I'm still liking the Bifrost Multibit really REALLY well. One finding that is interesting is that placing my iFi iUSB between my computer and the Bifrost actually degrades the sound a bit. My previous DAC (still using as my ADC) was USB powered, so the iUSB made it sound better. The opposite effect seems to be true with the Bifrost MB. I don't know why this would be, but since the Bifrost is not USB powered I guess the benefit of the iUSB power supply is a moot point? Perhaps the additional set of connectors and a second USB cable in the path is not helping things either? Regardless, my experience is that the Bifrost MB sounds a bit better without the iUSB in the pathway. What exactly do I hear as a difference? The most noticeable degradation is in the Bass, which becomes a bit muddy and less defined when the iUSB is inserted. There is also a softening of the high frequencies (and not in a good way) that tends to "blur" transients and attack envelopes. Overall that reduces instrument separation, "air" and soundstage depth. Please Note that these effects are VERY subtle, but nonetheless they are audible.
I can say that, now that I've spent additional time with the Bifrost and allowed it to burn-in a bit, this DAC brings me far closer to the analog experience than any other DAC that I have used in my system. LP's that I have recorded digitally are now virtually indistinguishable from the vinyl playback experience. Initially, the Bifrost had an almost aggressive character, but that went away within about the first 30 minutes of use. Initially the Bass was also a bit congested sounding, but this is steadily improving and it is now at a point that is at least as good (a bit better actually) as the Bass depth and definition I was getting previously. The "believability" of the Bass is better than I've heard in my system (from digital) previously. As I have left it powered up over the weekend, its has settled into a very clear and detailed yet still warm and lifelike sound that is (to me) amazing for a piece of gear at this price point. My previous experience with digital has been you either get more detail or more warmth (mutually exclusive traits). The Bifrost MB however improved the detail AND imparted a greater sense of musical warmth. Also, the dynamic "drive" coming from the Bifrost is a surprising improvement and one that I did not expect. This imparts a sense of impact and "body" to instruments that I did not imagine was possible with a sub $1000 DAC. I wish I had a previous Bifrost Uber so that I could try to ferret out how much of this is the analog section vs. the digital wizardry. But, I've never heard the previous version. All I know is that I am very happy with the Bifrost MB and I won't be sending it back (15 day trial). If your looking for a DAC in the sub $1000 range, you would do well to give this one a listen.
If what people are saying on the head-fi is true, Schiit's multi-bit upgrades take their DACs to another level of sq.
