[emorrison33]

I should have said the Qutest is single ended. Looks like the Bifrost 2 is 2V SE and 4V balanced (2 x 2V) so maybe 2V/4V works best. I’d be interested to hear of anyone getting above this working and more importantly sounding good.

I've run a Bifrost 2 into a Jot 2 with no issues. Single ended (2v) and balanced (4v). And output to headphones single ended and balanced. I've also added the 2/64 card, which is "true" balanced from the Bifrost 2, with no issues. Does that help?

 

[XGeneX88]

Hey guys, I'm hoping someone here with experience can lend me some suggestion support. I am looking to upgrade my DAC/Amp from an all-in-one DX7S (Topping) to either a Bifrost (latest edition) with a Jotunheim 2 or a D90 + A90D Topping stack. If anyone here has had experience with both setups, can you please talk about how they differed and what/why you preferred one over the other?

I'm also open to trying a hybrid like Bifrost+A90D but now sure how well they would work/sound together in terms of synergy.

FWIW, I absolutely love my DX7S but it lacks power for things like a HE6SE or LCD-4 which is what has me looking for upgrades. Need something with more power for harder to drive headphones.

Also.. open to using my DX7S as a DAC and just buying an amp.. A90D or Jotunheim 2.. not sure if that would be more practical or if it would be better to buy the proper "partner DAC" to run with the respective counterpart amps. All thoughts are welcome!

 

[szore]

Hey guys, I'm hoping someone here with experience can lend me some suggestion support. I am looking to upgrade my DAC/Amp from an all-in-one DX7S (Topping) to either a Bifrost (latest edition) with a Jotunheim 2 or a D90 + A90D Topping stack. If anyone here has had experience with both setups, can you please talk about how they differed and what/why you preferred one over the other?

I'm also open to trying a hybrid like Bifrost+A90D but now sure how well they would work/sound together in terms of synergy.

FWIW, I absolutely love my DX7S but it lacks power for things like a HE6SE or LCD-4 which is what has me looking for upgrades. Need something with more power for harder to drive headphones.

Also.. open to using my DX7S as a DAC and just buying an amp.. A90D or Jotunheim 2.. not sure if that would be more practical or if it would be better to buy the proper "partner DAC" to run with the respective counterpart amps. All thoughts are welcome!

I use the Denefrips AresII with Jotunheim2 amp. Love it.

 

[cobrabucket]

I like the Jotunheim 2 WAY more than the A90D. Just my opinion, but I greatly prefer the dynamics and tonality of the J2 over any Topping amp I've heard.

 

[XGeneX88]

I like the Jotunheim 2 WAY more than the A90D. Just my opinion, but I greatly prefer the dynamics and tonality of the J2 over any Topping amp I've heard.

So would you say Jot2 is punchier with a better bass response over the A90D?

 

[TomM71]

I've only briefly listened to a a90(without the D) next to my jot2 so take this with a grain of salt, but the Jot2 seemed alot punchier and rich sounding compared to the comparatively thinner but ever so slightly cleaner sound of the a90

Personally I was also happy to own the Jot2 over the a90 but it seems like a question of taste which of the 2 you will preffer.

 

[XGeneX88]

I use the Denefrips AresII with Jotunheim2 amp. Love it.

I've actually heard the Denafrips ARES and the Bifrost2 A/B'd .. my preference would be toward the Bifrost DAC for the pairing (even though I loved them both very much).

 

[XGeneX88]

I've only briefly listened to a a90(without the D) next to my jot2 so take this with a grain of salt, but the Jot2 seemed alot punchier and rich sounding compared to the comparatively thinner but ever so slightly cleaner sound of the a90

Personally I was also happy to own the Jot2 over the a90 but it seems like a question of taste which of the 2 you will preffer.

Thank you! I'm actually leaning towards the R2R Bifrost/Jot2 setup I think but I just love how the A90D comes with a remote lol. That remote is soo convenient.. I guess I also like how the D90 supports MQA and wireless streaming.. but R2R I feel is it's own special thing in comparison..

 

[Luckyleo]

I like the Jotunheim 2 WAY more than the A90D. Just my opinion, but I greatly prefer the dynamics and tonality of the J2 over any Topping amp I've heard.

YES!

 

[dstarr3]

Topping amps are for people who listen to sine wave sweeps instead of music

 

[szore]

Topping amps are for people who listen to sine wave sweeps instead of music

Doh!

 

[eswng679]

Topping amps are for people who listen to sine wave sweeps instead of music

Agreed. I tried liking them…so much so I bought and sold the A90 twice. There’s no getting around how impressive the numbers are but I just can’t get over the plastic / tinny sound. I keep coming back to the good and trusty Schiit.

The Jot 2 just has a more pleasing tone to my ears.

 

[threegr]

Topping and SMSL make really good, clean and also affordable DACs though. Their amps are too sterile and clinical, but those are qualities that you kind of want from your DAC. My current favorite combos for budget killer stacks are Topping/SMSL DACs + Schiit amps:

- SMSL SU-6 (previously Topping E30) + Asgard 3
- SMSL C200 + Vali 2++

Chinese-American love

 

[TomM71]

Topping and SMSL make really good, clean and also affordable DACs though. Their amps are too sterile and clinical, but those are qualities that you kind of want from your DAC. My current favorite combos for budget killer stacks are Topping/SMSL DACs + Schiit amps:

- SMSL SU-6 (previously Topping E30) + Asgard 3
- SMSL C200 + Vali 2++

Chinese-American love

Gotta agree. I feel like the chinese dacs are especially worthwhile if your budget is below a bifrost as the cheaper schiit dacs are kind of underwhelming compared to the smsl and topping stuff.

 

[szore]

Topping and SMSL make really good, clean and also affordable DACs though. Their amps are too sterile and clinical, but those are qualities that you kind of want from your DAC. My current favorite combos for budget killer stacks are Topping/SMSL DACs + Schiit amps:

- SMSL SU-6 (previously Topping E30) + Asgard 3
- SMSL C200 + Vali 2++

Chinese-American love

Sterile and clinical? Where did you hear that?