STATUS: In stock. Orders placed now will ship in 1-2 business days.
Bifrost is the world's most affordable fully upgradable DAC, featuring 32-bit D/A conversion, a fully discrete analog section, and a sophisticated bit-perfect clock management system, together with one of the most advanced asynchronous USB 2.0 inputs available, as well as SPDIF coaxial and optical inputs, all with 24/192 capability.
And now, we’ve made our first major upgrades available for Bifrost: the new Gen 2 USB input board, offering 24/176 playback and improved USB performance, and the new Bifrost Uber, using the more advanced discrete analog output stage from Gungnir. The Gen 2 USB board ships with every new Bifrost or Gungnir ordered with USB.
Bifrost Uber: Even More Impressive Performance
Order the Bifrost Uber option, and you get a discrete analog stage based on the more advanced Gungnir DAC, with a sophisticated topology that improves sonic and measured performance, and a DC servo to eliminate capacitors in the signal path. Not that the base Bifrost is any slouch—it’s frequently been compared to DACs that cost 3-8x as much.
Fully Upgradable: The Future-Proof DAC
Worried about rapidly-changing USB input technology? Concerned about future advances in D/A conversion? Bifrost's modular design uses separate, USB Input and DAC/Analog cards. The result? A virtually future-proof DAC that won't end up in the dumpster.
AKM4399 D/A Converter and Discrete Analog Section
Even without considering upgradability, Bifrost offers incredible value. Consider its AKM4399 32 bit D/A converter, one of the highest performance DACs in the world. Also consider that our both Bifrost and Bifrost Uber use a fully discrete, low noise JFET analog section—just like multi-thousand-dollar DACs.
Advanced Bitperfect Clock Management
Most DACs in this price range is sacrifice every single one of your original music samples to get their192kHz spec. Every input is routed through a sample rate converter and upsampled to 24/192. Bifrost dispenses with the sample rate converter and uses a sophisticated master clock management system to deliver bit-perfect data to the DAC, preserving all the original samples--whether it's 16/44.1 or 24/192.
USB 2.0, 24/192, Async, Completely Buzzword Compliant
Have high-res music? No problem. Bifrost offers a full range of inputs: Coaxial and optical SPDIF, as well as USB. Bifrost's USB features a high-speed Gen 2 USB 2.0 interface and asynchronous data transfer to 24/192, including 24/176. No drivers are required for Macs and popular Linux distros like Ubuntu, and Windows drivers are downloadable for Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Don't Need USB? Cool.
Order Bifrost without the USB Input Card and save some money! Add it in for $150 if you need it later.
Want to read more about Bifrost? Check out the FAQ.
5-Year Warranty
Bifrost is covered by a limited warranty that covers parts and labor for five years. That’s 5 years. Yes. FIVE. Compare that to the competition. Please note this doesn't mean free upgrades for five years!
15-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Don’t like your Bifrost? No problem. Call us for an RA and send it back for a full refund, minus 5% transaction fee, within 15 days of receiving your DAC. When was the last time you spent a couple of weeks in an audio store? With your own equipment? Thought so.
Specifications*
Inputs: Coaxial SPDIF, Optical SPDIF, USB (optional)
Input Capability: up to 24/192 for all inputs
Input Receiver, SPDIF: Crystal Semiconductor CS8416
Input Receiver, USB: C-Media CM6631A
D/A Conversion IC: AKM4399
Analog Summing, Filtering: Fully Discrete, JFET differential topology
Output: RCA (single-ended)
Output Impedance: 75 ohms
Bifrost:
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz, +/-0.1dB, 2Hz-100KHz, -1dB
Maximum Output: 2.0V RMS
THD: <0.005%, 20Hz-20KHz, at max output
IMD: <0.007%, CCIR
S/N: >106dB, referenced to 2V RMS
Bifrost Uber:
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz, +/-0.1dB, 2Hz-100KHz, -1dB
Maximum Output: 2.0V RMS
THD: <0.002%, 20Hz-20KHz, at max output
IMD: <0.002%, CCIR
S/N: >110dB, referenced to 2V RMS
Power supply: 5 stages of regulation, including separate supplies for critical digital and analog sections.
Upgradability: Separate, modular USB Input Card and DAC/Analog Card are snap-in replaceable.
Power Consumption: 12W
Size: 9 x 6.75 x 2.25”
Weight: 5 lbs
*All measurements made on a Stanford Research SR1 or SR1+ Audio Analyzer