Schiit (MultiBit) Bifrost

Yeah, I plugged mine in and started A/B-ing right away. That was a very bad idea, I can say for sure now

 

One more stupid question:

Also, anyone here that uses Mac use software audio upsampling to 96 KHz ?
Like this: http://archimago.blogspot.ca/2015/11/measurements-apple-mac-os-x-yosemite.html

Or is it better to leave it at 16-bit 44 KHz ?

 

Not on MAC, but I feel it sounds better to just use WASAPI or ASIO to determine what the file is at native. But that could easily be placebo, I probably won't be able to A/B that haha. I do have it on 192KHz and specifically 16bit for other sounds but that's mostly because of this passage:

Somehow, if my subjective impressions help in anyway, native 176.4/192khz tracks seem more relaxed, more effortless? Again nothing to back it up so a big YMMV for this entire comment, haha .

 

Using Bifrost Multibit's NOS mode (176.4/192khz) is not really recommended. You don't want to bypass the Bifrost Multibit's mega combo burrito digital filter - that's what gives it the magic. Well that plus the multi bit DAC component, but that filter really is magic sauce. Keep your Redbook sample rate native and let Bifrost Multibit do its work.

 

Thanks! I use WASAPI in regular listening on my Foobar so that is always native. However I just went through all modes in the Windows tool and 96KHz works best for DirectSound it seems, it actually sounds better (huge YMMV here again haha). And with 44 or 48 there was even a sort of distortion. Sadly in Windows you can't turn off DirectSound unless the music player has ASIO/WASAPI support, which most streaming audio players don't have (Deezer and Tidal at very least).

 

In the original Bifrost (2012), some reported improvements over a 200 hour period, with most improvements being in the 24-96 hour period.

Schiit recommends leaving it on 24 hours a day, btw.

 

I wonder if the distortion you heard was what a few of us encountered briefly when first listening. A reboot cleared mine up.

 

This is not true. Only the DAC has to have ASIO or WASAPI support. If you install the Schiit USB Windows driver, then you can set the Default Windows Audio to be Schiit DAC, and then all players will use that.

 

Reboot and removing USB fixed it, that was the case, back to 44KHz so it's not upsampling anything, it might resample the few tracks at 48KHz but that's probably not a problem, thanks!
Now tested with 2 laptops and my main PC, just keep it to default would be my best advise. And use WASAPI or ASIO in a player if you're listening to 48KHz, 96KHz or anything else, so DirectSound isn't resampling (if you believe that there is an audible difference). I don't detect any sound differences between 44 and 96KHz (in the Windows Driver and DirectSound) after listening critically. Thanks for the reboot mention!

This is essentially how Windows works: http://i.imgur.com/H2w9MMN.png here it picks the driver that is being used, in this case my DAC. Now DirectX, specifically DirectSound is in control of whether or not it's sampling the file, you can see that in Properties > Advanced here: http://i.imgur.com/V2dOAIQ.png. So let's say I'm using these Default settings then every file now being passed to the DAC is in 44KHz, 16 bit. Which is native for most Streaming services. If you listen to a track that's 192KHz for example, Windows will resample that to 44KHz. Now if you edit this to let's say 96 KHz, essentially DirectSound resamples everything audio to 96KHz and passes it through to the DAC.

Essentially what your Audio/Video player does by using a WASAPI or ASIO plugin is bypass DirectSound and directly allow the DAC to pass the track through, without software intervention, in it's original form, be it 44KHz or 192KHz. So there's no resampling. This also means no system noise, nothing in your OS is touching that signal, a full bypass if you will.

Keep in mind that whether this makes any audible difference is up to debate, I just prefer to know that my file is untouched, even if we're passed the whole Windows NT Kernel 5.x debacle that started ASIO in the first place.

 

This is exactly what I thought, nice to get confirmation. Thanks !

 

Quoted from @baldr from the one of the Schiit Threads on HF.

Wow. Is this the future of the megacomboburrito filter? Is @schiit going nucular?

 

I have read some comparisons where it was mentioned that the DACs' differing analog output power might have contributed to comparatively leaner/fuller or more/less detailed sound when mated to a mutual amp. Guessing that's where volume matching comes into play(?).

So I looked up the Schiit DAC specs:

Modi2: 1.5V RMS
Bifrost: 2.0V RMS
Gungnir Multibit SE: 2.0V RMS
Gungnir Multibit BAL: 4.0V RMS

For those who have heard the Bifrost Multibit and Gungnir Multibit (both SE as well as balanced), does it make sense to pay the 2x premium for the Gungnir Multibit more so if going balanced, due to how (I've read) they sound pretty close when connected SE?

I have the Liquid Carbon on order (delayed again!) so that complicates my decision, but I think the smart money is on Bifrost Multibit.

 

Ordered a Bifrost Multibit for my office rig. I couldn't justify putting Gungnir Multibit in there, for the size and the warm-up time (plus I'm fine with less resolution/warmer sound sig). I'm looking forward to seeing the improvement with my USB tablet/Bifrost Multibit vs from my DX50 lineout.

Am still choosing between Gungnir Multibit/Yggdrasil for home, will probably try to offload some gear first and decide from there.

 

Bifrost Multibit rocked my world, I'm confident you'll be impressed.

 

You guys are getting too Science Channel for me -if it sounds good that's good enough for me .I try not to think about variables and little nuances unless it is very apparent. When I try to think about things in terms of sound too much I stop enjoying the music or sound and focus more on what imperfections are there. I experience this a lot when recording/mixing.mastering. Some tracks I have mixed and mastered literally 80 + times because I keep finding things wrong with it, things that would probably be unnoticeable to some listeners. Now of course there is a difference between a $500 setup and a $5000 setup, but I try to be happy with what I have and try not to focus too much on specs and technicalities and try to just enjoy the music. But it is nice that there are people like the members here that inspect, measure and enjoy doing this with gear - it helps people like me make informed decisions on what might be best.

 

I'm beginning to wonder if the Bifrost Multibit is going to actually be a good pairing with the Liquid Carbon. I find the Bifrost Multibit incredibly syrupy (coming from the Modi 2). I've also heard the Liquid Carbon being described as Syrupy. I wonder if it will be overkill. Maybe it would be better to pair it with another Schiit amp.

What are your thoughts?

 

Not quite syrupy for me, but I will say the USB direct sounds a bit richer than my perception of neutral.

I can see how you might feel that way though, when tuning the system around the Modi 2. For me the AK4396 based modi 2 was a bit too bright and a bit thin. What I am finding really interesting is how the Bifrost Multibit performs via coax in and a usb bridge. I have lots more to try in this space and have a Bryston bridge coming from a friend.

I'll hear if the Bifrost Multibit scales with it as compared with the less costly Halide bridge that is quite nice for now.

 

I hate to be a stickler, but can someone define the level of "syrupy"? As in, bloated bass? Poor separation? Lack of resolve? Or just not up to the level of a Yggdrasil/Gungnir Multibit?

Sorry, it's one of those terms that I really don't associate too much with a lot of my digital audio setups.

Also, in anyone's opinion/wild guess, is it something that can be assisted with a Wyrd?

 

Yes syrupy is not one of those audiophile words that gets used a lot, so the definition might be fairly broadly interpreted or absent from a particular vocabulary. I will not speak for JEWBEAR but what I hear is heavier vocals, a roundedness to string overtones and more thickness to bass notes. This may or may not be alleviated by choosing much higher level USB cable. Or different analog cables, as this can change the sound of the system moreso than dacs in many cases. Tone controls if you will.

There is a purity of tone though that is beguiling with the Bifrost Multibit and bridge though.

Not sure of what the Wyrd would do. My experience with it was mixed.

 

I do not feel there were noticeable changes from around 48 hours. Most changes were in the first 1 to 24-48 for me.