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

Atlplasma · « **Reply #140 on:** 27 Oct 2011, 09:20 pm »

So far I've played a fairly wide range of genres, and the Bifrost has handled everything quite well. I don't have a high end dac for comparison--just my budget Pop pulse--but the Bifrost is looking like good bang for the buck.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #141 on:** 3 Nov 2011, 03:05 pm »

We've had some discussion on the sign up sheet thread about shoot outs with the DACiT, and perhaps other DACs in the price range. The DACit claim to fame is designed by Peachtree and it uses a Sabre chip. Other contenders might be a KingRex UD01 PRO DAC at $349, Citypulse DA2.03e II at $599 is a bit high, Fostex HP-A3 at $400, Burson DAC 160 not sure about the price, is the DacMagic still in contention? What are your nominations?

srb · « **Reply #142 on:** 3 Nov 2011, 04:57 pm »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 3 Nov 2011, 03:05 pm

The DACit claim to fame is designed by Peachtree and it uses a Sabre chip.

Although the DAC-iT may very well be a contender in the <$500 DAC arena, the fact that it uses an ESS Sabre chip is not necessarily a claim to fame. The 9022 chip, while acknowledged a price vs performance leader (~ $1 in quantity) in its class, was designed for line level output applications in Blu-ray players, CD/DVD players, set-top boxes, digital TVs and game consoles.

Featuring a 2VRMS line-level output and only requiring a single 3.3V power supply and a few passive components, the 9022 is also used in the NuForce uDAC-2 for $129 (and the uDAC-2SE with asynchronous USB for $249).

Steve

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #143 on:** 4 Nov 2011, 01:45 am »

Quote from: srb on 3 Nov 2011, 04:57 pm

Featuring a 2VRMS line-level output and only requiring a single 3.3V power supply and a few passive components, the 9022 is also used in the NuForce uDAC-2 for $129 (and the uDAC-2SE with asynchronous USB for $249).

Steve

Yes Steve, kinda like I was talking to Ed about, not the best chip perhaps, but perhaps the best chip for that application. And that these days it's more about the application than the chip per se, e.g. power supply, analog section, op amps, etc. make a larger impact on SQ than one chip or another. That's my impression from hearing some of the higher end DACs and music servers, not a gospel on budget units for sure, so what's your feeling on that?

srb · « **Reply #144 on:** 4 Nov 2011, 02:33 am »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 4 Nov 2011, 01:45 am

And that these days it's more about the application than the chip per se, e.g. power supply, analog section, op amps, etc. make a larger impact on SQ than one chip or another.

I totally agree with that. Taking it a step further, having met and worked with the guy that was the hardware engineer at the Burr Brown Demo Lab in Tucson a number of years ago, I also learned how crucial good PCB layout was for optimum performance of digital circuits.

You could have two DACs with the same circuit design as well as identical parts for the digital section, analog section and power supply, and the better board layout would have better performance, specs and sound.

Steve

eclein · « **Reply #145 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 12:01 pm »

I purchased my unit (which I still have not received) through a friend who is a dealer. Schiit apparently has not shipped any units to dealers with paying customers choosing to deliver to the direct sales first. I have cancelled my order. They are now sold out of the first run and who knows what further delays await. I am really bummed out because I believed in this little company. I cannot believe they considered people who bought their product through a dealer as a lesser customer. No Schiit for me!

Atlplasma · « **Reply #146 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 12:36 pm »

There are definitely having a bumpy rollout. But as one of the buyers who actually received a unit (non USB), I have to say that the Bifrost is a stellar DAC for the money.

jtwrace · « **Reply #147 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 12:43 pm »

Quote from: srb on 4 Nov 2011, 02:33 am

Taking it a step further, having met and worked with the guy that was the hardware engineerSteve

Ah ha I knew you had to be involved in something very technical in this world. You seemed to know too much.

bladesmith · « **Reply #148 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 01:51 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 9 Nov 2011, 12:01 pm

I purchased my unit (which I still have not received) through a friend who is a dealer. Schiit apparently has not shipped any units to dealers with paying customers choosing to deliver to the direct sales first. I have cancelled my order. They are now sold out of the first run and who knows what further delays await. I am really bummed out because I believed in this little company. I cannot believe they considered people who bought their product through a dealer as a lesser customer. No Schiit for me!

That makes no sense from a marketing stand point, you ordered it, it should be sent out as a "first come, first serve" bases..

I haven't been responding to the thread like many others, I was reading it and waiting for some reviews to see if I would like to try one myself..

Hope everything works out for all, good luck..

V..

JohnR · « **Reply #149 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 02:00 pm »

Quote from: eclein on 9 Nov 2011, 12:01 pm

I purchased my unit (which I still have not received) through a friend who is a dealer. Schiit apparently has not shipped any units to dealers with paying customers choosing to deliver to the direct sales first. I have cancelled my order. They are now sold out of the first run and who knows what further delays await. I am really bummed out because I believed in this little company. I cannot believe they considered people who bought their product through a dealer as a lesser customer. No Schiit for me!

Ed, what is it that you are looking for exactly? It's just a DAC.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #150 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 02:53 pm »

Here's my post on another thread regarding this unit, hopefully I'm not being too self serving posting it here, but I think it fits on both pages.

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 9 Nov 2011, 02:50 pm

A couple thing about small business. The first and foremost driver is cash flow, they've likely reached a saturation point in the market with their headphone amps, spent a lot on development, and the fastest generator of cash is full price sales direct. Dealers are paying wholesale and getting at least 30 day terms. Pro bono review units will generate sales in the future for sure, no question, but zero money now. When you're trying to make a payroll this week you get pretty darn short sited. I'd make exactly the same decisions.

eclein · « **Reply #151 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 03:43 pm »

John its a DAC with optional upgrade possibilities for any future changes in the architecture. Follow me..the DAC is made so the 1) DAC segment and 2) USB segment are upgradeable for a small price down the road to replace a snap out, snap in board. So if technology changes- which it usually does- each part of the DAC is made to be swapped out for $100 replacement board. So the price is low, the DAC apparently sounds excellent and in the future if I wanted to upgrade I don't have to buy a new DAC just a new board for $100.
Its a great idea and one that would have been perfect for me because of my situation, even being totally disabled I could snap in and snap out a board, feel involved, and if I end up in a nursing home or worse I'll be able to have some nice equipment to listen with and change around a little. Its not to be for me so I'll rethink as I always do..

My guy who I bought it from pre-paid for his order, my order etc....

JohnR · « **Reply #152 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 03:59 pm »

Ed - the thing about technology changing is that it always changes in your advantage. In a year or two, the "same" thing will be available better and cheaper. If you're hung up about a specific item, then you've bought into the marketing. That's just the way it is.

eclein · « **Reply #153 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 05:03 pm »

John you are probably right and sometimes Schiit happens when you least expect it. Apparently the unit is shipping after all that, I was told maybe, then no, now yes....will see what Schiit sticks to the wall.

Sorry guys if this is true and it is shipping and confirmed I will delete my post if you want Letitroll, John?

JohnR · « **Reply #154 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 05:09 pm »

I didn't see anything that needed deleting - it's just a discussion.

I'm just trying to provide some perspective

highfilter · « **Reply #155 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 05:35 pm »

My USB Bitfrost shipped 5 days ago and will be here next week (live in Canada). I'll be comparing it to the Tranquility SE on a Mac Mini, if anyone is interested.

I bought it for a second system, but will be comparing it in my main system to see how much Schiit it can take.

genjamon · « **Reply #156 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 05:46 pm »

I'd love to hear about that comparison, Highfilter!

eclein · « **Reply #157 on:** 9 Nov 2011, 05:51 pm »

John...no your right and this time the marketing did get me. I always get like a kid at Christmas when cool stuff is due in. So 90% of my despair was that little kid going "Schiit, its not happening". But you are right John...I bought in, all the way from the company name on up....thanks John for the perspective.

eclein · « **Reply #158 on:** 12 Nov 2011, 02:28 am »

Its 11/11/11 and still no DAC so I'v decided to use the funds for something else, maybe later I'll get some Schiit but not this time around. I have heard all very positive things so I'm sure I would have picked well....I can pick Schiit, I just can't get it....LOL..

S Clark · « **Reply #159 on:** 12 Nov 2011, 03:23 am »

I feel your disappointment.

They have a good idea with the upgradeablity.