Bifrost 2 vs. RME ADI-2 DAC fs

Headphones General Headphone Discussion
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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 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.

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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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I have been following this and the RME thread, as I am planing to buy a RME or a BF2. The cost difference is +10% to the RME, so if the BF2 is more “enjoyable” it would be a no-brainer to get that over the RME.
But the RME has two significant advantages:

  1. You can twerk the output in so many ways
  2. It has a build-in amp

#1 is cool and interesting, but for me it is #2 that makes the difference. It is apparently a very decent amp (better then the RNHP…) and until I can afford the Phonitor 2 or XE, I can use this with my Ta-10 tube amp and be happy.

The BF2 is just a DAC, a very good one, but for 10% more I get a much more useful set-up with the RME.

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With a Bifrost 2, you are in for DAC + AMP at minimum.

  • $699 Bifrost 2 + at minimum an Asgard $199 ( no DAC added ) = $898

  • $699 Bifrost 2 + JOTUNHEIM $399 = $1098

  • RME ADI-2 DAC fs $1099 - $1149

or if you have DAC now just run it into a
SPL Phointor xe b-stock $1299 and latter save for a DAC.

If Desktop space is concern ADI-2 DAC fs is the best solution I own right now for this need.

The update RME ADI-2 DAC fs model powers all these headphones just fine.

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One thing that @Torq recently recommended is to start with just the ADI-2 DAC fs and later add a tube amp for variety. That gives you excellent SE and Tube performance for a compact setup.

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I agree, as it was me he gave that advice :grin:

@angstorms:
I live in Europe and here the pricing for the units is a bit different, if I had the same prices as you do in the US, the BF2 was perhaps my choice. But the cost for me is:

BF2: $958
RME ADI-2 DAC: $1108

The difference is $150 (13%), so the BF2 REALLY needs to be a lot better to be my choice over another great DAC with(!) an amp build in. If it is $400-$550 as in the US, I would probably go with the BF2.
And my issue is, I only have the Monolith by Monoprice currently, so no DAC I can use for the Phonitor.

Love your cans, they are all 4 HP’s I currently only can dream about :sunglasses:

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You see I went with RME DAC not the BIFROST as well. I like the space-saving its offers and it has plenty of power for the headphones above. ; )

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If I already have a THX 789 and don’t plan to use the RME AMP much, would the BF2 be a better fit? I am planning to upgrade from a D50 sometime this year.

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I would probably put my money into new Headphones first, then in a new DAC, unless you’re having some quality issues with your current DAC. You have a great solid-state amp. I have the Monoprice 887.

I just ran the RME via RCA and the Topping D90 via XLR into the SPL Phonitor x, they both just sound great with the Hifiman HE-1000 SE and ZMF Vertie.

Every day I have to remember myself this is all about the music and enjoyment.

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I just bought and received a Verite C, and the THX 789 is still a superb amp :slight_smile: So the D50 is the prime candidate to move to a new dac that will stay for a few years. I’m deciding between RME for features at a cost and BF2 for price and SQ.

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You don’t have a lot of superb options at that price point. Bifrost and RME are about it, out of the stuff I’ve heard anyway.

Unless you want to explore the r2r stuff like the Soekris 1541. It’s a whole different ball of wax, and not everyone likes it. Me included. IMO, You have to climb pretty high into the r2r priced stuff before you get to the good stuff.

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Yeah where I am now and for the foreseeable future, the RME’s price point is as high as I could go for a DAC. Within that range, these two (and maybe the D90) seem to be the best options.

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I am with ProFalkin; right now, the RME ADI2-DAC fs, Topping D90 and, Shift Bifrost 2 look like the current front runners < 1000 Dollar/Euro category for DACs.

You could step into Chord Qutest; it is pretty minimalist with two-button, color Led feedback, and a limited number of inputs, but it does live up to the hype in audio quality.

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Personally, having both RME and the Bifrost2…and based on your comments here… I would go with the Bifrost and save some coin for other things. The Bifrost2 will help bring some of the “sterile” sound from your 789 into a more “full” listening experience, if that makes sense.

That being said…the RME would give you more options as well as more versatility. The amp is redundant with your 789…but could be a cool portable solution for taking to work or what have you…

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I like both of these DACs, but the Bifrost 2 has more character and natural attributes with it. I had the RME + THX setup for a while with various THX amps, and they were mostly used for reviewing, but I didn’t enjoy the setup as much as using it with (insert any amp here).

My ideal listening setup is to have something that I know measures well, and then something that is colored to my liking. The Bifrost 2 seems to fit both molds in a single unit. I am actually quite happy with it’s paring with the Asgard 3 too. Maybe they came out at the same time for a reason. They seem to go really well together, and surprisingly sound really nice with my ZMF Verite, which I thought only sounded well with higher impedance amps – I think some of the softer features of the Asgard 3 (which I mentioned in my impressions) really gives it some of the feeling of a tube-like setup without actually being one.

Going off on a tangent now, I am thinking of picking up a Saga+ now.

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I’m just waiting for the saga+ to come in black lol but I’m wanting one as well

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It is available in black…

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This is something I’ve heard a couple of times here. Is the naturalness down to tonal balance (that can be achieved with RME’s built in EQ) or something more down to the hardware implementation?

Have you had the chance to try the Bifrost 2 with any tube amp? I do plan to add tubes down the road, and I would prefer something that doesn’t get too gooey / warm with tubes.

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I think you meant tweak. Twerking is a whole other thing entirely.:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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Yea I’ve been using it with the Woo WA7 and Asgard 3 back and forth. I still like the WA7 for my verite over asgard but its a lot closer than I thought - that’s why I’m sort of interested in the Schiit Saga+ to see if that’ll do what I want in a matching set.

What I am discerning is really minute details, so YMMV. I did do a quick FR graph of the same IEM between the two dacs and there was actually a small change in FR but i’m talking about less than 1 dB difference, mostly in the upper mid-range through treble region, while there’s some differences in where THD occurred. But those arent measurements I really trust anyway.

To answer you actual question, I havent’ played with the RME enough to try to replicate what the Bifrost sounds like. I’m not sure. It’s small minute detail differences, primarily to me, in the harmonics.

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Sound like based on this review, it would be tough to emulate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8o8ER96CyM With BF2 said there is a bloomy distortion in the upper mid-range and lower treble, but smooth overall.

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