Schiit Modi 3

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by purr1n, Sep 21, 2018.

  1. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

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    Obviously buying an Eitr at almost double the price of the Modi3 doesn't make much sense. But would there be any benefit in using a cheaper alternative like this one?
     
  2. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    I would just use the built-in USB of the Modi 3, it's actually pretty good.
     
  3. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    This
     
  4. mykeldg

    mykeldg New

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    yeah, the modi 3 actually measures excellently (SINAD) on just the USB. Im actually curious how it stacks up against the Modi Multibit since I sold the modi 3 before getting the Modi Multibit.
     
  5. starence

    starence Facebook Friend

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    In case you guys missed it, the Modi 3 is now available in black. Modi Multibit is still limited to silver.


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
  6. Aiibo

    Aiibo New

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    Neat. Modi's look at least, Magni's black and red looks a bit too gamer-ish for my personal taste.
     
  7. ssmith3046

    ssmith3046 New

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    New member here. Due to a recent move I sold my large record collection. I'm 67 and just didn't feel like packing and moving boxes of records on an out of state move. I did keep about a hundred of the ones that I knew would be too expensive to replace. So I'm back to listening to CDs again, I never really stopped just listened to records more. I've never owned an external DAC but I wanted to see if one would upgrade my older Marantz CD player so for a hundred bucks I went with the ModI 3. I did a little research and there was something I liked about Schiit. I plugged in the Modi 3 via coax to the old Marantz and it was a holy cow moment. Admittedly, this is the first DAC I've owned so I have nothing to compare it to but I'm happy with the build quality, sound, and Schiit's customer service. I do a lot of headphone listening so the Modi 3 runs to a Bellari headphone amp with a Telefunken smooth plate. My Sennheiser HD650 headphones get the most use.
     
  8. ssmith3046

    ssmith3046 New

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    Just follow up from my previous post above, now curiosity will leave me wondering about multibit DACS so I wouldn't be surprised if next month I try the Modi Multibit. $250 would be an affordable way to test the waters I suppose. Any opinions on exploring a Modi Multibit would be appreciated.
     
  9. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    I haven't heard the Modi 3, but Modi Multibit (new firmware or old) is a great improvement over the DAC in my Marantz CD63 Mk II. Much less harsh/scratchy treble and improved imaging were the main improvements in my system. If you've been a vinyl person, I think you'll like multibit in general.
     
  10. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

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    What model is your "older Marantz"?
    What specifically "opened your eyes" regarding the difference between the Marantz's analog output and the Modi3's analog output?
     
  11. ssmith3046

    ssmith3046 New

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    My Marantz is the CD5003 which I bought about 12 years ago new and has the CS4392 DAC in it. These players have been described as having a warm sound to them. It's been a great deck and has received very little use but as I mentioned above I'm going back from records to CDs as my number one format. I've always thought the sound from the Marantz was a little too warm. To my ears the soundstage was cramped or confined ( headphones and speakers) , just not a lot detail in the music or seperation between the instruments. My personal thoughts since this is all subjective of course.
    The Modi 3 is about a hundred bucks so I thought, why not give it a try. I've found the Modi has given my CD playback an open, clearer, more dynamic presence. To use a couple of analogies, from a Mullard 12ax7 tube to a Telefunken or Bugle Boy. Or an elliptical stylus to a Jico SAS stylus.
    I'm not a professional reviewer of audio equipment so it's not easy to convey what I hear into words. I'm happy with the Modi 3 for now and perhaps in the future I'll want to explore other DACs.
     
  12. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

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    Your reference to a Jico SAS says a lot about what you want in your playback sound signature and I can understand why the Modi3 opened your ears. (would be helpful if you properly introduced yourself,system and preferences in the new members thread)
    I have both the Modi3 and Modi MBv.2 fed from CDP coax outputs, allow me to recommend spending some time with the Modi3 before heading down the rabbit hole.....this will give you time to assess what your "new toy" ears are telling you today. The multibit Modi is a darker,more closed in signature than the Modi3 but does have a more natural/analog presentation, subtle but real. To my 64 year old ,child of vinyl sound ears anyway.
    my Modi multibit is on its way to a new loving home,btw, as I've upgraded to a Bifrost multibit. Remember what I said about the rabbithole.....
    welcome to the forum!
     
  13. ssmith3046

    ssmith3046 New

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    I need to fill out my profile and introduce myself. Actually, I like the HE stylus, not as clinical as the SAS. I bought my first Shure V-15:lII in 1973 and still use them. I'm going to keep the Modi 3 for a while and see how I like it. I'm 67 so I grew up with records too and I might prefer the multibit sound signature. Thanks for the welcome!
     
  14. Pogo

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    I'm a Shure man myself, ML140HE on an 8 gram Ito arm, it tracks better than a Predator drone with Hellfire missiles......
     
  15. ssmith3046

    ssmith3046 New

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    And we all know how that works out for the bad guys.
     
  16. ssmith3046

    ssmith3046 New

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    I'm a Modi multibit owner now and absolutely love it.
     
  17. kris2014

    kris2014 Acquaintance

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    I was thinking of doing the mod. Your picture on the opamp is really helpful here.

    However I think it might be better to use a MLCC instead of film on the power rail. Film caps are too good for this. They have ultra low ESR and could cause voltage to oscillate between the 2 rails. A 100nF C0G/X7R cap is good enough and has proper resistance.

    My plan is replacing opa1662 with opa1656 or opa1612. Hopefully it will work. Then I will try your method :) I actually wonder the function of C59 which is right next to the opamp.

    In fact I have the itch to recap the entire thing... Anyway, mine is enroute. I will dig into it later this week.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2020
  18. Baten

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    Do let us know how that goes! Love the opa1656 I put in my burson amp. May be the best new amp TI produced, imo.
     
  19. kris2014

    kris2014 Acquaintance

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    I just got mine. Initial impression is good. However it sounds a bit grainy and treble seems to roll off a bit. So I kinda feel it is not as good as my old TC BMC2 (not a fair comparison), which died lately (sad). Hopefully opa1612 will work some magic out of it.

    A few observation here. I am going to recap. See photo below. Big cold joints. [​IMG]

    Also, I noticed that the case is not properlly grounded. I have black one. The black screws are not conductive and failed to linked the two halves of the case. I will sand the interior near screw holes. If anyone feel you have RF interference, consider doing this.

    On function of caps, except for C58/59, all caps are decoupling caps. C59, C33, and C30 are in the same place/function with what Martigane added to the board. That case allows ~22mm caps. So I think improvement Martigane heard is from added capacitance. I have placed order for new ones.

    I will update this post once all tweaks are in place.
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2020
  20. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    @kris2014 I can't speak to all opamps, of course, but do have some experience with the OPA1656 and 2156. In the few places I've tried them, they're a bit dark and forward sounding, but sound very clean, smooth, and clear, with a good sense of drive behind them. Perhaps a little rounded in the low end. I ended up settling on these for the Bifrost MB (first gen, but later iteration) and surprisingly found the AD8512 one of the main contributors to its somewhat grainy sound.

    If you're looking for something that's a little more neutral, perhaps a hair bright, and more spacious, the ADA4625-2 is decent. I didn't like this in the Bifrost MB so much. Maybe it would work in the Modi MB. Haven't heard a Modi 3. I use it in a NOS DAC currently, which is a good pairing.

    ADA4898-2 might be a decent choice as well, though I'm not sure how much voltage is feeding the opamp in the Modi 3. This one can run hot, or so I've read. +/-12V or lower would probably be enough to not worry about it...maybe.

    Or go all in, get a vertical, SMD-mount, double single to dual opamp adapter and get a couple single opamps of choice.

    I'm just kidding. Don't do that. It's a huge pain in the ass and not worth it. Ask me how I know? (But if you did, ignore the OPA828.)
     

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