Schiit Audio Bifrost 2

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Ok, so here goes...

First off I am not in either camp that cables sound different or not, I believe some make a difference, I believe some are just truly snake oil, and I also believe that the people that believe cables are cables are a bit off the mark in the way they judge it by measurements. I am a firm believer in Worlds best cables, and some audioquest, why? Build quality and yes I have heard differences with them so I continue to use them. Nothing to crazy, and no that's not a knock to those that pay hundreds of dollars on cables. My personal feeling is I do not have equipment worthy of that level of spoiling, lol

Now onto the point,

There's been a few posts here regarding USB cables and if it matters..Today I became a believer in they can, and to be honest I'm looking for some answers, and possibly for some to try this cable. A friend of mine who has way, way more expensive equipment than I, told me to order this cable and just give it a chance. So i'm going to share my brief experience with it and hopefully a few of you will grab one and tell me I'm nuts. By the way I am ordering 2 more after I'm done here, lol

So here's the cable...

It's from Monosaudio, and I got it off Amazon. I am currently using it on my BF2 and all I can say is...

It's awesome! I immediately noticed a difference in the bass being stronger, or tighter, not sure which. The midrange is pretty much what it was. The highs are not as sharp as the were with the other USB, they are very present just not as harsh. And here's the kicker I was listening to a song I have heard a million times and I went wait, huh??

I'm hearing tiny details in the music I did not or did not notice before! Help!! Someone get this cable and tell me I F'n crazy please, I'm begging, lol

It's a beautiful well built quality cable, just the feel of it speaks to it. Finally I have no earthly idea what the sliding metal band is for so if someone can help me out there as well. Also I do not work for this company nor do I in any way get paid for this. Never even heard the name before my friend told me.

I'll give you guys the link, and if anyone tries one, please come back here and reply to my post. I am patiently waiting for the, this cable sucks and you're out of your damn mind Bubba!!

Cheers!!

Link...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H8SMTYV?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

 

[Delta9K]

Ok, so here goes...

First off I am not in either camp that cables sound different or not, I believe some make a difference, I believe some are just truly snake oil, and I also believe that the people that believe cables are cables are a bit off the mark in the way they judge it by measurements. I am a firm believer in

Now onto the point,

It's from Monosaudio, and I got it off Amazon. I am currently using it on my BF2 and all I can say is..

Link...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H8SMTYV?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Appears to be the same cable here, maybe?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZ2TZ1S/ref=emc_b_5_t

Either way - I have recently become enlightened to "Cables" matter. Started off with headphone cables, and though I did not want to hear a difference I did, even with $200-400 cables. I haven't gone over the edge (yet) with $700+ cables but who knows...

Point is I have been picking out some USB cables in the same manner starting off with <$125 first - to see if I can hear a difference (with my luck I probably will - RIP wallet...) So, I ordered a Pangea Premier and a Audioquest Forest cable - And the cable that you linked - not the other I found.

Well that Monosaudio branded cable arrived first. I'm going to wait a week or so before swapping it in because I also in the last week added a Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 into my primary signal chain. I am already hearing improvements from that addition so need to give my head and ears sometime to recalculate a baseline before introducing another variable. I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

Oh as far as I can figure, that collar (has three arrows) is just to indicate direction (though USB is bi-di?), just like on the worlds best cables, only they use a tag.

Cheers!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Appears to be the same cable here, maybe?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZ2TZ1S/ref=emc_b_5_t

Either way - I have recently become enlightened to "Cables" matter. Started off with headphone cables, and though I did not want to hear a difference I did, even with $200-400 cables. I haven't gone over the edge (yet) with $700+ cables but who knows...

Point is I have been picking out some USB cables in the same manner starting off with <$125 first - to see if I can hear a difference (with my luck I probably will - RIP wallet...) So, I ordered a Pangea Premier and a Audioquest Forest cable - And the cable that you linked - not the other I found.

Well that Monosaudio branded cable arrived first. I'm going to wait a week or so before swapping it in because I also in the last week added a Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 into my primary signal chain. I am already hearing improvements from that addition so need to give my head and ears sometime to recalculate a baseline before introducing another variable. I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

Oh as far as I can figure, that collar (has three arrows) is just to indicate direction (though USB is bi-di?), just like on the worlds best cables, only they use a tag.

Cheers!

Best of luck to you, I completely agree with the break I do that also. I’m waiting on my AQ Cinnamon to see between the two, it becomes an arduous task to try to point out what is different, when you hear it you know but to translate that to someone is extremely hard, so I tried to be honest and fair to everyone. Looking forward to your thoughts on that cable, going to check out the one you linked when I get home!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Finally decided on some feet for my gear, I think they look pretty good. I shall call it, "The Majestic Tower". LMAO

 

[Guidostrunk]

Looks fantastic bro! Which ones did you get? Possible link? Thanks

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Looks fantastic bro! Which ones did you get? Possible link? Thanks

Thanks man, Appreciate it! I settled on the Monosaudio "gold feet" the others will go in a drawer for me to find years from now and put on something...lol

2 Links, 1 for the feet and one for the pads I use to stick them on, easy to change them later if I feel like it, lol...Cheers!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0819GD9JC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QHX6TV8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Enjoy!

 

[Guidostrunk]

Hell yeah! Thanks man!

 

[yagislav]

Hi guys, just picked up a Bifrost 2 today. Since there are no drivers to install on my windows 10 machine, in Roon, the only option is to use as WASAPI. I will attach some screenshots of my setup in Roon. Could someone help me out and let me know if I have the proper / optimal setup for the BF2? All my other DAC's that I have used previously came with drivers that I had to install and then I could select the ASIO driver for the particular DAC. This is my first time using a Schiit DAC.

Thanks!

 

[Delta9K]

WASAPI is fine, and is bit perfect - and is your only option with the BF2. I actually use WASAPI even when ASIO is an option, this is a matter of personal choice though and I'm not wanting to argue which is better. IMO as long as the correct data gets to the DAC in a timely matter it will be fine.

Regarding your roon settings, they look good to me. I don't use Tidal so I have the MQA settings disabled but other than that they are pretty much the same.
I'm sure you have already seen this but sharing anyway incase it helps. https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/audio-setup-basics Also, near the end of the "Advanced" settings there are additional audio notes related to your specific device OS discussing WASAPI /ASIO etc., and options you may find interesting,

 

[yagislav]

WASAPI is fine, and is bit perfect - and is your only option with the BF2. I actually use WASAPI even when ASIO is an option, this is a matter of personal choice though and I'm not wanting to argue which is better. IMO as long as the correct data gets to the DAC in a timely matter it will be fine.

Regarding your roon settings, they look good to me. I don't use Tidal so I have the MQA settings disabled but other than that they are pretty much the same.
I'm sure you have already seen this but sharing anyway incase it helps. https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/audio-setup-basics Also, near the end of the "Advanced" settings there are additional audio notes related to your specific device OS discussing WASAPI /ASIO etc., and options you may find interesting,

Thank you! very helpful.

 

[lexx510]

WASAPI is fine, and is bit perfect - and is your only option with the BF2. I actually use WASAPI even when ASIO is an option, this is a matter of personal choice though and I'm not wanting to argue which is better. IMO as long as the correct data gets to the DAC in a timely matter it will be fine.

Regarding your roon settings, they look good to me. I don't use Tidal so I have the MQA settings disabled but other than that they are pretty much the same.
I'm sure you have already seen this but sharing anyway incase it helps. https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/audio-setup-basics Also, near the end of the "Advanced" settings there are additional audio notes related to your specific device OS discussing WASAPI /ASIO etc., and options you may find interesting,

I can't seem to tell the difference between WASAPI and ASIO, but tend to use WASAPI as well.

 

[2ndWedge]

I can't seem to tell the difference between WASAPI and ASIO, but tend to use WASAPI as well.

I noticed in the manual for the new Bluesound Node that they are reversing the usb A port to be outgoing. Might make a good streamer now for $550 US. Connected to a Bifrost 2 of course.

 

[Mightygrey]

I noticed in the manual for the new Bluesound Node that they are reversing the usb A port to be outgoing. Might make a good streamer now for $550 US. Connected to a Bifrost 2 of course.

A Chromecast Audio feeding the Bifrost 2 makes for a super convenient, and super affordable streamer. It's Roon ready too, which is so bloody helpful.

 

[2ndWedge]

A Chromecast Audio feeding the Bifrost 2 makes for a super convenient, and super affordable streamer. It's Roon ready too, which is so bloody helpful.

Been noise about DDC’s such as the Denafrips Iris helping sub $1,000 dacs but it makes no difference connected to the Bifrost 2. It is that well designed. Amazing usb implementation.

 

[lexx510]

A Chromecast Audio feeding the Bifrost 2 makes for a super convenient, and super affordable streamer. It's Roon ready too, which is so bloody helpful.

IF I recall correctly, I remember Chromecast Audio limiting to 256kbps on Spotify. I'm not sure if it also has the same limits on other hi res platforms?