Schiit Bifrost 2

Since the ongoing topic is currently about improving digital transfer to BF2, I'd like to share my simple yet to my ears have proven that it's at least on the realm of a very good CD transport (via USB) solution to BF2. As a portable listener, I carry my A&K SP2000 DAP with Campfire Andromeda as my ultimate portable setup.

I relegated my Bifrost 2 OG for my office setup. I use my SP2000 DAP's USB-C out to BF2's input and this setup to me yields significantly better dynamics (i.e. drums and percussion hit like a truck), more plankton, less etch in the notes or as @ColtMrFire puts it as effortless presentation than just laptop to USB. The limited UI, battery powered only and pure DAP functionality allows for Fidelizer-like optimization at all times without disturbance in the CPU cycles from other unnecessary background tasks of a full fledged OS device. The only con is that you have limited playback time at least 10 hours on USB transport playback in my case. A very important side benefit of having a dedicated DAP for portable playback indeed.

At home, I also use my SP2000 DAP as Roon Endpoint to Schiit Yggdrasil+ MIB via USB and also get the same benefit whether I'm at work or home

 

@theveterans the SP2000 must also have a good line out. Have you compared SP2000 as a DAC and the Bifrost2?

 

Quick comparison:

SP2000 line out -> More taut, blacker background, less plankton and grit so it feels the sound is simpler and more "Hi-Fi", smoother note edges, more forward but with less depth than width. Nothing special IMHO. I prefer Chord Mojo 1's line out a lot more.

Bifrost 2 -> Just as impactful but with rounder and fuller note edges, more plankton and grit leading to much better engagement factor, more depth and width.

From this comparison I truly find SP2000's reputation comes from its amp stage driving IEMs directly and much less of the line out stage. It's headphone amp side brings back the AK house sound: immersive soundstage, precise imaging, incisive yet smooth treble and finally plankton in the note edges

 

Thanks @theveterans

 

I picked up a Zen stream this weekend and, using hqplayer, did an a/b test using USB. I compared it with my MacBook Air M1 and a Windows PC with an MSI board.

Honestly, I expected the zen to blow them away but couldn't tell a noticeable difference between the three using hqplayer; maybe the zen sounded 10% better with tighter highs and lows, if that. It definitely wasn't night/day-like when I went from a modi to the bifrost. All this was listening through 800s headphones.

I'm kind of confused tbh. I think I'm going to pick up a pi4 this week, since it has a supposedly decent USB port and see if I can add that to the comparison.

Any streamer suggestions?

 

Another thought: does anyone wish to upgrade their DAC because the Bifrost is limited to 24/192? Working with hqplayer and streamer combinations, it would be interesting to hear what DSD and high sample rate would sound like.

 

Yeah you absolutely are not going to get the level of difference you get by changing DAC’s by using an audiophile streamer or delving into any other digital source tweakery. The delta is a ton smaller, and I’ve tried a lot of stuff. I get that you’re using HQPlayer and that might give you that impression, but an oversampling solution is actually more likely, in my view, to make an audible change than a hardware based solution like the Zen Stream. You’re basically manipulating how the DAC’s DSP behaves with something like HQPlayer.

That being said, if you aren’t already, you should follow @ColtMrFire’s solution with a fiber converter/FMC - relatively cheap, and you have some confirmation it works well with BF2 from this thread. Would make the most sense to use one with the ZenStream but you could play around.

 

Guys, this is the real deal. More unctuousness and the soundstage goes from 2D-ish within about 6 feet to coming forward into my listening space to dropping back a good 12ft. or so.... impressive knowing the speakers i've got don't image particularly well. Pi2aes-->YggyA2-->Freya S passive-->elekit 8600-->ANUK ANE Kit 03.

 

this makes me feel dumb & left out, and I have an irrational desire to burn some cash. What connects to what?

 

pretty dang simple... plug the 2 fiber things together with the fiber cable, plug a cat 5/6 cable from your router into one of them and then plug a cat 5/6 cable from the other to your streamer.

 

If you’re wanting to go down the rabbit hole, some of the ORFAS folk at What’s Best Forum were recommending these TeraDak ones, which basically look like they take an OEM converter and modify them with a TCXO/OCXO and provide a built-in LPS:

https://kamaudio.com/TeraDak-T-S211-media-converter

Not as bespoke at the Gustard one that was linked in yotacowboy’s Profile Post, but also probably cheaper, I’d predict.

Anyway, we might want to break off some of this FMC talk into a more appropriate thread.

 

I also see the Cisco Catalyst 2960C switch thrown around for fiber conversion. As suggested by our Smartest Friend.
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...sion-impressions-etc.13161/page-4#post-403241

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...-using-optical-fiber.12588/page-3#post-389912

 

Well I have this TeraDak converter and it’s very nice for its price. If you don’t have 5V LPS then you can get it. Works well and I never had an issue.

 

Yeah, I'll probably pull the trigger on one soon. I've got a switch with a couple unused SFP ports, just need to get a SFP module/transceiver (of which there's a bunch of nervosa about which one of those 'sound' best out there if you look for it -- lol).

 

Earlier in the thread: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/schiit-bifrost-2.8226/page-72#post-420195

 

I've been considering a DAC upgrade from my MMB2 to go with my Atticus and Cayin iHA-6. Since my headphones and amp are both very punchy, I find that the in-your-face nature of the MMB2 can push things over the top sometimes, and I also notice some of the treble glare that some have complained about, although I usually leave it on NOS mode which helps a bit.

Anyway, I'm looking around the $800 mark for the upgrade, and I was curious to know if either the Bifrost 2 OG or 2/64 would provide a less in-your-face presentation than the MMB2? I assume both would be more capable in their spacial presentation which might make them seem less forward? Also, I know people have had issues with the treble of the 2/64 too. Those who have had both the 2/64 and MMB2, which has the treble that comes across more offensive to your ears?

I'm also considering the Soekris dac1421. It's unlikely that many, if any, people here have tried all the DACs I've mentioned, but if anyone has experience with the 1421 and either the Bifrost 2 OG or 2/64, I'd really appreciate being pointed in the right direction based on my preferences!

 

@MrDave , there is a chart that @purr1n did at one point that compared the various attributes of the schiit dacs (might be in the most recent yggdrasil threads), and included the 2541 on the chart. I'm not sure how close the 1421 is to the 2541, but the chart might be helpful to try and triangulate the sound (I'm sure there are discussions of how the 2541 sounds compared to other soekris dacs in the 2541 review thread).

FWIW, I have a Bifrost 2 and purchased the 2/64 boards. The Bifrost is feeding a Bottlehead Crack and I prefer the 2/64 boards for the extra treble energy when paired with that amp. I suspect that I would prefer the OG2 boards if I paired the BF2 with a more incisive amp.

 

Is it easy to switch out the boards? I haven't had cause yet to get the original OG2 boards, I quite like the resolving power of the 2/64. But wanted to know if it is an easy or a PIA experience.

 

Super easy. You don't need to remove the cover, but it makes it easier to line up the board with the connector stand-offs on the main board.

 

it was over a year ago that I switched them out, but I remember it being dead easy... I think it was two screws, pull out the old board, push the new one in and then put the screws back.