I can think of at least 3 reasons for adding or swapping feet:
1 Like
I had another option for you if interested:
I bought these to stack my Yggdrasil on top of a Marantz SACD player/transport as I wanted the separation for cooling purposes…
I hadn’t realized these were technically for speakers, but they do a great job and don’t mar the equipment in any way.
Plus, I think they (may) make a small difference sonically. I am pretty skeptical in regards to something like this unless the device has some mechanical or physical benefit from isolation, e.g. a turntable or disc transport. I know physical/mechanical vibration is very detrimental in those cases.
However, I felt there was a small improvement in soundstage after putting the Yggy on them. Or I could be hallucinating… 
YMMV
5 Likes
This is a great illustration of my favorite TLA (Three Letter Acronym) “LRF Support”. When shopping in an audio section of a big box store, and accosted by a salesperson (happens rarely these days, they stopped offering commissions, and the salespeople are usually in a group in the corner playing with their phones so as not to disturb (or service) customers) I would ask if the object in question has LRF Support.
Little Rubber Feet
4 Likes
That was my favorite trick back in the day when I’d go shopping for a new computer with my mom. Since it would be her computer, she dealt with the salesdrone and I’d just hang out in the background listening for bullshit. If so I’d interrupt and ask if it had LRF support. That was the signal to my mom that we needed to shop elsewhere.
5 Likes
God the both of you! LMAO!
That’s too funny, and you’re both assholes! But they deserved to be called out on bullshit…
1 Like
I just upgraded my Bifrost 2 to the 2/64 version and wanted to share my impressions. I knew I wanted to see if I could notice any differences with the upgrade, so I purposely listened to a select number of albums every day for about a week to try to “burn” the auditory memories of the regular Bifrost 2 into my brain before doing the upgrade.
My Chain:
USB → Bifrost 2 → XLR → Burson Soloist 3XP → HiFiMan Arya
The differences I noticed between the original Bifrost 2 and the 2/64 version weren’t huge, but they were noticeable and I definitely consider it an upgrade. What I heard was:
- Everything was a bit more focused (i.e. less blurry)
- Instrument separation was better
- Bass was tighter
Those changes make the Bifrost 2/64 sound higher-end than the original. I now have a much easier time listening to multiple instruments at once and imaging is a bit better. This is great for me as I listen to a lot of music with very busy passages.
For the tighter bass, a good example is the kick drum at the beginning of The Game of Love by Daft Punk. Before the upgrade, it sounded like a “thump.” Now, it sounds more like a cross between a “thump” and a “thwack,” and I’m even hearing more detail around the beater hitting the drum. (I had to look up the name for the part of the drum pedal that actually hits the drum. Turns out it’s called a beater. Fun fact 
)
I have no idea how much of these changes were related to the DAC chip change vs going from a single-ended architecture to a fully balanced architecture, so I’m not sure if the same changes would be heard over RCA (I only listened over XLR).
In any case, I’m very happy with the upgrade. I’m also jealous of anyone buying a Bifrost 2/64 from the start and saving $200 compared to buying the original and doing the upgrade
(Also, sorry if I’m repeating anything others have said about the upgrade before. It’s been a while since I’ve read this thread 
)
6 Likes
Congratulations. My views are not different. The 2/64 does take away the distracting random roughness of the original. I think improved staging/separation is a necessary consequence of improved raw accuracy and definition.
I configured my chain to allow immediate back-to-back testing and heard absolutely no differences between the BF2/64’s XLR and RCA output. In my experience XLR mainly matters for headphone → amp connections, where value comes from controlling noise and increasing power delivery. However, it’s nice to have two DAC outputs for convenience and setup options.
5 Likes
Allow me to concur with you and @Nathanware. In my case I have the BF2 going out to both SE and balanced amps, and I noted similar clarity and staging/separation differences with both.
4 Likes
I haven’t upgraded my BF2 yet. Still on the fence as to whether I’d even appreciate the extra detail or if I should just jump to the Yggy Less is More. I’d love to A/B them but… $$$.
Anyway I just wanted to confirm what everyone is hearing with this article I found that did a blind A/B test. Results are similar to what is reported here but preference was divided:
Also wondering if there may be a market for the OG BF2 since preferences seem to vary. But I doubt it.
I have my OG BF2 board available in case any BF 2/64 owners wish to “upgrade”. A bargain for $250. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
I finally got an upgraded Bifrost 2/64 DAC. So, I decided to have some fun A/B headphone listening to investigate comparative specifics between the Bifrost 2 OG and Bifrost 2/64 DACs. Here is my update to this old thread that I think might offer insight to anyone looking for an opinion on whether or not to purchase the $300 upgrade card.
To question whether or not this is a sidegrade seems very relevant to this experience with these two DACs. Some portions of my listening provided instances when the Bifrost 2 OG presented favorable characteristics over the Bifrost 2/64 and vice versa. I would most categorize these differences to be mostly a sidegrade for most listeners. Therefore, I recommend that MOST owners of the Bifrost 2 OG to not spend $300 (plus tax and shipping ~$40) to upgrade with the Bifrost 2/64 DAC upgrade card.
Who is the exception? Well, we are of course. The adamant that frequent headphone forums with burning desires to listen to, and contrast grains and resolutions. Disputers of optimal compositions of carefully curated components, microchips, capacitors and inductors to evoke the spirit of synergy. Addicts itching for the rush of injecting analog instances into their being to escape that which has become mundane. And, of course, those that can’t keep dollars burning holes in their pockets. Fools such as these might fully appreciate such relatively subtle improvements and degradations of similar audio gear. However, the average Joe should probably hold off upgrading and remain content with what they already possess.
The differences between these DACs were not blatantly apparent with many headphones. Only after I imitated generic and used Sennheiser HD800S did the contrasts become obvious and my ears and brain rapidly learned to hear new differences.
To my ears;
Bifrost 2 OG = Crisp, intimate and increased midrange texture producing more pleasing instruments and vocals.
Bifrost 2/64 = Comparatively increased perceived open stage and increased perception of micro reverberations at the cost of less defined and sometimes lost midrange.
I prefer the Bifrost 2/64 MOST of the time. It opens up and creates a more grand illusion over the Bifrost OG. Those planning to upgrade to a higher tier DAC should probably just apply this $300 towards funding a Yggy or some other Holo DAC and skip the card upgrade.
7 Likes
Too late for me I upgraded to 2/64 already. Saved the $40 on shipping though as I bought a Mjolnir 3 at the same time. 
Thanks for the review nonetheless!
3 Likes
Treble and amp precision are essential for evaluating DAC differences. Run them both on a solid state amp with a neutral-to-bright headphones, and use some of my brighter/noisier test tracks (last 1/3rd of my playlist).
I personally hear a lot more value than you do in the 2/64 over the OG 2, but I’ve always been treble sensitive. The OG 2’s thick aka “textured” middle and coarseness often broke the transparency of the stage and image for me. While I can surely hear the quality improvements of higher-end DACs, I lost the motivation for buying in a higher tier because I have to pay very close attention to notice (let alone care) beyond the 2/64.
4 Likes
I’ve read various opinions on this, but I’ll ask here: is the Bifrost 2/64 a legitimate upgrade from a Modius e? Would a Bifrost pair well with a Midgard?
Unless you know another person’s taste and opinions about gear in detail and have similar preferences, these sorts of questions require personal testing. They still likely require personal testing. The answer will depend on your own hearing, your headphones, whether you find that you care, whether you tend to pay close attention, the quality of your music sources, perhaps the genres of music you like, etc.
I can say that I found the Bifrost 2 (and later the 2/64) to be a worthy upgrade from my older delta sigma DACs. This wasn’t about clarity, rather, it was about fullness, layering, and the absence of piercing treble.
1 Like
I’ve heard there is an emotional difference with multibit/r2r dacs. On a technical level they are supposed to be inferior, but they can bring an experience that can move you emotionally.
1 Like
I’ve had the Audio Technica ATH-R70x headphones for 9 years running a Schiit Modi 2 Uber amp and a Creative x-fi Titanium HD PCI-Express sound card. I’ve replaced the amp with an Asgard 3. I have a new pair of headphones (Audio Technica ADX3000) but now I need to find a decent DAC. The Bifrost 2/64 is a real consideration but in the UK it’s not in stock (in black to match the Asgard 3). In fact, the Schiit UK website has most items out of stock for months now. I’m looking at the Topping D70 Pro Octo and Topping Centaurus. How do these compare with the Bifrost 2/64? Being in the UK, there are a lot of DACs I can’t get hold off easily (or at all) without expensive taxes.
EDIT: Ordered a Topping Centaurus in the end, hasn’t arrived yet. Not the perfect DAC in my price range but it’s half decent. It’s going to replace my 15 year old Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Titanium HD sound card.
I really like my Bifrost 2/64, but the Modi Multibit is also quite good for considerably less. I’d consider it if availability of the Bifrost is a problem.
I have not done an A/B, I use the Modi Multibit at work where I have less time to do critical listening, and the Bifrost at home. Really impressed with MM at the price.
2 Likes
Unfortunately I cannot get the Modi Multibit from Schiit UK, it’s always out of stock and I’ve been checking for 3 months and even been in email contact. There is a Bifrost 2/64 in stock but only in silver (My Schiit Asgard 3 amp is black). I ended up purchasing the Topping Centaurus but it’s not arrived yet.