oh my bad, didnt see that part somehow
Surprised that you found the DDC/SPDIF implementation to do a better job with soundstage than the Unison. I’ll probably stick with Uni since at present I get no noise (or virtually not any) passed from my Macbook to the Bifrost, though you have me intrigued.
So I did a thing
Saw that there were some different Bifrost 2 analog board revisions out there with different capacitors (some are all Wurth, some random Nichicon, some a mix, depends what the factory had in stock apparently) so checked mine and…had the Wurth caps like others. Decided to dump those (and the PM Nichicons, but they were probably fine) and replace with Audio Note and Nichicon KA series. (I also threw some Elna Silmics on the corner, which I love, since I had space and they run larger)
Cheaper experiment than trying the 2/64 board, hopefully it nudges in a good direction
If anyone was looking to add the previous gen Bifrost to their collection Schiit Audio just added 10 units to closeout for $399 Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California
Thinking of doing the same thing, @Mat! Any impressions on your cap rolling? And do you remember the BOM for the caps you ordered?
I believe that Schiit typically doesn’t use caps in the audio path – should be DC coupled – so wondering if this was indeed audible.
By the way, I’m also considering changing the DAC from AD5781ARUZ to AD5781BRUZ. Mouser holds more than enough stock of those.
The BOM for the caps? Sorry the acronym isn’t clicking for me rn
Changes were a bit hard to tell without being able to go back and A/B. I could only do an early impression, and another one after the caps got worked in. Unfortunately my early impression wasn’t more detailed than “Sounds good, I think better” and the later impressions (or just now while trying it) positive but at that point it was hard to pinpoint what the old board did differently. Double hard since it’s not my daily driver.
Are you able to just do a DAC chip swap like that? I’ve never messed with surface mounted stuff, interested to hear how it goes if you give it a shot
Bill of Materials a.k.a. the shopping list with part numbers. 
Thanks for sharing your impressions. Yeah, hard to A/B and then to do away with the expectation bias too. I get that. I’m thinking the IC swap may be more of a thing. I’ve got a hot air gun and hot plate, so should be good.
I think this was (part of?) the order, I lived a little on the Audio Note standards. The lead holes are very small on the board so Nichicon KA series & Audio Note (both smaller than average lines) fit perfectly and were kinda the only options, other audio lines would’ve run into issues
Not sure why I had 6 KA’s on the invoice instead of 4, must’ve been using them on another project or was incase the Elna’s didnt fit
fwiw I dont think the changes did nothing, it was just more on the subtle side and hard to remember months later.
Awesome, you’re a champ.
Anyone have any experience with smsl su-10 vs bf2/64?
Unless someone has 2 or more setups, I doubt many have experience with both as the price points are similar. I personally went from the SU-9 to the Bifrost 2/64. Also, even if someone has experience with both, their system chain is not your system chain, and their ears are not your ears. Your experience may differ entirely.
If you have the option of demoing either unit that will give you a better idea of whether it suits your tastes. You should also consider longevity as the SU-10 is fixed, while the Bifrost is modular. If feature set is more important than longevity, then the SU-10 would be the better option (provided you like the sound).
Happy Listening!
I got a chance to compare the SMSL/VMV D1SE2 (9039) with the Bifrost 2/64. They’re fairly comparable with detail and stage. The 2/64 comes off more lively and energetic. Percussion sounds excellent. I found it more vocal forward. The different filters on the d1se2 do make a difference. I liked the tube filters. You still got the same level of detail and stage, but the treble was smoother and refined. I found the d1se2 more versatile and works with more amps, but the bf2/64 with the right pairing was really wonderful.
The SU-10 and SU-X are probably a step up from the d1se2. I think Schiit might be getting ready to release a new Gungnir 2 fairly soon. That might be the one
Jason confirmed that it is slated for release, but no date set as of yet ( he never nails the release date though lol). That will most likely be in the $1,200 to $1,800 price range I would assume. It would have to sit between the price of the Bifrost 2 and the Yggdrasil LIM version.
On a personal note, I originally wanted a Gungnir MB back when it was still available, but by the time I was ready to make that leap into higher end DACs it was already no longer in production (hence the BF 2/64 purchase). I am now ready to make the next leap to the Yggdrasil MIB next year, so I guess I will sit the Gungnir 2 launch out. My Bifrost 2 will still be in use as part of a listening chair setup paired with a Soloist 3xp, as it is still an excellent DAC at its price point (stretching to the $1k price point).
Out of curiosity, are any Bifrost 2 owners planning on upgrading to the Gungnir 2 provided that the reviews are positive?
My planned DAC upgrade is when/if the multibit version of Gumby 2 comes out (I presume not until sometime 2025; I do know the DS version is planned first)
I need another really good DAC for the family room downstairs. I’ve been taking the bifrost/WA7 combo up and down the past couple weeks. So I’ve been ‘window shopping’ other potential DAC/AMP setups for my downstairs area for last couple weeks… The Gungnir 2 maybe with the Pietus Maximus? Thinking about something like that…
Oh… boo~ Lol Maybe a Mjolnir/Yggy combo is in my near future instead… LOL
I hear ya’…I wish multibit was first; I just can’t get excited about a DS release, even though Mike/Schiit know wtf they are doing with those chips. Even their cheap ES9028 cards in amps like the Jot2 are not-bad, IMO.
I only have a desktop headphone rig to worry about, but if I was still doing 2-channel speaker rig, I’d already have a Yggy, hahaha. I just am not willing to get something with such a large footprint for a desktop-only headphone rig. Even Gumby footprint is larger than I’d prefer. YMMV, most definitely.
I don’t know, I have kicked the idea around. The thing is so big I would have to change everything to accommodate it. Of course, that could be done and would make a fun project. We’ll see what it comes to be price wise. $1800 would probably make me say no. I have also thought about other brands, but I have been so happy with the Frost even going to the 2/64 would be nice. To be continued…
It is definitely in my future 
! Most people on HF say Yggdrasil MIB and Mjolnir 3 are a great combo.
