Schiit DACs (Bifrost and Gungnir down, one to go)? The information and anticipation thread. - Page 81

Ooooooo, getting so very antsy in my pantsy for my bifrost.

 

 

 

Edited by Anathallo - 10/25/11 at 10:08am

Quote:

 

This brings up a question: Is the Bifrost able to receive firmware/software updates via Web/USB?  If not so currently, that would be a nice idea.
 

 

I am hoping that it performs well above it's price range but what made me pull the trigger was not just that it would stack nicely with the Asgard and Lyr but also that it's upgradeable. How nice. 

Jason,

 

what does the latest firmware correct and can current owners do this update themselves????
 

 

Edited by ecohifi - 10/26/11 at 1:11am

Current owners shouldn't have the USB boards to need the Firmware update.

At the risk of going OT, may I post a few more impressions after almost 50 hours with my (non-USB) Bifrost? Going from phones to speakers makes me appreciate anew the importance of system matching. With the Lyr/LCD-2s, no complaints. I find the individual notes and instruments easier to disentangle than with my old faithful DLIII. And the Schiit definitely pushes some sounds, like cymbals, farther out of the mix. Sounds that were in the background emerge more distinctly. On speakers, this sometimes verges on annoying. But then my Triangles are fairly assertive all on their own. Mostly, the result is hugely enjoyable - Joni Mitchell for example (No, I'm not a teenager.) Occasionally I feel there might be a little less bass, but it could just be that the bass is more taught. I characterize the Bifrost as lean and mean. And a heck of a bargain Some posters are asking for comparisons to other DACs. If anyone in the San Diego area would like to lend me their DAC, I'll see what I can do. And count me among those who can't wait to see the statement unit...

Is the Bifrost able to receive firmware/software updates via Web/USB?

 

Duh.  Sorry, sometimes it takes me a while.  The Schiit website mentions downloadable Windows (USB hi-rez) drivers will be provided, so yeah, of course the Bifrost is capable of being updated via downloads.

From the impressions so far, the Bifrost sound signature sounds a lot like the Lyr.

 

 

uhh IMHO drivers for using the chip with a particular OS are different from firmwares that are actually burned into the USB chips themselves. And assuming that Jason meant what he said when he said firmware, chances are that they're not easily upgradable by end users. Take external harddrives for example. They're plug-and-play, which means the generic drivers are already in the OS. But the firmware for chips within the USB-SATA/IDE handling part is completely separated and not accessible by average user like you and me. 

 

somebody correct me if I'm wrong. obviously, as a head-fier also waiting for USB version of Bifrost, I'd love it to be the case that USB chips' firmware is user upgradable. 

Very true,

 

Jason was vague about firmware but we all assume its for USB,  I work on equipment that the end user cannot upload firmware onto the product. this must be done by someone who is trained!!!

Firmaware upgrades on curtain products are preferred not to be done unless absolute necessary! Otherwise if it is not done correctly it is a very expensive exercise!!!!
 

 

Yeah, for drivers,  firmware is different, firmware is not drivers!!!

 

Firmware is essentially an operating system. More complicated than drivers.

 

Hmm, I guess depends on tubes and sources but my listen to the Lyr seemed to render a slightly drier signature than the BiFrost for me.  I do believe the Lyr is slightly less detailed and transparent but probably a very nice synergy in dealing w/ any potential grain you'd pick off the BiFrost using a mega transparent amp.  Take that with some salt under meet conditions.
 

 

Drivers are downloadable if the the software/firmware and hardware exists to do so.

Nope. Firmware is now an archaic word in the software world. Most software/firmware is downloadable except those that reside in ROM like the bootstrap, bootloader and other code in the hardware.