Schiit (MultiBit) Bifrost

I think that's true. However, there are things that you learn to notice such as frame rate (just try going back to 60hz from 120/144 hz after a month). I do think we learn to perceive audio differences in the time domain.

 

I think the HD650/Vali2/reDACted3 combo will be end-game level for most if not all non-enthusiasts based on impressions from SBAF members

 

Very true. Though its something to keep in mind when reading reviews.

This is one area where a reviewer like Marv is super valuable. Since one set of ears has evaluated so many DACs, and they've all been placed relative to one another, it's possible to compare the DACs your ears have heard and create a more solid (though far from ideal) frame of reference.

 

I know I can't wait. I just hope it is as good as the GOV2 so that I can ease my OCD a little and get a matching DAC for my Vali 2.

 

/r/headphones is an odd place atm. It has always been objective leaning, but a lot of the more reasonable people (like you and myself) are either moving onto being more active in the discord chat or SBAF without as much interaction with the subreddit itself. I haven't posted a review there in months due to the frequent arguments people seem to get into over whether a DAC makes a difference, how end-game an O2 is, or how the X2 is the absolute neutrality. God forbid you have a reasonable subjective opinion on there nowadays.

Now we have Z-reviews being toted as amazing because he did a biased/non-blind A/B test and said "I don't even think this is better than the already perfect ODAC."

The subreddit is getting this weird attitude that they need to validate your purchase for you.

 

I never thought about it this way, ie comparing the concept of poor eye sight to hearing. We're very used to correcting eye sight, but correcting hearing only happens when you go deaf and need a hearing aid (which suck compared to glasses). This may be why some people (including myself) struggle to hear differences in A/B testing, but still believe that they are aware of differences during normal listening. Perhaps my hearing isn't "sharp" enough to A/B well, but I still get the gestalt of the better image.

 

As far as I know, the ability to notice time queues isn't affected by hearing loss just like havng poor eye sight doesn't impede one's ability no notice high frame rate. So yeah, even someone who can only hear up to 10Khz will probably be able to discern a difference in imaging.

 

Probably right. Though is it surprising that an insular group of men inside an already insular group of (potentially) lower-than-average confidence men would behave in a manner that perpetuates self congratulatory confirmation bias?

 

I would like your comment, but I believe reddit to be the public-facing portal for Anonymous and don't want to irk them. reddit is best, as are all the people who post there and own O2/ODACs

 

To be dead honest, my comparisons were that it was hitting above it's pay grade of $600 as opposed to highly regarded (and overpriced) Hugo, QB9, LaVoce etc. And that I was able to hit 14/20 in an A/B test with switching as we went in a relaxing setting against my ODAC. http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...chiit-multibit-bifrost.105/page-19#post-12661, I never bashed anyone for not hearing it, I merely try to understand if it's inexperience, different chain incapable of showing said differences or genuinely not hearing the subtle cues. All of which are legitimate reasons. I do sincerely hope that no one misunderstood my little comment as being bashing, I merely subjected that there's more to it than just going at it. That's literally what I learned and I've been doing blind A/B for some time now. I enjoy it frankly.

Thing is, It's a bit weird when someone takes 3-4 different sound signatures and calls it the best thing they've ever heard every time, it's not belittling him but it kinda kills off whether I should hold that opinion to any value (frankly I don't). There's a reason I always end everything with imo, my opinion or how I feel.

@Colgin
There's a good reason I liked your post before, it's valuable that you weren't even able to tell the differences sighted. This is one of the few people I've seen here or even when bringing my Bifrost Multibit along to my friends. Hell and that's a perfectly solid test, whether the differences are so apparent that you don't want to A/B or they're so small (maybe inaudible sighted) that there's no reason to do A/B. I don't think A/B is any form of end it all and should be weighted as much as it regularly is. There's so many variables to take in account. There's a good reason that I do mine in a different way, switch as you go, easy listening and repeating, someone switching the cables and preferably with another person. And even then it's never a flawless test. I like the full scale of both, A/B if needed and sighted to learn the experience as you would normally do at home.

 

Oh sure, just call me out on the table like that.

 

Schiit, I guess I am never, ever going to hear any differences then.

 

I have had the Bifrost Uber for a long time now, and I heard an obvious difference between that and the Gungnir Multibit. Now that is has been a while since I heard the Gungnir Multibit, I am used to the Uber again - hoping to get the chance to listen to both the 4490 and MB versions and compare all 3 at once.

Just keep in mind I can only tell you my personal experience - when it comes to spending $$$ on gear, I always think the best thing to do is try before you buy if at al possible. Different people have different headphones, amps, etc that are in the chain.

 

Sounds like a great example of getting "too wrapped around the audio axle" as someone here put it once. If I have to train and study in order to appreciate a $600 DAC, that sounds less like "I'm having fun with my gear" and more like "my gear is having fun with me".

Also, note that there is a big difference between "not hearing a difference" and "not being able to articulate the difference". That is the definition of critical listening. As you acknowledge yourself, critical listening isn't generally necessary to perceive differences.

Good thing we all are such good critical listeners. All those people posting head-fi "impressions" threads, exceptional critical listeners as well.

No kidding.

 

Yeah, but... reasons.

 

Ah, well, the Gungnir Multibit is off the table. The question is whether to stick with the Uber, go to 4490, or just go straight to MB.

I've heard the MB and loved it, and I feel like it is more open and transparent than the Uber, BUT...my audio memories of the MB are a couple of weeks old and fairly unreliable at this point.

I'm really hoping you get a chance to compare all three. There's a real shortage of 4490 v MB comparisons out there.

 

Shit, at the end of the day, I still highly enjoy the HD800 out of my iMac and don't find it much different from the HD800 out of my Asgard2/Uberfrost.

 

I can totally see this happening if you're listening as background music rather than focusing on the audio.