Schiit DACs (Bifrost and Gungnir down, one to go)? The information and anticipation thread. - Page 103

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecohifi 

The PS Audio Dac or music server is the most advanced unit money can buy,

There are a lot of units much more expensive and advanced then the PerfectWave DAC, particularly depending on what you're trying to accomplish.

Not sure why people get so hung-up on chips and keep ignoring that implementation (including programming the DSP in a low-level language) is what you're paying for, not the chip.  Even for $5000+ DACs, the DAC chips don't cost much more than a pepperoni pizza.  For some of the more advanced DACs, like the Berkeley Alpha, you're paying not only for the BOM but for all the software R&D that went into it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elysian 

Not sure why people get so hung-up on chips and keep ignoring that implementation is what you're paying for, not the chip.

x2.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sridhar3 

Quote:

I'd argue that implementation matters more than which chip is used.  The Rega DAC uses WM chips and sounds phenomenal as well.

+1 agreed, implementation is a key factor so to do this you build it yourself right, like I have done with my amps and speakers.  Only issue is that I cant solder chips this small safely, so the next best thing is a buffalo 3 from TPA.  Then again I cant access the site quick enought to secure an order! slow internet, the providers in Melbourne are woeful where I live, 12km out from the CBD and the only service available: 3G.

Ladies & Guys, I didn't say there was anything wrong with WM chips,  its just at the time I made a decision on  the EE mini max + because it was around the corner to be release and I always wanted a Sabre 9018 32 bit chip.  If WM came up with a 32Bit chip it would definately wind me up like the Bifrost. 

Believe it or not the latest sony bluray range have a WM 8524 chip in it.  This may not be the top of the range but it has a bias pump so no output cap required, it actually sounds pretty good considering that the s580 is $200AU.  So I opt for a different chip to get a taste of what other manufacture has to offer, and believe me the Sony would give the EE mini max a run at its price point even though it will never reach it in SQ!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elysian 

There are a lot of units much more expensive and advanced then the PerfectWave DAC, particularly depending on what you're trying to accomplish.

 

Not sure why people get so hung-up on chips and keep ignoring that implementation (including programming the DSP in a low-level language) is what you're paying for, not the chip.  Even for $5000+ DACs, the DAC chips don't cost much more than a pepperoni pizza.  For some of the more advanced DACs, like the Berkeley Alpha, you're paying not only for the BOM but for all the software R&D that went into it.

Im on a shoe string budget, cant afford $5000.  And I dont think this thread was to discuss $5000 dacs?

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhaxx 

Not for me. My bifrost was just sitting there after I got back from class

1st I've heard of that,  must be different for different countries!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecohifi 

Im on a shoe string budget, cant afford $5000.  And I dont think this thread was to discuss $5000 dacs?

No, what I'm saying is that those $5k+ DACs use the same DAC chips that <$300 DACs use.  Some of the other components may be more expensive like Vishay foil resistors, but the DAC chips are the same.

If the only difference came from the chips, it would be silly to buy a $1k+ source.  It might be silly for other reasons, but generalizing a DAC's sound signature based on the chip it uses is not a productive exercise.  I've heard various ESS9018/16 and WM implementations and it varies quite a bit based on the developer and their implementation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecohifi 

1st I've heard of that,  must be different for different countries!

Just got home and sure enough it was already sitting on the doorstep. Im surprised they made you sign for yours, but like you said maybe its different in different countries.

Now Im a moron, I cant find the drivers on the Schiit site. Please help lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecohifi 

1st I've heard of that,  must be different for different countries!

US based here...FedEx left mine on my front porch.

What is wrong with me, where the heck on the site do I find these drivers. So far I cant get this working.

I'm wondering myself - poked around and couldn't find them either. May Schiit has to provide a link.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pseudohippy 

What is wrong with me, where the heck on the site do I find these drivers. So far I cant get this working.

https://schiit.com/drivers/

Quote:

Originally Posted by leesure 

https://schiit.com/drivers/

Thank you so very much kind Sir!

EDIT: Everything is working great. So far sounds good to me. Brighter overall than my MSII+ for sure. Other than that I cant really say anything yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pseudohippy 

Thank you so very much kind Sir!

 

EDIT: Everything is working great. So far sounds good to me. Brighter overall than my MSII+ for sure. Other than that I cant really say anything yet.

I went from a MSII+ to the Bifrost as well.  My initial impressions are great!

+1 agree with what you have said, but I'm not in the market for $3K> dacs.  If the Bifrost came out 5-10 yrs earlier you would probably have had to pay those figure for it.  Technology is an investment of no return especially in this changing dac landscape. There is a market in the $3k> and there are manufacturers that will cater for it always.  As time goes on some of these SOTA products with SOTA prices are finding there way in the $500 budgets items. 

I was fixated with the hype of military matching transistors and semis etc  SOTA products 20-25yrs ago, so I bought SOTA what I could afford.  I had a rig that costed me at least $20kAU and I still have a Turntable that cost $6k, to this day, this is in the era when CD was about to be released.  My cousin introduced me to a DIY rig that was built with everyday average run of the mill stuff that was on a chopping block.  The parts that where used were available thru Dick Smith or Jaycar nothing special.  This stuff put my $20k system to shame and I was embarrassed for owning this stuff so I sold most of it and took the advise to build my own but with a particlar design.  I never looked back!  That is why Im monitoring this thread I have no desire to purchase maga dollar SOTA gear,  I may have the desire to audition them if given the chance. Like ya said generalisation on dacs is not productive and implementation matter!   But what chance do I have when you're in the loaction where you physically cant!  So you have to rely on other people impressions!

.

Like I said, I build it if I can and reseach it as much as possible but given the sizes of these chips I'm able to do this safely cause I dont have this gear to do so! 

Impressions of the Bifrost compared to the MS+ would be greatly appreciated.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcart180 

I went from a MSII+ to the Bifrost as well.  My initial impressions are great!