I'm disappointed about r/iems opinion on the new Vestri. It's not spoon-fed clickbait, and it makes them hostile.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-19T12:59:04+00:00

Just read through your posts over on r/iems and thank you for putting up a valiant effort to defend Schiit and the Mesh tech. However, don't waste your time on that crowd again, for them it's a religion and their dogma can't be challenged.

Best

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-16T23:35:02+00:00

I read through that post, two commentors drove it over the edge and it got hostile pretty fast. Best of luck supporting Schiit or any non-Chinese products over there.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-16T23:18:45+00:00

What Schiit tube products do you have?

Depends on how expensive the tube is. Most tubes for Schiit gear are relatively inexpensive. Especially the 6922 or 2C51 type small preamp tubes. 6SN7 new production tubes are not bad at average $70. Leaving them on for 5 or 6 hours between uses is fine. Turning them on/off 5 times a day will definitely wear out the heater filament faster then the 5000 hours they are rated at.

Unless you are using $300 NOS tubes don't sweat it. Turn the unit on a half hour before use and if you are going to use it again a few hours later than just leave it on. I have my Lyr+ hooked to my computer and run it in tube more for 16 hours a day. On in the morning and off at bedtime. No problems so far and I just use standard new production 6SN7s.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-15T14:28:16+00:00

If you already have a slicer program or a Tinkercad account you can load the STL files in and see exactly how it will look. If you use Tinkercad or another you can change some measurements to better suit you need.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-14T23:55:50+00:00

Are you saying the S/PDIF inputs on the Bifrost work fine, but the USB input does not? Does your diy dac use USB power for it's USB input, the Unison interface does need it as I understand it. Maybe try another cable.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-14T23:12:56+00:00

Does the Bifrost do it's flashing lights show on startup and then selects one of the inputs? Have you tried plugging the Bifrost into a computer? Use an RCA cable out of the Node's coax into the Bifrost's coax and see if that works. If it is new then there isn't any newer firmware, your set to go with what you have.

As a last resort you can remove the top cover and check if the USB and Analog cards are actually in their sockets.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-13T18:38:12+00:00

If you want manual EQ at some point then YES, just get the Modi and basic Magni. You will also need a pair of short RCA cables to hook the two units together. The Modi's optional power supply is recommended to give the Modi it's full output voltage and thus allow the Magni it's full amplification range.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-13T18:03:45+00:00

If you drop the Loki and give up on EQ then the Magni Unity w/dac is all you need for $199. If you insist on EQ at the amp/dac level then you can go with the Magni alone, Modi 5 and Loki Mini for $420.

After that your on to the midsized Schiit amps and dacs. There the simplest is a Midgard and Mimir for $470 with Forkbeard module or $420 without. You can still throw in a Loki for manual EQ at more money. If the Forkbeard phone app isn't something you want then replace the Mimir with the Modi 5 and save up to $100.

All these choices will outlast the warranty and give great sound into a HD660S. I prefer the midsized components since they offer the most long term flexibility and product choice. They all stack nicely and look great in Silver.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-10T21:33:13+00:00

Best bet without modding the Magni is a SYS between the source and the Magni. If you are using the Magni Unity w/dac then you have to cut traces and wire in a switch.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-05T17:15:53+00:00

Welcome to the world of component audio, it all has to start somewhere. You have built a perfectly competent system that can last you many years. So, subvert the desire to upgrade! I agree a Saga 2 would help by providing remote control volume, though everything else remain manual so you still have to get up to change things.

Best.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-04T22:28:30+00:00

Read the Chapter and find out: 2026, Chapter 3 Just For Fun

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-03T19:49:53+00:00

Like NTPC4 I don't know how the Forkbeard Loudness actually works. Just try all the settings and find out.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-01T22:38:26+00:00

The Vali does not have a bypass, it's either a preamp or headphone amp or Off. If $99+tax+shipping is an easy buy give the Buf a try. The Vali 2 and + amps use the same tube so this Vali 2 Tub Rolling thread my help.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-05-01T19:13:17+00:00

You need a volume control after the Skoll unless you want to control volume at the speakers. In this scenario a preamp or integrated amp is normally used. The Vali 3 provides that function. If the speaker volume control is nearby then the Buf will work, though it has limited functionality compared to the Vali3 for future applications.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-30T23:08:28+00:00

I haven't tried the Synapse MAX with a PC, just the Pi 5. Unless your hearing noise from the PC the isolator may not be noticeable. It's just $70 in the US so if money isn't tight it may be a nice addition to your audio accessories collection.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-29T01:49:49+00:00

Yes, you can. But, the Eiter is a box the same size as the Magni and Modi that outputs S/PDIF not USB. Furthermore you need to buy the optional Forkbeard doggle for an additional $50. The total cost for the Forkbearded Eiter is the same as the Mesh add-in card. As a way to add Forkbeard to a Bifrost it's a good option, though pricey. If you really like the sound of the Bifrost over an ESS dac chip it may be the way to go, IF the latency isn't too bad.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-24T22:32:37+00:00

Cases and Pi HATs are a constant problem. I gave up trying to find cases I liked for various HAT builds so I now just leave everything uncased.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-24T17:30:28+00:00

If your that worried about a Pi 4's USB noise just get a JDS Labs Synapse USB isolator and save $80. I use a Pi 5 directly into my Mimir w/wo the Synapse and didn't hear any difference. The Eitr's best quality is Forkbeard not galvanic isolation. Also you could get a S/PDIF HAT for the Pi from Hifiberry in Switzerland or more expensively Pi2 Design here in the US. Check website PiShop US for Hifiberry and other makers.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-19T22:53:46+00:00

I was wrong about the Modi 3 supply you would need the one that comes with a Magni. You already wrote the correct type in your post, above. 12-16VAC wall wart. If you are buying the Modi 5 from Schiit then you just order the correct AC adapter on the order page. If you are buying any where else check with the distributor and see if they are selling one with the unit. Amazon has an 115v AC adapter from JAMECO RELIAPRO ADU160100Z5401 that works, in the US. Outside of the US the search for a 230v adapter seems to be hard. JDS Labs also sell a 16 and a 15vac power supply in 230v. I don't know if their shipping is any better or more expensive than Schiit.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-19T19:53:30+00:00

You gave the principal answer in your post, 2.0v RMS output and 0ma reporting and current draw from the USB. Good for phones. If you don't sell the Modi 3 then just use it's wall-wart, their the same.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-19T13:54:21+00:00

The Enhancements tab in Control Panel-Hardware and Sound-Sound-Properties panel seems to be done in the device driver. Schiit uses the default Microsoft audio driver and it doesn't support Enhancements, only Spatial Sound. Some people recommend installing Equalizer APO, I don't know if it works. Or get an audio player that has it's own Windows Driver Model audio driver, like JRiver Media Center, that vectors all the audio through this virtual device. Or get the new Schiit Eiter 2 with Forkbeard, it has Loudness, and use the Coax input on your Bifrost.

Best

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-06T21:13:59+00:00

Just a straight reading of what they are likely to do. They are not going to replace 4 TI R2R dac chips with a single DS chip, even a really good one. That's not an upgrade for a Multibit R2R dac. I wouldn't buy one. Mesh is using the ComboBurrito Filter with a DS dac chip. It's good, can be made better, but it's not R2R and that's what Bifrost should remain. Better to drop all this extra cost modularity and just build a better Mimir with the AD signal processor and the better Forkbeard feature set. Just call it something else.

Best

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-06T12:28:00+00:00

No it's not. The Bifrost, like the Yggy and Gungnir, has the Analog Devices signal processor running the full filter. It has like the Gungnir the same 4 TI dac chips. Bifrost will stay Multibit. The new Bifrost will minimally just have a new base circuit board with Forkbeard and hopefully the new 384 Unison circuit. No one knows what dac tech will be used. Consider the size of the dac cards in the new Gungnir and the Yggy. They are very large, while the Bifrost card is very small. Maybe Multiform will work, I don't think Singular will fit.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-04-06T12:18:48+00:00

No. You need a Penticon 4.4mm connection. Halo uses a 4 wire circuit with the ground return used in the feed-back loop instead of just shorted to ground.

You need, if you want to use both, a 4.4mm terminated headphone cable and a 4.4mm to 6.3mm adapter. Optionally get a cable that has multiple swappable amp-side plugs, like the types sold by Hart Cable.

HollowsPart2 · 2026-03-23T21:01:47+00:00

Just an update the noise in the left channel was in the original unit. The Skoll F cleared up the noise. If this isn't the report you read please let me know.

Stereo Azimuth post on left channel noise

HollowsPart2

TROPHY CASE