Bifrost 4490 and Bifrost Multibit Subjective Comparison

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by The Alchemist, Feb 9, 2016.

  1. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Bifrost 4490 and Bifrost Multibit Subjective Comparison


    First I would like to start off a quote from Marv:

    “DACs are a very personal thing and preferences are very specific. It goes without saying that component synergy will play a huge role. ...... Ultimately it comes down to this: what is would we rather use X or Y, or what do we want to use today? Because personal preference does play a huge role.”

    I really like this quote because music and sound is so subjective – everyone has their own personal tastes and what they consider sounds good to them. This comparison/review reflects my own opinions (except for Technical details which are facts). Comparisons such as sound are my personal opinion. In the end, I always go by the rule that if you can listen to gear before you purchase, that is the best way to determine if you’ll like a product or not.

    First I will start out with my signal chain and gear used for these A/B Tests:


    JRiver Media Center 21 - > Schiit Wyrd -> Bifrost Uber/4490/Multibit -> Valhalla 2 -> HD800 (Z28 Resonator Mod)


    Most of us already have read or experienced the Bifrost Uber so the main focus of this subjective comparison will be between the Bifrost 4490 and Multibit. However, a quick note: There was an immediate and apparent improvement with the 4490 and Multibit Bifrost over the Uber; no measurements were even necessary, just using a simple listening test it was immediately apparent that there was much improvement with the 4490 and Multibit Bifrosts over the Bifrost Uber – and I consider the Bifrost Uber a really good DAC – so that is saying something.

    I would like you to also like to mention that I have had the opportunity to listen to nearly every Schiit DAC except for the Yggdrasil - so I have some good references to compare to (as far as Schiit DACs go).



    Let’s start out with some technical data:



    Bifrost 4490

    The Bifrost 4490 uses "32 bit" parts--the new AKM AK4490 DAC, followed by a discrete analog stage. It's the best Schiit said it heard from delta-sigma to date. For digital filtering, it uses the AK4490's internal digital filter--which one it uses I would have to ask Mike to confirm which one. Schiit explains “We just picked the best-sounding one.”

    For the AK4490, I'm putting "32 bit" in scare quotes, because, like any other "32 bit" DAC, the number of bits only refers to the internal processing bit depth, and not any inherent capability to perform at a 32-bit level. The AK4490 DAC performs at about a 19.5-20 bit level for single sine wave type measurements, which is quite good.




    Bifrost Multibit

    The Bifrost Multibit, in contrast, uses an Analog Devices AD5547 16-bit multibit DAC, followed by an op-amp I/V converter, which is necessary due to space limitations on the board. It also uses Schiit’s proprietary closed-form digital filter, which retains all original samples of music from 16/44 to 24/96, with the 24-bit formats being rounded down to 16 bits, and passes 24/176 and 24/192 on to the DAC with no filtering, other than rounding of the LSB.



    Now for some personal impressions of the Bifrost 4490

    I have to admit, I had some preconceptions about the 4490, I assumed that since the 4490 was about $200 less than the Bifrost Mutibit that it would not be nearly as good, but boy was I mistaken. Let me make one thing clear about the 4490 – it is no joke. Fresh out of the box, it sounded amazing, good resolution, decent soundstage, great attack, and a clarity that was a very nice surprise. It sounds very clean and resolving. Instruments sound natural, and it gives good instrument separation. So while the Bifrost 4490 is $200 less than the Bifrost Multibit, to simply assume it isn’t as good of a DAC as, say, the Multibit is a mistake in my opinion. Schiit yet again outdid themselves with an outstanding DAC at a great value.

    Now for some personal impressions of the Bifrost Multibit

    Fresh out of the box, I honestly could not hear much of a difference between the 4490 and the Multibit except the Multibit sounded a bit warmer than the 4490. However, after using the 4490 and Multibit for a minimum of 25-30 hours each now, the differences are becoming more apparent. Besides the warmer sound of the Multibit, the soundstage sounds a bit better than the 4490, has the same if not a tad better resolution and clarity than the 4490, and has a more “analog” sound to it. In my opinion, it has a better analog stage than the 4490 and sounds “less digital” than the 4490.


    Conclusion

    Schiit has done it again, the Bifrost 4490 and Multibit are incredible DACs for an incredible value. It is difficult to say which one the reader would prefer over the other as they have their own distinct sound signatures – gear (especially headphones) I believe would play a major role in which DAC would sound better to a particular person’s taste. A warmer sounding headphone and/or Amp may pair better with the Bifrost 4490, while a Brighter Headphone/Amp may sound better with the Bifrost Multibit.

    I will reiterate, it all comes down to personal taste, in my opinion, these are both incredible DACs and if I owned them both, I would find myself switching between them often.

    I will also say again, to dismiss the Bifrost 4490 because it is cheaper than the multibit I believe is a mistake. The 4490 really kicks some ass.

    In the end, at least for my personal taste and setup, I think the Bifrost Multibit has the edge over the 4490 – but that doesn’t necessarily mean that another person wouldn’t prefer the 4490 over the Multibit. I think sometimes we can get caught up with technical specifications and the idea of “Higher price, better gear”, but Schiit is unique in this aspect because it seems that no matter what Schiit product I have heard, they sound great for their price, and as I said before, I believe they make incredible products for an incredible value.

    In the end, my goal is that the reader takes my personal thoughts and opinions into consideration and decides on their own which DAC would be best for them and their budget. Either way, you can’t go wrong with either the Bifrost 4490 or the Bifrost Multibit – it just comes down to a matter of personal preference in taste.

    I would like to give Jason at Schiit a big thank you for giving me some technical data on these units, and for helping me with the facts in this review. (My opinions of the units however are my own).
     
  2. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    Great comparison man! This was very intriguing to read. I was planning on purchasing the Bifrost Multibit but I think the 4490 might suit my preference and my other gear better. Would you care to elaborate on the sound stage differences between the two?
     
  3. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Honestly, the soundstage on each unit are very close, maybe a tad bit better on the multibit - but to my ears, they are pretty damned close.
     
  4. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Just a quick note, but MB is actually near $200 more isn't it? 400 v 600? You said $100 above.

    Also worth noting that the upgrade from Uber is $70 (self-install 4490) v. $250 (MB). Plus, with the MB you have to pay for shipping both ways.

    Just tossing that out there. Value is key.
     
  5. Tuco1965

    Tuco1965 Suffring from early onset Alzheimer's - Friend

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    Nice comparison Alchemist!
     
  6. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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    If you could only have one which would you choose?

    Which would you say provides better instrument separation? The MB?
     
  7. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I would like to 2nd these questions.

    Additionally, one thing about the MB is the almost 3d holographic positioning and focus that it provides. Do you feel that the 4490 has that remarkable property?
     
  8. SSL

    SSL Friend

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    The multibit is $200 more than the 4490, right? The multibit upgrade is $150-180 more than the 4490 upgrade.
     
  9. Peter78

    Peter78 New

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    Thanks for the comparison, Alchemist.
     
  10. MoZo1971

    MoZo1971 New

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    Thanks Alchemist for the great work ... it will now cost me a 4490 upgrade :)
     
  11. Kevin Bryner

    Kevin Bryner New

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  12. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Great job! I can't wait to hear the Bifrost Multibit and it's great to know that the 4490 comes really close. It would be interesting to compare again if a 4497 upgrade appears on the horizon.
     
  13. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    @a44100Hz - I would have to say that the MB (On my setup) has a bit more instrument separation than the 4490 -but not by much - to me the 4490 sounds a little more natural and less warm or "beefy" but that can also be a good thing if you have a bright set of headphones and/or amp. If I had to choose one -goodness that is a very tough decision - in the end I think it might be the MB because of the warmth. I use HD800's as my main headphones and the extra warmth sounds nice with them -thus I mentioned if you have a warmer headphone and or amp -the 4490 may be a better choice. It all comes down to personal taste.

    @lm4der - See my opinion above. 2nd part to your question - The MB does have a bit better position and focus than the 4490, but not by much (again at least not with my setup and in my opinion). But make no mistake, the 4490 does a good job at this, the MB perhaps just a tad better (again with my setup and in my opinion)

    Yes to both of you - it was a typo that I will edit. Thank you both for pointing that out.
     
  14. Kevin Bryner

    Kevin Bryner New

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    @The Alchemist - it may already be known to the regulars, but what DAC do you currently use? Will you be keeping/purchasing either the 4490 or MB? I snagged both when b-stock were available and I'm glad I did. $350 for the 4490 is a crazy value, IMO.

    Thanks again for your comments!
     
  15. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    @Kevin Bryner - My current DAC is the Bifrost Uber with Gen 2 upgrade. Both the 4490 and Multibit Bifrosts are loaners. I will hopefully eventually get one or the other.
     
  16. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    Thank you.
     
  17. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    So where would the 4490 be placed on the chart?
     
  18. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    It would most likely be colored blue for great value and probably placed rather close to the multibit but above the uber
     
  19. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    Were these connected with usb, optical, or coaxial? Plan on doing any measurements?
     
  20. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    USB through a Wyrd according to the first post.
     

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