Looking for a DAC Schiit bifrost is it a good choice?

I don't think it would make much difference. You would either run USB or optical to the bitfrost, and analog RCA to your amp, so its basically the same setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayerty 

so no improvement with a DAC?

It's just too hard to say. The Essence is already a good DAC with a high SNR, and you are comparing it to something in a similar price range. Any difference may or may not be audible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrGroove 

It's just too hard to say. The Essence is already a good DAC with a high SNR, and you are comparing it to something in a similar price range. Any difference may or may not be audible.

not exactly in the same price range.  the xonar xense is 300, but comes with headset, its a dac/soundcard/7.1 surround.  The bifrost starts at 350 and is ONLY a dac.  I would imagine the bifrost outperforming the Xense when compared dac vs dac.  The lyr and bifrost is regarded to have good synergy.  

I was going to go down this road lyr + bifrost.  But was I found out about the Audio GD NFB10SE.  The NFB10SE seems like an awesome deal.  Digital coxial/ toslink/ usb input, balanced preamp output as well as balanced headphone output.

Balance DAC and balance headphone amp.  for a little bit more than the price of the lyr.  

I can't truely comment because I have not heard an a/b comparison between the two, so I'd have to refer to those who've had more experience.  I know it's not your card in the review but I still think the point holds true.

Here's an excerpt from a review for the Asus xonar essence stx ( from computer audiophile)

" More importantly the Xonar Essence STX offers an electrical S/PDIF (coaxial) digital audio output that connects to an external DAC. The onboard DAC is likely very good for what it is but it's no match for external DACs such as my current references the Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC and dCS Debussy."

Early reviews claim the bifrost to be an excellent dac for the money.  Do yourself a favor and order the bifrost and take advantage of the 2 week trial.  See for yourself if it's worth the difference.  I think as an owner of a beyer t1 you owe it to yourself to try a better source.

Although I do not have an Asus Xonar Xense, I have a D2X and have extensively A/B'ed it with the Bifrost (via coaxial) with an Audioengine A5.

The difference between the Bifrost and the D2X was night and day. All I heard from the A5 running from the D2X was vocals, boomy bass and nothing else. It basically overpowered everything. With the Bifrost, there was much better seperation with a more controlled bass.

To me, the dac in the Bifrost is miles ahead of the D2X, I didn't quite believe it when I first heard it as I always thought the D2X was pretty good...

My 2 Cents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayerty 

thanks for your reply i think i will buy the DAC just to see the difference at the worst case scenario i will sell the DAC so not bad in the end
 

 

May as well. You have a nice quality amp and cans, may as well match them up with a really good DAC.