Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by MrTie, Jul 25, 2016.

  1. SnowPuppy

    SnowPuppy Facebook Friend

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    I though of another option for you to use USB with a Modi Multibit. With my Bifrost Multibit I use a NAD DAC 2. It has a little transmitter that plugs into your computer's usb then sends the digital signal up to 24 bit 96hz to a little box that sits next to the Bifrost Multibit. The little box sends a digital signal by coax into the Bifrost Multibit. To me it sounds just as good as when I was using the coax output of my FiiO X5 into the Bifrost Multibit. And having the wireless is very nice. It does not use your network wifi. It has 3 frequencies to choose from and you just match the box and transmitter. Was supper easy to set up. Just plugged it in and it worked. Keep in mind I do not use the internal DAC of the NAD DAC2. I just use it to pass the digital signal from my computer usb to my Bifrost Multibit using the Bifrost Multibit's coax input. Here are some links:

    https://nadelectronics.com/product/dac-2/

    Note that this review convinced me to get it because of this quote:

    "One interesting caveat to this is switching from using the NAD via the analogue outputs to the coaxial one into another DAC shows that it is a completely transparent wireless transfer device. With the NAD running into the digital input of a Naim ND5 XS, the performance is completely in keeping with the performance of the more expensive streamer and transfer at sampling rates up to 24/96kHz is seamless and extremely effective."

    https://www.avforums.com/review/nad-dac2-wireless-dac-review.10052

    I ordered mine off Amazon.
     
  2. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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  3. zfisch

    zfisch New

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    @Kattefjaes
    Thanks for the comment above. I use optical either from my cd player as a transport to the Modi Multibit. I use optical straight from my computer to the Modi Multibit if I listen to music from my computer.
    Is going usb with the eitr between computer and Modi Multibit a significant upgrade from an optical connection between computer and Modi Multibit?
    Thanks
     
  4. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    It will be, yeah. Your computer's S/PDIF out will be driven by clock dividers from clocks of distinctly "meh" quality. This doesn't matter with the Gungnir Multibit or Yggdrasil so much, as they can sort it out with the onboard Vx0-fu to a large extent, but the Modi Multibit's just going to try to PLL against the incoming signal and then suck it down. There will be general phase noise, as well as predictably periodic jitter caused by the clocks not being an exact multiple, most likely.

    Feeding it a nice cleanly-clocked and isolated signal, such as you'd get from the Eitr, or other decent source, will sound markedly better. Listen for better instrument separation, cleaner attacks, better timbre on percussive sounds etc.. The Modi Multibit can sound pretty nice when when you give it a chance, it's a bit of a bargain.

    (Also, well-clocked and electrically clean co-axial S/PDIF is marginally preferable to well-clocked optical, but I'd hate to try and pick those differences out blind.)
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2017
  5. AudioThief

    AudioThief Acquaintance

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    Modi Multibit ordered, now I just have to wait for Eitr to become available. Thanks for the help everyone.
     
  6. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Please do let us know how it went once you have your new toys.
     
  7. dropadred

    dropadred New

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    @AudioThief Good luck, then, mate. I hope the world will not burn if you use in the meantime just Mibi without the Eitr as it seems, judging by the previous page, Mibi is a junk without an Eitr. Burn those USBs!
     
  8. AudioThief

    AudioThief Acquaintance

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    Just came back from a nice holiday on the canary islands, and the mimiby was waiting for me at the post office. I am just getting it started, heard a few tracks - so this post isn't even going to be initial impressions or anything. I will simply say that I am shocked at how much the DFR were actually bottlenecking my setup (given the context that we are talking about dacs of course). I can hear a very, very clear difference in sound for the better. So it feels as if I already got my moneys worth. That is surely a good thing, but we will have to see after I hear all kinds of tracks with it, got it warmed up and so on. Not to forget the Eitr, once that becomes available.
     
  9. Prydz

    Prydz Friend

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    ^
    Whats ur setup like?
    Jeg har også tenkt å kjøpe en Modi Mulitbit med Magni 3, eller Jotunheim.
     
  10. AudioThief

    AudioThief Acquaintance

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    Currently just listening through Stax SRS 3100. I am sure other differences will come through via my other setups (Atrox v2 amp) + TH 900, HD650, LCD2.2F, D5K, JVC HP DX1000.

    I'm sure other posters can give you in depth answers on Modi Multibit+magni3 vs jotunheimfor the HD650. I personally haven't heard jot or magni 3!
     
  11. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    No, it's just vulnerable to bad input- not at all the same thing. Modi Multibit is a cracking little DAC, you just need to feed it well. The problem used to be that a clean S/PDIF source cost more than the Modi Multibit itself, which is why the Eitr is a big deal.
     
  12. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    You can order a Modi 2 Multibit for $249 but have to spend $179 for an Eitr to get Gen 5 USB (which you definitely need.) Total $428.

    OTOH you can just buy a Bifrost Multibit which comes with Gen 5 USB for $599. For $171 extra you get a better DAC that is upgradeable with a better power supply. I think the Bifrost Multibit is the most cost effective, best deal in the Schiit lineup. You save money if you plan for the future.
     
  13. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    Remember though that EITR works with all DACs and not just Schiit DACs. That EITR might still end up being in use for years after you decide ditch Modi Multibit.
     
  14. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    The math does add up. It’s better from a money standpoint and upgrades. Just remember it has a different sound signature that may not match some people’s preferences or be synergistic with their exiting chain.

    Listening to Modi Multibit with a good CDP coax out on speakers. Very nice. Modi Multibit doesn’t have to have Eitr to sound good. A good source plays a big part in how it sounds.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2017
  15. SnowPuppy

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    Agree with this 100%. Plus the Modi Multibit and the Eitr wall warts cover up all those outlets. This can be mitigated by buying a floor wart but again that makes it even closer to the cost of the Bifrost Multibit. Plus with the Modi Multibit and Eitr there is extra cable cost.
     
  16. AudioThief

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    Still early days, but I just want to say that the Modi Multibit (via USB) is an absolutely massive upgrade from the dragonfly red. That there exists people who denies that DACs "make a difference" is beyond me.

    Through the L300, it is clearly more resolving, more "even" sounding / less harsh, and a tad better imaging capabilities. I've kept it on since I got it. It sounds significantly better today than the day I got it, however I've been sick which always ruins my listening sessions so obviously take what I say with a massive grain of salt. But yeah, Modi Multibit is a big big upgrade as a DAC from the DFR.

    My main gripe with the DFR was that I felt it was bright. I was afraid that the Modi Multibit would take away bass impact, but I think its a bit weightier (L300 is pretty bass light so I will know better when I try my TH 900) - It also seems clearly more mid focused than the DFR. Vocals are more detailed and realistic through the Modi Multibit.

    Again, early days, take all I am saying with a big grain of salt. But to me, the Modi Multibit sounds magnificent. I'm not sure if I'm ready to say its flat out better than the Hegel HD 12 which I previously owned and listened to the TH 900s in - I would say soundstage/imaging capabilities are similar, Hegel HD 12 miiight sound more organic but I have to try the TH 900s with the Modi Multibit to say for sure. Modi Multibit clearly more resolving I think.
     
  17. obsiCO

    obsiCO Thai Fish Experiment Gone Wrong

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    I'm curious about how Schiit does upgrades. Do I have to pay extra for the new DAC upgrade? Sorry if this has been said before, just can't seem to find it.

    EDIT: Sorry, I meant upgrading a multibit DAC to a new one.
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2017
  18. Bigferret

    Bigferret Friend

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  19. obsiCO

    obsiCO Thai Fish Experiment Gone Wrong

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  20. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Keep in mind the differing opinions about Bifrost Multibit. Marv has called it “Schiit’s worst-sounding DAC.”

    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/dacs-improvement.4970/#post-159572
     

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