I wouldn't mind checking out the 2/64 "card" I recently got a new headphone amp started with gungnir A2 and then moved to BF2 OG. There's something about it with headphones for me that's just freaking perfect. Do prefer my gungnir A2 in the speaker rig though.
Schiit Audio Bifrost 2
- Thread starter starence
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omarccxr
Head-Fier
I like my 2/64, but I do notice it's slightly v-shaped. It changes voices too much for me, NOS does make them sound more natural, but we all know there's drawbacks with that, it's just not extended enough on a speaker setup to be really fun for me.
For now though, I'm happy garbling up the signal chain by passing it through the Darkvoice pres. It kinda makes the Bifrost on it's own a little glarey and harsh in comparison.
However for headphones it's right about bang on. I kinda hate that all my headphones (HD600, HD650, Penon Serial) are really good at revealing source changes lol, even the Serial is revealing enough to tell when it's compromised by the chain.
For now though, I'm happy garbling up the signal chain by passing it through the Darkvoice pres. It kinda makes the Bifrost on it's own a little glarey and harsh in comparison.
However for headphones it's right about bang on. I kinda hate that all my headphones (HD600, HD650, Penon Serial) are really good at revealing source changes lol, even the Serial is revealing enough to tell when it's compromised by the chain.
Baten
Headphoneus Supremus
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XLR to RCA cable is generally not recommended, you will lose all balanced benefit. it just doesn't work like that...
My BF2/64 was delivered yesterday morning, Aug 7. I placed the order morning of Aug 4, LOL, a far cry from the 4+ month wait buyers were looking at only a couple months ago.
I love it. That's it, that's my review.
I'm not after some elusive end-game rig, though it sounds significantly and immediately noticeably better (for my tastes) than the ES9028 DAC card in my Jot2. Hell, tbh, it makes no sense for me to even have the modest rig I have now (Jot2 + BF2/64) given the very low hours of use it will get in all likelihood. That said, it is nice to have for when I do want to use. When I am at my home office desk and want to use headphones/IEMs, the BF2/64 will be connected via USB-B to USB-C cable directly to my M1Pro Macbook Pro.
I have my music library on an external SSD (I do not subscribe to any music services; all music played are 16- and 24-bit ALAC). I thought about buying a M2 Mac Mini (to run headless via screen sharing purely for music with my external SSD attached to it) when they were on sale recently, but it seems Apple is making those types of set-ups more iffy with each macOS revision, so again, based on lack of use, decided not worth my effort (I value my time more than I value my money; frankly, don't have enough of either hahahaha).
I love it. That's it, that's my review.
I'm not after some elusive end-game rig, though it sounds significantly and immediately noticeably better (for my tastes) than the ES9028 DAC card in my Jot2. Hell, tbh, it makes no sense for me to even have the modest rig I have now (Jot2 + BF2/64) given the very low hours of use it will get in all likelihood. That said, it is nice to have for when I do want to use. When I am at my home office desk and want to use headphones/IEMs, the BF2/64 will be connected via USB-B to USB-C cable directly to my M1Pro Macbook Pro.
I have my music library on an external SSD (I do not subscribe to any music services; all music played are 16- and 24-bit ALAC). I thought about buying a M2 Mac Mini (to run headless via screen sharing purely for music with my external SSD attached to it) when they were on sale recently, but it seems Apple is making those types of set-ups more iffy with each macOS revision, so again, based on lack of use, decided not worth my effort (I value my time more than I value my money; frankly, don't have enough of either hahahaha).
tincanear
Headphoneus Supremus
Bifrost 2 and Bifrost 2/64 feature both XLR and RCA outputs, so you wouldn't need to use a converting cable unless you were trying to drive two separate SE-input-only amplifiers, but don't want to use a high-quality RCA splitter or audio xlr-se coupling transformer (e.g. Jensen etc).
If both source (dac) and downstream device (amp) support balanced (XLR), I recommend that over the SE (RCA) connection.
Per section 5 of the linked document, there are different ways to internally wire cables with 3-pin XLR female input and RCA output (designed to connect a balanced source to a single-ended device input): the configuration that would be compatible with the Bifrost 2/64's output XLR's connects XLR pin 1 (gnd) to RCA shield, XLR pin 2 (+ phase) to RCA center pin, XLR pin 3 (- phase) is left unconnected.
https://www.grimmaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/TPR-Assemblies-pinout-sheet.pdf
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NiGHTS4EVA
100+ Head-Fier
I ask cause most people say balanced equipment sounds best through their balanced outs
Baten
Headphoneus Supremus
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When actually using those balanced outs balanced. Using a single ended cable just kills half the pin-out.
emorrison33
500+ Head-Fier
Great review! And I'm being serious. I concur with your review
Hello all.. greeting from Jakarta.. my BF2 is on the way and i will be join this forum and will ask many question about it.... I brought it second hand.. very exciting waiting it to arrive my home.... currently i am using raspberry pi + hifiberry digi pro+ volumio... so i have option to connect to BF2 using USB or COAX... i know it is an old question, but Schiit talk so much about their UNISON USB, so i wondering... if there an option connect using USB or COAX, which way to go ? also my hifiberry digi pro+ have dual clock for 44 and 48... so USB or Coax/Optic ??
Hello and welcome! I vote for Unison all the way. I've listened on all 3 input options you mention and always seemed to prefer Unison.
Unsolicited advice: If I were going to change anything else in this setup the 1st thing would be changing the player software to either moode or straight mpd with lots of tweaks (if you're into tweaking
). After that would be a nice linear power supply for the pi if you don't have one already.
Orange5o
500+ Head-Fier
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm not certain the usb on the hifiberry is an output? Regardless, I came from a hifiberry originally and would say either just use the usb output of the pi (if it is a 4), or upgrade the hat to something from pi2aes. The lite is on sale and sounded like a clear upgrade from hifiberry to me, or the v2 regular if you're up for powering the pi and hat separately.
Volumio was fine when I used it and if I had not sprung for Roon I would probably still use it, just my two cents though
Volumio was fine when I used it and if I had not sprung for Roon I would probably still use it, just my two cents though
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Hello.. it is arrive.. OG BF2.. seems the firmware still haven't been update yet cause i cannot change to NOS by holding switch for more than 5sec... so... should i update it or leave it as it ? the sound very good, and i afraid the sound might change after firmware update??
The firmware is available on Schiit's website along with instructions
- Ref: https://www.schiit.com/firmware
The MCB mode should still sound the same as before. Pretty sure the firmware only enables NOS as an option and doesn't alter the original filtering.
Happy listening
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morpheus69
100+ Head-Fier
Checking the NOS makes you appreciate the MCB more 8)The firmware is available on Schiit's website along with instructions
- Ref: https://www.schiit.com/firmware
The MCB mode should still sound the same as before. Pretty sure the firmware only enables NOS as an option and doesn't alter the original filtering.
Happy listening
omarccxr
Head-Fier
Or hate it
But yes it's really good at cutting sibilance compared to nos.Users who are viewing this thread
