoying the music (now more than ever with a zero-gravity chair). Bifrost 2 is damn tempting, but I think I'll wait for a better balanced amp instead to blow my funds on.

    Gungnir Multibit resale prices are headed for imminent recession. Sucks for Gungnir Multibit owners, but fantastic to see the evolution in Schiit products without following stupid headphone industry pricing trends.
     
  16. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    Thank you for a valuable post in a thread that (so far) reminds me more of HF than SBAF.

    -----edit for piss-poor grammar-----
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2019
  17. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    @schiit, will you guys be offering the Unison card for existing Bifrosts? I doubt it, but I thought I would ask anyway.
     
  18. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

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    Many thanks to @schiit, @baldr and company for continuing to push the boundaries of what's possible in the affordable audio space. My eyes kind of glaze over at the price of most products discussed on the forums these days, so the Bifrost 2 is a welcome change of pace. I remembered reading a post from @baldr back in June (this one, on HF), where he wrote:

    "baldr: One of the cheap DACs sounded waaaaaaaaaaaaay too phucking good. This what I should know after forty some years of building DACs. I have to find out why this cheap DAC if built sounds so good. I do not believe in the engineering paranormal so perhaps I am missing out on some engineering spec. We shall see. More on this as it is revealed."

    Which naturally makes me curious. Were you referring to Bifrost 2, @baldr? Either way, I would love to hear your thoughts on the development/design of this latest iteration of Bifrost. Jason's chapter was great, but it's always cool to hear your side of the story too~
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Don't get me wrong. If you've built a system that sounds good with the Gungnir Multibit, it's just going to be a matter of slightly different or maybe a step down with Bifrost 2. If you are running balanced then more surely a step down. A maxed out setup with the Yggdrasil or Gungnir Multibit > Bifrost 2.

    And again, Bifrost plays in more straight tonally. Think Lavry DA10 in terms of tone. Some may find this too boring, may want more sparkle or upfront mids.

    Also, I imagine Unison upgrades soon (EOY) for the rest of the line.
     
  20. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    The FAQ on their site says they will offer unison for the OG bitfrost
    -----Edit for piss-poor spelling------
     

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