[starkiller]

Wrote to Jason about the unit as I was thinking about buying one and he gave me a shipping date of early December, "most probably", and that they might go the Emotiva route and go strictly direct, no dealers...

[Sonny]

Any news on this Schiit?
I would like to know...was going to place an order, but with all these comments, I don't know now...
Anyone actually received one? how does it sound?
T

[Atlplasma]

I gather the big hold up is with the USB version. I've had the non-USB for a few weeks and am very pleased with the sound quality.

[highfilter]

Any news on this Schiit?
I would like to know...was going to place an order, but with all these comments, I don't know now...
Anyone actually received one? how does it sound?
T

My USB version should be here within a few days. Tracking confirms it in Canada and passed customs, so it's close! 

[Sonny]

I gather the big hold up is with the USB version. I've had the non-USB for a few weeks and am very pleased with the sound quality.

Great, can we PM or can you give more details? post some pictures as well?
Thanks!

[Images]

Yes, Highfilter, please do post once you've got the USB unit and let us know what you think.

[Sonny]

Just received the Schiit Biofrost today!  About 2 hours burn in...sounds really good so far...but initial offering only.  Will let it burn in over the holiday and see.  Will keep everyone posted.  Once it's burned in, I will compare it to my Marantz SA11S2.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Tuan

[Rclark]

 Well my XDA-1 is up for grabs on 'Gon right now. Already have 8 bidders.... I am officially without a dac in about 5 days.

 Which is fine, the ERC-2 sounds damn close. I will miss all the inputs but whatever, I can y-split meanwhile.

 But excited to free myself up there and get something super hot-rodded something down the line.

[ajzepp]

I don't mean to be a d-bag here, but I'm really surprised that some of you guys are so butt-hurt that you're going to bail on a product you spent so much time praising and getting excited for. You guys must have problem free lives if the worst of your issues is that an internet retailer has some shipping delays! 

[tomytoons]

I had one ordered too, cancelled because of the delays. I had a gd NFB2 instead and sold that.
I think it's time for a pro review if they ever get one.

[Rclark]

Already know of one guy who sold his, says it's a good performer in it's price range but nothing special beyond that. Heard that from two people now, privately.

 Eh, still wanna try it though. MY XDA-1 sounded really close to the ERC-2 I'm running solo right now, so I've still got a benchmark.

[tomytoons]

Emotiva makes some pretty nice stuff for the $$ but I have not heard any of it.
That XDA1 is discontinued and on special for $249.

[questfortone]

Great stuff,I listened to to the LYR at RMAF ant it sounded wonderful, I would buy it in a heartbeat if i had the extra cash (maybe sell my xp-7)????

[highfilter]

Hey guys,

a quick update. I've had several hours on the Schiit Bifrost via USB (over 100 hours) and continue to burn it in. I'm waiting for my new WyWires USB cable to get here until I compare it directly to the dB Tranquility SE. My beta WyWires USB cable wasn't working with the Bifrost (but worked on my Tranquility) so I contacted Alex from WyWires and he instantly responded and sent me a brand-new USB cable that has his latest improvements. Seriously within minutes he responded to my email and said he is sending me a new cable and it's free of charge. Amazing support once again. This guy is a gem! The latest version has many improvements over my initial beta USB and he said it show sound even better. Can't wait.

Anyway, my initial impressions of the Schiit Bifrost with PI Audio power cable, dB Audio Labs Essential USB cable, and AQVOX USB-Power Supply are very good. I don't have my Wyred4Sound DAC-2 anymore, but I am enjoying the Bifrost much more if my memory serves me. It has great detail, extreme low-noise presentation and extended lows and highs without having a steel top-end. I love the physical design of it, it has great build quality and appearance for this price-range. I'd say it's an extreme deal at this price-range and I'd be happy if it was the only DAC I could listen to.

Some things I noted down:

- Used it in my office Windows 7 setup with Foobar. Drivers worked great and without issue. Used SPDIF and it sounded great. Then used USB and it sounded even better, but it's a casual setup and I didn't swap back and forth. Just enjoyed using it in my office for the day.

- Used it connected to my PS3 -> Monoprice HDMI de-embedder -> Coax SPDIF (Black Cat Veloce) -> Bifrost. Sounds very very nice. I used to use my Wyred4Sound DAC-2 this way before and I don't remember it sounding this good. Gaming and movies sound fantastic. Big smile. 

- Impressions so far with my main system (see my listed System to see gear), Mac Mini via USB:
    - Nice detailed, extended highs without causing the steel digital edge.
    - Great low bass and bass definition.
    - Solid timber and very neutral to my hears. Freq. response sounds balanced with a nice midrange. (Clean and dynamic)
    - Overall, enjoying it and wouldn't be sad if this was the only DAC in my system.

Will report back when my new WyWires USB cable gets here (for a direct comparison with the Tranquility). Only reason I am waiting for it is because I have been using the beta WyWires on my Tranquility SE and it sounds a lot better than any other USB cable. And since my current beta one doesn't work on the Schiit, I can't make a direct comparison with the sound I am familiar with on the Tranquility. Should be here within a week or so. I did notice the presentation is different from the Tranquility SE. Most notable is the midrange. The Schiit seems to have less weight in the midrange and it has an overall cleaner presentation. But that's not a negative thing, just different. Tranquility SE seems to be more organic and texturally rich (stuff like the acoustic guitar sound more tangible on the Tranquility). The Tranquility also has a much wider soundstage and gives off more of the 3D/sound-wrapping effect. But the WyWires versus dB Audio Essential USB could be the difference there. Vocals sound very good on the Schiit and I was impressed many times when listening. Need to make sure to compare vocals against the Tranquility when I swap back, because they sound fantastic.

If you're on the edge about getting the Schiit, I wouldn't wait. For the price, it's a no brainer. I'm really enjoying it and it can be improved upon with a good USB cable, power cable and AQVOX USB-Power Supply. Also great that it has multiple connections.

[brother love]

Nice balanced, well written review highfilter!    Did you by chance try the Bifrost w/ stock power cord & garden variety USB cable?

The Schiit Bifrost USB version ($449) is at the very top of my short list along w/ the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 ($325) & the DACPort LX ($349 incl. cable). If I step up in cost range, then the Schiit upgraded models coming in 1st half 2012 or Yulong Sabre D18 ($699 also thru Grant Fidelity) are high on the list.

Any other DAC's you have owned or auditioned that you can compare to the Bifrost by memory?  I understand by all accounts it is a neutral DAC, just curious ...

 vvv Thanks Highfilter. Head-fi forums have been a great source,as is Audiocircle.    vvv

[highfilter]

Nice balanced, well written review highlfilter!    Did you by chance try the Bifrost w/ stock power cord & garden variety USB cable?

The Schiit Bifrost USB version ($449) is at the very top of my short list along w/ the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 ($325) & the DACPort LX ($349 incl. cable). If I step up in cost range, then the Schiit upgraded models coming in 1st half 2012 or Yulong Sabre D18 ($699 also thru Grant Fidelity) are high on the list.

Any other DAC's you have owned or auditioned that you can compare to the Bifrost by memory?  I understand by all accounts it is a neutral DAC, just curious ...

Thanks. Lovin' this little unit. 

I've only tried the Bifrost with an expensive PI Audio powercord and a Pangea 14SE ($49) cord. The DAC sounded good with both, but was using each cord in different systems. Lots of reports of people loving the DAC with everything stock over at Head-Fi, though.

The only other DAC I can compare the Bifrost to is my Marantz 7002 receiver. Blows it out of the water across the board. That, and the DAC within the PS3. Was using my PS3 analog outs and the Bifrost is night and day ahead of it.

Hope that helps.

[wushuliu]

Nice balanced, well written review highfilter!    Did you by chance try the Bifrost w/ stock power cord & garden variety USB cable?

The Schiit Bifrost USB version ($449) is at the very top of my short list along w/ the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 ($325) & the DACPort LX ($349 incl. cable). If I step up in cost range, then the Schiit upgraded models coming in 1st half 2012 or Yulong Sabre D18 ($699 also thru Grant Fidelity) are high on the list.

Any other DAC's you have owned or auditioned that you can compare to the Bifrost by memory?  I understand by all accounts it is a neutral DAC, just curious ...

 vvv Thanks Highfilter. Head-fi forums have been a great source,as is Audiocircle.    vvv

The DAC market is officially out of control. There are just too many to choose from. As a side note as much as I love the Dacport LX it's weak spot is depth/layering as has been mentioned in all Dacport (incl. Dacmini) reviews. It's midrange is killer though.

That said I just got the Peachtree DACiT. Crazy articulation and detail. Would love to read a comparison between it and the Bifrost...

[brother love]

The DAC market is officially out of control. There are just too many to choose from. As a side note as much as I love the Dacport LX it's weak spot is depth/layering as has been mentioned in all Dacport (incl. Dacmini) reviews. It's midrange is killer though.

That said I just got the Peachtree DACiT. Crazy articulation and detail. Would love to read a comparison between it and the Bifrost...

Thanks wushuliu. The DACiT looks like yet another really good choice.  My list continues to grow. I'll end up closing my eyes & picking one before it is over with.

[wushuliu]

Thanks wushuliu. The DACiT looks like yet another really good choice.  My list continues to grow. I'll end up closing my eyes & picking one before it is over with.

If you'd like to borrow my LX just let me know...

[intelonetwo]

Hey guys,

a quick update. I've had several hours on the Schiit Bifrost via USB (over 100 hours) and continue to burn it in. I'm waiting for my new WyWires USB cable to get here until I compare it directly to the dB Tranquility SE. My beta WyWires USB cable wasn't working with the Bifrost (but worked on my Tranquility) so I contacted Alex from WyWires and he instantly responded and sent me a brand-new USB cable that has his latest improvements. Seriously within minutes he responded to my email and said he is sending me a new cable and it's free of charge. Amazing support once again. This guy is a gem! The latest version has many improvements over my initial beta USB and he said it show sound even better. Can't wait.

Anyway, my initial impressions of the Schiit Bifrost with PI Audio power cable, dB Audio Labs Essential USB cable, and AQVOX USB-Power Supply are very good. I don't have my Wyred4Sound DAC-2 anymore, but I am enjoying the Bifrost much more if my memory serves me. It has great detail, extreme low-noise presentation and extended lows and highs without having a steel top-end. I love the physical design of it, it has great build quality and appearance for this price-range. I'd say it's an extreme deal at this price-range and I'd be happy if it was the only DAC I could listen to.

Some things I noted down:

- Used it in my office Windows 7 setup with Foobar. Drivers worked great and without issue. Used SPDIF and it sounded great. Then used USB and it sounded even better, but it's a casual setup and I didn't swap back and forth. Just enjoyed using it in my office for the day.

- Used it connected to my PS3 -> Monoprice HDMI de-embedder -> Coax SPDIF (Black Cat Veloce) -> Bifrost. Sounds very very nice. I used to use my Wyred4Sound DAC-2 this way before and I don't remember it sounding this good. Gaming and movies sound fantastic. Big smile. 

- Impressions so far with my main system (see my listed System to see gear), Mac Mini via USB:
    - Nice detailed, extended highs without causing the steel digital edge.
    - Great low bass and bass definition.
    - Solid timber and very neutral to my hears. Freq. response sounds balanced with a nice midrange. (Clean and dynamic)
    - Overall, enjoying it and wouldn't be sad if this was the only DAC in my system.

Will report back when my new WyWires USB cable gets here (for a direct comparison with the Tranquility). Only reason I am waiting for it is because I have been using the beta WyWires on my Tranquility SE and it sounds a lot better than any other USB cable. And since my current beta one doesn't work on the Schiit, I can't make a direct comparison with the sound I am familiar with on the Tranquility. Should be here within a week or so. I did notice the presentation is different from the Tranquility SE. Most notable is the midrange. The Schiit seems to have less weight in the midrange and it has an overall cleaner presentation. But that's not a negative thing, just different. Tranquility SE seems to be more organic and texturally rich (stuff like the acoustic guitar sound more tangible on the Tranquility). The Tranquility also has a much wider soundstage and gives off more of the 3D/sound-wrapping effect. But the WyWires versus dB Audio Essential USB could be the difference there. Vocals sound very good on the Schiit and I was impressed many times when listening. Need to make sure to compare vocals against the Tranquility when I swap back, because they sound fantastic.

If you're on the edge about getting the Schiit, I wouldn't wait. For the price, it's a no brainer. I'm really enjoying it and it can be improved upon with a good USB cable, power cable and AQVOX USB-Power Supply. Also great that it has multiple connections.

I pulled the trigger on the BiFrost non USB (I have no computer sources) and I'm cautiously hopeful that it will sound great. From all the anecdotal info I've read, it sounds great.