[cyberridz]

Hi.
 
I just upgraded to the Bifrost Uber and find that while it is a very nice and resolving DAC, it can be a little "bright" and "clinical" at times.
 
Anyone have any recommendations as to what Schiit amplifier it is best paired with (Magni 2/Magni 2 Uber/Asgard 2/Valhalla 2/Lyr 2) to balance out the "brightness" and emphasize more of the lower frequencies to give it a more full bodied sound?
 
Also, what are the best pairings with headphones for the recommended system?
 
Comments appreciated. Thanks.

 

[cyberridz]

I am also looking at orthos in the future.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I just upgraded to the Bifrost Uber and find that while it is a very nice and resolving DAC, it can be a little "bright" and "clinical" at times.
Anyone have any recommendations as to what Schiit amplifier it is best paired with (Magni 2/Magni 2 Uber/Asgard 2/Valhalla 2/Lyr 2) to balance out the "brightness" and emphasize more of the lower frequencies to give it a more full bodied sound?
Also, what are the best pairings with headphones for the recommended system?

 
So you do not have an amplifier now and you were plugging the headphone straight into the Bifrost?
What headphones are you using now?

 

[cyberridz]

I am using a Violectric V90, the two headphones I have are my Grado SR80i and my Shure SRH440. The Violectric is a nice amp but in my opinion, it does not pair well with the Bifrost Uber as it tends to sound "fuzzy","congested" and at times "dull" and "lifeless" when used in combination with it.

 

[Badfish5446]

Something with tubes gives you the flexibility to tweak the sound signature by tube rolling, I would pick one that matches your current and future headphones (if any planned) power requirements/impedance/sensitivity..  As far as tubes stay away from modern/new production tubes and aim for Amperex Holland/USA, something from Mullard or Brimar would help warm things up for you.  The matsush1ta's (language filter) make for a decent upgrade from stock tubes on the lyr.  I found the new production tubes to have similar tonality to solid state with less warmth than many NOS tubes. They still have that "tube magic" in the soundstage air but lack the lush vocals, textured bass and three dimensionality of my favorite NOS  tubes.

 

[cyberridz]

How often do you replace the tubes? I know Schiit says about 5000 hours, but in real world use, how long do they really last?

 

[Badfish5446]

  How often do you replace the tubes? I know Schiit says about 5000 hours, but in real world use, how long do they really last?

I haven't had a pair die on me yet - going strong 2+ years.  I did have one of the original tubes develop some noise but that would most likely go away if I found the time to properly clean the pins.  I use the amp on average 10-15 hours a week.  I turn it on when I get home if there is a chance I will pop on some headphones, so its on more like 35 hours a week but only a portion of that time am I actively using it.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I am using a Violectric V90, the two headphones I have are my Grado SR80i and my Shure SRH440. The Violectric is a nice amp but in my opinion, it does not pair well with the Bifrost Uber as it tends to sound "fuzzy","congested" and at times "dull" and "lifeless" when used in combination with it.

 
How do you have the Bifrost connected to the source?
What program do you use to play audio files?
What were you using as a DAC before you got the Bifrost?

 

[cyberridz]

The Bifrost Uber is connected via USB (USB Gen-2) playing on iTunes on the Mac. The last DAC I had was the HRT Music Streamer II.