Schiit Bifrost 3 hits preorder.
As Schiit Audio slowly incorporates its FORKBEARD digital control into more of its audio products, it appears that some of the DAC lines will also get additional functionality.
This takes form in the pre-order ready BiFrost 3 as volume, parametric EQ, balance, and even “loudness” additions. Same silver-aluminum box, a bunch of new tricks. Also updated is the internal digital conversion system. Gone is the multibit resistor-ladder, the Schiit Bifrost 3 now includes “Schiit Mesh™, with unique time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter implemented on a SHARC DSP; ESS ES9039 used as delta-sigma modulator”. This move reduces the number of needed actual DAC chips from 4 to 2, perhaps contributing to the overall price reduction. Regardless, it is very unusual for any new generation product to see a cost cut in today’s market (thanks Apple) so the savings is most welcome in any case.
The pre order for the Schiit Bifrost 3 starts today with shipping expected in October, $699 for black, $729 for silver.
More info: Schiit Bifrost 3
Full press release:
“FORKIN’ BIFROST
Schiit Introduces Bifrost 3
September 9, 2026, San Antonio, Texas. Today, Schiit Audio announced details and a pre-order for the upcoming Bifrost 3. The latest version of the Bifrost platform, Bifrost 3 offers sweeping updates, including Forkbeard™ compatibility with digital preamp, EQ, and over-the-air update capability, high-speed Unison 384™ input, a new, advanced Mesh™ analog card, DSP modularity, and a lower price tag: $699. Pre-orders are $10, applicable to total cost, and fully refundable. Bifrost 3 is expected to ship at the end of October 2026.
“Bifrost 3 outperforms Bifrost 2, and costs less,” said Jason Stoddard, Schiit’s Co-Founder. “The efficiency of running our own SMD production line is paying off.”
Featuring a new Mesh 8×39 design with Schiit’s unique time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter implemented on a powerful Analog Devices DSP, and ES9039 used as a delta-sigma modulator, the new Bifrost 3 is the best-performing Bifrost ever.
“This is the most powerful Mesh to date,” said Martin Schindler, Schiit’s head of digital development. “It runs at a higher rate, and uses more advanced modulators, than our other Mesh implementations, and delivers commensurately higher performance.”
Bifrost 3 is a fully modular design. Bifrost 3 features owner-replaceable input and analog cards for hardware upgradability, while Forkbeard provides over-the-air firmware updates.
“We’ve also retained compatibility with the Bifrost 2 platform,” said Jason. “The new Mesh™ output card can be used in Bifrost 2. Furthermore, all previous Bifrost 2 cards work in Bifrost 3.”
Bifrost 3 also refines Bifrost’s cosmetics, with a fastener-less top chassis and a new “light bar” which streamlines indication of input and mode.
Bifrost 3 is available to pre-order now at schiit.com for $10. The pre-order cost is applied to the total when completing a purchase, and is refundable if the customer doesn’t want to continue to wait. Bifrost 3’s total price is $699, $729 with silver finish.
The new “UberMesh” card is also available for pre-order at $10 for the pre-order, $250 total when shipped in late October. This card allows Bifrost 2 owners to update their DAC.”