[Derivative]

Recently acquired a second hand Bifrost 2/64, and been enjoying it paired with a Vio V280 and my Focal Clear phones. Overall a somewhat warm leaning system which I find quite enjoyable.

One issue I'm looking for advice on: Bifrost 2/64 seems to buzz / hum constantly as soon as it's turned on. Doesn't matter if any input is plugged in, and doesn't matter which input is used (I've used USB and optical so far).
I'm going to assume this isn't normal but can others confirm? If not, then I imagine it has something to do with the transformer? any ideas as to how I could reduce / eliminate the humming?

 

[zexk]

Recently acquired a second hand Bifrost 2/64, and been enjoying it paired with a Vio V280 and my Focal Clear phones. Overall a somewhat warm leaning system which I find quite enjoyable.

One issue I'm looking for advice on: Bifrost 2/64 seems to buzz / hum constantly as soon as it's turned on. Doesn't matter if any input is plugged in, and doesn't matter which input is used (I've used USB and optical so far).
I'm going to assume this isn't normal but can others confirm? If not, then I imagine it has something to do with the transformer? any ideas as to how I could reduce / eliminate the humming?

Could be DC voltage in your main. One way to test is to plug it to another outlet or take it to a friend or family's home to test. If it only hums at your house then it most likely DC in the main. You can reduce hum by using a DC blocker. I have had good results with Audiolab DC blocker.

 

[mekap]

Recently acquired a second hand Bifrost 2/64, and been enjoying it paired with a Vio V280 and my Focal Clear phones. Overall a somewhat warm leaning system which I find quite enjoyable.

One issue I'm looking for advice on: Bifrost 2/64 seems to buzz / hum constantly as soon as it's turned on. Doesn't matter if any input is plugged in, and doesn't matter which input is used (I've used USB and optical so far).
I'm going to assume this isn't normal but can others confirm? If not, then I imagine it has something to do with the transformer? any ideas as to how I could reduce / eliminate the humming?

Yes, it has a barely audible buzz, it's a transformer buzzing. I have two linear power supplies for audio, one of them is also a little noisy, and the second is absolutely no noise, so this noise comes from the transformer.
I put my Schiit 2/64 on rubber vibration isolators, the noise almost decreased, if you put a load on top of the Schiit, then it does not make any noise at all.

I think it is possible to get rid of transformer noise by replacing the Schiit 2/64 transformer with a noiseless toroidal transformer, but this should be done by a specialist.

 

[Derivative]

Could be DC voltage in your main. One way to test is to plug it to another outlet or take it to a friend or family's home to test. If it only hums at your house then it most likely DC in the main. You can reduce hum by using a DC blocker. I have had good results with Audiolab DC blocker.

Yes, it has a barely audible buzz, it's a transformer buzzing. I have two linear power supplies for audio, one of them is also a little noisy, and the second is absolutely no noise, so this noise comes from the transformer.
I put my Schiit 2/64 on rubber vibration isolators, the noise almost decreased, if you put a load on top of the Schiit, then it does not make any noise at all.

I think it is possible to get rid of transformer noise by replacing the Schiit 2/64 transformer with a noiseless toroidal transformer, but this should be done by a specialist.

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it.
I've already tested it out of a different socket and the humming noise remains.
I'll start experimenting with different setups but am not really keen to spend money to resolve this.

I can also hear the humming in my headphones when there's no music playing, like the noise is being transmitted from the Bifrost, to the amp and then to the headphones, creating a very audible noise floor. Would this be expected from transformer / DC voltage hum?

 

[FellowTraveller]

Recently acquired a second hand Bifrost 2/64, and been enjoying it paired with a Vio V280 and my Focal Clear phones. Overall a somewhat warm leaning system which I find quite enjoyable.

One issue I'm looking for advice on: Bifrost 2/64 seems to buzz / hum constantly as soon as it's turned on. Doesn't matter if any input is plugged in, and doesn't matter which input is used (I've used USB and optical so far).
I'm going to assume this isn't normal but can others confirm? If not, then I imagine it has something to do with the transformer? any ideas as to how I could reduce / eliminate the humming?

I have never noticed any hum from either my Bifrost 2 or Bifrost 2/64, FWIW.

 

[mekap]

I can also hear the humming in my headphones when there's no music playing, like the noise is being transmitted from the Bifrost, to the amp and then to the headphones, creating a very audible noise floor.

If you hear noise in the headphones, this is bad, this noise comes from the AC power and Bifrost is not to blame. You need to consult with a specialist.

 

[tincanear]

Recently acquired a second hand Bifrost 2/64, and been enjoying it paired with a Vio V280 and my Focal Clear phones. Overall a somewhat warm leaning system which I find quite enjoyable.

One issue I'm looking for advice on: Bifrost 2/64 seems to buzz / hum constantly as soon as it's turned on. Doesn't matter if any input is plugged in, and doesn't matter which input is used (I've used USB and optical so far).
I'm going to assume this isn't normal but can others confirm? If not, then I imagine it has something to do with the transformer? any ideas as to how I could reduce / eliminate the humming?

Using an xlr balanced connection between Bifrost 2/64 and Vio V280, there should be no audible hum heard in the headphones (assuming full size cans and not high sensitivity IEMs) under normal conditions.

You mentioned that your BF2/64 is used, I would power it down immediately, and check the following--

was this unit correctly internally set for 230V operation? BF2/64 is not auto-switching between 115V & 230V supply mains voltage. there should be a UK or EU distributor (Sonority???, Schiit Audio Europe???) that might be able to assist / verify the correct jumper setting for 230V.

Possibly your unit started out as a BF2 with a subsequent upgrade to the /64 analog module.
IIRC, there was batch of BF2 or BF2/64 with defective capacitors. Try emailing info@schiit with your unit's serial number to see if it was part of that batch.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-audio-bifrost-2.914084/page-11#post-15218790

 

[Derivative]

If you hear noise in the headphones, this is bad, this noise comes from the AC power and Bifrost is not to blame. You need to consult with a specialist.

Apols my knowledge is still limited - when you say AC power do you mean the outlet in my wall? and a specialist would be an electrician?

 

[Derivative]

Using an xlr balanced connection between Bifrost 2/64 and Vio V280, there should be no audible hum heard in the headphones (assuming full size cans and not high sensitivity IEMs) under normal conditions.

You mentioned that your BF2/64 is used, I would power it down immediately, and check the following--

was this unit correctly internally set for 230V operation? BF2/64 is not auto-switching between 115V & 230V supply mains voltage. there should be a UK or EU distributor (Sonority???, Schiit Audio Europe???) that might be able to assist / verify the correct jumper setting for 230V.

Possibly your unit started out as a BF2 with a subsequent upgrade to the /64 analog module.
IIRC, there was batch of BF2 or BF2/64 with defective capacitors. Try emailing info@schiit with your unit's serial number to see if it was part of that batch.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-audio-bifrost-2.914084/page-11#post-15218790

very helpful thank you. I'll investigate these routes and keep you posted.
I confirm I'm using XLR cables between BF and V280.

 

[mekap]

Apols my knowledge is still limited - when you say AC power do you mean the outlet in my wall?

check not the outlet itself in the wall, but check the entire electrical wiring at home, maybe somewhere something is not connected correctly. This can be checked by an electrician.

and a specialist would be an electrician?

right

 

[zexk]

very helpful thank you. I'll investigate these routes and keep you posted.
I confirm I'm using XLR cables between BF and V280.

Just return it if you can. It's not worth the hassle troubleshooting imo.

 

[Derivative]

Just return it if you can. It's not worth the hassle troubleshooting imo.

It was a second hand purchase on eBay, returns not possible sadly.
I think I can just about live with it while I try a few solutions, even if they don't work. Otherwise I'll move it on and take the hit, no biggie.

 

[nasty nate]

I strangely enjoy the clicks - there is something satisfyingly mechanical about them

 

[Neweymatt]

I strangely enjoy the clicks - there is something satisfyingly mechanical about them

Yeah, I leave mine on 24/7, never touching it for weeks at a time, so the clicks are the only way it reminds me that it even exists LOL.

 

[zexk]

I would love to use my Bifrost 2, but this thing runs warm which is not ideal for me to use during these hot summer days in southern California.