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Schiit vs. Mytek vs. Chord - looking for some thoughts

Looking for some thoughts on the following DACs:
1. Schiit Bifrost 2 Multibit
2. Chord Qutest
3. Mytek Brooklyn DAC+
I’m mainly interested in RedBook and DSD hi-res playback. I’m not looking for sacrifices in redbook in favor of hi-res. 
Has anyone compared any combination of these side by side? What are the sonic characteristics of each and compared to others? What DAC would you choose and why?
Thanks in advance!

128x128audphile1
naimfan
166 posts
 
@jeffjazz  - Thanks!  I just posted a thread on upgrading from an Exposure 3010S2 CD; Schiit looks to be a possibility. 
Post removed 
jeffjazz
114 posts
 
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/life-after-yggdrasil-watering-the-ash.4036/p...

Check post #1096.  Running single ended this guy says get the Bifrost 2. This guy has listened and compared most of the big buck dacs on the market.  He must have deep pockets to do this obviously! Me not so much! I think there is a thread there devoted to the Bifrost 2.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
4,376 posts
 
I will share my thoughts and how I landed with the Qutest.
My decision was based on the comparison I conducted in my own system.
I had an opportunity to compare 4 DACs:
1. Mytek Brooklyn DAC+2. Chord Qutest
3. Bryston BDA-3.14 (streamer DAC, used purely as DAC).
4. Bel Canto DAC-3 (my current DAC at time of this comparison). 
I am running Roon Core on Mac Mini with Qobuz and my library of CD rips in AIFF, with the Wireworld Starlight USB cable.
To not indulge too much into details and cliches...I’ll try to make it short...

1st place - the Bryston BDA-3.14
2nd place - the Chord Qutest
3rd place - the Brooklyn DAC+4th place - the Bel Canto DAC-3

The Bryston just lays this amazingly solid foundation, has better separation, slightly more relaxed sound, bigger soundstage.

The Qutest with warm filter is not far behind, trails the Bryston slightly, and I mean slightly, in that lower end solidity and gives up a bit in the stage width.
A/B-ing the 2 DACs reveals these nuances, however, super close and the Qutest for the money is amazingly close to the Bryston for less than half the price.

The Mytek is a lot more forward sounding than the above 2 DACs, less depth, less width, not as dimensional in its presentation, appears to be a bit more dynamic but only because it is more forward sounding. it puts you on the stage with the band, instead of in the audience. This results, depending on the quality of recording, in listening fatigue. I ended up turning the volume down more often than I wanted.

The Bel Canto (just sold it) is a very nice DAC, but back when it was designed, it was geared mor towards using the coax, toslink and BNC. The USB input isn’t its strongest feature, and for hi-res streaming it lacked qualities that were strengths of the other DACs, and could not match the resolution of the other converters.Keep in mind, this is what I heard with my ears, in my system with my gear.

Unfortunately I was not able to try Schiit Bifrost 2 and I’m sure it is a great DAC.

As a side note, I am trying out a DH Labs Mirage USB cable now and it took the cutest up a notch in every respect.

Hope this helps someone in their research, but take it for what it is...my ears, my system, etc.
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