All this talk about DAC chips made me look and apparently the Bifrost 2 uses 2 Analog Devices DAC chips. I personally admire them very much, as some of its members have pioneered IC topologies like the Gilbert cell rf mixer. This definitely made me curious of this device.
It shipped, it shipped! Sorry, just a little excited!
7 Likes
Oh we get that!!
1 Like
Love mine, favorite DAC I’ve used thus far. I don’t blame you for being excited haha
3 Likes
I have been accused recently of never selling or parting with gear once updated, but with the Bifrost 2, I have no guilt for hanging on to it. It’s a keeper.
5 Likes
This picture exists because the BF2 is just SO GOOD. Even when you get another DAC the analog portion is so fun!
2 Likes
Well I used my BF2 for a week with a few different headphones. After a week I was enjoying my music as usual.
Yesterday I went back to my SMSL SU-8. It did sound a little thinner, a little less full. It really depended on the music. Bassier stuff sounded fuller/thicker.
One specific example was a Dido song called White Flag. With the BF2 you could her drawing breath between the verses.
Overall, the difference between the two DAC’s is subtle, to me. Is it an improvement? Yes. It it worth $1,135.00Cdn? Not to me.
For that kind of money, I am used to having my world rocked. As in Grado GH2, Focal Elex, CFA Cascade, Liquid Platinum and a used Vio V220.
Since Schiit is in a foreign country and has a restocking fee, return is not an option. I could sell it privately, but why throw away two hundred bucks.
In closing, it is an improvement, but a very subtle one. It will NOT give you the rush or ear to ear grin of discovering a very good new amp or HP. But over time you will notice an improvement.
It was a good time for me to do this as I am pretty content with the rest of my gear right now. I personally wouldn’t stretch my budget for a DAC upgrade.
Now, next week I will start running all my headphones through the new system. Looking forward to it.
7 Likes
It sounds like Headphones, followed by Amplifiers are a much more noticeable change in the pathway than DACs. I think that is safe to categorize as gospel at this point.
2 Likes
I have bought a couple things out of the great white north lately, just say’n I am not against help’n the CAD 
economy 
Seriously, give it time don’t force it - but you have to be happy too so there’s that, I get it.
1 Like
The changes DAC’s make Are always subtle, and many of us continue to stay within certain price and quality categories. I have plenty of sidegrades sitting around and mix and match stuff all the time. Synergy is more important than price when YOU enjoy the sound. Also as the quality of your source material and source goes up subtle differences in the music come out with pricier and pricier upgrades. Don’t forget when you have equipment selling for tens of thousands of dollars per piece, we really are low-fi to mid-fi when under $10k per piece. I think bigger changes pop when you find 2 or 3 pieces that really mate well together. Hope this makes the sting less 
5 Likes
I personally think the differences depend on chain synergy, but also the headphones you happen to be running off of them, and your hearing ability. If you aren’t running a headphone that is good enough to notice the differences, they will be even more subtle than they already are.
I do totally understand the value proposition is not as good for a Canadian. For me personally, the change from every DAC I had heard in the Sub $1000 range to the BF2 was very significant. The BF2 actually is one of the only pieces in my collection I will never part with willingly.
6 Likes
I will also say used bf2s werent too common so you may not be loosing too much with a resale. I think its still worth giving time, they are also rumored to be surprisingly good with speakers.
1 Like
I noticed it more on the BF2 than the Violectric.
I am going to hook it up to the tube amp tomorrow.
2 Likes
Don’t do that. BF2 loves tube amps. You won’t unhear things you may enjoy that much.
3 Likes
For me headphones and amps may come and go, but like Diamonds, the Bifrost 2 is forever!
3 Likes
IMHO, this is the combination of changes that have had most affect to my ears; Clean power/circuit (free of common household sharing issues) > music playback source, ex. Turntable, CD player, Streamer, Computer, DAP, whatever else exists out there > music source, ex. Vinyl, CD, ripped files, and file quality > HP, Speakers > DAC > amplification source > everything else.
Along every step of the way there are also various things/equipment you can insert in-line or tips tricks and techniques you can use to maximize the output from one step to the next.
I understand folks will disagree, this is my personal amateur NOT professional opinion that I have developed over the past few years and currently stick w/ until I prove to MYSELF differently.
Often I will flip flop on my opinion between DAC and amplification importance and my investment in funds on amps and choices of DAC’s is representative of this as purchased over the years. The good thing is I keep most of what I purchase and flip between pieces often to test out my theories and this is my opinion currently (i may say otherwise tomorrow based on a new experience)
Happy Listening and thank you for giving me a reason to finally put this in writing, i’ve been thinking of it on and off.
4 Likes
I would have to agree with that. Mainly because I will Never spend more than this on a DAC. 
The BF2 will be the pillow under my head in my grave…Nuff said!
2 Likes
I said the same thing when I got my BF2. Now I have the Spring 2 and Sagra… Never say never.
4 Likes