DAC

ClefChef · « **on:** 1 Apr 2017, 10:28 pm »

I looked at some of the eBay offerings and found Schiit Bifrost DAC main power boards on sale

EDIT: I checked eBay again and all power boards are sold out...

rif · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Apr 2017, 03:07 am »

Ok, I'll bite. How is this possible? Are they the genuine article or is someone ripping schiit off by violating their ip ?

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Apr 2017, 11:03 am »

It's probably the real price for the boards. People are shocked when they realize the final cost vs BOM ratio. Just as all first time business owners are shocked how much it costs to run the business.

ClefChef · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Apr 2017, 12:31 pm »

Quote from: rif on 2 Apr 2017, 03:07 am

Ok, I'll bite. How is this possible? Are they the genuine article or is someone ripping schiit off by violating their ip ?

Those are genuine Schiit boards.

wushuliu · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Apr 2017, 03:06 pm »

Quote from: rif on 2 Apr 2017, 03:07 am

Ok, I'll bite. How is this possible? Are they the genuine article or is someone ripping schiit off by violating their ip ?

They have to be genuine. Hard to copy to such an exact degree.

ClefChef · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Apr 2017, 03:41 pm »

Anything else we should expect?

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Apr 2017, 04:23 pm »

Well the Bifrost is a really outdated DAC by today's digital standards. I would assume a major upgrade or even a replacement product is in the offing.

ClefChef · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 Apr 2017, 05:15 pm »

I listened to it and it didn't sound outdated. Cheap and Cheerful it is then.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Apr 2017, 06:14 pm »

I didn't say it sounded bad, just no DSD or MQA. DSD is ubiquitous in newer DACs and MQA is...available, so I expect Schiit to keep up with the times. Merely an explanation of why the boards might be available now. I think it's a great find and a real bargain.

rif · « **Reply #9 on:** 2 Apr 2017, 07:27 pm »

It's not the cost of the BOM that surprises me, its that these are available at all. I mean schiit is still selling complete models at full price on their site.

Then again, I'm not going to buy these in lots of 100 off of ebay...

pinkfloyd4ever · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Apr 2017, 12:26 am »

Wow. So im confused...are all boards necessary for a complete DAC still available on ebay without buying lots of 100?

walkern · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Apr 2017, 02:21 am »

how do you switch from 1 input to another?

ClefChef · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Apr 2017, 09:41 pm »

http://m.ebay.com/itm/282419995549

rif · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Apr 2017, 09:50 pm »

Ok, it sounds like we would need 3 boards - the base board with power etc above, a dac board (normal or multibit) and a usb board for input.

But I still don't understand why they are doing this. Their philosophy with bifrost and others has been upgradability.

Quote

Future-Proof, Not Dumpster Fodder
With Bifrost, you’re choosing a DAC that won’t become obsolete when technology changes. Unlike all other DACs anywhere near its price point, Bifrost is fully modular and upgradable—making it virtually future-proof, rather than dumpster fodder.

ClefChef · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Apr 2017, 10:10 pm »

Quote from: rif on 3 Apr 2017, 09:50 pm

Ok, it sounds like we would need 3 boards - the base board with power etc above, a dac board (normal or multibit) and a usb board for input.

But I still don't understand why they are doing this. Their philosophy with bifrost and others has been upgradability.

Wrrrrrrrriiiiiiight.....upgradability means you get to toss your perfectly good boards away for it to get dumped on the open market for pennies.

If I were an owner of Bifrost I would be pissed. Cheap and Cheerful!

Doublej · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 Apr 2017, 01:10 am »

Quote from: walkern on 3 Apr 2017, 02:21 am

how do you switch from 1 input to another?

Looks like there is a push button soldered into the front of one of the boards. It's labelled SW2 and can be found slightly to the right of center on the front of the board.

http://schiit.com/public/upload/general/bifrost-4490-1920.jpg

Am I understanding the situation here?

They look like earlier versions of Schiit boaards.
You'll need to spend $60-$80 for the three boards if you can find them.
You'll need to provide your own case.
You don't get a 5 year warranty or any warranty as best I can tell.

Hmm I wonder if you can buy a Modi 2 for $99 and swap out the analog board with a Bifrost analog board from Ebay for $35 and get an earlier version of a Bifrost for $134.

S Clark · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Apr 2017, 01:35 am »

So you have to buy 3 boards, put it together, find a case in order to create a version of a couple of hundred dollar dac from 4-5 years ago?? This doesn't sound like a deal to me.

ClefChef · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Apr 2017, 01:45 am »

Quote from: S Clark on 4 Apr 2017, 01:35 am

So you have to buy 3 boards, put it together, find a case in order to create a version of a couple of hundred dollar dac from 4-5 years ago?? This doesn't sound like a deal to me.

I heard 20 years old TDA1541 dac that sounded a lot better than some modern marvels, it's all very subjective

Doublej · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Apr 2017, 12:57 pm »

Quote from: ClefChef on 4 Apr 2017, 01:45 am

It depends. I spent exactly $18.00, even found a decent aluminum chassis in one of my project boxes.
For $38.00 (two boards, no USB) you can have a decent DAC.

I heard 20 years old TDA1541 dac that sounded a lot better than some modern marvels, it's all very subjective

Can I or is one board unavailable? This could be a great deal if one can actually procure the parts.

S Clark · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Apr 2017, 03:06 pm »

Quote from: ClefChef on 4 Apr 2017, 01:45 am

It depends. I spent exactly $18.00, even found a decent aluminum chassis in one of my project boxes.
For $38.00 (two boards, no USB) you can have a decent DAC.

I heard 20 years old TDA1541 dac that sounded a lot better than some modern marvels, it's all very subjective

Ok, I'll bite. Can you provide links for access of the two boards (and I don't need 100 of them)? I could actually use an SPDIF dac, and everything out there seems to be computer related USB.