Schiit announces a fully upgrade-able DAC for $449- Thanks ted_b

eclein · « **Reply #120 on:** 17 Oct 2011, 12:50 am »

So guys the DAC has started to land, the non USB ones and folks are slowly but surely about to explode with excitement. I have read every single post, review, mini review, weenie review, all, and not one, not one negative word about any aspect of it...at all....period.

I would think that is a good sign, but hey, I could be wrong....LOL...

roscoeiii · « **Reply #121 on:** 17 Oct 2011, 01:16 am »

These impressions largely over at headfi? Or are there impressions you've found elsewhere?

eclein · « **Reply #122 on:** 17 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm »

Head-fi- 90%
other spots and friends- 10%

Really the only place info is consistently posted about it is head-fi, I'm just trying to let folks here know, and honestly, I'm pumped and don't want to be the only one...LOL...
I'm trying to share the fun......

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #123 on:** 17 Oct 2011, 02:11 pm »

I haven't been able to find a review yet, just speculations. The most complete info is on the Schiit site. As I understand it they are shipping all the orders first before review samples so no pre-reviews in the Mags or Ezines. I could be wrong.

eclein · « **Reply #124 on:** 17 Oct 2011, 02:21 pm »

I am so sorry, when I use the word review I see now I'm using it incorrectly. I have not seen any formal reviews in mags or anything like that. I'm talking about informal reviews written up by folks who have received the item used it for several days and wrote up a mini informal review of it on head-fi or something similar. I apologize if I mislead anyone in anyway. I will try and write in more detail what I mean in the future.
Basically a whole bunch of folks have started to get the units, put them into they're system and then posted their impressions on head-fi etc... that is what I meant, I am sorry.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #125 on:** 18 Oct 2011, 04:39 am »

No, that's what I thought you meant. I assumed the reviews would be on the last pages of the Head Fi thread so I missed them. I was going to ask you to link where you saw a review, mini review, impression, whatever we call them, then I just did the legwork and mined through the pages until I found what you were referring to.

To give a synopsis of what the early adopters wrote, greatly expanded depth with a minor extension on soundstage width, concurrent with what I would expect that to signify, more stable images. Sound was both smoother and more detailed with a lower noise floor than whatever they were running. All in all exactly what I would want in a new DAC, I'm just going to order one I think.

eclein · « **Reply #126 on:** 18 Oct 2011, 07:07 am »

The thing that hit me was that everyone who received a working unit had positve first impressions. Not one person said anything negative....thats surprising to me especially from the head-fi crowd which is generally a pretty diverse bunch of folks who aren't afraid to speak their mind.

eclein · « **Reply #127 on:** 25 Oct 2011, 08:24 pm »

I found this posted at Head-fi today from Jason at Schiit:

Hey all,

Another slight delay on shipping USB--we want to make a minor firmware update on the delivered boards. We'll be shipping in a couple of days. And yes, I know, I'm starting to sound like a broken record . . .

All the best,
Jason

By the time this DAC gets to me it may be outdated....just some more SCHIIT!!!!

S Clark · « **Reply #128 on:** 25 Oct 2011, 10:07 pm »

Jason told me 9 days ago at the RMAF that the USB would ship last week, most on Tues. and Fri at the latest. There are other very good options out there and very exciting new stuff all the time. I heard some really nice dacs in Denver. We will see what happens in the very, very near future, but I've just about had enough of this sh... It's not the delay, it's the misinformation.
Scott

Atlplasma · « **Reply #129 on:** 25 Oct 2011, 10:08 pm »

Received my Bifrost (non USB) and playing it now. Sounds very nice so far.

S Clark · « **Reply #130 on:** 25 Oct 2011, 10:11 pm »

Quote from: Atlplasma on 25 Oct 2011, 10:08 pm

Received my Bifrost (non USB) and playing it now. Sounds very nice so far.

Please update with details and comparisons as soon as reasonable. What does it replace?

eclein · « **Reply #131 on:** 25 Oct 2011, 10:14 pm »

Now we are cookin!!!!!!!

Atlplasma · « **Reply #132 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 12:00 am »

Quote from: S Clark on 25 Oct 2011, 10:11 pm

Please update with details and comparisons as soon as reasonable. What does it replace?

I have a Pop Pulse 1796 DAC that is good up to 24/196. It's a budget DAC for sure, but I've always been pleased with the sound. I use a Mac Mini with solid state drive and 8 GB as the source. Playback is through Pure Music. I went with the RCA version since I have an M2Tech adapter, and the Bifrost allows upgrading if I ever want to make that change.

I use a battery-power Dodd buffer for volume control and source selection. The amp is a new (to my system) McCormack DNA 0.5. My speakers are Salk SongTowers with ribbon tweeters.

I've played several high rez (24/196, 24/176, 24/96) recording, and there is nothing to complain about. I want to do some A/B testing with one of my neighbors on board. She is an audiophool as well and can help me to assess sound quality.

Steve

Atlplasma · « **Reply #133 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 02:45 pm »

Okay. Here are some initial impressions. (Forgive my awkward use of audiophile terminology.)

I'm listening to Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert (24/96) and hearing a crisper high end with more distinct notes. Notes seem to hang on for a longer duration. The overall presentation is a little more authentic.

eclein · « **Reply #134 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 03:21 pm »

Awesome...keep it going if you can, notepad, jot down anything unique you hear as rough as you want to write it. Then just present it here as is...we can all relate-I guarantee it!!! Thanks Atlplasma!!!!

S Clark · « **Reply #135 on:** 27 Oct 2011, 06:01 pm »

Sad to say that I cancelled my order for the Bifrost dac today. The 2 month delay was not a problem. Being told face to face that they would ship 10 days ago is the problem

. I am sure that they will be delightful, but I'm going in a different direction. Perhaps I'll look again at them after they are in production.

Scott

roscoeiii · « **Reply #136 on:** 27 Oct 2011, 07:13 pm »

Posted on headfi by Jason Stoddard of Schiit:

"Hey all,

Final update on USB: WE BEGIN SHIPPING TODAY!

Sorry for yelling, but it's a great relief to finally get these out the door. I expect a few will go today, many will go tomorrow, and all backorders will be cleared up next week."

I am still of the opinion that shipping esitmates be regarded as such. Estimates of the best guess of when something will ship. Certainly newer manufacturers are learning not to make too many of these, or to make them too early, considering how much can bog down the production process.

S Clark · « **Reply #137 on:** 27 Oct 2011, 07:34 pm »

What can I say, I have similar timing in the stock market as well!

jtwrace · « **Reply #138 on:** 27 Oct 2011, 07:44 pm »

Quote from: S Clark on 27 Oct 2011, 07:34 pm

What can I say, I have similar timing in the stock market as well!

Jeff Ward · « **Reply #139 on:** 27 Oct 2011, 08:56 pm »

Got my non-usb version yesterday. Sounds good so far, but I haven't done any real critical listening.