Do you Need a Multibit DAC? The Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC Review

Schiit Bifrost 2 bit.ly/3ynMhaV
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[@lastwhtknight3002]

The World may be going to hell in a handbasket, but dammit I get another 18 min of total enjoyment again. Thank u CheapAudioGuy.

[@stephencosta6814]

💯 percent ❤️

[@stevezeidman7224]

Great explanation of what balanced means and what it does. One of your best reviews yet! Keep the content coming!

[@JohnScheppler]

Great explanation of what a DAC is and balanced connections. Plus a nice review of the Bifrost.

[@PlaybackMansion]

I really appreciate you spending time on how it feels. Funny delivery throughout

[@mfeif]

Thanks, friend! I’ve been eagerly waiting for this since your DAC Attack.

[@VintageVic93]

Great review, Randy. You just keep getting better.

[@fatelvis5791]

great review - reminds me of your older reviews. you do not miss on longer reviews

[@donstockman2531]

Thanks Randy. This is one of the best value-for-money purchases I've ever made in my life. Keep up the good work Buddy

[@gg0297]

Great review, Sir! Keep 'em coming! I'm glad you extend your "gear pool" beyond 600$, up to 1k, which is not that far, still in the affordable territory. 👍

[@jonuiuc]

Glad the approx ceiling is now $1k, vs $600, opens it up a little. Still relatively cheap, compared to 65" tvs, top tier mobile phones, and gaming graphics cards.

[@ohgerald]

Prob the clearest explanation of ‘balanced’ I’ve heard. Thx 👍

[@robsandler1818]

I just purchased my BiFrost 2 and I absolutely love it. I too am using it with the Freya+. Using the Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 3 amp to power a pair of Vintage Dahlquist DQ10s that I tech refreshed. Sounds incredible. Thanks again for another great review. Two things to point out are that BiFrost includes a remote and Denafrips has no evaluation period. So once you purchase it, it’s yours.

[@JayGreezy]

Denafrips doesn't have a return policy at ALL?

[@scottlowell493]

@@JayGreezy Nope

[@scottlowell493]

That is an epic vintage-meets-new setup! My new setup will include BF2/64 and the XPA-2 Gen 3

[@fletchermunson6225]

I'm glad to see that you have sidled up to the kilobuck range of audio. I think this is the real sweet spot on great value for $$$$$$$

[@maestro0428]

Love Schiit products, love your show. Keep it up.

[@johnnixon2504]

Agreed. I’m running bifrost2 > saga+ > Vidar into b&w CM9s2 and I really like the synergy. My speakers have felt thin and bright and the bifrost seems to fill in the mids and lows. The b&w brightness seems to recover some of the “lost” highs so it all works. I dropped my EQ after I got the bifrost.

[@jimashby43]

I'm thinking the saga for my basement system, it has Laser Disc and Dac cassette recorder, LP, and PC input from the dac, that's 4 inputs, I'd have 1 left.

[@matthewcebrian]

I’m only one minute and twelve seconds into this video, but I’ve already determined its your best video yet. I put a “Hi-Fi Audio” sticker on my phone and it sounds worlds better than it did previously, I might need to check out your audiophile screws.

[@jakedw25]

I was on the fence between the Aries II and the Bifrost. I went with the Bifrost, because I'd rather buy American. It's been fantastic so far. I absolutely love it.

[@losriosprofundos2113]

I hear ya. I prefer to buy American hifi. I've got a Rogue amp and Revel speakers, but whether it's valid or not, I don't buy audio gear that measures poorly (Audio Science Review).

[@m4nc1n1]

Good choice!

[@ChuckD6809]

I have one too and love it.

[@user-bc6ok1yh4s]

I too prefer U.S. made audio gear, and I've never had any regrets after the purchase.

[@soulfulfool]

I went with cheaper topping d70, Ares 2 is double the price of D70 and bifrost not available in EU anyway more expensive

[@welderfixer]

Randy, as always, thanks for another great and honest review. DAC: Bifrost 2 $699, PreAmp: Saga $399, Speaker Amp: Vidar 100 watts/ch $699 = $1800. Add speakers $??? and sub woofer $???. If only the funds were available........ However, my $150 Klipsch ProMedia computer speaker system plugged into the back of my old Dell desktop sounds pretty darn good and will just have to do until I hit the lottery.

[@mikecees2230]

I had the original ProMedia speaker set (the ones with the on/off switch placed very inconveniently behind the sub). I always thought they were incredible VFM especially when compared to my 10K main system. After owning them for about 20 years I finally gave them to a friend at work. Every time I walk through his work space and hear them I question my sanity for all the money I have spent on high end audio gear. He just says to me (grinning): these things sound pretty good, you should have kept them.

[@welderfixer]

@@mikecees2230 Exactly! I enjoy my "first gen" set everyday.

[@SantanKGhey1234]

hi Randy, great review... I really enjoy my Denafrips Ares ii

[@tummystixxx]

Great Review! I've been wanting to add a Bifrost 2 to my Asgard 3 setup as I'm wanting to add a turntable for my music collection. Thank you!

[@amarichalprego]

I love you t-shirt! Alien, what a saga!. Thank for the review, I am considering add an external DAC to my Parasound 200Pre, maybe with aim put (in the future to come) in the Freya+.

[@chriseggroll]

My Freya+, Vidar, and Bifrost 2 are coming today, very excited! Schiit as a company are very cool, their livestreams are funny and interesting usually

[@odwatchguy]

Great review Randy, really enjoyed hearing about the Bifrost 2. If I could just hide the purchase from my wife.

[@EdwardRaybould]

I just discovered your channel today, but I'm now subscribed. Less than a month ago, I bought the Modi (the delta-sigma version) and the Magni to use with my Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro's. I'm certainly enjoying music a lot more now than I have in the past. I quickly decided that I did want a bit more headroom in the amp, so I've got a Asgard 3 on the way. Figuring that would be it, I ordered the delta-sigma DAC board with it (the ESS ones; they've apparently exhausted their AKM stock). Then yesterday after reading reviews and watching videos, I ordered the Bifrost 2. So I'll have a DAC in the Asgard 3 that probably won't get used.

[@smckinnon]

Did you ever try the Bifrost 2 with the Asgard?

[@RasheedKhan-he6xx]

Fun fact about balanced internal signal paths. There are 2 places where it converts to single ended. Everyone knows the speaker out is single ended, what many people don't realise is the volume control is also single ended. So in your lovely balanced pre-amp with balanced inputs and balanced outputs, deep inside it converts to single ended and back again.

[@orelove]

I put a Bifrost 2 into my system about a month ago, replacing the SMSL M300 DAC that I previously had in there. Oh, yes! It was the right thing to do, absolutely!

[@losriosprofundos2113]

You're a good man, Randy. Love you

[@SteveHolst]

I've had a Bifrost 2 for about a year now and I love it.

[@josexavierjr.5633]

Good review, as usual, Randy. You’re slowly slipping into the not so cheap audio world……but it’s OK because you keep it grounded with those cheap Sony bookshelf speakers that sound so great!

[@JayGreezy]

Cheap is a relative term. Relative only to ones budget, and everyone's budget is different

[@MrKarlengel]

Great review, spot on. Less hyped than the ares II but a pretty good performer with very good timbre and satisfying slam. Also future-proofed in a couple of ways.

[@kinglear5952]

Which ways?

[@MrKarlengel]

@@kinglear5952 From Schiit’s website: “Turn Bifrost 2 around, and you’ll see that this DAC is completely modular. Not only that, the modules are designed to slide in from the back of the chassis, meaning this DAC will never have to come back to Schiit for upgrades-you can do it yourself. Firmware updates? Sure, if there are firmware updates, just use the external MicroSD card slot-again, no need for it to come home. Compare this to other DACs, even DACs costing many times more. Only Bifrost 2 provides complete hardware and firmware upgradability, without sending the product in for service.”

[@kinglear5952]

@@MrKarlengel Fantastic, thank you.

[@AndyP126]

The cheapest way to try out Multibit, is to buy an old 80s CD player. The Philips TDA1541 DAC comes highly recommended and can be found in wide range of old CD players.

[@user-bc6ok1yh4s]

Why did you suggest that??? You just drove the price up on better made eighties CD players.

[@anthrobug]

You are god damned the best audio reviewer on youtube - Enjoy that coffee brother!

[@Vercus100]

I LOVE the Weyland-Yutani shirt. I didn't even know that was a thing, and now I want one.

[@carminedesanto6746]

The Xduoo 604 is now my main headphone/ IEM amplifier…however, my DAC output ( balanced) is too much ..my solution was to put a Little Bear balanced passive preamp in the chain prior to amp ..and setting the 604’s volume at noon ..but controlling the input with the 604 ..so the 604 controls are used as the true balance controls and the preamp as the master volume. Btw, current DAC : Drop / Grace Balanced DAC. As usual a great review, thank you.

[@jaykabel]

I recently got the 604 too, and also dealt with the input running hot. Seems like a design flaw. I ALSO got the Little Bear to solve it - worked great

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@jaykabel I’ve since gotten an IFI Go Blue and now run my IEM’s on that ..however the 604 is now my dedicated amp for my Sen’s 650. The high impedance of the 650’s ( 300 ohm’s) brings out the most of the tubes characteristics 🥰 Btw, have a great weekend and enjoy Father’s Day.

[@edverbeek6292]

I totally agree, your video’s are not silly AT ALL 😀

[@5FWS5]

RANDY: Its the LG V20 I have and it is the best sounding phone I've ever heard. I also own the Bifrost 2. I gotta tell ya as far as "value" goes - I have the Bifrost2 into my vintage Yamaha CR2040 with a pair of Elac Unifi's with my vintage Velodyne sub as my small living room setup and its crazy good

[@rothgartheviking858]

great review.

[@felipedantas4666]

Randy, great tô see you with that many gear. Great content ahead for us. Schiit is really making some buzz in the Market. In my opinion only few top reviewer not looking into them. Ares II and bifrost what a match up that might have been. Based on your review I believe I lean more into the ares II. Top end sensitive but I listem to low volumes, so extra details would not turn into ear piercing nails. Make sense?

[@cheapaudioman]

Yeah. That’s the right call

[@MrAyrit]

Good review / comparison

[@hudo]

Small correction: Chord is still delta sigma design just implemented in fpga chip for digital part and separate analogue section.

[@mwcarde]

I am new here and I subscribed. To Schiit or not to Schiit. That is the question.

[@ytvideos101]

Great video, helping me get back in the audio game! Question: Looking at your setup, I understand the better DAC you have the better your chances of achieving soundstage imaging. However, I've found adding an EQ helps dial in sound as well. Do you use an EQ somewhere in your setup? If so, please share and if not...help is understand why not? Keep up the great job! 🔥🙌❤️

[@breckisaac5378]

In Randy’s other video’s he promotes schiit loki and another EQ that I can’t remember. So yes he does like EQ.

[@grahamagnew]

😝 4:45 talks about Delta-Sigma DAC and shows block diagram of a Sigma-Delta ADC! Too funny! 😝 But seriously I really like your reviews Randy. You’re a breath of fresh air on the audiophile scene.

[@shreddherring]

This has been particularly intetesting as I have been considering the ares ii and bifrost 2, and have the wharfedale evo 4.1's. I'm thinking maybe I will wait to see if schiit manage to recover from the covid hassles (the uk distributors still have no stock) and see if they bring out a bifrost 3 at some point later on

[@thomasward00]

Randy I have 2 Modi 3+ DACs and I go with American made products whenever I can.

[@Shoebutie]

Very good explanations

[@jaykabel]

For $600 you can get the awesome new Hifiman EF400 amp DAC, which has BUILT IN Himalaya balanced R2R DAC. It has XLR out, so it might be interested to compare its DAC-only performance. It has enough power to drive Susvara! Crazy deal. Sounds fantastic

[@mikaelsjogren6315]

Hi and thanks for the review! I have a warm sounding poweramp (Vincent) and a pair of Dynaudio emit 50! This is nice but I need a DAC with volume control that is better than a the NEO iDSD wich I using now, what would you recomend? Best regards Mikael

[@VeeHausen]

Are you able to source any Old Theta DAC's? I'm lucky to own a few and they are by far my favorite sounding DAC's! Mike from Schiit use to work for Theta as a side note.

[@bomt697]

Hello, thanks for this review. I was lucky enough to be able to pick up a pair of Sonus Farber Lumina V tower speakers. In your opinion, do you think the Bifrost 2 would pair well (would be in a chain of Bluesound node2, Freya S, Buckeye Hyper X NC502 500wpc amp)?

[@lukeselker5175]

Are the audiophile salsa screws kept in an Andrew Jones salsa jar? I hear it adds a touch of refinement

[@cheapaudioman]

I missed an opportunity on that one

[@edzak7257]

Resurrecting this older video...... I've had my Bifrost 2 for roughly 1-1/2 years and still love it! My system is pretty much all American: Schiit, Parasound P6(though made in China), Van Alstine M225 amps, Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX, and dual Rythmik Audio F12's. I do have a MiniDSP 2X4 HD in the system, but that's the only non-American piece.

[@ChicagoRob2]

Sounds like a great system. Have you heard the new Sierra LX? They’re insane.

[@edzak7257]

@@ChicagoRob2 No, haven't heard the LX. I don't know of anyone in my area with them. A friend out West has them, going from Sierra-2's. He is quite happy with the LX's. I don't have the budget to try them and am very happy with the EX. Have to lay low with the purchases for now after inciting a civil war with the recent purchase of the new mono amps.

[@TheHammerofDissidence]

Just got a used one for a great deal.. This is the closest I've heard digital come to analog in my system. Very very fun DAC.

[@jonathanr2830]

Exceptionally good review of Bifrost 2. I recently gave my beloved Schiit Heresy/Modi 3+ and Sennheiser HD 600's to my audio-deprived big brother (who is blown away by that rig) and I am setting my sights on getting a replacement Magnius/Bifrost 2/HD 600 rig for myself. This review has helped me cement that plan. Thank you very much! BTW, where can I get one of those Weyland Yutani tee-shirts (hopefully, intact without any xenomorph damage)?

[@cheapaudioman]

6 dollar t shirts or something along those lines

[@jonathanr2830]

@@cheapaudioman Thanks!

[@MrOzkarlopez]

very cool shirt !!!👍

[@CriPPleR_HD]

Own both the Ares 2 and the Bifrost 2. Both sound fantastic. Which one sounds better changes depending on speaker / headphone / and even track parings. It is worth noting that if you plan to use the Ares 2 for gaming or editing, you will suffer signal delays. The Bifrost 2 is better when it comes down to handling latency as their USB Unison is awesome. Unlike the Ares 2 the Bifrost does not require you to download a driver. It is plug and play which is nice. Bifrost also has Roon support that even has an icon for the DAC. I use the Ares 2 on a speaker system that is reserved for 2 channel music only. This is where it shines. Multi purpose use? Not so much. Bifrost 2 is used on my PC for gaming and music paired with the Hifiman Ayre headphones and topping A90 amp.

[@mistermatsuda]

Good to know, thanks!

[@JayGreezy]

Is the Ares II "veiled" or overly warm? I keep hearing the Denafrips described as warm and I like lots of air and details. I'm afraid the Denafrips may end up sounding (to me) like other things described as "warm" which to me sound less detailed and like a big blanket is over the speaker

[@munafo13]

I'm liking this Schiit. I just need a DAC to take the optical audio from my TV and send it to my analog Marantz integrated. Is it worth shelling out the money for the Bifrost or is it overkill???

[@DjRjSolarStar]

You should test my FiiO X7 mk2, best DAC I've ever heard from a portable device. Only reason I haven't gone multibit yet, the ESS9028 in the X7 is so damn good I really don't feel like there's much room for improvement.

[@MadMaxx1977]

Great video, mate! I had the Gungnir Multibit, but sold it after about 6 months. The audio always sounded kinda "muffled" to me. I tried a few other DACs and finally went with the Topping D90. I'm curious about the Border Patrol DAC and might give it a shot.

[@Keithwithfever]

Randy, will you review the Vidar? I would love to know your take on it.

[@Unicorn-ST]

@cheqpaudioman what I real y would Luke to know is Howard tris kind of DAC works compared with a DAC/Amp lime the SMSL SA300? Or the SMSL SA300 compared with something hoy cheaper like the Schiiit Modi. Could you help us with this comparative?

[@shivanksarin6199]

I'm buying a Marantz SR7015 AVR which I intend on using for stereo as well. Do I need an external DAC and will the Bifrost2 be a good upgrade?

[@audiorick841]

Thanks for comparing to the Ares!

[@Jsmtjso]

Wasn't going to speak up, but as an LG V60 owner I thought I should. Playing music through my phone on battery power sounds fine, but once you try charging it you'll get tons of noise added to the signal, definitely would still recommend getting a separate dac.

[@Guinibee1]

How is this for single ended? I have both an Asgard 3 and Magnius, so I do both SE and balanced. If I'm using A3, will this DAC work good still? Right now I have a modius I'm looking to upgrade from.

[@Fane182005]

Any chance you can test the schiit stack...with CSS audio 1td...with Aegir as monoblocks....I'm thinking about upgrading from rp600m with bluesound powernode 2i...

[@jaykabel]

You should try the Musician Pegasus R2R DAC - supposedly very similar to the Ares II.

[@homerjones3291]

I really like that you don’t make the first “t” in “important” silent.

[@lastwhtknight3002]

Small victories indeed.

[@spinachhandsjklolsmh9053]

Sounds like a jab at Ron LOL

[@homerjones3291]

I’ve just started to notice people doing that, not just Ron. Don’t know if it’s a regional or generational thing, like people not using the long “A” in front of a word that starts with a vowel. “I ate a egg” or such.

[@homerjones3291]

Had a lady in my accounting class from long ago pronounce dividends as “divy-dends”; I twitched every time I heard her say it. Perhaps I was drinking too much back then - or, possibly, not enough.

[@marzcapone9939]

Do I need a higher quality USB cable to connect Windows 10 to Bifrost2? And, I guess I'll be using the volume on my powered monitors? I suspect the computer's volume adjustment is only for the RealTek output?

[@MrDoc55]

Is it true that if I get this DAC for my Amazon Basic speakers that they will out perform my Bowers and Wilkins 705's?

[@alondite215]

This was already a great DAC, and now there's a new upgrade they're calling "2/64" that, by all accounts I've read so far (don't have my upgrade card yet so I haven't been able to listen myself), is a pretty noticeable improvement over the original. Also comes with new firmware with a NOS mode if you're into that. Don't quote me on this, but I think you can install the new firmware and get NOS on the original Bifrost 2 without needing the upgrade.

[@mlgerardi]

yes, you can update the firmware with the original/old card, I did it, works fine, will get the new card next month

[@rajendrabiswas]

Is there big difference Modi multibit and bifrost for 50 impedance headphone

[@SignorFreeze]

I would like to dive into the world of tubes and get a valhalla. I see schiit recommending the multibit, would it be worth it over a regular modi?

[@knobber420]

Alright then, subscribed. Lets get cheap.

[@oldgary57]

I have a cheap stereo. A FX Audio Tube-03 MK II with GE 5654W. tubes, and Aiyma A07 Amp pushing a pair of Sony SS-CS5 speakers. Love the sound. The thing is, I would like to hook up to the optic out on a TV. I don't want to change the sound. I just want a good CLEAN signal and as you see I am trying for the best I can get for the least out of pocket. I'm not new to this game, I once had a Pioneer Spec 1 & Spec 4 driving HPM 150s ( in my case 1500s). What do I need, cheap!

[@xstensl8823]

i have a 8 year old NAD DAC, would this be better? the D1050 is pretty good. is it time to upgrade? my Rega amp is single ended so balanced is academic for me. and yes i could run it single ended. too bad they do not have 2 coax inputs like the NAD. schiit is no schiit

[@noumanintown]

When I first stumbled upon you channel, I thought your style was too meandering and took too long to get to the meat and potatoes. Now, I watch for 30% audio knowledge, 70% analogies involving violent butchers and vegan bacon.

[@rajendrabiswas]

Randy how would the jotunheim ess or multibit do ?

[@NeilBlanchard]

The USB section is also replaceable / upgradable, too. A possibly important difference between the Bifrost 2 and the Ares II - is IF you use a DAC for sound editing, you will want the Bifrost 2. For whatever reason, the Ares II has a fairly significant buffer delay that would make it hard to use. But for music, this has no effect; other than you having to wait a bit longer for the music to start. Once it is playing, there is no difference.

[@MiemoPenttinen]

Or movies & TV, for that matter…

[@NeilBlanchard]

@@MiemoPenttinen Right, if you are not needing to sync things exactly, like during editing, this doesn't matter. I only mention it, so that people will know, that if they are going to be doing editing, then the Ares II probably would not work.

[@mtnmankeith9069]

Is there a delay if you use optical out?

[@NeilBlanchard]

@@mtnmankeith9069 I don't know for sure, but I would think this is just how it works. I heard this information from Golden Sound.

[@Koopagamelouda]

This ruled the Ares 2 out completely for me. Made me look to either the Bifrost 2 or Audio GD R1 instead.

[@Foxrock321]

More and more I’m becoming a Schiit fanboy..I too like the USA made vibe..and you can alway add the Schiit Loki or Lokius EQ, and pump the highs a little….I personally own the Modi + and the Magni headphone amp to connect with ,y iMac..so nice!

[@davidsmithson9236]

I’ve had my Bifrost 2 for a couple of months now, and I have to say that I am VERY happy with it. No second thoughts or regrets. No looking back. Worth saving up for. My smartest (luckiest ?) audio purchase, period.

[@consistency1907]

Would Bifrost 2 pair well with Topping A90? Since Bf2 is American and A90is Chinese.

[@sclancy79]

Is using a DAC to connect a cd player to an avr a waste of time? In my avr it's impossible to bypass the ADC and DAC btw.

[@madcrabber1113]

When comparing products do you ever have someone else listen and give their feedback?

[@valkyrieorion7200]

Torn between buying the Bifrost 2 or the iFi Neo to use with Adam A5x and HD 660s. Would still need a pre amp/hp amp with the bifrost 2 but get a 5 year warranty and support North American manufacturing with Schiit.

[@wilsentwins]

Is gungnir significantly better or not? The price is twice compare to bifrost 2.

[@rayfriedman6107]

Curious: I have the standard Jotunheim V1. Wondering if I should buy the newer Jotunheim V2, OR just pair what I have with the latest Bifrost? Emphasis will be on headphone listening. What say you?

[@Mageer82]

Hey! Perhaps someone here can provide some insight. I listen to mostly metal. I'm on the fence between the Bifrost and the Aries. Everyone say's the Aries is better, but may not be for that type of music. Thoughts anyone?

[@CJNooberson]

Please review the Modi Multi-bit. I could actually buy that one ($250).

[@joseph-ow1hf]

Just gone mine, only been in system for a few hours. Yeah.....impressive low end. Acoustic instruments sound more natural, esp. piano. I'm most impressed by the USB input. Have never heard music from KZbin videos sound so good. They did a superb job with their proprietary module. I can't say it trounces my old Stan Warren modded Dacmagic, which is less of a knock on Schitt, than a testament to the genius of Stan. Right now, I'm feeling like vocals sounded actually a bit smoother on the DacMagic when using SPIDIF in from the Audiolab CDT6000. I don't notice a a significant difference between Audioquest Forest optical vs coax. I'm still waiting for the R2R chips to thermally stabilize. I have a Blue Jeans optical SPIDIF I will try. But this thing rules on USB. BTW: Gen 5 I got for $312 on the 'bay. I can upgrade to latest 2/64 board, and still be all in for less than a new one. Oh.....the case work is beautiful. Solid bit of kit there.

[@joseph-ow1hf]

I have a nagging feeling that the front end has become so revealing that maybe I'm bumping up against the limitations of using a 90's Pioneer power amp, while my Odyssey Stratos mono amps are out to factory for upgrade. I may buy the Schitt desktop power amp, as I'm running my Merlins as my desktop rig. They are fairly inefficient, but I think in this situation that amp will be an upgrade. And it's $300 for an amp using a linear PS with discreet output devices, not some Class D toy. Now kinda sold on Schitt. This build quality, for these prices and made in USA? Hell yes.

[@DC-mm9zo]

Enjoyed your review as usual. Are there any other headphone amps you might suggest pairing with this product? Thanks!

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

Great review, however I am a bit surprised there was not comparison to the Modi 3. Any idea?

[@cheapaudioman]

I have the modi 3 but I thought it was more appropriate to compare this to other balanced dacs in the same price range

[@BellTunnel]

I was so close to buying the Ares II. Had great communication with Alvin. But at the end of the day, I’m not comfortable with having to perform firmware updates with a Chinese company. Simply a security issue.

[@YoYo-uh3xj]

Facts

[@grillmeisterflash]

Im missing a Schiit Modi Multibit review from you, would be great.

[@grillmeisterflash]

or even better compare the new E50, Zen Dac Signature V2, Schiit Multibit - all are arround 250$ would be a very interesting review

[@xstensl8823]

wonder how this wold compare to my NAD D1050?

[@TheHope12322]

You should make a video about all American audio manufacturers made in the United States.

[@m4nc1n1]

Please try the Tone Board from Khadas. It is under $100 and comes with a snap together case that is very cool and fun to build. I had a Bifrost 1 when I got it. After I built it, I picked it over the Bifrost even tho the Bifrost is more expensive. Bifrost is really good and a little warmer, but man what you pay for the Tone Board and what you get is stunning.

[@joseph-ow1hf]

Randy, I might might be completely wrong (not the first time!) but as far as I know, balanced lines are to reject outside noise picked up by the cable which tend to act like an antenna. This is primarily AC 60 hz hum and stuff like AM radio signals. They do not act as filters to remove noise inherent in the signal, say from noisy USB circuits. Also it does little good to have a balanced DAC when most pre-amps have single ended inputs. The only tube pre I can think of that offered balanced input was Audio Research and that was outside and definition of cheap.

[@joseph-ow1hf]

Or BAT, but those pre amps were 5 figures. But yes, Schitt makes balance preamps and one of those does have a tube stage......my mistake. Sorry.

[@joseph-ow1hf]

Oh...of course Schitt themselves have balance pre amps, inc one w/ tubes. And then there was BAT.....but the antithesis of cheap audio.....those things were 5 figures.

[@michaelpeters1719]

In your 2022 recommended dac video you did not list the Bifrost 2/64. In this video you compare it to the Denafrit Ares II. However in the recommended dac video, you chose the Geshelli J2 over the Ares II. How does the Geshelli J2 compare to the Bifrost 2/64.

[@charlesclifton1006]

I've been on the fence between the Bifrost and Aries. After this review, which is in keeping with many others, (I love continuity**) - it seems, for now, the Bifrost is the way to go. I live in BC, Canada so if, big "if" - something goes wrong with the unit then Schiit is just down the road and I can send it across the border without proof of vaccination. I bought the latest Modi (with an Eitr) and then recently, a Modius. They're just fine - no complaints but a Bifrost will be added and yes, I do have three separate applications for each. ** Schiit has some new Continuity circuit magic they've introduced and I'd love to hear your take on this "Schiit-newity thingy" I'm going to get a coffee and research those salsa-screws. Thanks Randy.