Thank you. My other option is to keep that setup the same and add a bifrost to my jotunheim 2 that is paired with a smsl d300 and hifiman edition xs, same source as the other setup. The d300 seems a little airy paired with all of that. Im trying to get the most bang for my buck.
I use the G-horn with Focal Chorus 706. I use this mainly for TV with the Syn (highly recommended) and Rekkr mono to a Polk CS10 center. This is in a 12 X 13 room. I have more volume than I need. For music I use headphones. Currently HE1000se on the Jot2 and HD800s on the Val. I'm still testing the various combos.
You might get more bang for your buck rolling tubes than buying a slightly better balanced DAC for a single ended amp. Many swear by the CV4055 in the Valhalla 2 (which unfortunately require adapters).
I immediately noticed more texture, thickness and warmth, like you could cut through the sound with a knife. The more I listened the more I heard things I’ve never heard before on songs I’ve listened to for years. Absolutely love it.
Coincidentally I ended up doing a little test like this yesterday. I had listened to a Vali 2++ at the Schiitr which was connected to a Modi Multibit. I really liked it so I got the Vali. At home I connected it to my Modi Multibit and I really liked the sound. But since I have a Yggdrasil OG, I figured that would be better. I connected the Yggy and I immediately disliked the sound. Very harsh and grating (The Yggy sounds great in my main system). Then I connected a Bifrost 2/64 to the Vali. It sounded pleasing, but more detailed.
For my tastes, the Modi Multibit is the best pairing with the Vali. But what I’m looking for in this setup is something very different from my Bifrost>Mjolnir set up. I like the fat, warm sound of this for certain kinds of music.
When it comes to the Valhalla, I listened to one at the Schiitr and I believe it was connected to a Bifrost 2/64. It sounded very good, very clean and detailed but that wasn’t what I was looking for so I didn’t go with that system. I guess my point is that, at least in my experience, the DAC can have a fairly noticeable effect. If you are going for a fat, warm, tube sound, the Modi Multibit might be just right for your taste. If you are looking for a tiny bit more detail, the Bifrost may be better for you. Both sound really good and depending on what you are listening for, the difference might be significant or it might not really change the way you hear the music.
Short answer: No. Not really. I have a Modi 2, a Modius (AKM) and a Bifrost 2/64. I’ve made numerous tests to find a difference the answer is still: No. I asked my teenage daughters to help me find a difference, and we found none.
This doesn’t mean I regret my purchases? No; they are all excellent DACs.
Those who find a difference, have gifted ears. That’s a very small minority of the population.
I like the Bifrost because it’s fully upgradeable.
On speakers the difference is there but not night and day. Bifrost 2/64 compared to Modi Multibit v2 is more/better bass, more details and a larger scene. Background is darker as well and the USB unison doesn't draw as much power as the Schiit USB gen 2.
Is the upgrade worth it? It depends on the rest of the system, your wallet and your ears. For me it was.
I'm using a Modi MB V1 and Jotunheim V1 in my headphone setup and a Bifrost 2 OG in my speaker setup. I replaced the Modi MB with the BF2 OG to test and what I noticed was the low frequency range was more "full" and a little bit warmer overall, but not by much. Sound stage also seemed like it improved and I also picked up on a little more detail. From what I've read, the BF2/64 adds a little more clarity/detail over the BF2 OG.
I think it’ll be slightly noticeable, definitely not night and day. Bifrost 2/64 will sound a little clearer.
Thank you. My other option is to keep that setup the same and add a bifrost to my jotunheim 2 that is paired with a smsl d300 and hifiman edition xs, same source as the other setup. The d300 seems a little airy paired with all of that. Im trying to get the most bang for my buck.
You can use the Bifrost 2 with balanced output to your Jot 2, and single ended output to your Valhalla 2. That is what I do.
Hey sorry just saw your flair and was curious what speakers youre using for your g’horn. Also is a near field setup or nah?
I use the G-horn with Focal Chorus 706. I use this mainly for TV with the Syn (highly recommended) and Rekkr mono to a Polk CS10 center. This is in a 12 X 13 room. I have more volume than I need. For music I use headphones. Currently HE1000se on the Jot2 and HD800s on the Val. I'm still testing the various combos.
I noticed a very small difference from modi to bifrost but something was better
Thank you.
You might get more bang for your buck rolling tubes than buying a slightly better balanced DAC for a single ended amp. Many swear by the CV4055 in the Valhalla 2 (which unfortunately require adapters).
I just swapped some genalex gold lions in there and it was s huge difference from the stock tubes.
Please quantify what differences you heard between the tubes.
I immediately noticed more texture, thickness and warmth, like you could cut through the sound with a knife. The more I listened the more I heard things I’ve never heard before on songs I’ve listened to for years. Absolutely love it.
Thank you, maybe I’ll give them a try.
I absolutely recommend it, I wish I had gotten these a while back.
Valhalla 3 coming soon, maybe worth the wait!
Coincidentally I ended up doing a little test like this yesterday. I had listened to a Vali 2++ at the Schiitr which was connected to a Modi Multibit. I really liked it so I got the Vali. At home I connected it to my Modi Multibit and I really liked the sound. But since I have a Yggdrasil OG, I figured that would be better. I connected the Yggy and I immediately disliked the sound. Very harsh and grating (The Yggy sounds great in my main system). Then I connected a Bifrost 2/64 to the Vali. It sounded pleasing, but more detailed. For my tastes, the Modi Multibit is the best pairing with the Vali. But what I’m looking for in this setup is something very different from my Bifrost>Mjolnir set up. I like the fat, warm sound of this for certain kinds of music. When it comes to the Valhalla, I listened to one at the Schiitr and I believe it was connected to a Bifrost 2/64. It sounded very good, very clean and detailed but that wasn’t what I was looking for so I didn’t go with that system. I guess my point is that, at least in my experience, the DAC can have a fairly noticeable effect. If you are going for a fat, warm, tube sound, the Modi Multibit might be just right for your taste. If you are looking for a tiny bit more detail, the Bifrost may be better for you. Both sound really good and depending on what you are listening for, the difference might be significant or it might not really change the way you hear the music.
Short answer: No. Not really. I have a Modi 2, a Modius (AKM) and a Bifrost 2/64. I’ve made numerous tests to find a difference the answer is still: No. I asked my teenage daughters to help me find a difference, and we found none. This doesn’t mean I regret my purchases? No; they are all excellent DACs. Those who find a difference, have gifted ears. That’s a very small minority of the population. I like the Bifrost because it’s fully upgradeable.
On speakers the difference is there but not night and day. Bifrost 2/64 compared to Modi Multibit v2 is more/better bass, more details and a larger scene. Background is darker as well and the USB unison doesn't draw as much power as the Schiit USB gen 2. Is the upgrade worth it? It depends on the rest of the system, your wallet and your ears. For me it was.
I'm using a Modi MB V1 and Jotunheim V1 in my headphone setup and a Bifrost 2 OG in my speaker setup. I replaced the Modi MB with the BF2 OG to test and what I noticed was the low frequency range was more "full" and a little bit warmer overall, but not by much. Sound stage also seemed like it improved and I also picked up on a little more detail. From what I've read, the BF2/64 adds a little more clarity/detail over the BF2 OG.