If you have been experiencing playback issues as I described in the video, good news! Jason Stoddard of Schiit just announced they have released a new firmware update: www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-audio-bifrost-2.914084/post-17092202
I just ordered the new Bifrost 2/64 card. Wait time at the moment is 10-12 weeks. I figure I can sell the card if I don't like it. Honestly, what I like is the idea that I will still have access to my original Bifrost card and sound, and I will have access to a new sound, which you among others have really appreciated (I've seen some of your comments on headfi too). I think I'm likely to keep both. In any case, given you've spent some time listening and are able to A/B compare the old and new cards, I do hope that you do a full review of the sound and the comparison. Thanks again for your good work! I appreciate all honest reviewers who are also able to describe sonic differences, because there's a lot of equipment that is not easy to get access to. Your work helps us make informed decisions.
Awesome. Thanks for putting this out so quickly after the new module release. Especially liked the unedited install footage. Looking forward to the full review.
Cool - Looking forward to the full review and compare with the OG. It's pretty rare for me to not jump right away on new shiny things, but I really dig the OG BF2 sound and I will wait as long as I need to get the most data I can before deciding to upgrade mine or not. Appreciate you taking the time and investment to do the legwork lol.
Nice review. Very glad you let people know about the micro card falling through because it is exactly what happened to me. I took the top off when i tried the micro card again because of the slot not lining up properly. Saved a lot of frustration, As far as the sound goes I think there is a marked improvement over the original BF2, Keep up the good work!!
Excellent video. I think this is the only BF2 installation video on YT. Very instructive, and I agree this is a ‘user can do’ upgrade. I’m about to obtain Yggdrasil+ for which installation of upgrade cards is supposed to be similar to this. If you get hold of one and can do an upgrade card installation vid on that unit, that would be golden!
Jesus I can't wait for this full review. I literally have been saving up money for a bifrost 2 and a jotunhiem 2. Your review will help me to decide to either get the new one or grab the og from second hand market.
Interesting and entertaining to watch. Including your "learning moments" was a good idea - it instills reference and confidence for those of us "not-so-mechanical-types" who think a philips-screwdriver is a fancy drink named after an English prince.
I just received the Bifrost 2 upgrade on 6-15-23, installed it with no problem, and right out of the box was highly impressed. I was really expecting extended burn-in time and a roller coaster of possibly agonizing analysis and comparison to the original. It was nothing like that. That sturdy, somewhat thick, and somewhat dark sound we all love really was unchanged, and it's even more fun to listen to now. What did change, is that each individual part of the music is just much better defined, and perfectly proportioned. And, as Jason said it's unambiguous, and I completely understand why they didn't retain the original version in their stable of products. ( That's my experience. I tried to keep it short, and to the point. It's possible not everyone will have the same experience. After all it is audio that we are talking about. I can't explain why burn-in seemed to be a non-issue.Thank you so much to Wave Theory. You're the best.)
Thanks for this. Install vid is a good idea. Guess I have to refer to my newish BF2 as "OG" now, lol. PS mine took a while to really settle in, but it's great, especially with the DT880/600.
Glad I'm not the only one who had that mem card fall in, lol. I felt like an idiot hahaha. Since I've had several people mention it happened to them, so clearly a design issue.
I've had a Modius maxmius for a couple years now. I have been dancing around going to a BF2/64. It does help to say how much change and how worth it is vs the lower cost DACs.
Great video! Upset that mine came with the "bitrate switching" issue but boy when it works it is a great machine! If the firmware fixes the issue I am keeping it. In my system this is the missing link!! I thought I had it all with a $1200 dac set up but nope...the bifrost 2/64 is it...the denafrips didn't do it either, sadly. Now my Stax 007a and Kgsshv Carbon have the endgame sound I was looking for!!
Thanks for this install video. It was especially helpful to know that care is needed when inserting the microSD card. I certainly look forward to the side by side comparison to the original. I can't do that but I did a lot of critical, repeated track listening to familiar material before upgrading to try to develop a good baseline memory of the original sound. My after upgrade listening impression is that 2/64 is a significant improvement over 2. Bass is less emphasized and better integrated. Treble does seem better, female vocals are great; cymbals shimmer. Soundstage is impressive. I don't know about width, but depth and layering are noticeably better. Two thumbs up for me, but depending on one's system and preferences, this might be a side or even a downgrade. The sound is different, not merely a better version of the original.
I agree. Those that built systems around or because of the original's warmer and thicker sound may not have systems that react to the 2/64 as well. While there is unambiguous technical improvement to my ear, the signature change is enough that some won't appreciate it.
9:40 I definitely agree with this point. I sold my BF2 a few weeks ago and now have the BF2/64 and my HEKse doesn't seem to have that occasional harsh treble that can murder your ear drums with certain tracks like it did on the OG BF2
I'm finding the new 64 card harsher and less relaxing with the extra detail and treble/air extension. It's probably the Texas Instrument dac chips vs the smoother AD ones in the old. I think the AD chips sounded more lifelike as well. I'm noticing a digital edge to the 2/64, I don't know if glare is the correct term for it. I'm curious if burning in the DAC overnight will cool the highs. Also, while the 64 has a wider soundstage, some male vocals I'm noticing are further away and less forward, which I prefer. I put the old card back in and will be returning this one.
@@Reeeepicheep It's all Subjective. Only you can decide if you like something or not. What amp are you pairing it with? Someone commented that the 2/64 is somehow louder than the OG BF2 and that may be why some feel it's harsher sounding in the treble. Don't wait too long to contact Schiit for the return. I think they give 15 days to do a return
@@JTB-- Same amps I've always used. Lyr 3 and Feliks Echo II tube amps. I already emailed them about the return. Right now I'm listening to "Slow Dancing In a Burning Room" on my freshly restored OG Bifrost 2 and Lyr 3 on my Verum Ones and I feel like I am home again :) The vocals are properly placed again and everything sounds so smooth and lifelike. The upgrade is so harshly detailed that it's not realistic and it reminded me of early cheap ESS models (I like Sabre dacs btw, just ordered Schiit's new Modius E to replace my old Modius AKM). Something weird is happening with the Texas Instrument chips. If you love the Bifrost 2 like me, and you're thinking about upgrading, be prepared for a totally different sound.
@@Reeeepicheep I'm in your camp man. I listened late last night to the BF2/64 for a few hours and did some A/B tests with the EF400 I recently got and I just preferred the smoother more liquidy type presentation of the EF400. It's all about the synergy with my HP's and the Himalaya R2R DAC pairs nice with the LYR3 too. It's like the EF400 basically does everything the Bifrost could do but it was just more pleasing to my ears where I would say... yes... this is what my preference is between the 2 DACS. It's all subjective at the end of the day. Like you the BF2/64 is going back to Schiit. I actually already dropped the return off at the UPS Store this morning. Someone at Schiit emailed me the RMA late last night EST for me. Their customer service has always been great to me.
@@JTB-- Glad I’m not the only one lol Still love Schiit and I’m rooting for them 100%. It’s not their fault that the AD chips are hard to come by these days. Schiit reserves them for their Gungnir and Yggdrasil OG which they still, for the moment, sell at $1199 and $2499 respectively. Those are a bit too large for my setup even if I wanted to spend 4 digits on a dac. I imagine those are worthy sonic upgrades to the Bifrost 2. But for me, the Bifrost 2 OG is smooth warm thick lifelike punchy dynamic and fun but also relaxing and doesn’t shove details in your ears intrusively, and it’s my endgame for the foreseeable future :)
I will flesh this out more in the full review. So far I know I've tried Vio V281, Ferrum Oor + Hypsos, Cayin HA-1AMK2, Senn HD6XX, Beyer DT880 600, Fostex TH900 w/ Lawton Purplehearts, HiFiMan HE1000v2, and the new RAAL CA1A. Also a little bit using Jamo C93ii nearfield powered by a Parasound Z Amp V3 from the SE preout of the V281.
I want to change out the fuse. In Bifrost 2 replace it with Synergistic Research Purple Fuse, Schiit sent me the. Amperage.05 and slow blown, 1.25 inch
I was surprised how much more I like my Bifrost after the upgrade. To me the original was a little on the dark side and with the upgrade I don't get that impression at all, and also seem to have more low end dynamics. I did upgrade the firmware again with the new release but most of what I listen to is not 96K so I hadn't really experienced an issue
Thanks for doing this. It will be very helpful… Looking forward to the full review. There is another reviewer out there that thinks he is the only one that does proper A/B testing he also claims that it is not possible for a dac a have warm sound signature. I suspect you will know who I am talking about. Again looking forward to the full review.. if possible it would great if you could explain your A/B testing method.. btw to my ear my BF2 has a warmish sound signature…
Thanks for your first impressions review. Just a note, is it “barrido” the word for the new filter? In that case thats spanish and means “scan/scanning”, like in frequency scan which translates as “barrido de frecuencias”. Not sure if it is barrido the word they used though.
That's an interesting tidbit, thanks. But, the Schiits spell it "burrito": www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-happened-the-story-of-the-worlds-most-improbable-start-up.701900/page-6444#post-17061189
Hi, I'm using a 12 y.o. AMP/DAC (NuForce HD + HD660S2) If I purchase these Bifrost 2/64 + Midgard stack, will I get better sound experience? I'm using Spotify premium for music and gaming/anime. Thank you.
From Schiit's FAQ page: So how do we really tell the difference between a Bifrost 2 and Bifrost 2/64? There's a serial number that reads "Bifrost 2/64" and a small sticker on the analog card, saying “B2/64.”
I have a decent two channels Hifi Speaker system. My new Bifrost 2/64 is currently at day 5 burn in period and it still sounds really bad compare to my previous Modi 3 and Modi 3 multibit. Biftost 2/64 sounds are so fatiqueing after long listening. Good acapella vocals recording can sound strained, with all the annoying explosives sound. I was expecting a massive improvement from Modi Multibit, but the change in chip set in Bifrost 2/64 may have messed up Schiit's magic sweet sound formula. I am wondering to keep it and hope the sound eventually opens up after longer burn in period, or return it in case there is something wrong with it ( It seems to have lower output level than Modi Multibit ). As it is now at Day 5, Bifrost 2/64 sounds thin, harsh and uneven. Existing Bifrost 2 or Modi Multibit users should hold back from upgrade now. New users maybe better off buying used Bifrost 2 or Modi Multibit v2. PS: I am amused when headphone users talk about sound stage , height and depth reviewing DAC. Inside your head, seriously? If that's true, then there is no need for audio engineers to used expensive studio monitors to do their mix.
Hi. I took back my negative criticism of my new Bifrost 2/64. This thing is awesome but it did sound bad in the beginning. It took almost 3 weeks of burn in time to finally get rid of the vocal strain and treble harshens. Lesson learnt here, this thing needs a long burn in period. Perhaps Schiit should put out a note in the packaging, otherwise many customer may just return it within the 15 Days trial period.
I've got both. EF400 really holds it own... but the BF2/64 does everything a bit better. But with that said... I'd probably suggest getting the EF400 if you just needed a desktop DAC/Amp combo. But remember with the EF400 it only has USB C and USB B inputs. No digital inputs like Optical or Coaxial. The Bifrost has the Digital inputs which allows you to connect to a TV. It's also a great DAC for gaming and movies as it has some real nice impact and Bass
@@JTB-- Yes, I'm only looking for an AIO Desktop solution for my Edition XS and USB only input is fine by me. How much better is the BF2/64 over EF400? I was saving up for Ares II but the EF400 seems like a better value product.
@@audiofile1178 I would definitely go with the EF400 if you are doing a desktop setup with USB. The EF400 is a great bang for the buck AIO and the Amp is very powerful so if you decide down the road to try other headphones that could be harder to drive... the EF400 has you covered as it has plenty of headroom with the volume. I've learned in this headphone hobby that we are never satisfied and are always chasing the next best thing thinking it's going to be better than what we have. But I've learned the hard way that's not always the case... and that Price does not always mean something is better. In this case the EF400 is a benchmark under $1K or even $2K being an R2R DAC/Amp AIO. Buy it on Amazon if you can or directly from Hifiman as they both take returns no questions asked if for some reason you don't like it. But I'm betting you will like it. EF400 is right there with the BF2/64 and the price difference of the EF400 AIO makes it a real bargain/bang for the buck.
I'll second @JTB on this one. For Edition XS the EF400 is gonna be great. It's also a strong enough performer that you can save some money there and put it toward a headphone upgrade down the road. If you had an Ananda SE, Arya SE, LCD-X 2021, etc., then I'd say spending money on a BF2/64 + amp makes more sense. But, for now, I'd grab the EF400, enjoy the crap out of it for awhile, then save to bump up your headphone game (stick with EF400 for time being), and then circle back to BF2 (or whatever is around by then) + an amp upgrade (and honestly, because of the EF400's DAC, going amp first wouldn't be a bad move) to wake up your higher end headphone all the more.
You're supposed to be able to, yes. I haven't done it myself but a friend did and reported no issues. Supposedly you can also use NOS mode on the OG multibit module card with the new firmware if you want.
Tried the new Bifrost 2/64 upgrade card and sadly I will be returning it. The original Bifrost 2 is just too perfect, and I appreciate it a lot more now. Schiit swapped out the AD chips for Texas Instrument chips and for me it's a downgrade. If you love the Bifrost 2 and are considering the new upgrade, be prepared for a completely different sound. What it gains in soundstage width, treble/air extension, and detail it loses in its magic and its musical character. The original I would characterize as smooth, lifelike, warm, fun, punchy, dynamic-sounding yet also relaxing. The 2/64 trades away that warmth and that smooth lifelike sound for an increase in grainy detail that is grating to my ears and more digital sounding than I am used to hearing in a Schiit DAC. It also trades away the perfectly calibrated dynamics of the original in favor of a wider soundstage that just makes everything sound stretched and further away with less full-bodiness. I will say that the 2/64 does sound better for orchestral tracks, which is the one genre that the Bifrost 2 never excelled in. But for nearly everything else, I prefer the OG. I listened with the Lyr 3 and Feliks Echo II tube amps using Verum One and Focal Clear OG.
@@02honeydew If you are looking for a more accurate representation of the music you are listening to, then get the upgrade. Terms like "warm, punchy, smooth" is just describing the distortion someone is hearing... if you find that "fun", then do yourself favor and buy a $50 DAC that will deliver exactly that and pocket the other $650.
@@helgeyev That makes sense, when the time comes I'll have to think about it. I'm not after a certain sound to be honest, I just want the "best" possible product that makes sense for my budget. I know best is quite the loaded word, but as long as the DAC has enough inputs and outputs and doesn't color the sound much, I'll be interested. Hopefully that makes sense, I'm not sure how else to word what I'm trying to say haha
I am not sure my new Bifrost 2/64 is faulty or just need more burn in time to open up the sounds like my original Modi Multibit. As it is at day 5, it sounds bad. It is most noticeable when you listen to some lovely vocals recording. The vocals just sound thin, harsh and unnatural. A quick A/B comparison, Modi Multibit just sounds better. I am hoping Bifrost 2/64 will eventually sound great within 15 days trial period or I have to return it assuming it's faulty. If I do keep it, I hope the magic sound will come back or future firmware from Schiit can fix it ( Firmware upgrade - main reason why I pick Bifrost over Denafrips Ares II) . Unfortunately if the sound quality drop is due to change in HW, new users are better off buying used Bifrost 2 original or Modi Multibit V2.
The BF1 is modular but with a different format that is less flexible and user-friendly (factory installation recommended). I upgraded my BF1's USB and DAC modules about a year before the BF2 came out. So no you can't convert a BF1 to a BF2/64.
@@mikesatteson1534 i understand that BF1 doesn't have balanced outputs and the module itself won't fit in the chassis but wonder if the card itself would be compatible. Btw, did you get your AD convertor chip upgraded? If yes which one?
@@Thoughtflux Highly doubtful that BF2 modules work with BF1. BF1 modules are pin and socket and the BF2 uses edge card style connections. My BF1 is quite old. I upgraded it to Unison USB and a 4490 analog module. If I recall properly the multibit upgrade was a mandatory factory return, and I was unwilling to do without it for a that service.
How would the sound compare of the Bifrost 1 multibit compared to the BF 2/64? What quality headphones would you need to be using to detect much difference?
If you have been experiencing playback issues as I described in the video, good news! Jason Stoddard of Schiit just announced they have released a new firmware update: www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-audio-bifrost-2.914084/post-17092202
Wave theory's your channel's name? Are you like Sheldon's half-brother? LOL. Nice review though.
I just ordered the new Bifrost 2/64 card. Wait time at the moment is 10-12 weeks. I figure I can sell the card if I don't like it. Honestly, what I like is the idea that I will still have access to my original Bifrost card and sound, and I will have access to a new sound, which you among others have really appreciated (I've seen some of your comments on headfi too). I think I'm likely to keep both. In any case, given you've spent some time listening and are able to A/B compare the old and new cards, I do hope that you do a full review of the sound and the comparison. Thanks again for your good work! I appreciate all honest reviewers who are also able to describe sonic differences, because there's a lot of equipment that is not easy to get access to. Your work helps us make informed decisions.
Awesome. Thanks for putting this out so quickly after the new module release. Especially liked the unedited install footage. Looking forward to the full review.
Cool - Looking forward to the full review and compare with the OG. It's pretty rare for me to not jump right away on new shiny things, but I really dig the OG BF2 sound and I will wait as long as I need to get the most data I can before deciding to upgrade mine or not. Appreciate you taking the time and investment to do the legwork lol.
Nice review. Very glad you let people know about the micro card falling through because it is exactly what happened to me. I took the top off when i tried the micro card again because of the slot not lining up properly. Saved a lot of frustration,
As far as the sound goes I think there is a marked improvement over the original BF2, Keep up the good work!!
Lol. I'm glad I'm not the only one who had that problem. BOLO, folks! Thanks for watching.
Excellent video. I think this is the only BF2 installation video on YT. Very instructive, and I agree this is a ‘user can do’ upgrade. I’m about to obtain Yggdrasil+ for which installation of upgrade cards is supposed to be similar to this. If you get hold of one and can do an upgrade card installation vid on that unit, that would be golden!
Jesus I can't wait for this full review. I literally have been saving up money for a bifrost 2 and a jotunhiem 2. Your review will help me to decide to either get the new one or grab the og from second hand market.
Interesting and entertaining to watch. Including your "learning moments" was a good
idea - it instills reference and confidence for those of us "not-so-mechanical-types" who
think a philips-screwdriver is a fancy drink named after an English prince.
I just received the Bifrost 2 upgrade on 6-15-23, installed it with no problem, and right out of the box was highly impressed. I was really expecting extended burn-in time and a roller coaster of possibly agonizing analysis and comparison to the original. It was nothing like that. That sturdy, somewhat thick, and somewhat dark sound we all love really was unchanged, and it's even more fun to listen to now. What did change, is that each individual part of the music is just much better defined, and perfectly proportioned. And, as Jason said it's unambiguous, and I completely understand why they didn't retain the original version in their stable of products. ( That's my experience. I tried to keep it short, and to the point. It's possible not everyone will have the same experience. After all it is audio that we are talking about. I can't explain why burn-in seemed to be a non-issue.Thank you so much to Wave Theory. You're the best.)
Thanks for this. Install vid is a good idea. Guess I have to refer to my newish BF2 as "OG" now, lol. PS mine took a while to really settle in, but it's great, especially with the DT880/600.
Thanks for this very helpful video. Will probably save me and many others the trouble of making the same mistakes.
My SD fell into unit, Taken 4 screws off top fished it out, before hand I put a piece of tape over button on front to keep it falling in unit. 😊
Glad I'm not the only one who had that mem card fall in, lol. I felt like an idiot hahaha. Since I've had several people mention it happened to them, so clearly a design issue.
@@wavetheorysound I was thinking that would void the warranty on the Bifrost 2 by removing the top and shaking the SD out.
I've had a Modius maxmius for a couple years now. I have been dancing around going to a BF2/64. It does help to say how much change and how worth it is vs the lower cost DACs.
Great video! Upset that mine came with the "bitrate switching" issue but boy when it works it is a great machine! If the firmware fixes the issue I am keeping it. In my system this is the missing link!! I thought I had it all with a $1200 dac set up but nope...the bifrost 2/64 is it...the denafrips didn't do it either, sadly. Now my Stax 007a and Kgsshv Carbon have the endgame sound I was looking for!!
Thanks for this install video. It was especially helpful to know that care is needed when inserting the microSD card. I certainly look forward to the side by side comparison to the original. I can't do that but I did a lot of critical, repeated track listening to familiar material before upgrading to try to develop a good baseline memory of the original sound. My after upgrade listening impression is that 2/64 is a significant improvement over 2. Bass is less emphasized and better integrated. Treble does seem better, female vocals are great; cymbals shimmer. Soundstage is impressive. I don't know about width, but depth and layering are noticeably better. Two thumbs up for me, but depending on one's system and preferences, this might be a side or even a downgrade. The sound is different, not merely a better version of the original.
I agree. Those that built systems around or because of the original's warmer and thicker sound may not have systems that react to the 2/64 as well. While there is unambiguous technical improvement to my ear, the signature change is enough that some won't appreciate it.
9:40 I definitely agree with this point. I sold my BF2 a few weeks ago and now have the BF2/64 and my HEKse doesn't seem to have that occasional harsh treble that can murder your ear drums with certain tracks like it did on the OG BF2
I'm finding the new 64 card harsher and less relaxing with the extra detail and treble/air extension. It's probably the Texas Instrument dac chips vs the smoother AD ones in the old. I think the AD chips sounded more lifelike as well. I'm noticing a digital edge to the 2/64, I don't know if glare is the correct term for it. I'm curious if burning in the DAC overnight will cool the highs. Also, while the 64 has a wider soundstage, some male vocals I'm noticing are further away and less forward, which I prefer. I put the old card back in and will be returning this one.
@@Reeeepicheep It's all Subjective. Only you can decide if you like something or not. What amp are you pairing it with? Someone commented that the 2/64 is somehow louder than the OG BF2 and that may be why some feel it's harsher sounding in the treble. Don't wait too long to contact Schiit for the return. I think they give 15 days to do a return
@@JTB-- Same amps I've always used. Lyr 3 and Feliks Echo II tube amps. I already emailed them about the return. Right now I'm listening to "Slow Dancing In a Burning Room" on my freshly restored OG Bifrost 2 and Lyr 3 on my Verum Ones and I feel like I am home again :) The vocals are properly placed again and everything sounds so smooth and lifelike. The upgrade is so harshly detailed that it's not realistic and it reminded me of early cheap ESS models (I like Sabre dacs btw, just ordered Schiit's new Modius E to replace my old Modius AKM). Something weird is happening with the Texas Instrument chips. If you love the Bifrost 2 like me, and you're thinking about upgrading, be prepared for a totally different sound.
@@Reeeepicheep I'm in your camp man. I listened late last night to the BF2/64 for a few hours and did some A/B tests with the EF400 I recently got and I just preferred the smoother more liquidy type presentation of the EF400. It's all about the synergy with my HP's and the Himalaya R2R DAC pairs nice with the LYR3 too. It's like the EF400 basically does everything the Bifrost could do but it was just more pleasing to my ears where I would say... yes... this is what my preference is between the 2 DACS. It's all subjective at the end of the day. Like you the BF2/64 is going back to Schiit. I actually already dropped the return off at the UPS Store this morning. Someone at Schiit emailed me the RMA late last night EST for me. Their customer service has always been great to me.
@@JTB-- Glad I’m not the only one lol Still love Schiit and I’m rooting for them 100%. It’s not their fault that the AD chips are hard to come by these days. Schiit reserves them for their Gungnir and Yggdrasil OG which they still, for the moment, sell at $1199 and $2499 respectively. Those are a bit too large for my setup even if I wanted to spend 4 digits on a dac. I imagine those are worthy sonic upgrades to the Bifrost 2. But for me, the Bifrost 2 OG is smooth warm thick lifelike punchy dynamic and fun but also relaxing and doesn’t shove details in your ears intrusively, and it’s my endgame for the foreseeable future :)
Mega combo burrito, that's a bit of a mouthful.
Thanks for putting this together. Curious on what amp and headphone(or maybe speakers) did you used?
I will flesh this out more in the full review. So far I know I've tried Vio V281, Ferrum Oor + Hypsos, Cayin HA-1AMK2, Senn HD6XX, Beyer DT880 600, Fostex TH900 w/ Lawton Purplehearts, HiFiMan HE1000v2, and the new RAAL CA1A. Also a little bit using Jamo C93ii nearfield powered by a Parasound Z Amp V3 from the SE preout of the V281.
I want to change out the fuse. In Bifrost 2 replace it with Synergistic Research Purple Fuse, Schiit sent me the. Amperage.05 and slow blown, 1.25 inch
After opening the unit to replace fuse, it has a smaller fuse.
I was surprised how much more I like my Bifrost after the upgrade. To me the original was a little on the dark side and with the upgrade I don't get that impression at all, and also seem to have more low end dynamics. I did upgrade the firmware again with the new release but most of what I listen to is not 96K so I hadn't really experienced an issue
May finally snag one for myself. Will see.
Thanks for doing this. It will be very helpful… Looking forward to the full review. There is another reviewer out there that thinks he is the only one that does proper A/B testing he also claims that it is not possible for a dac a have warm sound signature. I suspect you will know who I am talking about. Again looking forward to the full review.. if possible it would great if you could explain your A/B testing method.. btw to my ear my BF2 has a warmish sound signature…
Glad to know that, for the most part, we seem to be hearing the same thing with the new Bf2/64.
Thanks for your first impressions review. Just a note, is it “barrido” the word for the new filter? In that case thats spanish and means “scan/scanning”, like in frequency scan which translates as “barrido de frecuencias”. Not sure if it is barrido the word they used though.
That's an interesting tidbit, thanks. But, the Schiits spell it "burrito": www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-happened-the-story-of-the-worlds-most-improbable-start-up.701900/page-6444#post-17061189
@@wavetheorysound ok I see, like the mexican burrito?? Doesnt make sense then… thanks for the clarification 👍🏼
Hi, I'm using a 12 y.o. AMP/DAC (NuForce HD + HD660S2) If I purchase these Bifrost 2/64 + Midgard stack, will I get better sound experience? I'm using Spotify premium for music and gaming/anime. Thank you.
Great stuff man, much appreciated
Great effort, mate. Cheers.
I have a second hand unit, how would I know which card is installed and secondly I'm still non the wiser as to what the upgrade actually is?
From Schiit's FAQ page:
So how do we really tell the difference between a Bifrost 2 and Bifrost 2/64?
There's a serial number that reads "Bifrost 2/64" and a small sticker on the analog card, saying “B2/64.”
I have a decent two channels Hifi Speaker system. My new Bifrost 2/64 is currently at day 5 burn in period and it still sounds really bad compare to my previous Modi 3 and Modi 3 multibit. Biftost 2/64 sounds are so fatiqueing after long listening. Good acapella vocals recording can sound strained, with all the annoying explosives sound. I was expecting a massive improvement from Modi Multibit, but the change in chip set in Bifrost 2/64 may have messed up Schiit's magic sweet sound formula. I am wondering to keep it and hope the sound eventually opens up after longer burn in period, or return it in case there is something wrong with it ( It seems to have lower output level than Modi Multibit ). As it is now at Day 5, Bifrost 2/64 sounds thin, harsh and uneven. Existing Bifrost 2 or Modi Multibit users should hold back from upgrade now. New users maybe better off buying used Bifrost 2 or Modi Multibit v2. PS: I am amused when headphone users talk about sound stage , height and depth reviewing DAC. Inside your head, seriously? If that's true, then there is no need for audio engineers to used expensive studio monitors to do their mix.
Hi. I took back my negative criticism of my new Bifrost 2/64. This thing is awesome but it did sound bad in the beginning. It took almost 3 weeks of burn in time to finally get rid of the vocal strain and treble harshens. Lesson learnt here, this thing needs a long burn in period. Perhaps Schiit should put out a note in the packaging, otherwise many customer may just return it within the 15 Days trial period.
thoughts on ef400 vs this one?
I've got both. EF400 really holds it own... but the BF2/64 does everything a bit better. But with that said... I'd probably suggest getting the EF400 if you just needed a desktop DAC/Amp combo. But remember with the EF400 it only has USB C and USB B inputs. No digital inputs like Optical or Coaxial. The Bifrost has the Digital inputs which allows you to connect to a TV. It's also a great DAC for gaming and movies as it has some real nice impact and Bass
@@JTB-- Yes, I'm only looking for an AIO Desktop solution for my Edition XS and USB only input is fine by me.
How much better is the BF2/64 over EF400? I was saving up for Ares II but the EF400 seems like a better value product.
@@audiofile1178 I would definitely go with the EF400 if you are doing a desktop setup with USB. The EF400 is a great bang for the buck AIO and the Amp is very powerful so if you decide down the road to try other headphones that could be harder to drive... the EF400 has you covered as it has plenty of headroom with the volume. I've learned in this headphone hobby that we are never satisfied and are always chasing the next best thing thinking it's going to be better than what we have. But I've learned the hard way that's not always the case... and that Price does not always mean something is better. In this case the EF400 is a benchmark under $1K or even $2K being an R2R DAC/Amp AIO. Buy it on Amazon if you can or directly from Hifiman as they both take returns no questions asked if for some reason you don't like it. But I'm betting you will like it. EF400 is right there with the BF2/64 and the price difference of the EF400 AIO makes it a real bargain/bang for the buck.
I'll second @JTB on this one. For Edition XS the EF400 is gonna be great. It's also a strong enough performer that you can save some money there and put it toward a headphone upgrade down the road. If you had an Ananda SE, Arya SE, LCD-X 2021, etc., then I'd say spending money on a BF2/64 + amp makes more sense. But, for now, I'd grab the EF400, enjoy the crap out of it for awhile, then save to bump up your headphone game (stick with EF400 for time being), and then circle back to BF2 (or whatever is around by then) + an amp upgrade (and honestly, because of the EF400's DAC, going amp first wouldn't be a bad move) to wake up your higher end headphone all the more.
Thanks both of you for your suggestion, I'll go with the EF400.
Can we put the old Analog Devices card back in if we wanted to after we update the firmware? Just incase we want the old sound?
You're supposed to be able to, yes. I haven't done it myself but a friend did and reported no issues. Supposedly you can also use NOS mode on the OG multibit module card with the new firmware if you want.
@@wavetheorysound that's good to know thanks.
strange the sliver is more expansive than the black on their site...
Tried the new Bifrost 2/64 upgrade card and sadly I will be returning it. The original Bifrost 2 is just too perfect, and I appreciate it a lot more now. Schiit swapped out the AD chips for Texas Instrument chips and for me it's a downgrade. If you love the Bifrost 2 and are considering the new upgrade, be prepared for a completely different sound. What it gains in soundstage width, treble/air extension, and detail it loses in its magic and its musical character. The original I would characterize as smooth, lifelike, warm, fun, punchy, dynamic-sounding yet also relaxing. The 2/64 trades away that warmth and that smooth lifelike sound for an increase in grainy detail that is grating to my ears and more digital sounding than I am used to hearing in a Schiit DAC. It also trades away the perfectly calibrated dynamics of the original in favor of a wider soundstage that just makes everything sound stretched and further away with less full-bodiness. I will say that the 2/64 does sound better for orchestral tracks, which is the one genre that the Bifrost 2 never excelled in. But for nearly everything else, I prefer the OG. I listened with the Lyr 3 and Feliks Echo II tube amps using Verum One and Focal Clear OG.
Thanks for sharing. My modi multibit took a lot of hours until it opened up. For how many hours did you run it after doing the upgrade?
This is unfortunate. I wanted to buy one brand new in a couple months or so but looks like I'll be better off trying to find a used og version
@@02honeydew If you are looking for a more accurate representation of the music you are listening to, then get the upgrade. Terms like "warm, punchy, smooth" is just describing the distortion someone is hearing... if you find that "fun", then do yourself favor and buy a $50 DAC that will deliver exactly that and pocket the other $650.
@@helgeyev That makes sense, when the time comes I'll have to think about it. I'm not after a certain sound to be honest, I just want the "best" possible product that makes sense for my budget. I know best is quite the loaded word, but as long as the DAC has enough inputs and outputs and doesn't color the sound much, I'll be interested. Hopefully that makes sense, I'm not sure how else to word what I'm trying to say haha
I am not sure my new Bifrost 2/64 is faulty or just need more burn in time to open up the sounds like my original Modi Multibit. As it is at day 5, it sounds bad. It is most noticeable when you listen to some lovely vocals recording. The vocals just sound thin, harsh and unnatural. A quick A/B comparison, Modi Multibit just sounds better. I am hoping Bifrost 2/64 will eventually sound great within 15 days trial period or I have to return it assuming it's faulty. If I do keep it, I hope the magic sound will come back or future firmware from Schiit can fix it ( Firmware upgrade - main reason why I pick Bifrost over Denafrips Ares II) . Unfortunately if the sound quality drop is due to change in HW, new users are better off buying used Bifrost 2 original or Modi Multibit V2.
Hey man, i have a shiit Bifrost multibit (the first one). Can i buy the 2/64 board and upgrade it?
Don't think so. BF1 was not a modular construction.
The BF1 is modular but with a different format that is less flexible and user-friendly (factory installation recommended). I upgraded my BF1's USB and DAC modules about a year before the BF2 came out. So no you can't convert a BF1 to a BF2/64.
@@mikesatteson1534 i understand that BF1 doesn't have balanced outputs and the module itself won't fit in the chassis but wonder if the card itself would be compatible. Btw, did you get your AD convertor chip upgraded? If yes which one?
@@Thoughtflux Highly doubtful that BF2 modules work with BF1. BF1 modules are pin and socket and the BF2 uses edge card style connections. My BF1 is quite old. I upgraded it to Unison USB and a 4490 analog module. If I recall properly the multibit upgrade was a mandatory factory return, and I was unwilling to do without it for a that service.
the only serious dac schiit aint messed with is the gumby mmm...
how does this compare to the ef400?
And @AudioFile117 since this question already came up twice I'll make sure to comment on this in the full review.
Thank you
Great review
can't see what you are doing. would have been good to see the 2 modules side by side.
How would the sound compare of the Bifrost 1 multibit compared to the BF 2/64? What quality headphones would you need to be using to detect much difference?
Unfortunately I've never had a good opportunity to hear the BF1.
He said Schiit!!!! 😳
Like a bunch! Basically every other turd! Er, word!
only 2 bottom screws needed to be removed
Yep. Fixed with text in the video in a couple spots
22:17 - ROFL
How does it compare to new fiio k19?