Xrayz - regarding cables - I'm not going to tell you that cables ARE your problem. but I've found that with really good cables, even the most affordable component can perform to a very high level.
Having said that, my experience with the Bifrost DAC is as follows
- I purchased the original Bifrost with the USB port and UBER analogue output stage upgrade
- I then installed the newer USB port upgrade - but I was still left wanting more
- I invested in the Musical Fidelity V-Link 192. This proved to be an exceptional purchase and really proved that not all USB interfaces are anywhere near equal - this provided a significant improvement to the really fine details.
- Lastly I upgraded the Bifrost to the 4490 upgrade option which provided a significant improvement in fine details
In parallel with that I started investing in really good cables
For USB cables that linked the computer to the V-Link192 I settled on a cable that had a separate power cable like this one and found it improved the details even more when powered with a separate power supply
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-supply-and-USB-cable-separate-audio-signal-cable-/251589388236The power a cable for the DAC is a DIY cable that I developed...
http://www.image99.net/blog/files/be8de0c383c5434907610d6b55049e69-75.htmlFor IC's I started with the KLE Innovations gZero3 and ended up with the gZero20 - a cable which costs almost three times what I paid for the DAC + Upgrades.
However, I now use a DIY IC cable that I developed...
http://www.image99.net/blog/files/4127b5fe2694586e383104364360373b-74.htmlCrazy you say? - certifiable in many peoples eyes - but I no longer yearn to replace my DAC and the sound really is excellent.
The DAC you have looks very capable and I think it would benefit greatly from some cable upgrades - but rather than experiment as I did, I would recommend taking the DAC to a good audio store that sells high-end cables and get them to connect it to one of their systems - I'm sure that the prospect of selling you some high-end cables they will jump at the chance and you get to see how the DAC performs outside of your system
If you are in the Toronto region let me know - I might be able to arrange an audition of my DIY cables :-)
Regards...