Schiit Bifrost 2

No

 

Yes...
...is my answer, though I gave @Hooncake a like for his “no”.

 

I am currently using a Gungnir Multibit Analog v1 (without Unison USB). I was planning to upgrade to unison USB but the Unison board plus including shipping back and forth of the Gungnir would already cost me $600. Would it be better to simply by a Bifrost 2 or still get an upgrade for my Gungnir Multibit Analog v1 to Unison USB?

In terms of preference of sound, I actually do like the dark and lush vocals of my Gungnir Multibit Analog 1. I really do appreciate the new design of the Bifrost 2 that it is completely modular and easy for upgrade and flashing new drivers. Sometimes it really feels bad when the cost of shipping for my location is double the price of the Unison USB board.....

 

I look at it this way...Gungnir has separate transformers and power rails for the digital and analog side as well as discrete analog stages. This will always keep it a cut above Bifrost 2, although BF2 is probably more refined DAC, it is now more what it should and a cut above Modi Multibit.

 

You forgetting one thing: Gungnir performs better via BAL Out by most owners. If using RCA only, BF2 much better value IMO.

 

I decided that for my purposes, more was to be gained by investing in a non-usb source for my Gungnir than an upgrade to unison. If faced with your costs to upgrade, it would have been even more of a no-brainer.

 

Thank you for the useful information. I actually really like the current combo of Mjolnir 2 + Gungnir Multibit because pairing with headphones like Utopia. It adds a slightly more organic tone, analog taste and coloration to Utopia.
Few days ago I demoed the DCS Bartok with Utopia. It sounded ultra detail and technically perfect. However, it sounded slightly on the digital side and things are slightly too dry for my taste. That's why I finally understand somethings there is always a trade-off in the signature. I actually found myself enjoying my music more with the Mj Gungnir Multibit stack with all the coloration, more than the Bartok technically tone.

Yggdrasil is currently one of my options as well because I can save up and do an ultimate upgrade to Yggdrasil A2.

I was also investigating into other sources to avoid the USB. Such as the pi2AES. However, USB is still the most convenient and easiest source for me. As playing the tracks from Audrivana and managing all the files on a PC. Trying to avoid the USB would eventually add multiple boxes of converter. That is why I am really happy that Schiit came up with the ultimate solution for majority of the users, that is the Unison USB.

 

Since you’ve got the Utopia, the thought of enjoying what you’ve got while aiming at a Yggdrasil makes sense to me. For me, Yggdrasil unravels true timbre of everything in an “alive “ space that has to be lived with to believe.

 

Is the Bifrost 2 going to sound darker than something vintage like say, the Sonic Frontiers SFD-1 or SFD-2?

 

No.

 

idk about SFD1, but SFD2 is definitely overall brighter than the Bifrost 2. Tubes can change the tone a bit too. If you plan on using the Unison on it, it'll even be more warm.

I can use Siemens for less "euphonic" or w/e the fk that means and for a more aggressive and livelier sound OR telefunkens for something more inline to Bifrost 2's slightly darker tone.

 

It helps if you can define what you mean by "dark" as well. I usually think of it as a tilt from bass to treble. The Sonic Frontiers DACs have more pronounced bass than the Bifrost 2. I also feel like the Bifrost 2 has something going on in the upper mids or treble that I perceive as sheen, whereas I don't get that with the SFD-1.

 

That's a good point. I had a friend lent me a Multibit Gungnir the 1st gen version and it was darker and less airier sounding than the modified Parasound 1100HD with discrete analogue stage although it sounded more detailed.

 

Is it just me or is there a slight (but noticeable) hum from the BF2 when in USB mode (and USB cable plugged in)? Please not that its not a hum in the signal but rather from the BF2 'box' itself.

Its loud enough for me to notice between songs through my open headphones.

It vanishes if the USB cable is unplugged or if BF2 is in the 2 other input modes.

MBPro -> PYST USB -> BF2

 

Read more on this site, you'll be able to answer on this question yourself.

 

Audirvana can output to a pi2AES, it's what I'm doing. I use USB for watching videos, all my digital music goes through the pi.

 

Turns out this is the 'BF2 transformer hum issue' that has been reported here and head-fi.

I have the BF2 on my desk (under my totally transformer-hum-free Lyr3) making this noise just loud enough to bug me.