Schiit Bifrost 2

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by RobS, Aug 28, 2019.

  1. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    Seems to be USB based and new card... These are the only 2 common things from all the people that have posted here and there.
     
  2. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    We're looking into it, even though we haven't caught anything in standard testing (and all Bifrosts, and all cards, are tested on all inputs, for all typical systems, before shipping.)

    If it's a glitch that's fixable, and not system-dependent, then I'm sure it's just a firmware update to take care of it.

    To determine system-dependency, check with a different computer/streamer/tablet. Does the problem go away? Then it's system-dependent. Those kind of glitches can be difficult to nail down, especially if they're related to non-well-supported players outside the Roon/Tidal/Qobuz/Spotify/Apple/Amazon ecosystems.
     
  3. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Installed the new FW on my OG BF2. Quick NOS impressions:
    • Red Book bass sounds sloppier/floppier on NOS, treble loses sparkliness
    • 24/88.2 track has slightly less sloppier/floppier bass, treble loses less sparkliness than the same track downsampled to 16/44.1
    • Megacomboburrito Filter wins
     
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    Last edited: Aug 10, 2022
  4. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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  5. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Can someone compare a 176.4khz or 192khz track in filtered and NOS mode? Shouldn’t have a difference but I wanted to see if anyone thought it was audible
     
  6. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    Of course it will sound different--the filter runs at 8x, not 4x.
     
  7. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    I only have my office laptop with me right now and due to sensitive information that it has I can’t insert micro SD card in my laptop. Will Schiit be able to help me by sending the card at my home address that I can use for firmware update?
     
  8. ext1

    ext1 MOT: Jupiter Audio Research

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    It seems to have fixed it for me!! Thank you so much for the quick updates!
     
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  9. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    Yep, if you ordered a Bifrost 2/64 or an upgrade recently, just contact us and we'll send you an SDcard.
     
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  10. Oaudio1

    Oaudio1 New

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    Can I expect an improvement in tonality of the Bifrost 2/64 after a burn-in period?

    I've owned the Bifrost 2 for several years and I'm very familiar with it's particular sound which I love. However, I recently purchased it's replacement the 2/64 and find the sound rather sterile and harsh. I also keep the unit powered on all the time. By the way, I have not changed a single thing in the pathway other than replacing the old with the new. I also have not used NOS or inverted phase. Any thoughts?

    UPDATE: I just did the 8/11 firmware update and hope that resolves my current issues!
     
  11. Wilewarer

    Wilewarer Almost "Made"

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    I think the 2/64 upgrade sounded better after a day or two. Who knows whether that's device burn-in or just brain burn-in. With a card upgrade, mind, not a whole new box.

    I wouldn't have described it as sterile or harsh at any point. I think the AD card was harsher. It sounds brighter to me though - that works well with my stuff, but that could be what you're hearing. Give it a few days and see?
     
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  12. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    I've not run into the sample switching issue, all my music is 16/44.1

    I did update the firmware with today's release though, and it still sounds just as good as it did before. ;)
     
  13. Regaet

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    Initially, I was hesitant to upgrade as my system is single-ended, and I wasn't sure how much benefit I would get from the upgrade. I was very happy with the sound I had achieved with my Bifrost 2 but Jason said he was using it and it was an upgrade in his single-ended system. So I thought I can always send it back for a refund if I don't like it so I ordered it. At first, I thought there was more detail and bass but it had lost that smooth natural sound I had before the upgrade and at 24 hrs I thought I might save $300.00. Next listen was 36 hrs and it had smoothed out and was sounding natural, detailed, and spacious......... It has continued to improve and tomorrow it will be a week and I am very impressed with the improvement of my system / it's worth every penny to my ears!!!!
     
  14. Oaudio1

    Oaudio1 New

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    I want to make it clear that I am very familiar with my Bifrost 2, Where I notice the greatest difference with the 2/64 unit is with video (mkv) files while watching a movie. I am using the optical connection for video as I had with the Bifrost 2. Nothing has changed other than swapping one unit for the other. The old unit was clean and clear in the upper registers with absolute transparency. The new unit still sounds harsh and less focused and this is with the new firmware. I am hoping all of this is just lack of burn-in, but time will tell. Thanks for your replies!
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    That would be funny if folks modded the Bifrost 2/64 to go back to the old AD821* opamps for betterer sound. :(
     
  16. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Drugs are bad, lol.
     
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  17. Oaudio1

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  18. Oaudio1

    Oaudio1 New

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    It must be noted that my comments below are ONLY in reference to the optical/toslink connection. This also means in reference to video ONLY.

    I find the new Bifrost 2/64 a mix bag when it comes to what it offers. Initially it excites with what I am hearing...greater dynamics and a more robust bass. However, what is lacking is the clarity or transparency that I experience with the Bifrost 2. The Bifrost 2/64 upper treble sounds hardened, blurred, hazed, or rough are my best descriptions. Lastly, my only changes have been swapping out the old with the new unit for comparison. Could these issues be changes in DAC chips?
     
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  19. internethandle

    internethandle Almost "Made"

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    Different strokes for different folks. There’s nothing wrong with being happy with the OG BF2, so stick with it, IMO - selling or returning the 2/64 card shouldn’t be hard.

    It is difficult to say “why” you don’t like the new card. You have a pretty specific use case (movies it sounds like, when the DAC was likely tuned by Mike and Dave/others at Schiit while listening to music), so that could be it. Other reasons likely just come down to your own particular sonic preferences and synergy with your system.

    Oh and sure, the card sounds different from the first card mostly because of the differences in sound between the AD chips and the TI chips, with the op-amp changes likely being next in line. The AD chips tended to have a “sparkle” in the highs vs the TI chips (at least with A2 vs. LIM in Yggdrasil, although you’re the first I’ve heard have issues with the highs in 2/64, and the “tone” imparted by the power supply in BF2 also plays a role). This, to some ears and in some cases, could sound like “clarity or transparency,” I suppose.
     
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    Last edited: Aug 14, 2022
  20. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    considering the backlog in chips needed to make the 2/64, they would probably be more than happy to accept returns to fill out waiting orders
     

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