Quote:
After getting my fully functioning uber Bifrost back (Thanks, Schiit Dudes!) and falling asleep listening to music last night, I wanted to offer a couple of (vague) impressions of the uber in comparison with the original Bifrost analog/usb config.
I find there is noticeable extension in the bass and treble which makes the uber board appear almost "bright" sounding. I am hoping a little of that settles with time because folks with the Lyr and bright-sounding tubes might find it a bit over-bearing. That's really the only nit I found to pick. Fortunately, I was listening with a very warm, lush Mullard CV4109 tube set in my Lyr and the extension really served to bring out additional details that might have been "hidden" by the warm, prominent mids.
I noticed another thing, positioning (this is the possibly vague part). Listening to the original Bifrost/Lyr/LCD-2 config, the focal point of the sound seemed to be in the middle or slightly towards the back of my head. I could make out the position of the instruments to the left or right, in the front or to the rear of the ensemble but it felt as if the different layers all came together near the rear of the inside of my head (told you...vague
). The uber board brings the sonic focal point forward to the front of my head, almost behind my eyes.
Actually...a better way to describe it: With the original configuration, I felt as if I were on-stage with the band, facing the audience. With the uber I feel as if I am on-stage, this time
facing the band! I can also hear additional levels of detail that comes with the change in perspective. It uncovers subtle nuances and layers of detail that I did not hear before.
I hope this made some kind of sense. It's really the only way I can describe the differences. It does make me want to re-evaluate what little remains of my tube collection. However, I can say the uber Bifrost makes the Mullards sing!
Cheers and all the best!
-HK sends
