Schiit (MultiBit) Bifrost

1000x this. Sure, you can get some other DACs, but why? Have 12 good reasons before you even bother considering other options.

 

If you want something a little bit more "fun" sounding than the Bifrost MB you could do a little digging and find a used Theta DS Pro progeny v.A or Basic II v.a. Note that I put version A because it was the last upgrade Theta did to their line of products and supposedly added dither to the burrito filter algorithm and 52 matched resistors.

I have been running the Bifrost MB for over a month and the Theta still commands more of my head time. Maybe it just has a better match with my Asgard 2? I know the Theta has a 4V output and MB has standard 2V of output. This gives my Asgard 2 more gain and a ton of mid-range and bass drive. Also Thetas were known for their Moffatt bass -- to some it might sound a bit aggressive but it makes music so addicting and exciting I haven't fussed with EQing bass in over 6 months since I got the Theta.

Yet, the Bifrost MB still sounds leaner than the Theta. I have tried my best to level match these two DACs by ear because of the output voltage difference but I am no professional. Still even when Bifrost MB is up to the "sweet spot" level it still sounds like it has less drive and more treble energy. One thing in mind though is that I find the Bifrost MB to have cleaner highs and details but I haven't narrowed it down to whether that is just because the bass and mids sound more subdued. Theta doesn't sound rolled off either and it is only an 18-bit/1-bit hybrid R2R PCM67-P DAC running in stereo.

Last tidbit, the Bifrost MB has a much better image and soundstage than what I remember hearing with the Uber. The Uber sounded congested and boxy and I played with the volume many times to solve this, and never did. It sucked compared to the Theta, so the MB is really the tits and I think it might sound better with a preamp fixed between amplifier.

 

You're definitely right on that. During my quest to try out old DACs I stumbled across an EAD-CD1000 series III which is both a pioneer stable transport and dual mono PCM63P-k DAC. I had it crap out on me twice. The first time the laser lense came out of the transport and had to be glued back on. The second time something on my DAC board shorted out and they had to add jumpers and other shit to fix it. Then I recapped it and now it sounds amazing. Still, not worth the effort and struggles. On the other hand I'll admit I payed $276 + free shipping for my Theta from a eBay pawn shop in Florida and it looked like it had never been used, not even a nick or scratch. Haven't had a single problem with it since I've owned it.**crosses fingers

So you win some and you lose some on the vintage DAC game.

 

Just received my B-Multibit today - You just have to love this thing. Great sound, super small footprint. I go with Hands' advice: enjoy the sound and stop worrying.
The enjoyment one gets from the Bifrost Multibit - priceless….



After 1 1/2 years of Hugo I am getting 3x the fun for 1/3 of the price. You can NOT beat that!

 

Welcome to the exceptional performance / price pool.

 

Can confirm this was exactly my transition. I was eyeing Gungnir Multibit first but somehow, the slightly added warmth took me over. At this price point I just couldn't resist is honestly and I can't go back...

 

Two questions to those who had the Bifrost Multibit for a bit longer:
1) When I switch to a different song with a different bit-rate, the sound goes weird.. by switching the inputs on the Bifrost Multibit it goes back to normal.
(I am using Audirvana on OSX). Is there a cure for that?

2) When playing 178/192K Audio files the Megaburrito filter is not getting engaged apparently - how do I go about playing those files if I want the filter doing its work.


Sorry for the newby questions ….

 

1. no cure on my side, one thing that works, for example, is when you're going from a 96k track to a regular flac, to first play a 192/176.4k track. Somehow it works for it to go to NOS first and then use the MB filter. So the better way is to just press the input button.

2. that's by design, 192/176.4k is always NOS. If you want the Megaburrito to work you can use resampling, but I can't really think of any other way.

 

The weird sound only occurs when changing between sample rates that switch the sample clocks such as going from 96 to 44 or 88 to 96 for example. It is also intermittent, may be temperature sensitive. Sometimes I go for days with no issue changing sample rates with impunity. Yesterday and today with an Asgard 2 stacked on top heating the BiMB below, it seems to happen every time. Always resolved by cycling through the inputs.

 

By first resampling in software, wouldn't that compromise the benefits of Bifrost Multibit's fajita filter in some way?

 

According to Mike this should not happen after about a 100 hours of run time. If it still is, then contact Schiit because they want to know. Mine only acted like that for a very short while. Power cycling mine got rid of it and it hasn't come back. I now have a shit load of hours on mine and running fine. It seems like a few are still having this issue come back though.

 

Can't say; still waiting for my gear to arrive. Gungnir Multibit and amp inbound...

But for Bifrost Multibit owners resampling might have some noticeable effect depending on whether targeting its NOS 176/192 rates or not. Unless I'm misunderstanding the concept.

 

Does the same applied to Gungnir Multibit? I mean what does Gungnir Multibit do when the song is more than 16/44.

 

I had the same issue and emailed their support. After trying everything, the simple solution (in my case) was to turn it off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. I was leaving it on and didn't think of that. Give it a try.

 

I don't think Gungnir Multibit or Yggi have NOS, so they always use the combo burrito filter iirc. Don't quote me on it, I just know Bifrost Multibit has NOS and I haven't read anywhere that either Yggi or Gungnir Multibit have it. Anyone else with more information?

 

Grr, I wish I could afford a Gungnir Multibit - but I would certainly be happy with a Bifrost Multibit though!