Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in California and Texas

Bifrost 2 is nothing less than a complete re-thinking of what an affordable DAC should be. Now with balanced output and remote control, and featuring Schiit’s unique True Multibit™ architecture with a time-and frequency-domain optimized digital filter, plus our own Unison USB™ input and easy-to-upgrade Autonomy™ platform, Bifrost delivers higher performance and greater convenience than ever before.

Balanced Output and Remote Control, Standard

Yes. Bifrost 2 now includes XLR balanced output, as well as RCA single-ended output, so it works seamlessly with your system—and with virtually the same performance from either output. You can also sit back and select inputs, mute, and change phase with the included milled aluminum remote control.

Completely Unique: Schiit's True Multibit™

Like all Schiit True Multibit products, Bifrost 2 uses completely unique D/A converters and our proprietary time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter. In the case of Bifrost 2, two AD5781 converters—the same basic chip used in Gungnir Multibit—do the conversion, while the digital filter is implemented on an Analog Devices SHARC DSP.

USB, Elevated: Introducing Unison USB™

Bifrost 2 introduces our all-new Unison USB, our own USB input based on a general-purpose PIC32 microprocessor, using precision local clocks and complete electromagnetic and electrostatic isolation. No more off-the-shelf USB for us—this unique, UAC2-compliant input provides the highest performance and lowest power draw of any USB input we’ve offered to date.

Autonomy™ Architecture: Easy Street to the Future

Turn Bifrost 2 around, and you’ll see that this DAC is completely modular. Not only that, the modules are designed to slide in from the back of the chassis, meaning this DAC will never have to come back to Schiit for upgrades—you can do it yourself. Firmware updates? Sure, if there are firmware updates, just use the external MicroSD card slot—again, no need for it to come home. Compare this to other DACs, even DACs costing many times more. Only Bifrost 2 provides complete hardware and firmware upgradability, without sending the product in for service.

Designed and Built in California

By “designed and built in California" this is what we mean: the vast majority of the total production cost of Bifrost—chassis, boards, transformers, assembly, etc—goes to US companies manufacturing in the US. Our chassis are made minutes from our facility. Our PCBs are done just over the hill from us, or done in NorCal. Our transformers are also made in California. We ain’t just putting in the last screws and calling it done.

5-Year Warranty and Easy Return Policy

Bifrost 2 is covered by a 5-year limited warranty that covers parts and labor. And if you don’t like your Bifrost 2, you can send it back for a refund, minus 5% restocking fee, within 15 days of receiving it.

Conversion Type: Schiit True Multibit™
D/A Conversion IC: Analog Devices AD5781ARUZ x 2
Digital Filter: proprietary Schiit time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter implemented on Analog Devices SHARC DSP processor, running 8X oversampling
Analog Stage: Differential, based on LME49724 for both balanced and single-ended output, direct coupled throughout

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz, +/-0.1dB, 2Hz-100KHz, -1dB

Maximum Output: 2.0V RMS single-ended and 4.0V RMS balanced

THD: <0.003%, 20Hz-20KHz, at max output

IMD: <0.004%, CCIR

S/N: >114dB, referenced to 2V RMS

Inputs: Coaxial SPDIF, Optical SPDIF, USB

Input Capability: up to 24/192 for all inputs

Input Receiver, SPDIF: AK4113, USB: Schiit Unison™ USB, based on Microchip PIC32 microprocessor

Output: RCA (single-ended) and XLR (balanced)

Output Impedance: 75 ohms for both

Power supply: 24VA transformer, 8 stages of regulation, including separate supplies for critical digital and analog sections

Upgradability: Autonomy™ architecture with externally replaceable DAC/Analog Card and USB Input Card, plus MicroSD card slot for firmware updates

Remote control: included, controls source selection, phase invert, and mute.

Power Consumption: 12W

Size: 9 x 6.75 x 2”

Weight: 5 lbs

APx555 Report for Bifrost 2

Now hold on a moment there, bub! You said the original Bifrost was upgradable!
Yes, it was. And it is. For example, and you can still upgrade, say, an original Bifrost Uber to a Bifrost Multibit, and when Unison USB is available for all the current DACs, you'll be able to add that too—

NO I THOUGHT IT WAS UPGRADABLE FOREVER!

Well, the original Bifrost was around for 8 years. That is pretty much about a millennium in terms of DAC years, or at least about 286 years in dog years. Seriously, look around and tell us how long affordable DACs last before they’re replaced with all-new models—with no option to upgrade. And again, the original Bifrost remains upgradable, and supported. Bifrost 2 doesn’t change that.

Well then why a Bifrost 2? What was wrong with the old one?

Why an iPhone 11? Why a Galaxy 10? Because times change, and our capabilities change with them. Bifrost 2 allows us to give you an all-new platform that is easy to update, when and if the time comes, without having to send it back to us for upgrades.

So how is the Bifrost 2 different than Bifrost?

It’s entirely different:

Balanced output: Bifrost 2 now has balanced output, as well as single-ended output, to simplify its integration with your system
Remote control: Bifrost 2 now has a remote control for input select, mute, and phase invert.
Better DACs: Bifrost 2 now uses the 18-bit Analog Devices AD5781ARUZ D/A converter, rather than the 16-bit AD5547.
Better USB: Bifrost 2 introduces our Unison USB—a complete elevation of the USB input.
Easier updates: Bifrost 2’s Autonomy architecture means that both cards are replaceable from the back of the product for easy hardware updates, and firmware changes are handled with an external MicroSD card slot.
Improved power supply: Bifrost 2’s transformer is larger, and the power supply has more stages of local regulation, for insanely great low-noise performance.

Wait a sec, remote control?

Yes. It controls input select, mute, and phase inversion.

But the remote doesn't control volume? Why didn't you give us an option for remote volume?
We did. It's an additional $299. It's called "Saga S." There's even a tube remote volume option for $399, called "Saga+."

Okay, smartass, can I upgrade my Bifrost to Bifrost 2?

I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. Literally every single part is different—chassis, transformer, cards, etc. However, you can still continue upgrading your Bifrost, if you would like.

I see you named your True Multibit architecture. What, was there a sale on trademarks or something?

No, we named it True Multibit™ because there’s a lot of confusion over what is really multibit and what isn't. Some companies refer to multilevel delta-sigma D/A converters (like the AK4490 used in the $99 Modi 3 and Fulla) as “Multibit” DACs. While kinda-sorta-maybe technically correct, this is pretty misleading. 2 to 5 bits of actual resolution plus massive amounts of noise shaping is not true multibit. Hence, True Multibit. We use True Multibit to denote DACs that have 16-20 actual bits, rather than multilevel noise-shaping delta-sigma DACs, coupled with our unique combination of time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter, based on math first proposed by Western Electric in 1917, and developed into usable algorithms by a team that included a professor emeritus of math and a Rand Corp mathematician. It’s unlike any other digital filter today, and we believe it provides the closest thing to a true interpolation, while retaining the original samples as closely as possible.

Well, I like delta-sigma DACs better.

Cool. You should go buy one. We make a couple of them. They’re also in your phone and Bluetooth speakers.

No, seriously, I don’t believe this True Multibit stuff. 18 bits? What about 24 bit music?

Well, leaving aside the fact that there probably ain’t nowhere near 24 usable bits in any recorded music, no matter the audiophile cred, if you’re looking for resolution below the 18-bit level, take a look at our measurements, showing Bifrost 2 clearly resolving a -144dB signal. That’s -24 bits. Boom.

But…that’s unpossible! How do you do that?

How does a 2- to 5-bit delta-sigma DAC do the same thing? It’s magic. We put tiny pixies in each DSP chip. Either that, or we know a thing or two about DSP and dithering.

Let’s move on. What’s all this hoo-ha about Unison USB?

Unison USB is our own proprietary USB input, not based on C-Media or XMOS or any other off-the-shelf USB receiver out there. Instead, we spent a couple of person-years developing our own code for a standard Microchip PIC32 microprocessor, which allowed us to create a higher-performing USB input than anything else on the market.

But, USB inputs, like, kinda suck.

Not Unison USB. Even Mike Moffat, the famous “friends don’t let friends use USB” guy, prefers Unison to SPDIF.

Prefers?

Yes.

Mike Moffat prefers USB input?

Yes.

Wait a second, my head just exploded.

We know how you feel.

So why is Unison USB so special?

Unison USB is special because it was developed for a single purpose: to provide the highest performance input for PCM digital, period. It doesn’t have ten thousand un-used functions, nor is it trying to optimize for five different unicorn formats that will probably be gone tomorrow. It also uses very high-quality local clocks and offers complete electrostatic and electromagnetic isolation from the source. It also provides lower power draw and complete UAC2 compatibility.

So what platforms does your Unison USB input support?

Actually, the question should be “What platforms support your Unison USB input?” since our Unison USB input is 100% UAC2 compliant (that is, USB Audio Class 2, the accepted standard for USB audio transmission.) So, here you go:

Linux. As in, most popular streamers, from the Sonore MicroRendu to the Salk Streamer. Note “most.” Also most Linux distros that support UAC2 natively will be plug and play. Please note that we cannot provide detailed technical support for Linux.
Windows 10. Yes, Windows 10 only. We don’t provide UAC2 drivers for earlier versions of Windows, sorry. Yes, it is time to step into the present (not the future, Windows 10 has been out for a couple of years now.) Yes, it is time to upgrade. Yes, it’s worth it. Windows 10 is actually a very nice platform.
Mac OSX. From 10.10 on up, Macs are good to go. This now includes Mac OS 11.
iOS. From iOS7 on up, iOS devices work with USB Camera Connection Kit, Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, a Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter, or directly with the new USB-C models.
Android. Most Android devices that shipped with Android M or above will work using a USB OTG cable. Some may require separate player software, like USB Audio Player Pro.

And Autonomy Architecture? You’re getting a lot of TMs here.

Yeah. We know. But again, we really needed to name this. Because now, no matter the update, Bifrost 2 never has to leave your hands. New firmware? Just plug in an external MicroSD card. New analog card? Just slide it in. New USB card? Same. Again, we’re not planning on a ton of updates, but when there are updates, you won’t miss your DAC anymore.

Sounds like you’ve been listening.

We try. The biggest problem with the original Bifrost’s platform is that it frequently had to come back to us for updates. We wanted to eliminate this problem—entirely—with the new version.

Are you saying the new Bifrost 2 is a desktop Yggdrasil?

In some ways, it actually measures better than an Yggdrasil…so if you’re judging based just on measurements, then it’s probably better. But measurements don’t tell the whole story. If you want great measurements, there’s Modi 3—that’ll save you half a thousand dollars on this guy. But now that you mention it, Bifrost 2 is pretty much a desktop Yggy—it has balanced outputs, it uses DACs from the same family, it has a similar digital filter. And it even has remote control. No, wait. That’s better than Yggdrasil.

How the heck can you do something that’s completely modular, and has all this new tech inside it, for such an insanely low price…and make it in the USA, with a 5-year warranty?

Because, well, we are what we are. We provide fun, affordable audio products. And unlike some other companies, we don’t think “affordable,” means “the price tag is four figures, and it starts with a 5.” In short, we design products that are efficient to make and easy to support, and sell them to you directly, without multi-level mark-ups. We’re not interested in “race to the top” price wars, because that doesn’t bring new people into high end audio. Nor are we worried about some who might think our products are less capable just because they’re less expensive. Maybe it would be better to ask the other companies how they can charge so much for their products?

Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 DAC Review

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"When I agreed to review the Schiit Bifrost 2, I came to it with pretty high expectations and a pretty good idea of what I would say. Color me surprised, the Bifrost 2 fully exceeded what I believed it to be capable of. In terms of resolution and detail, it is every bit a Schiit Multibit processor and gave me all that I have come to expect from this, but in terms of musicality it went beyond the pale and delivered greater returns than it has any right to, especially in its price class. To say that the Bifrost 2 is a sensational bargain is simply an understatement. The Bifrost 2 is a DAC that any audiophile or music lover could happily live with, regardless the price of the rest of their system."

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Purrin, Super Best Audio Friends

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The most approachable of the higher-end Schiit multibit DACs. Yes, the Bifrost 2 is now a true high-end DAC. The tone is warmer like the OG Gungnir Multibit, but with the clarity of the old balanced outputs whether the balanced or single-ended outputs are used. In addition, Mike Moffat put some magic pixie dust into this thing, so it slams an Yggdrasil. Why get the C7 Corvette when the Camaro 6 SS 1LE more assuredly plants the rear tires out of the turns?

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"Let's hearken back once more to my reference CD, BASIA Time and Tide [Epic EK40767]. As the British 'philes would say the music has a wonderful pace. For me, there is a big Audiophile question. Can a really good audio DAC recreate the stage panorama including all the performers in your listing room? I am a sound stage lover and this little DAC does exactly what I need. It is a creative and immersive tool placing me at the edge of the stage."

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