Haute Schiit! Bifrost is world's most affordable fully upgradable DAC

Personally, I think the delays are understandable, but it would be nice to have some guts pics - as another poster pointed out, shortly does not usually constitute over a week. Are you without a production model to photograph, Jason, or just busy? Anyway, just a heads up about the pics, in any case, would be appreciated by all, I think.
 
I'd encourage those people in other threads or here wanting info on the other upcoming DACs as "reparation" for the delays to stop, since I'm sure all the Bifrost launch woes are keeping Mike and Jason too occupied to put together any substantial info re: the next generation for official or unofficial release.

Okay, to answer a few more questions:
 
1. Yes, things around here are a little insane right now. We're basically living at the PCB assembly house at the moment. And yes, this is a local place--about 20 minutes away from our office.
 
2. Internal photos? Yeah, we had a few more important things to do. Sorry about that. An internal shot will go up today.
 
3. Shipping Monday? No. End of week for the first non-USB units. Assuming the board house doesn't get distracted by ISO again, or have someone out due to illness. See below.
 
4. Why the ongoing delays? Because this is a VERY different animal than an amplifier. First, we cannot make units ourselves, as we have done in the past with amps. The surface-mount components are the size of fly crap, so we are completely dependent on the boardhouse. We have to wait for the first article, program it, test it, and release production if it meets spec. If it doesn't, repeat as necessary. Also, if the board house tells us, "We're going to ship the 22nd," then we take them at their word. If they subsequently say, "Ah, the 24th, the 27th, ah, I mean the 2nd, and that's for the analog boards, not the motherboard or the USB board," there is nothing we can do about it. Except apologize to you.
 
5. Have we learned our lesson? Absolutely. You'll be hearing a lot less from us about what's coming when, until we actually have product in hand. That means you'll be able to confidently pre-order based on a real timetable that will be a lot shorter than 2 months. The bad news is, this will mean you won't hear about our new products for a while. I expect we will still have something (or somethings) new out this year, and something (or somethings) else out in Q1 2012. But that's all I can say at the moment.
 
All the best,
Jason

No worry, waiting is not the worst thing for me. Support you!

As many of us kept telling JH audio, - if you would just communicate the wait really wouldnt be a problem.

Seems like Schiit is miles ahead of JH in that department. They shouldnt be concerned with few complaints about the wait. There's always going to be someone who complains no matter what.

If only more companies would tend to their customers this well.

People are complaining about a few weeks?  First time on Head-fi??

Hmm, so due to the complainers, Schiit has now learned to be much more tight lipped about its time tables.
 
It's the right decision for them as a business (and probably an inevitability due to how they've even gotten coverage in Wired and Gizmodo), but I can't imagine a majority of enthusiasts to be pleased with this change.

I'm personally not concerned about waiting especially when you guys are letting us know as you find out and giving us more info than you probably need to worry about-Thanks for being straight up with us!!! 
 
I'm pretty sure that the wait will be well worth it...relax if you can and enjoy the Schitt!!!
 Ed

 
Quote:

elysian said:

Hmm, so due to the complainers, Schiit has now learned to be much more tight lipped about its time tables.
 
It's the right decision for them as a business (and probably an inevitability due to how they've even gotten coverage in Wired and Gizmodo), but I can't imagine a majority of enthusiasts to be pleased with this change.

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It's less about the complainers--it's more that we don't feel that it's fair to lead you on. If we can't make our ship dates, we shouldn't be taking pre-orders. So we're changing our policy. After all, Apple doesn't miss their ship dates . . . well, except for the white iPhone.
 

Quote:

jason stoddard said:

 
It's less about the complainers--it's more that we don't feel that it's fair to lead you on. If we can't make our ship dates, we shouldn't be taking pre-orders. So we're changing our policy. After all, Apple doesn't miss their ship dates . . . well, except for the white iPhone.
 

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I think a very large majority is fine with your new and old policy, just dont change your ways of keeping us very informed on whats going on. It really is what sets your company apart. Its nice to have communication with the producers of the products. Everyone really appreciates the way you pop in here and talk to us.
 
As far as missing deadlines, it happens everywhere. Try being a video game fan, I waited three or four years for Alan Wake and Ghost Recon Future Soldier was supposed to ship last Christmas. The list can go on and on. As they say, all good things come to those who wait. 

Quote:

jason stoddard said:

... 5. Have we learned our lesson? Absolutely. You'll be hearing a lot less from us about what's coming when, until we actually have product in hand. That means you'll be able to confidently pre-order based on a real timetable that will be a lot shorter than 2 months. The bad news is, this will mean you won't hear about our new products for a while. I expect we will still have something (or somethings) new out this year, and something (or somethings) else out in Q1 2012. But that's all I can say at the moment.
...

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Having people chomping at the bit over your new products is a good problem to have, eh?!    Congrats Schiit!

 
 

 
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Midweek update for everyone (well, kinda past midweek . . .)
 
Our lives at the boardhouse are winding down. I can now say we will be shipping a handful of Bifrosts on Friday, another handful on Monday, and will have good supply as of Tuesday. 
 
Apologies again for the delay.
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Jason,
 
Thanks for the update.  When can we expect the USB equipped versions to begin shipping?
 
I couldn't help myself and ordered a Valhalla last night!  I just couldn't stand listening to sub par music at work anymore!  Now to find some headphones that match well...  All I have right now are the Audio Technica A700....
 
Thanks!
 
Don

USB should begin shipping midweek next week.

Hey Jason do you think this thread still has merit? It seems like you just have to double post in it...

I pre-ordered over the summer and am looking forward to this to go with my Asgard! I love the Schiit brand, American-made, and Jason's style. Thanks, Jason, for all your hard work. I have built a few companies from the ground up and know how hard it is to keep everything going,

I don't know where the other thread is, so if you stop posting updates here, please link to the other thread