I had a JDS element II for a bit and then had bounced between a Quad Vena, NAD D 3045 and Yamaha WXA50 integrated amps in my setups before deciding to go with active speakers. This is my first real separate DAC( I guess I also had creative sound blaster cards over the years also)
My real desire was to buy the Bifrost 2 after the end of October, and I saw the delivery dates were "4 to 6 weeks" (or something like that, maybe 2 to 4), so I figured, "order it now" ... so I ordered it yesterday. But then I got an email last night, ... it will arrive on Monday, the 25th, FedEx says.
Sadly had to ship it back. Kept dropping a signal and not being detected even after unplugging it. Tried a few USB cables and ports but no joy. I dunno every other DAC I’ve had on same rig never had an issue so maybe it was a conflict with other gear.
I ordered my Bifrost 2 early Jan. /21. Listed as back ordered, with several weeks wait. Yea, get my order in the queue! Shipped within the week.
My speculation (not really, it's the way any mail order/internet business works). Schiit receives many orders, from all parts of the world. The computer generated delivery estimate is based on all incoming orders in the queue being genuine. It's also a sales gimmick. "You can't buy X product at any price... it's unavailable. Better get that order in... first come, first served."
Secondary inspection, of methods of payment, delivery addresses, etc., probably knocks out many orders. A valid order moves up rapidly.
Everyone was saying my Modi 3+ was not as great as the Bifrost 2, and only having heard the Modi 3+, I wasn’t well positioned to talk about what I heard with my own ears.
Everyone was saying my Modi 3+ was not as great as the Bifrost 2, and only having heard the Modi 3+, I wasn’t well positioned to talk about what I heard with my own ears.
Part of me is reluctant to quantify it, but yet numbers are so much more precise than words. With hesitation, after less than one day, not too sure, I would say that 4 to 6 percent of what the Modi 3+ renders as "mush", a mush of noise, is rendered as "detail" by the Bifrost 2.
Obviously, the Modi 3+ is the bargain, and the Bifrost 2 is the better performing DAC.
Maybe the dynamic range (the ability to jump from soft to loud) is better from the Bifrost 2 than from the Modi 3+.
To really do this right, one needs an A/B switch, then the differences are easier to hear. Our memories of sound quality are weak. And I don't have an A/B switch, and I don't want to get one. But, as the Modi 3+ did when it arrived, the Bifrost 2 is giving me moments when I hear new details that I didn't hear with the Modi 3+. Not constantly, but from time to time.
The Bifrost 2 is better, but the Modi 3+ is not a bad DAC.
I am testing with a Lyr 3 and Sennheiser HD660S headphones.
For a hundred bucks the Modi 3 is a bargain. In my opinion the Modius is much better for a hundred more. The Mimby is still my favorite. I was going to order a Bifrost 2 for my birthday last week but saw the wait list and didn't do it. I'm thinking about the Ares II but I own and have owned a lot of Schiit.
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I am happy that I got it. At least now I can really participate in the conversation. 