Schiit (MultiBit) Bifrost

I don't think we have any measurements that reliably tell the story. At least not yet, people on this site are working on that. We can measure jitter and all this stuff, but it can't really show what will sound best. I believe it is the case that even laptop dacs _measure_ ok.

 

Will Copperhead be such an amp?

 

Here's a question for those that have experience with Gungnir Multibit and Bifrost Multibit.

If using single-ended, is it worth going with the Gungnir Multibit, or should I just get the Bifrost Multibit?

 

What Rig have you got at the moment?

 

Have a look at these posts:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...tem-synergy-special-sound.54/page-3#post-4895
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...tem-synergy-special-sound.54/page-3#post-8918
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...tem-synergy-special-sound.54/page-4#post-9105

 

Currently my amp is Project Polaris, will be upgrading probably to a WA6-SE in the near future. Headphones are HD650, HE-500, ZMF Blackwood.

 

What DAC did you come from previously? My own "HOLY SCHIIT!" the detail metal moment was being able to clearly discern that Bill Steer multitracked the leads on Symphonies of Sickness on headphones for the first time when I switched my HD 650s from the ODAC to an Modi 2U outputting ASIO. Previously that was nearfields only detail for me.

Rust in Peace is the worst one too as Mustaine lost some of the tapes so to change it in any way other than making the original CD master louder and fiddling with an equalizer, he had to rerecord voices and guitars.

The amount of metal remasters that sound good is so small. Actually better than the original LPs and CDs? The Morpheus Descends and Demilich boxed sets (the clipping was on the original mix tapes). Most of the Earache "Full Dynamic Range" stuff aka "we just dumped the betamax/DAT mixes to wax/redbook and didn't touch it except for Realm of Chaos as that sounded like crap to begin with." That's about it. The Judas Priest, Megadeth, and Death remasters were all horrible. Slayer actually has random mastering errors on the current CD of Reign in Blood.

 

My DX50 has been my primary DAC (Wolfson-something in it) at my workstation and my Sony HAP-S1 at home. Clear winner over the DAC in the Sony, which made everything kind of flat/boring/inoffensive. Not a fair comparison with the DX50 (I feel like the lineout port was starting to go on it anyway), but massive improvement as far as texture and definition go. Again, the drums and the bass are immediately noticeable improvements over ANY DAC I've heard. I'm actually enjoying some electronica for the first time in awhile (nothing amazing, just kind of chilling out to it).

 

If you're taking suggestion: I advise not to spend your budget on WA6SE, find another better amp for its price point.
I own the regular WA6 (stock), heard the WA6SE (stock) couple of times at stores and in meets too, and the only immediately noticeable improvement from reg->SE is the power put into the music, as in everything are louder (with the same volume knob position) and that somehow makes the musics a bit livelier.
Improvements: yes; worth the price spike / added desk space: no.

 

I've seen some black Yggies and Gumbies floating around...what's the story behind those. I want a black Yggdrasil.

 

Forgive me for using the law term... but it has been asked and answered. Using the balanced inputs on an amp produces a very small difference compared to the RCA inputs, assuming your dac is capable of it (except in the cases of certain amps). But to answer your question, balanced or SE shouldn't be a factor in determining what dac you should get. Impressions on SBAF generally say yes; the Gungnir Multibit is worth it over the Bifrost Multibit. A few here, including Purrin, say that the DS gungnir is better than the Bifrost Multibit in certain areas.

It also depends on what headphone and amp you're using. Maybe your amp or headphone isn't resolving enough to take advantage of the Gungnir Multibit to begin with. Or maybe the warmth of the Bifrost Multibit will be better in your system. More information would help us in giving you an informed decision.

Edit: read this thread on Balanced topology if you haven't.
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...nd-better-discussion-for-noobs-and-boobs.733/

Edit 2: I realized that I'm not qualified to really answer, since I've heard neither the Gungnir Multibit nor the Bifrost Multibit..

 

I bought the Gungnir Multibit to use single ended and it's been great. I do prefer it's balanced out, but I'd buy the Gungnir Multibit based on the DAC characteristcis, not based on it's balanced or not output.

 

I just upgraded from Bifrost Multibit to Gungnir Multibit, after just over two weeks of enjoying the Bifrost Multibit, and I have to say it's worth every penny!
Beg or Rob a Bank if you haven't got the money!

There is some magic happening with the Gungnir Multibit!
It's just so much more engaging.

 

Not to get into a USB-enhancer discussion (I know there's a thread for that), but are people finding much if any difference between USB, coaxial, and optical input? Are most people's impressions via USB input for these multibits?

EDIT: asking specifically about any perceived difference based upon input type to Bifrost Multibit/Gungnir Multibit. Trying to decide if it's worth getting a decent coaxial cable to connect to CD-based source vs. computer-USB.

 

A

Ahhhhh. Damn you man!

"KAHNNNNN!!"

 

Damnit, stop making me poor.

 

hi guys, about the resampling, we could try HQplayer + DAC in NOS mode, this player uses its own FPGA filter. Don't know HQplayer vs Mike filter which it's better...

 

Well, with all the research and development that went into creating the closed-form filter, I would suspect it to be better. SBAF impressions where they compared using the filter to using even high-quality filters (by today's standards) was all in favor of the Megacomboburrito filter

 

I hate to say it @JewBear but I have just done the same thing and have come to a similar conclusion. Gungnir Multibit and Val2 with HD6x0 is blowing my mind right now. Resolution and sense of space are definitely a few notches up. Bifrost Multibit is fantastic for the money though.