Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

"Digi+ Pro" (that's its name) is a Rspberry Pi audio interface.

 

It is hard to justify a 500$ source improvement for a 250$ DAC. At that point, better consider saving some more and getting a Gungnir Multibit instead.

The Digi+ Pro is a hat for the Raspberry Pi. For something like a Modi Multibit, it's more than decent if you want a tangible improvement to the source. And it's certainly cost effective, though it takes some skill and tinkering. You can pair it with a RCA Coax cable or an Optical one like the 70$ Lifatec.

See this review:
http://passionforsound.lachlanfenne...dio-quality-without-breaking-the-bank-part-2/

 

Thanks. Very interesting. Reading that review it sounds like the best way to listen to computer audio is from source to BNC out. Is there any other way to achieve this other than tinkering with pi's? You mention that it gets it to be more than decent implying there might be alternatives.

The $500 source improvement to a $250 dac I can accept as I will just take it to be in my mind a $750 solution comparable to a $750 dac. Can those RME or lynx cards offer the same type of effect as the Pi BNC --> " Likewise, the remaining hint of haze and distortion was removed from the overall signal making it buttery smooth while revealing every detail. "

Basically what i am trying to alter in my computer playback is ONLY in the x axis of Marvey's dac chart: I am wanting to reduce distortion and the "brighter, coarser, grainer, glarey, "digital" and move to the other side of "smooth".

I don't mind my current y axis but would hope that an external dac would not make it less resolving, veiled, congested, weaksauce, flat, closed.

Another thing of note is that I also don't really require an increase in bass response.

My only limited reading suggests the Modi Multibit especially at the price point. For instance I don't think I'd want a Yggdrasil as that would mostly improve the y axis which I am not really trying to change.

Thanks for your help.

 

They're audio boards from HiFiBerry that enable proper SPDIF output (Direct I2S output on RPi's have severe jitter issues).

Acoustically I'd suggest the biggest jump will come from moving to SPDIF, then between the transports. I have not tried, so will not comment on the relative performances. Even then the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, is it possible for you to try it out? Australia has immense consumer protection laws, any return policies you can use?

 

HI Grahad, what exactly am I recommended to test? As far as I know I haven't come across much info on trialling products with optional returns

 

Trialing different interfaces. I believe the expense range goes as follows: Motherboard SPDIF header (buy a coax cable and solder 2 pin connectors, $ should be in the 10~30 range thereabouts? Only applicable if your motherboard has said header) < Raspberry Pi + Digi+Pro (still have to buy a cable, total cost should be about low 100 ish?) < RME/Lynx.

Do you have any retailers of hifi equipment near you? You can possibly bring your unit down to try with their equipment first, if they do not have any trial programs.

 

Maybe worth contemplating some of the things Marv has been saying recently (also relevant to @gamerstudent, @alchemist007):

 

What a tease.

 

I don't even know what that means...new drivers?

 

It means sit tight for a few months.

 

I was just thinking half an hour ago that an usb to spdif converter directly from schiit would be cool. I was contemplating to buy a wyred 4 sound ulink or an ifi ilink but after marvey's post i suppose i'll play the waiting game and hope for that!

 

I just did my own mini-Schiit amp comparo and discovered that the Bifrost (possibly Uber) is a significant step up from the DAC in my micro iDSD (which might seem obvious to most, but I had to hear it for myself).

Question: How much of the improvements I hear with the Bifrost would I get with the Modi Multibit? I could see a Modi Multibit + Vali 2 or Magni 2U stack as reasonably affordable and portable enough that I could move it around the house. I would be feeding it S/PDIF coax using my iDSD as a D2D converter.

 

If it helps, @Marvey rates Modi Multibit above Bifrost Multibit, and since it was introduced Modi Multibit replaced Bifrost Multibit in @atomicbob's System Synergy (paired with a Vali 2 or a Jotunheim). Any way you look at it, you can't go wrong with the Modi Multibit...

 

Modi Multibit+Vali 2 = pure win. It's my work setup.

I've got the Bifrost Multibit + Ember at home and I'm seriously considering selling it off and "downgrading" to save some bucks.

 

I'm sure I read it somewhere already, but is @Marvey's rating factoring in cost or is it overall for performance? I saw @atomicbob's latest synergistic system. I have to say the HD650s sounded great out of the Jot, but it's bigger in both size and cost and I kind of like the idea of having a tube amp. My line of thought is now going towards Vali vs. Jot so I'll post that question elsewhere.

 

What cans are you using? I've got the HD650s and newly acquired Andromedas. The EH 6CG7 is supposed to be the consensus tube for the Vali 2. Would that work well with both my phones?

 

I've a suspicion that you might find that the Vali 2 is a bit too rolled-off for the Andros. It's a gently rolled-off amp in general, but I recall this pairing being reported as rolled-off in particular.

Edit:

If you like measurements:

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...mpfire-audio-andromeda-iem-measurements.2088/

Also, depending on your tastes, you might find the Vali 2/650 combo a bit warm and dark, and maybe sleepy.. especially with unmodded 650. It's relaxing and pleasant to listen to, but not the most revealing combo- esp if you're used to Andros.

(..that doesn't mean that it can't make a Winter's evening vanish though, it's a very soothing setup.)

 

From what I understand, he likes it better, period. If you search around you can probably find his impressions.

People are probably sick of me doing this, but I have to disagree that the EH 6CG7 is a "consensus" tube. It's just a good tube that's affordable, but the EH 6922 is actually cheaper and claimed by those here who have heard both to sound better. I feel like one or two people compared the EH 6CG7 to stock, found it better, and now everyone wants one regardless of other options.

 

It seems that the HD650(M) pairs incredibly well with the Jotunheim, whereas for Vali 2 the HD600 would be the better choice. This is what I will be doing later this year.

 

I'm using the HE-500. I've got the 650 on my radar to try out with this setup.

Really, folks, the stock tube isn't bad by any stretch. I've also used a 6DJ8 with the Vali and had good results. It brightens things up a hair.

Don't go crazy with tube rolling here. Spend some time with the stock tube first...it may suit you just fine.