Schiit Modi 3

Could be as simple as better crystal.

 

I don't like replacement of USB-B socket by micro-USB. From my experience (including Schiit's own Fulla 2) it what is breaking first in most devices.
Despite micro-usb socket may be rated for more plug-ins/outs I think it is applicable to laboratory conditions only and its ability to withstand mechanical abusing is inferior to USB-B.

 

Just how much plugging/unplugging does a typical desktop USB DAC really experience? Unless you're so impoverished that you have to buy just one and keep moving it around, if you spent five minutes routing your cables properly you can take all the stress off the connector for static use. At which point, absent a desire to use pointlessly expensive USB cables with a $99 DAC, I don't get the fuss.

Sure, USB-B is "better" ... but you probably can't get two connectors in that chassis without causing other issues. USB-C would be better still ... but would drive up the cost of the thing beyond $99 (especially to do two of them).

 

I'm going to miss the power switch more than the USB B port, but if costs less and sounds better than the 2U, it will be hard to complain.

 

I haven't turned off my Gungnir Multibit in 7 months, my Modi Multibit in 4. Neither has moved since I hooked them up. Typical use situation.

I agree with Torq here. Sure, there are folks with special use cases, I get it, but nit-picking all the little things that a desktop device doesn't do right as ultra portable super rugged DAC is pretty damn stupid from my point of view. Why aren't you looking at a DAP if mobility is key?

The vehicle parked in my garage does not fly or carry a hundred passengers, but that's because it's a car.

And now for my burning question... We know the DAC chip changed, along with what I would assume would be some other necessary design changes to accommodate that. Does that mean there are also changes to the design of the multibit version? Or is Modi 2 MB and Modi 3 MB identical? (Please excuse me if that question has been asked and answered.)

 

Same question that I had in my mind before placing an order for Modi 3 and got below response from @purr1n

"Momby / Modi Multibit are without a numeric model number change, but it seems to have gone through at minimum two running changes. The latest Mimbys sound a lot better than the early production ones. They measure differently too. All this information is on SBAF, just need to search for it."

I used to have one about 1 years ago (might be 2 years old since I bought 2nd hand one) and i found that it was quite good and could not tell much difference between Bifrost Multibit and Modi Multibit in my humble setup. Not sure how much change it had since then. My unit had shiny aluminium chassis and looks same as current photo it shows on Schiit website so if there were changes, it must be internal...

 

For my Raspberry Pi I use a USB cable with an inline switch. You can get them from Adafruit.

 

Keep an eye on your Schiit ... that Modi 3 is a fertile little bugger ... don't feed it after midnight, nor leave it unattended ... or the lil bleeda' will start breeding ...



Yes, I know ... it needs an Eitr. And a pair of Sys (to allow switching both DACs and amps). And maybe a Mani and Jill for good measure. Maybe this weekend ... one can only deal with so many wall-warts.

 

Get yourself a floor wart or two and solve that problem, except for the Vali 2 and Modi 3 of course.

 

What I thought was obvious humor is apparently a lot less obvious than I thought ...

I am just seeing how high a stack of little Schiit's I can make ... while making sure every unit in the stack actually has a purpose. And in that vein I should probably add a Wyrd for the hell of it ...

 

For Science?

 

That'd be my story.

And I'm sticking to it.

However, I have no such excuse for these:





I am liking this as a neat, fun, somewhat silly, way to contrast D/S and multi-bit DACs at the same time as comparing solid-state and tube-hybrid amps ... and direct USB vs. USB->S/PDIF.

To keep things somewhat on topic ... that little Modi 3 really does sound excellent. Classic, very nicely done, 4490. And it seems to benefit from Eitr vs. direct USB feed. Though the difference is very small. Probably better off applying that to a Modi MB.

At which point you're getting closer to a Bifrost MB which, at least based on the latest unit I have here (showed up with the Modi 3 a week ago), is now easily discernible from the Modi MB, as well as being clearly better (for me). Closer to the old Gungnir MB if anything.

 

Seeing this stack of Schiit makes me wish there were a 500-series rackmount version of all these.

For those who have no idea what that is... it's sort of like an audio version of a PC tower case. It has a power supply to feed all your internals, various routing options, then slots for all your modules.

 

Now just need a Loki 1 for DSD

 

What that schtack needs is a pair matching mono class D amps.

Honey, I shrunk the Vidar!

 

One could call this shot "pecking order" or "king of the hill" or "topping" (as opposed to "Topping") ...



Clearly the Modi 3 is wielding the whip in this comparison.

Can't see a reason to go with the D30 unless your life depends on native DSD replay, and you have run out of kidneys to sell to buy anything better (also, it is twice the volume of the D50!). The D50 has some mid-range funk that I can't get a proper handle on - not alone in that in the cheap-ESS-9038-camp, either). And the D50 really needs to ship with an actual f'ing PSU instead of this "extra USB 5v DC cable" bullshit.

 

Not to turn this into a Topping D50 thread, but jitter aside, the D30 measures flatter and doesn't have the weird distortion issues of the D50. Yes, the D30 also sounds dull and lifeless. Neither is a patch on the Modi 3 for listening pleasure, and neither measures as well either (no, I'm not using an APx555 ... but the issues I'm seeing don't NEED one either).

And what "standard" measurements don't show is how grainy and harsh the D50 sounds with a large swath of lossily-compressed music (I generally don't audition with such, but some came up when a playlist ran out, and was so noticeably bad I had to dig in further).

I don't know if this is down to it not handling intersample-overs properly - which seem to be prevalent in such content, but I DO know the same effect is not in evidence with either the D30 or the Modi 3 (nor the Dragonfly Black, Red, iFi Nano iDSD BL, Micro iDSD BL or RME-ADI 2). Those remain composed and smooth sounding with these tracks.

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I say this after completing a proper review of the Modi 3, and then going back to try it out with the problematic tracks here. It remains excellent-sounding. The Modi 3 will take its seat as my new entry-level reference-DAC, and the D50 will not be long for this world - a bit embarrassing given that it's 2.5x the price.

I don't think anyone doing proper listening tests could miss this.

 

That is some Schiit...First time seeing an example on-line of using SYS with a headphone system. I am considering inserting a SYS in between my Modi MB and Magni 3 to attenuate the level, since I find the Magni 3 is too loud (pass the channel imbalance range) for my casual listening level (did not expect the LCD 2C and HD58x to be so sensitive). Would you recommend it? Thanks!

 

One to switch the DACs. One to switch the amps.

The whole stack is a bit of fun (for me) ... but quite rewarding and very enjoyable (as well as educational) nonetheless. A system like this, available as a complete-set for loaner purposes would make for an interesting way for people new to the hobby to experience DS vs. multi-bit DACs and solid-state vs tube/hybrid amps, and USB vs. S/PDIF behavior/issues.

Might have to make that happen.

I'm surprised that that combination is too loud. Even with the Focal Clear or Massdrop/Fostex TR-X00 I am well beyond the (small and minimal) imbalance-range of the Magni 3 or Vali 2's pots by the time I am at my normal listening level (about 80 dB).

It'll do the job, and be audibly transparent in doing so - so there's no real reason not to.

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I seem to be taking things off topic - so probably a good idea to move some posts to more appropriate threads. Anything else not directly related to Modi 3 either PM me, or mention me in a "General Advice" thread post.