The Bifrost 2 just arrived this morning and I've had a few hours with it now using it versus the RME ADI-2 DAC v1.
Setup for A-B testing.
Both use the same Monoprice USB cables to my Intel NUC PC directly. I used the Schiit Asgard 3 as my headphone amp, and on the input, I used RCA Y-Adapters to let both inputs feed into the amp from the two DACs at the same time.I then volume matched, by ear (though I guess I could have just used my measurement rigs, but lazy) the RME output to the Bifrost 2 output.
Then I listened using the ZMF Verite open-back and the Hidition Viento-R IEMs.
First impressions:
There is very little differences between the two was my first impression. And then I listened to a bit more songs and rewinded and re-started between tracks. Quickly switching between USB outputs in Windows 10 and I noticed very subtle differences between the two DACs.
The RME sounded just slightly more aggressive in the way the qdc Anole VX sounds a tad aggressive compared to something like the 64 Audio U12T though not as discernable as those two are.
The RME just sounded more forward, especially in the upper-midrange or lower treble areas. The Bifrost 2 has just a slightly more deeper soundstage, which put Stevie Nick's voice just slightly fainter and deeper than the RME on "Dreams."
On Tool's Pneuma, I found the differences of how cymbals and hats and other random things Dany Carey clacks on to sound discernibly different between the two DACs. The Bifrost 2 sounded more natural in those hits -- with more natural decay and timbre at least to me. The RME sounded fine, but just a little more edgy, which may be the best word to describe it.
On many songs, I couldnt determine any differences between the two. They sound quite similar. I tried to find differences on Radiohead's Paranoid Android, but didn't hear anything absolute, for example, besides the slightly different intimacy -- with the Bifrost being less forward.
Of course, the RME has some really nice features and fancy visualizers and screen, as well as volume control on the remote, so there's definitely a place for it -- not to mention it has an amp stage for both headphones and IEMs -- but for the very short few hours I've had both, I think the Bifrost 2 is more natural sounding in the ever so small amounts (the last few % that we talk about).
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The very obvious differences of the RME versus the Schiit is that it includes an audiophile quality headphone amp circuit and an audiophile quality DSP circuit all in the same box. These units are not directly comparable for thise reasons. DAC to DAC comparison alone, without engaging any DSP settings you may have a comparison but there really is so much more to be considered here.
ReplyDeleteYes, the testing done in this article was A-Bing just the DAC portion of the RME ADI-2 DAC.
DeleteI'm quite sure your limitation here is the Asgard 3 amp. The amp is very flat sounding, as in, it doesn't do layering well at all. I have Bifrost 2 and tried it with Asgard 3 and LTA MZ2. I also have a cheap loxjie D10 DAC that I tried with both amps. Asgard sounded similar with both the DACs. Bifrost had slightly better timbre but that was it. With MZ2 though, the difference was significant. With Bifrost you can tell when instruments are in background or foreground. With Loxjie, it's as if they are all on the same plane, just louder or somewhat quieter. Anyway, I highly recommend upgrading your amp if you're planning on using Bifrost 2. That DAC deserves much better amp.
ReplyDeleteI dont disagree with you at all, but its still an apples to apples comparison, which was the point I was trying to do. I currently use much better amps now. I actually have a Qutest DAC now and sold the Bifrost 2 recently.
DeleteThank you for taking your time to test the RME against BF2. May I ask if you still have the RME, and how it sounds compared to your Chord DAC? The reason I am asking is that I'm ´considering both - but having had a Chord Hugo 1, I am a little concerned about the 'Chord sound', which is very dynamic and forward, great resolution (positive), but it's also a bit bit thin in the sense of little meat/body. Subjective, yes.
ReplyDeleteJust some history here for whatever it's worth. I had started with the RME ADI-2 DAC fs and thought I'd try the newer Bifrost 2 (with Unison USB) to see if the less expensive Schitt would be as good, or better, at a lower cost. My audio stack is balanced XLR to a pair of Benchmark AHB2 amps and then to B&W 702 S2. While I like Schitt as a company and respect what and how they operate, I did ultimately sell the Bifrost 2 as I preferred the RME sound with my gear. I had half expected the slightly warmer Bifrost 2 may be a good fit, but the RME won out, even as a DAC only. RME's support and firmware updates are very nice, and they also earn respect for not only adding new features, updates, but also very good YouTube videos describing the new features. For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu-gmCilV1w
ReplyDeleteIsn't any warmness difference moot in comparison on the RME anyway as you could just EQ in whatever warmth you want?
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