Schiit Bifrost Uber Analog Upgrade

[Joong]

The new USB upgrade board is ok with usb3.0?
Wrt wiki , USB 3.0 is ompatible with any existing USB 2.0 device.
But it is true with audio device like BIFROST?

 

[Pritolus]

Quote:

The new USB upgrade board is ok with usb3.0?
Wrt wiki , USB 3.0 is ompatible with any existing USB 2.0 device.
But it is true with audio device like BIFROST?

 
USB 3.0 is compatible with any USB device, be it 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0.
I'm running a USB 2.0 DAC (Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus) from my USB 3.0 port, no problem. The only issue is that Cambridge haven't made a Windows 8 compatible driver, which causes some issues in asynchronous USB mode. IIRC, Schiit has already got a functioning Win 8 driver for their USB DACs.

 

[internethandle]

Quote:

Thanks to everyone for the detailed instructions.  I managed to upgrade my Bifrost fairly quickly and painlessly as a result!
 
Now, the old board I had is versioned at 1.11 and is basically a single sided board with the processor really the only surface mounted component:
 
 

 
I noticed earlier in the thread that someone's stock board is actually much more similar to the new one in construction in that it has more surface mounted parts, is dual sided, and the processor moved to the same position as the uber board.  I meant to make note of the version on the uber board I received but I forgot to.
 
I'm definitely happy with the results, but I wonder how many versions of the stock board have shipped already and if they actually have noticeable sonic differences between them?
 
EDIT: I'm referring to HK_sends v2.30 stock board in post #45.

 
I also have the board you have with the "through hole" components, which appears to be the earliest iteration of the board, from what I've gathered. I'm curious about what exactly the differences were in the boards that came between our board and the Uber, but so far Jason and co. have been mute on the subject, I suspect because they're a) busy with filling upgrade orders and b) probably don't want to stir the pot re: the 'no user servicable parts inside' thing. Also have realized that the Uber has SMD's on BOTH sides of its board, whereas the boards in between the original through hole board and the Uber, while featuring SMD's, only have the SMD's on one side of the board. 

 

[HK_sends]

Quote:

 
I also have the board you have with the "through hole" components, which appears to be the earliest iteration of the board, from what I've gathered. I'm curious about what exactly the differences were in the boards that came between our board and the Uber, but so far Jason and co. have been mute on the subject, I suspect because they're a) busy with filling upgrade orders and b) probably don't want to stir the pot re: the 'no user servicable parts inside' thing. Also have realized that the Uber has SMD's on BOTH sides of its board, whereas the boards in between the original through hole board and the Uber, while featuring SMD's, only have the SMD's on one side of the board. 

Is it possible there's also a "C" option: changes in manufacturing technology and components didn't make a significant enough sonic difference to warrant advertising the change?  Just sayin'...
 
Cheers!

-HK sends

 

[Byronb]

Finally got the time to install the Uber Analog upgrade today, it took me about 15 minutes to install, quite easy thanks to the step by steps here. Thanks to all involved in helping your fellow Schiit heads 

 
So before I shut down for the upgrade I did a critical listening session with a group of songs I am very familiar with. Now I understand our audio memory is not perfect, but I don't have anyway to do a side by side comparison, so this is the best I could do. All I can say is wow!!!! I was honestly expecting, and would have been quite happy with a very marginal improvement. I am happy to say that the bass extension that I have gotten is just excellent. The soundstage is a bit wider, detail is a little sharper. Overall things are just better. I am very happy. This should keep me from looking at a new DAC for quite some time. 

 

[gefski]

Reading the Head-Fi posts, it looks like everybody is already really liking the Uber Analog upgrade, but the dust hasn't settled yet on the sonics or any glitches with the USB Gen 2. Think I'll do the Uber Analog to start.

 

[internethandle]

Agreed with above - so far have just purchased the Uber. The differences with the USB 2 vs. older USB board seem less clear cut other than the extra 176.2 capability, at least without further clarification from Schiit. Given that they are asserting the USB board is better than a lot of USB->SPDIF converters currently, it seems as though there's more to meet the eye than just that, but I don't really know what exactly. The reported omission of all the SPDIF outs etc. that used to show up (in Windows at least) with the old USB board definitely a welcome improvement, though. I'm sure there's more than what's already been said but we'll have to wait and see. I know at least one Head-Fi'er said when he got the upgraded USB board he felt like the sound improved, and that was without the Uber board.
 
edit: My reading comprehension sucks - the official site description of the USB2 upgrade also mentions it has "additional isolation and filtering," which answers my questions at least somewhat.

 

[toschek]

  If all the change did was to make 176.4Khz files playable its not really worth that.  HDtracks generally only makes 96Khz and 192Khz files available in Hirez.  Is there 176.4 tracks out there to purchase?  I plan on letting the Bifrost run over the weekend to see if it sounds any better on Monday.   I feel that the Bifrost took a month of being powered on to settle in to it's final sound profile.

Well, if you use a plugin like BitPerfect for iTunes on a Mac you can upsample now to 176.8, but yeah, I don't see the point either. The analog board on the other hand is a different story. I don't imagine many people will be buying the non-uber version any more what with the Modi costing significantly less and getting to within 85% or so. The Modi is already a great value DAC, it's just held back by lack of inputs and top end resolution (most people are satisfied with 96, and to be honest, why shouldn't they be?)

 

[Mediahound]

Yeah, that's not the only upgrade though.

"This new USB input card for Bifrost and Gungnir improves USB performance across the board, and allows you to enjoy music encoded in 24/176.4. Featuring the C-Media CM6631A receiver and additional isolation and filtering,"

 

[BenchmarkGrado]

Fellow Head-Fiers,

Thanks to the efforts of toschek, sceleratus and others we know how to reliably install the uber upgrade ourselves.
Granted Schiit must lodge a disclaimer regarding possible static electric damage to the board as a result of improper installation. That being said, can someone knowledgeable in such safeguards give us who are not an inservice in proper grounding practices. Where do we source a grounding strap?
Thanks .

Mc

 

[sceleratus]

Quote:

Fellow Head-Fiers,

Thanks to the efforts of toschek, sceleratus and others we know how to reliably install the uber upgrade ourselves.
Granted Schiit must lodge a disclaimer regarding possible static electric damage to the board as a result of improper installation. That being said, can someone knowledgeable in such safeguards give us who are not an inservice in proper grounding practices. Where do we source a grounding strap?
Thanks .

Mc

I have assembled $10M's of networking equipment and never used one.... should have.
 
Discharge static against something that's grounded.
Unplug both units
Wear your kicks but nor a wool sweater while installing the board.
Work away from anything else that is plugged in to the wall.... Computer.
 
The enclosure won't pick up a charge while you are working.
The board will be removed from the enclosure.
Nothing for it to come in contact with, but you can put an insulator on the desktop if you wish.
You will be fine.
 
To use a grounding strap you need to have a ground handy on the workbench Because the wrist strap has a cord to ground.
POA
 
EDIT:   Grounding Gear

 

[bearFNF]

Quote:

I have assembled $10M's of networking equipment and never used one.... should have.
 
Discharge static against something that's grounded.
Unplug both units
Wear your kicks but nor a wool sweater while installing the board.
Work away from anything else that is plugged in to the wall.... Computer.
 
The enclosure won't pick up a charge while you are working.
The board will be removed from the enclosure.
Nothing for it to come in contact with, but you can put an insulator on the desktop if you wish.
You will be fine.
 
To use a grounding strap you need to have a ground handy on the workbench Because the wrist strap has a cord to ground.
POA
 
EDIT:   Grounding Gear

If possible avoid working in a room with a carpet, a kitchen table on linoleum would be best.  If you have to work where there is carpet avoid moving around too much and try to always be touching the case of the unit.  The object is to not build up a static charge.  A cloth desk chair is a typical cause of static build-up.
 
The humidity in your house may cause the static build up to be a problem, also.
 
All this being said I have built many computers in my living room on my coffee table with no strap.  Have never had any issues.  Just need to take proper precautions.  I always touch the case before touching anything else, I also try to set sensitive components in their static bag on the case to make sure the case, me, and the component are at the same electrical potential before touching the component or taking it out of its bag.  I have also put all components on a static dissipative pad/bag and then touch the pad/bag or a not so sensitive component, like the metal case/housing before starting to work.

 

[digitalzed]

Quote:

Fellow Head-Fiers,

Thanks to the efforts of toschek, sceleratus and others we know how to reliably install the uber upgrade ourselves.
Granted Schiit must lodge a disclaimer regarding possible static electric damage to the board as a result of improper installation. That being said, can someone knowledgeable in such safeguards give us who are not an inservice in proper grounding practices. Where do we source a grounding strap?
Thanks .

Mc

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=esd+wrist+straps&tag=googhydr-20&index=industrial&hvadid=16941187890&hvpos=1t3&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1804899140540971213&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_41imnh0tcl_b
 
The straps can found also at a local computer store for about USD$5.00

 

[internethandle]

I just finished my Uber install finally, and for those of us with the older analog board (the one with through hole) be warned that there is only ONE standoff for the analog board, not two. There's another hole on the Uber board (and, apparently, from looking at other install photos, another standoff) for a second standoff, but if you have one of the earlier Bifrosts like me you only have one standoff to screw a screw into. It didn't seem to affect the board's stability, though - the pins supported the majority of its weight and it's very sturdy.

 

[bearFNF]

Quote:

I just finished my Uber install finally, and for those of us with the older analog board (the one with through hole) be warned that there is only ONE standoff for the analog board, not two. There's another hole on the Uber board (and, apparently, from looking at other install photos, another standoff) for a second standoff, but if you have one of the earlier Bifrosts like me you only have one standoff to screw a screw into. It didn't seem to affect the board's stability, though - the pins supported the majority of its weight and it's very sturdy.

My board came with two stand-offs in the box.  Maybe they forgot to send them?  Might send Jason an email an ask.  I did not need to use them as mine had two already.