Schiit DACs (Bifrost and Gungnir down, one to go)? The information and anticipation thread. - Page 21

I wonder when will the other high end DACs releases be and their price range. Jason?

A Dacmagic is balanced and only $425. It is only 24/96 on spdif inputs but still I can see a balanced spdif Schiit Dac coming in around the same mark or slightly higher.

Hey all,

 

An update, and a couple of comments:

 

1. We should have a solution for Google Checkout not shipping internationally soon--which is probably going to be moving to a more advanced PayPal integration that allows deferred billing. If that happens, I'll contact all our PayPal orders and offer them the option to switch to bill only when we ship. That'll involve a refund and placing a new order. Sorry for the pain.

 

2. Balanced DAC and "Ultimate" DAC prices haven't been set yet, but balanced will be significantly more than Bifrost--50%ish is realistic. Ultimate will probably be at the very top end of 3 figures to low four figures. Remember, that's a redefinition piece, unlike anything on the market. You will literally be getting technology that isn't available anywhere else--not for $5K, not for $10K. 

 

3. For balanced amps, how many of you guys need dual 3-pin connectors, instead of a single 4-pin XLR? How about single-ended out on a balanced amp?

 

All the best,

Jason

 

I will suffer with my Minimax and Bifrost until the Ultimate comes out I figured it would be close to 1000 which is a steal. Cant wait

Before Jason chimed in with some very rough estimates on prices for the upmarket DACs I was thinking $550-$600 for the Balanced (USB of course will add $100) and for the reference DAC I'm betting it will be in the $1100-$1200 range. Parts they is expensive.

 

Uh, the next two DACs will feature at least one pair of RCA outputs so I can connect the DAC to the Asgard/Valhalla/Lyr, I hope?

 

Agreed, it's not unprecedented. My Matrix Mini-i is truly balanced with dual AD1955 architecture (just 16/48 USB but the rest is 24/192), cost just over $300 and is well-regarded at that price. Like the DACMagic it doesn't have the sophisticated clock management that the Bifrost has, but for less money it is balanced, and it does have USB.

 

 

Definitely need dual 3-pin, as a standard the single 4-pin is for headphones not components.

 

 

It's hard to find a balanced DAC without single-ended (RCA) outputs as well so I would imagine so.

 

I think he was talking about the output of the balanced headamp here, not DAC, and IMO 4 pin would be best. There is no real standard since stock headphones are all SE and the 4 pin connector is much more convenient. 

 

As far as SE goes I think it would be very nice to have, but not strictly necessary. I think it would greatly enhance the appeal among people who had a lot of headphones and couldnt afford to recable/reterminate them all. It would also appeal to people who have headphones they use in both portable and home settings, and can't handle the bulk of a XLR->3.5mm adapter on the go. 

 

 

Edited by Caphead78 - 7/1/11 at 5:08pm

I havent thought too much about what I want on the high end DAC and amp as I know that they will be designed to work together. I would like to be able to run the DAC converted analogue out to my speaker amp as well as my Schiit headphone amp.

I would also like to be able to accept at least a second digital in so that my cd player can also send direct to the Schiit DAC.

Only my headphone rig will be balanced.

Hmm. Looks like I may need to get a balanced extension for my HE6.

4 pin xlr and single ended output on the amp please Jason. I take it this new amp can co-exist with the Lyr, rather than being the next tier? Will it be solid state?

Will we see the balanced dac and amp this year?

I doubt it will be solid state tubes are the way to go.. to tailor your sound

Dual 3 Pin balanced out and SE out please, that's the best way to be most compliant and adding the SE RCA output is a no brainer except for space on the case.  

 

Would your SE output be a tap off of the + and gnd of the balanced channel or a completely separate analog section?

I doubt Schiit would cannabalise the Lyr so soon with a perceived upgrade. Balanced solid state would differentiate the new amp and may be justifiable to those who've just invested in the Lyr. I don't really have a preference at this stage, but I suspect Schiit are too sensible to flood the market.

Edited by olor1n - 7/1/11 at 6:00pm

 

 

Gotcha, I thought he was talking about the new balanced DAC's outputs that would feed a balanced amp. I would be okay with just 4-pin and SE for headphones but it's real nice to have them all (4-pin, dual 3-pin, TRS) so re-terminations and adapters aren't necessary.

Well, if someone has balanced amp (like Adio-gd Phoenix  i.e.), I think, dual 3-pn is a must have, or am I wrong?