Schiit Audio has announced its brand-new Bifrost 3 DAC. In addition to technical innovations, it also comes with a slightly lower price tag than its predecessor!
The new Schiit Bifrost 3 is a Mesh DAC. This is in contrast to the previous Bifrost 2 and 2/64 versions, which used True Multibit technology. The new approach is a clever idea from the manufacturer and was already implemented in the Mimir late last year. To realise its Mesh architecture, Schiit uses a standard delta-sigma chip in this new DAC, while bypassing its built-in digital filter. Instead, the chip is used as a modulator downstream of Schiit’s proprietary digital module, which handles oversampling. In the Bifrost 3, that filter runs on a SHARC DSP, with its output subsequently fed to a single ESS ES9039.
Apart from all that technical wizardry, the Bifrost 3 also comes with a Bluetooth module as standard. This allows you to control various settings of the device via an app, while a simple, traditional remote control is also included for those who prefer one.
Digital audio can be supplied via, for example, the USB-C input. In that case, the maximum supported PCM resolution is 32-bit / 384 kHz. Alternatively, you can use coaxial or TOSLINK, both of which support a maximum resolution of 24-bit / 192 kHz. As for outputs, you can choose between RCA and XLR.
The Schiit Bifrost 3 will be available from the end of October this year, priced at $699 in black. Alternatively, the silver version will cost $729. As always, we will have to wait and see what prices will be outside the US.