Schiit DACs (Bifrost and Gungnir down, one to go)? The information and anticipation thread.

[sampson_smith]

Based on a quick Wiki search, it immediately becomes obvious why Bifrost is a very good name for a Schiit DAC:
 
"In Norse mythology, Bifröst or Bilröst is a burning rainbow bridge that reaches between Midgard (the world) and Asgard, the realm of the gods. The bridge is attested as Bilröst in the Poetic Edda; compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and as Bifröst in the Prose Edda; written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson, and in the poetry of skalds. Both the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda alternately refer to the bridge as Asbrú (Old Norse "Æsir's bridge").^[1]
 
Scholar Andy Orchard posits that Bifröst may mean "shimmering path." He notes that the first element of Bilröst—bil (meaning "a moment")—"suggests the fleeting nature of the rainbow," which he connects to the first element of Bifröst—the Old Norse verb bifa (meaning "to shimmer" or "to shake")—noting that the element provokes notions of the "lustrous sheen" of the bridge.^[2] Austrian Germanist Rudolf Simek says that Bifröst either means "the swaying road to heaven" (also citing bifa) or, if Bilröst is the original form of the two (which Simek says is likely), "the fleetingly glimpsed rainbow" (possibly connected to bil, perhaps meaning "moment, weak point").^[3]"
 
So I hope this means that this doesn't only work with the Asgard, and only works best when playing "Stairway to Heaven".
 
 

 

[Hero Kid]

Quote:

Based on a quick Wiki search, it immediately becomes obvious why Bifrost is a very good name for a Schiit DAC:
 
[...]

Indeed. http://www.head-fi.org/t/545842/schiit-dacs-one-down-two-to-go-the-information-and-anticipation-thread/105#post_7512245

 

[sampson_smith]

Fair enough. I had a feeling that was discussed before. Pretty witty Schiit, regardless!

 

[dyl1dyl]

Hey Jason, the waiting is getting kinda unbearable, mind shedding some light on the upcoming balanced DAC and statement DAC to tide us over till the Bifrost ships? (hint hint-design, concept and pricing would be nice)

 

[Zorlac]

My want list:
 
1. 75 Ohm BNC digital S/PDIF input
 
2. Two 3-pin XLR balanced analog outputs
 
3. Dual Wolfson WM8741 DAC chips
 
4. Sample rate display (or LED lights) on front so I can verify bitperfect output from my source (i.e. computer)

 

[sling5s]

I would think the Schiit Statement Dac would have a better Dac chip than the WM8741.  I know it's in the implementation but even Budget Dacs by Audio GD has Dual WM8741.
 
Quote:

My want list:
 
1. 75 Ohm BNC digital S/PDIF input
 
2. Two 3-pin XLR balanced analog outputs
 
3. Dual Wolfson WM8741 DAC chips
 
4. Sample rate display (or LED lights) on front so I can verify bitperfect output from my source (i.e. computer)

 

 

[K3cT]

The highly-regarded PerfectWave DAC also has the WM8741. What's your point? 

 

[Kremer930]

No need to discuss the WM8741, as much as I do like the detail and yet smoothness of those chips, they are not the one to be used in the upcoming Schiit Dacs.  You may well guess the mid tier dac chip but the top end dac will have something quite different from what I have heard.
 
I cant remember if Jason has announced the chip for the mid dac yet?  Does anyone recall?

 

[marcelo61]

i don't care what chip in there but the SQ,if it sounds good ,that's all the matter.
i want the xlr output too,and the aes/ebu input.

 

[agisthos]

Hey Jason tell us about the discrete output stage.
 
It is great that you guys have a proper output stage, and quality power supply, as these are the two biggest factors in SQ, after what type of DAC chip is used. And having a quality spdif implementation is fantastic.
Im glad you are purists who dump the idea of having wall warts or volume pots e.t.c
 
 

 

[Kremer930]

Hi Jason.  How is the Bifrost production going?  Did you get the transformer supplier sorted?  Almost only 1 month to go until shipping....hmmm ground hog day?  This comment seems strangely familiar.  

 

[Jason Stoddard]

Hey all,
 
Yep, looks like production is sorted on Bifrost, so barring any other surprises, September 30 is solid.
 
As far as details on the other DACs, yes, we're keeping things close to our chest--not for any cloak and dagger reasons, but because we're still prototyping/testing/optimizing. Let's see what else I can clear up, though.
 
All DACs: will use the same optional USB card, and all will have upgrade paths--see next comment.
Midrange balanced DAC: we're still in the middle of testing, so I can't confirm which D-A converter we're using. 
Statement DAC: we won't be using a D-A converter used by any other manufacturer of audio gear. 
 
Hope this helps a bit.
 
All the best,
Jason
 

 

[dyl1dyl]

Quote:

Hey all,
 
Yep, looks like production is sorted on Bifrost, so barring any other surprises, September 30 is solid.
 
As far as details on the other DACs, yes, we're keeping things close to our chest--not for any cloak and dagger reasons, but because we're still prototyping/testing/optimizing. Let's see what else I can clear up, though.
 
All DACs: will use the same optional USB card, and all will have upgrade paths--see next comment.
Midrange balanced DAC: we're still in the middle of testing, so I can't confirm which D-A converter we're using. 
Statement DAC: we won't be using a D-A converter used by any other manufacturer of audio gear. 
 
Hope this helps a bit.
 
All the best,
Jason
 

Cool, absolutely cant wait for the statement DAC. Do you guys have the names yet for the balanced and statement DACs? I'm pretty sure the guys here at headfi have lots of great ideas for names.
 

 

[olor1n]

Jason, if the usb adapter isn't chosen initially, can it be purchased separately and slotted into the dac after purchase?
 
Also, what's the likelihood of the other dacs having more than one set of rca outputs? Will we see either this year?

 

[blankdisc]

Hi Jason,
Will both future DACs be released at the same time? or the Statement DAC will come a few months after the balanced one?
how about price point of those two DACs? have a rough estimate you could share with us?
 
Quote:

Hey all,
 
Yep, looks like production is sorted on Bifrost, so barring any other surprises, September 30 is solid.
 
As far as details on the other DACs, yes, we're keeping things close to our chest--not for any cloak and dagger reasons, but because we're still prototyping/testing/optimizing. Let's see what else I can clear up, though.
 
All DACs: will use the same optional USB card, and all will have upgrade paths--see next comment.
Midrange balanced DAC: we're still in the middle of testing, so I can't confirm which D-A converter we're using. 
Statement DAC: we won't be using a D-A converter used by any other manufacturer of audio gear. 
 
Hope this helps a bit.
 
All the best,
Jason