2. amps-preamps
  3. 194720-206156

Problem with system

Last yr I purchased a Schiit Bifrost.  It worked and sounded fantastic for 5 days, then I lost dynamics and clarity.  I ordered another Bifrost  thinking it must be the dac.  But no, it still lacked dynamics, clarity.  So I sent in Bryston amp, got sent a new amp.  Still lacked detail clarity.  Sent in preamp, was told nothing wrong by Bryston.  Ordered Gungnir.    Plugged pre and Gungnir into system, still no dynamics, simply lost detail, dynamics.  Sent Gungnir back for refund.  Of course I switched out speaker wires, even ordered a cheap Cambridge integrated and Dali speakers to troubleshoot.  I tried all iteration with components. Seems to be preamp (bp6).  Anyone ever heard of a componant (in this case Bifrost dac) damaging a preamp?  I’ve been trying to resolve now for a yr. Just ordered bp19.   Thanks

 

crossfreeee
gdaddy1
278 posts
 

GPT...   suggestions

1. Source

  • What is the source device? Laptop, streamer, CD player?

  • Are you using USB, optical, coax?

  • Did you try a different source device entirely?

  • Is any kind of DSP, resampling, or EQ turned on in the OS or player (e.g., Windows mixer, macOS Audio MIDI setup, Roon, JRiver)?

  • Are you using any USB filters, hubs, or reclockers?

⚡ 2. Power

  • Has your power situation changed? New appliances? HVAC system? Solar panels?

  • Dedicated power line for audio? Power conditioning?

  • Ground loops or noise could cause dull, flat sound. Any hum or hash?

🔁 3. Interconnects / Signal Chain

  • Tried different interconnects between DAC → preamp → amp?

  • Any adapters, splitters, or cables with loose RCA/XLR connections?

🔈 4. Listening Room

  • Any change in speaker placement, room acoustics, or listening position?

  • Try nearfield monitoring temporarily.

  • Did you test with headphones directly from DAC or amp? Same result?

🧠 5. Psychological / Perceptual Factors

Not to second-guess your ears — you clearly know what you're listening for — but:

  • Did your hearing change? (Temporary congestion, earwax, fatigue?)

  • Were there any external stressors or changes to your typical environment?

  • Was the initial “wow” of the Bifrost possibly accentuated by contrast bias vs a former setup?

🧪 Next Steps / Experiments

  1. Try headphones directly out of the Bifrost or a simple amp to eliminate room + speaker variables.

  2. Test one setup in a friend’s space, or bring your gear somewhere else.

  3. Use a known-good test track you’re deeply familiar with (like a Chesky recording, or Patricia Barber, etc).

  4. Try a different DAC brand entirely (e.g., Topping, RME, or iFi) just to rule out house sound or synergy issue.

🧰 Possible Silent Culprits

  • USB power issue or grounding problem with your source computer.

  • Incorrect sample rate / bit depth setting in your source (e.g., 44.1 kHz music getting upsampled poorly).

  • Streaming app defaults (like YouTube Music or Spotify compressing the signal) — always test with local FLAC files too.

You've done all the “obvious” stuff. At this point, I'd say the clue lies in:

  • something system-wide, like power or source,

  • or a subtle configuration error (like OS-level DSP or volume attenuation).


ghdprentice
7,863 posts
 

Sorry to hear all the trouble you have had with your system. I haven't heard of a DAC compromising a preamp. 

 

It would be great to see your system and see all its components. It is much easier for us to make an informed estimate of possible problems. There is a place under your user ID to create a virtual system. This would be really helpful. 

1bitsoul's avatar
1bitsoul
7 posts
 

Based on what you have shared, one can deduce the Bryston BP6 preamp is assumably the most likely culprit, as you’ve systematically swapped DACs, amps, speakers, and cables with no improvement.

A subtle or intermittent fault (e.g., degrading component, connection issue) might have been missed by Bryston’s initial tests. Their “nothing wrong” conclusion suggests basic functionality (power, signal pass-through, no gross distortion) was intact. But, they might not have tested for nuanced issues like dynamic range loss or subtle frequency response changes under your specific setup (e.g., load, input voltage, duration). Specifically XLR/RCA voltage changes.

However, power issues or system interactions can’t be ruled out. I'd start by removing the BP6 completely to confirm, re-test with a clean power source, and push Bryston for a more thorough evaluation. That would be step 1, and then move to whatever the outcome of that would be.

If you can share more details—exact amp model, speakers, connection types (RCA/XLR), or if bypassing the BP6 helped, it would be helpful.

Best of Luck!

 

dinov's avatar
dinov
859 posts
 

Just a long shot, but check the drivers, especially the tweeters in your speakers. Perhaps one or more are blown or there is an issue with the crossover. Good luck. 

mark200mph
398 posts
 

I second having your ears looked at. It may not be all of it but can be some of it.depending on your age hearing can change.an audiogram if there is minimal wax in the ear. I have cleaned alot of wax out of ears and patients were very greatful they could hear much better. I also like sounding out the room with a mic .enjoy the search.hope you find a solution soon cuz it can be frustrating.you probably changed rca xlr as well.

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