Schiit Bifrost 2

Description

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.
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