Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

I am considering this route as well to replace a Xonar ST. Please post your impressions on how the Juli@ performs.

 

I actually had a post talking a bit about the Juli@ this weekend but it got eaten with the server rollback. Modi Multibit does benefit from the S/PDIF connection of the Juli@ and to my ears I hear greater clarity (I have never, ever thought Modi Multibit was veiled as some other users have stated. The Juli@'s effect on the Modi Multibit is just to add additional sharpness) more air and separation been instruments/voices and improved bass response and tightness. Do note that my impressions are going from the Toslink on my motherboard in comparison to the Juli@'s S/PDIF RCA connection via breakout cable although I imagine a similar gain would be had over the USB connection if you are going that route.

In short, the difference to me was immediate and a noticeable improvement even though I was in no way dissatisfied with Modi Multibit out of the box. By giving the Modi Multibit an even better quality signal I am letting it run closer to its fuller potential. Two thumbs up from me.

 

Thank you for the impressions! Have you tried the DAC in the Juli@ yet in comparison to the Modi Multibit?

 

I have not yet although I will at some point in the future. I think I would need to pull the Juli@ out of my PC and reconfigure it (it has that unique ability to "transform" by removing screws and swapping the side that you have the little daughter card plugged in to between unbalanced RCA or balanced TRS). The Juli@ seems to use the AKM 4358 DAC chip so it should be at least decent sounding.

 

So I got a chance to audition the Modi Multibit as part of the AUS/NZ loaner (thanks SBAF!)

I don't have great gear (2011 MacBook Pro>Spotify premium> TOSLINK> DAC (usually a Mindprint DI Port) > Yamaha HS50m)
and reputable ears, but here are my summarised thoughts in the 5 days that I had the Modi Multibit with me.
Hopefully someone will find this constructive, but YMMV.

Positives:
"3D" depth (great with jazz, classical)
Texture - horns, strings, fuzzed out guitars
Separation (instrumental)

Negatives:
"3D" depth (can sound artificial at times with different genres of music) [this is contradictory, I know, see point below]
Some ?timing? or ?ghosting? 'artifacts' - Most noticeable on kick drums when listening to metal
Mid bass bloat (worse when just turned on, much, much better after on for a day and more)
Lacking in top end detail/clarity? (Slightly veiled)

Overall:
Performs 'better' depending on which genres of music you primarily listen to
Needs to be adequately 'warmed up' for peak performance

Conclusion:
I miss it now after thinking that I didn't need it, but I'm really interested to check out the higher tiers of multibit Schitt to find out if R2R is for me.


*Edits were made to be more concise.

 

I wonder where the mid-bass bloat comes from. @atomicbob's measurements show the FR to be essentially flat from 20Hz to 15kHz.
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/schiit-modi-mb-technical-measurements.2603/

 

I'm currently using my fiio X5 (1st gen) coax out as transport to my Modi Multibit, which is a significant improvement over the wonderful usb implementation, although usb still sounds better than many dacs I have heard via either type of s/pdif. I am hoping for some opinions re: usb vs. toslink on the Modi Multibit. I am hoping that someone has done some critical listening making this comparison. I am also curious about what file format limitations using toslink would impose. Thanks.

 

I cannot, from the top of my head, name a DAC that had the option of both and that I thought sounded better via USB (including Modi Multibit, which I've done comparisons with in many threads here). The big caveat here is what your TOSLINK source is going to be. Computer TOSLINK outputs are generally a quite wank (poor emitters, derived clocks, and hence high jitter), as are the TOSLINK outputs on things like the Sonore SonicOrbiterSE (for similar reasons). My preferred TOSLINK sources are more expensive than the DAC in question, so not very relevant here.

TOSLINK cables are also a minefield. You don't need to spend a lot to get a good glass cable, but even so going with the cheap-plastic stuff is probably best not bothered with if you already have a working COAX S/PDIF setup. So, overall, unless you're having isolation issues, or already have a really solid TOSLINK source and cable, it's probably best to stick with COAX.

TOSLINK is just optical S/PDIF, so it's going to do exactly the same thing as your COAX connection. There's one catch ... some TOSLINK emitters/cables will simply not work (or at least not properly) over 24/96 (the original TOSLINK spec). I had no issues out of an AK120 or a Mac Pro into a Lifatec cable into any of my DACs at 24/192, but using some other cables 24/96 was the stopping point. And some machines, like the Mac Mini, only support 24/96 in the first place.

The file-format itself is irrelevant. It's how it's content gets presented to the interface that matters. Which really means either PCM, DSD or DoP. The latter two cases are completely irrelevant to Modi Multibit and will have to be converted by the player to PCM regardless of which interface you use.

 

The transport is a pc laptop. I can't fit my entire library on the x5, thus my interest in an alternative to usb for that use case. Currently use optical for tv to integrated connection, but otherwise no experience with it. Didn't want to dig behind it to get that cable as it's hard to get to for me, but I'll have to try it. Definitely a cheapie tho. I can't justify the cost of a ddc for coax, and could't afford it even if I thought it was justified sound-wise. Btw, I will still listen to and enjoy music via usb so just being a completist. What is your opinion re using the x5 (or any other daps used in this manner) aside from the space limitations? I was actually pleasantly surprised by how good it did sound into the Modi Multibit>Vali2.

 

+1

It's a killer value.

 

It's an ergonomic disaster for me to use a DAP tethered to a desktop device. Worthwhile cables tethered to comparatively fragile 2.5/3.5mm TR(R)S connections means interacting with the player isn't fun. And then there's the comparatively horrible user interfaces. While some, as DAPs, have lovely interfaces, when compared to my favorite, Roon, on an iPad or computer they're ALL way too slow and limited. If I'm going to sit somewhere that has a desktop DAC, then it'll have an iPad or a computer next to it and Roon accessible on that.

Sonically ... it's going to depend a lot on the DAP in question, but there are no particular issues with it. Ones with radios in them (WiFi, Bluetooth, or Cellular) really want those disabled if you're using electrical interfaces off the DAP though (USB especially, and double especially if it's a Chord product), but otherwise it is, like everything else in audio, dependent on use cases and implementations.

And for me, if the setup isn't being used portably, then there won't be a DAP involved.

 

I've gone on record as stating I preferred Toslink to Modi Multibit over USB to Modi Multibit even out of my Asus PC motherboard. It was good but I then went the extra mile and bought an ESI Juli@ and started using the included breakout cable for RCA S/PDIF to the Modi Multibit. That really impressed me and was a definite step up from motherboard Toslink in terms of sound quality. Properly fed, Modi Multibit really is quite good considering the price.

 

My experience was the same as yours... using the Modi Multibit in my work setup, I wasn't going to shell out for a DDC and thought USB didn't sound great. So I used my iBasso DX50 and, like you, I found to be a significant step up. If Schiit do release their anticipated DDC soon I will probably pick one of those up but in the meantime using a DAP as transport is a great and cost-effective alternative. The sound quality improvement is worth the extra hassle IMO.

 

The ergonomic issues Torq mentions are not really a huge thing for me, as I mostly just set it on shuffle and let it be; while I am listening, pause and play are really the only controls I use, so the ui issues also aren't a big deal. In fact, most dap ui issues aren't a big deal once i've used the device awhile, as I eventually learn its idiosyncrasies. I wish there was a cost-effective way to get a coax digital out from a pc (or to improve usb out significantly,) but ultimately I am just happy to have such good sound (even via usb) for so little. Ironically, my Pulse's usb implementation is very close to the sound quality obtained using the x5>coax (for me, pretty much indistinguishable ) vis-a-vis the same delta with the Modi Multibit. The Modi Multibit just sounds better, though it is closer than one might expect.

 

Can you give any specific examples? I might be looking to upgrade my cable, if I can find something decent for a reasonable price.

 

Lifatec (~70$):
http://www.lifatec.com/toslink2.html

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?search/13391697/&q=lifatec&o=date&c[user][0]=1197

 

I can agree on this one. Optical immediately lifts a lot of the veil from using USB, and that's just splitting off of HDMI via a Samsung TV or Apple TV using Airplay

I've been looking for what the best solution would be from my laptop. For the time being at least I've settled on getting Optical out of the Display Port via an adapter cable, just waiting for shipment.

 

What's the general consensus regarding the Modi Multibit's sound signature? I've been looking at possible end game setups to pair with the ZMF Atticus, and I've been thinking about getting the Modi Multibit to pair with the Jotunheim. The Atticus is a very warm headphone, so I want a DAC that isn't warm as well. Is the Modi Multibit warm? I don't want to spend more than 250 on a DAC if possible.

 

This sounds like a good low-budget end-game setup. I don't think Modi Multibit is considered warm in these quarters (I have one, but couldn't pronounce it either way). But you may wish to consider the HD650 with the KISS mod as a pairing, as it seems to provide exceptional synergy overall.

You may wish to look at some of @atomicbob's System Synergy revisions.

PS Please introduce yourself in this thread, outlining your current chain and musical preferences, before we can offer you more pertinent advice.
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17/

 

Modi Multibit works well with Jot as it's a little warmer than other Schiit Multibit DACs, so it'll help tame that little bit of brightness Jot exhibits.