Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 DAC Review | Take 2

Schiit Audio's Bifrost 2 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is far more than an update to the original Bifrost DAC -- it's a complete rethinking of it. The Bifrost 2 was first written about by Doug Schneider in his "System One" column on SoundStageHiFi.com, where he also wrote about Schiit's Ragnarok 2 integrated amplifier. Read here: www.soundstagehifi.com/index....
In this follow-up video review, Jay Lee, a former Bifrost owner, gives you his experienced viewpoint on how the original compares to this new version, as well as how the Bifrost 2 compares to other under-$1000 DACs.
#hifi #audiophile #DACs

[@black_n5492]

I love the switches on Schiit's gear. Very tactile and easy to reach around and toggle.

[@kevindb4632]

very good review i usually dont make it through a entire review but this was very informative thank you.

[@Capitan_Cavernicola_1]

Schiit business model/upgradeability is also more sustainable. Do the math and communicate the social/environmental savings to consumers. Well done Schiit!

[@Audfile]

Yes, modular dacs will save the world!

[@waynejrice]

Nice review.

[@Realtor_Rion]

Great video

[@peterjasz2876]

HI Jay: Nice review ! pj

[@zeissiez]

There were quite some reviews/impressions of the sound of the Bifrost 2 on the internet, but none nailed it like you did!

[@RenRenification]

Thanks for the review Jay! If you were going to pair this dac with the Ananda’s or lcd2c’s, would you still prefer the ares 2?

[@t.j.bennett6454]

Just awesome. Loving the upgrade in quality. Did you get a hold of Joshua valour for some tips or something?

[@herrtrigger7220]

Of all the Bifrost II reviews, Jay is the only guy both knowledgeable AND bold enough to point out that it's not actually a balanced design, good job! When companies state 'balanced output' it's usually a compromise and really balanced. Which would you pick between Bifrost and the SMSL M400?

[@DJErrn]

That’s an interesting detail, I’m curious if the 2/64 update is balanced though as if I was marketing the dac I wouldn’t put balanced I would put XLR out. If you see the specs schiit themselves describes it as a balanced output. Are they lying or is the 2/64 genially balanced do we think?

[@btarr8561]

No you are wrong, the 2/64 IS FULLY BALLANCED.

[@dereksfoster99]

I just bought this DAC. I'm very happy with the sound and quality. The phase control button honestly just confuses me. I can hear a slight difference but I can't ever tell which phase sounds better to me. I think I'm going to just start to ignore it and not drive myself nuts trying to decide which is better.

[@herrtrigger7220]

the button really makes no difference. less than 1% of music is 'out of phase' due to something in the re-mastering or the like and the best reviewers can't tell a difference in the phase on this DAC

[@scslite5206]

Great review! Hi Jay, can you offer your opinion on which has better bass compared to the Ares 2? It sounds like the Ares 2 has more airy highs per your comment below but on the bass region I'm curious to hear your feedback. TIA!

[@Jayiyagi]

Bass is easy. Get an amplifier to match the synergy

[@markussorrentino]

I wonder if this would upgrade my Hegel H160 dac section. Have you tired to pair this with a Hegel integrated amplifier ?

[@xstensl8823]

how would this compare to the Qutest? the NAD D1050 my current DAC? on Classical? i am thinking about either the Qutest or this DAC and the RME. the RME is way too complicated for me. thank you

[@altabriziyehya4735]

What the !!! You have 2 Chanel’s, I wish you had told me lol

[@mykeldg]

How would you compare it to the denafrips ares 2 which is also in the same price range? (And related r2r tech)

[@Jayiyagi]

Ares 2 has more air on the top end and is a little more transparent to the source being played - scales with better recorded tracks.

[@mykeldg]

@@Jayiyagi awesome thanks! looks like discreet r2r has its benefits.

[@phetmoz]

@@mykeldg many are reporting that the Bifrost 2 sounds more natural with appropriate amount of forwardness compared to the somewhat hyped up Aries 2 with its more forward character.

[@delvalle9256]

The Next Best Thing Studio Hi Jay, does the Ares2 still sound detailed on the top end vs the BF2? How about the bass and overall detail is the Ares2 still better overall? Thanks 🙏. For your time

[@Jayiyagi]

@@delvalle9256 I personally find the ares 2 to be overall a better performer. I find that the highs are not "forward" but "airy" and the forwardness is most likely the result of another part of the system or the speakers.

[@johnnixon2504]

I’m running a dragonfly cobalt, do I need to save up for a $5-$600 dac from Schiit or could I see improvements with the $200 modius I’m matching up to saga+ and Vidar using single ended.

[@tarans7603]

I upgraded from modi multibit to Bifrost 2. I love it

[@oleksiifilippov68]

I’m not sure what my next DAC gonna be, but Regarding those Cobalt vs Schiit Multibit. I own Cobalt. I owned Modi Multibit (now Gungnir). I hear both often (also with Saga and Vidar). Cobalt is not even close to Modi MB. Mids way less natural, sounds flat in big system. Not saying Modi is perfect. USB is not ideal. Not the cleanest, blah blah. Using cobalt on the go, but for big system - I’d choose Modi Mb. It’sa pleasure to listen. Actually, I’d pay more money for the next level (Bifrost or other) Multibit DAC. Totally different presentations. Maybe it’s just my preference.

[@pronewbofficial]

@@oleksiifilippov68 Have you heard the Modius to know how it compares to the other DACs you've mentioned?

[@oleksiifilippov68]

Pro Newb no, I haven’t

[@herrtrigger7220]

get the Magnius pre amp and use with Modius. No pre amp from Krell, Pass, Audio Research, Ayre, Bryston, Mark Levinson or Classe can match Magnius' 125 db SNR. Magnius delivers Benchmark HPA4 specs for $199. Modius measures better than Benchmark DAC 3 at 1/10th the price. Best bargain on fully balanced combo IMHO

[@ediarapi2213]

How does the bifrost 2 compare to the topping d90 ?

[@Jayiyagi]

It doesnt. Bifrost is a better dac overall

[@Thoughtflux]

I have the original Bifrost multibit.. How much upgrade is actually possible to bring its performance closer to Bifrost 2?

[@paulvigor829]

I would also like to know?

[@Thoughtflux]

@@paulvigor829 i figured it out. Buy a cheap usb to coax converter ie a reclocker. Make sure the clocks are tje best your budget allows. You will input to Bifrost via the coax. Power the reclocker with a linear power supply. You will be shocked!

[@charleskatz2606]

Jay would you get this or Gungir for $200 more?Thanks

[@m.morininvestor9920]

This

[@charleskatz2606]

@@m.morininvestor9920 The $200 Modius got really good scores at Audio Science Review

[@m.morininvestor9920]

Bifrost is what I need 😅😋

[@kamerafi]

Jay, the DA chips sit on fhe modular board as well.

[@mikehunt873]

Yup, you can see the two AD5781ARUZ chips on the removable board (the one w/ the output connectors) from the its picture on Schiit's website.

[@tarans7603]

How can RCA sound better than XLR? At best they should sound same

[@Jayiyagi]

Try it yourself. I just report what I hear.

[@DistroUser]

@@Jayiyagi hmm, I switched from XLR to unbalanced both using the exact brand of cable...I'd swear XLR sounds better to me unless there is a break-in period of the unbalanced connection since it has not been used before?

[@rickyblair8802]

To much time on techy stuff and not enough on sound.

[@tarans7603]

Perhaps worst review from you so far. Bifrost 2 is such a nice upgrade over modi or bifrost multibit. I don't think you covered authority in bass, smoothness in highs and natural timber of mid-range.

[@aussie8114]

Just talking schiit 😂

[@ericschulze5641]

Every one of you are frigging bizarre, D.A.C. digital to analog converter. It's not a stereo system,it's not supposed to change the sound,that's what you do with your amp or equalizer or whatever you got .not your dac thanks alot because now it's almost impossible to find a dac that's actually a dac

[@aussie8114]

This is a schiit review. 😂🤣😂