You said the main reason for Bifrost is that it's upgradable. Unfortunately it's not user upgradable. You have to mail it to Schiit and they do the operation...so you're looking at about a $350 upgrade and being without a DAC for a bit...
Any owners of Schitt Bifrost 2?
I am in the market for a Schitt Dac. One of the main reasons why I am considering Schitt because they are upgradable.
Question is the Bifrost worth the money ? Or should I buy once and cry once and buy the Yggdrasil .
In the back of mind I am wondering is the Bifrost decent but nothing special like Prima Luma .
Thanks.
I have a Bifrost 2 and a Modi Multibit. I think the first question regarding Schiit DACs and other choices is: are you satisfied with 24/192 PCM data, or do you want DSD or MQA and can that be decoded before the Schiit DAC. I have what many here call a LoFi system. I am in an apartment, and the room layout and space do not lend themselves to high end audio. Using an M2 Mac Mini for the stream, to a Denon AVRX3700 to Ascend Audio Sierra speakers with an SVS SB 1000 pro sub. Took a lot of play with the Denon to optimize for 2 channel and balance the speakers and sub. The Bifrost 2 is a noticeable step up from the Modi Multibit, but not large. In the above base, the Bifrost 2 has slightly more depth and separation. Overall sound stage is about the same. Recently, added a restored Luxman M120 for the L&R amplification and even without dialing everything in, the depth, width, and separation jumped to a whole new level. Looking to add a dedicated preamp, and stop using the Denon as a pre. Added this info to say that your environment, preamp, amp, and speakers have a lot to do with what you will hear from any DAC. Haven’t heard any version of the Yggdrasil, so can’t say if it would be better in my system. Based on specs, it is a big step up, but would that be audible in my system? All of this is to say that audio is the sum of the parts, and anybody’s system can evolve. The Yggdrasil may be end game DAC, but is the rest of your system comparable? Agree with the other posters, try a Bifrost 2/64, or at least a used Bifrost 2 and see if it performs for you and your system. Then you can decide if pushing further is worth it to you. |
I had a Yggy LiM and loved it. Then I had a need for a DAC with a volume control so I ended up with a PS Audio DS Mk 1. It's easily better as far as detail and bass weight. Music just has more presence and "thereness" (hey, I invented a new buzzword!) with the DS. I would never disparage anyone that says the Yggy is their favorite DAC, though. It's excellent. I will say that now that I've experienced the difference an I2S connection makes the lack of one on the Yggy would give me pause. Of course, your source component(s) also need one so it may be a moot point for you. |
Hi own a bifrost 2 as well. I agree with @zlone … depends on your systems weakest link. I really enjoy the sound of it. I use it with an all tube setup (Tzakaridis Aeolos Ultra) and Nola Boxer speakers (streamer is Allo digione Sig) so the bf2 adds nice detail, clarity and separation while keeping the tube sound strong. If your system is all solid state with a bright speaker then I’d consider something like a chord Qutest.
Don’t forget your source is critical so use something better than PC or Bluesound Node and use a linear power supply to clean it up. |
I would just ask yourself some hard questions. Do you get "upgrade-itis" often? If you get the Bifrost 2/64 you could use it a while, maybe later sell it or repurpose it for use in a headphone rig (if that sort of thing interests you). |
I have a Bifrost II/64 and a Modi multibit. I'm pleased with both and Schiit has a lot of value for the money. As some mentioned the Yggdrasil would be a great place to start on the high end, but I have an older CD transport with a R2R DAC (32 bit?) that to me is reference. Unfortunately it's dedicated to the CD so I can't input steaming audio, but I believe there's some modern stand alone R2R's out there. |
I have a Bitfrost 2/64 and I like it a lot. It's somewhat unique use of 4 chips to split the conversion chores allows it to perform way above its price. PS Audio recently came out with a similar architecture. But it's not end game. I plan to upgrade in the near future but I expect to pay at least 4x the price for something better. That may be a Yggi or something else. But there's always something better and costlier. |
It is probably a better idea to buy once/cry once and get the Yggdrasil.... It is a end game dac for something made in America, though it has been around for some years. The NOS mode on it is the most "ease" and "relaxation" i’ve had on my brain when listening to a very detailed DAC. Not sure why that is... delta sigma results in some doozy that mildly irritates the brain over extended periods. This is my 3rd time owning the Yggdrasil (bought/sold it twice before thinking/convincing myself there was something else better, but, there isn’t..atleast for me). These semi-illogical or poorly understood things about sound, perception and human biology don’t have anything to do with price. Try some dac that costs ten or twenty times as much and you may end up coming to the same conclusion. If you have plenty of files, you could also try running/converting them with the Daniel Hertz masterclass software before you feed it to your dac. It may be Mark Levinson’s greatest contribution to audio yet. |