2. digital
  3. 167955-121486

Upgrade from Schiit Bifrost 2?

Due to a Bifrost 2 failure, I'm considering an upgrade to a non-Schiit branded DAC. What is the next step up from the Bifrost 2? I am currently using a Node2i for streaming (mostly Qobuz), a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum 3, and Magnepan 1.7s. I will eventually be incorporating a Rythmik Audio F12SE. 

If you've had the Bifrost 2 and upgraded, what did you upgrade to and why? How profound was the difference? 
128x128dunham_john
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
Mytek Liberty DAC $1000 new!

https://mytek.audio/shop/lbrt-dac-ii-liberty-dac-ii-287#attr=
Your welcome!


Matt M
big_greg
6,623 posts
 
With your budget I'd suggest the MHDT Labs Orchid or a similar r2r DAC. Much more analog sounding than the Schiit. If that's the kind of sound you're looking for. I like it a lot more than the Mytek Liberty which I found very "digital" sounding. I liked the Bifrost better than the Liberty. The Liberty and Bifrost are long gone but I still own the Orchid. 
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
Dont hate on the Mytek, it requires a high end source to make it shine, like a music server from Aurender. Mytek makes some of the best Dac;s on the planet and they dont sound digital! ...whatever that means.
nickaboy1
24 posts
 
you cant ignore the denafrips ares 2  at a 750 price point r2r dac . it gets great reviews I haven't herd a bad one yet and there as good as  3 times the price and if you want to push the envelope the denafrips Pontus gives you a linear power supply built in . just look at the picture of the internals there is no other dac that looks as well made as the denafrips lineup 
rumblestrip's avatar
rumblestrip
47 posts
 
With a $1500 budget, the main go to's seem to be the Denafrips Aries II, and the RME ADI-2.  As nicaboy says the Pontus II is a step up, but it's closer to $1800.
More to discover