Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

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

  1. Dzerh

    Dzerh Friend

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    Try putting powered USB 2.0 hub in between.
     
  2. blacklava

    blacklava New

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    Is 24/48 the best setting also for the Eitr on windows 10?
     
  3. Grattle

    Grattle Friend

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    What sample rate and bit depth are most of your music files? I would set it to 16 bit and 44.1 as the default to avoid resampling for red book cd audio.
     
  4. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

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    This didn't work either. The default is 24/44.1. I changed it to 24//48 but it reverts when the computer reboots.
    I think it must be an issue with the USB in the mac, which sux.
     
  5. Grattle

    Grattle Friend

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    I'm pretty surprised at how much better the MMB sounds via coax spdif. I'd read that it was better in a lot of posts, but I really didn't expect the difference to be so large. The best analogy I can think of would be, getting a new pair of glasses, and discovering just how much sharper your eyesight is with the new ones. I just didn't know what I was missing.

    Running a Raspbery Pi 3 (Volumio), HiFiBerry SPDIF ==> MMB ==> Magni3+ ==> Grado PS500.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Modi-Multibit still uses the ancient Gen 2 USB. I think Schiit has been intentionally gimping it. A lot of my complaints of it not being resolving enough on based on use with the USB. With SPDIF from a good source / transport, things do change quite a bit bit. Yes, I too was skeptical even when @Hands mentioned how sensitive to source the MMB was.

    Standard USB < Dedicated USB PCI card < Eitr << SPDIF from Pi2AES.
     
  7. Bachrocks

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    May I take advantage of your expertise? I purchased the Modi Multibit and Vali headphone amp for my girlfriend in Korea—not yet shipped—and I’d like to add a Macbook Pro or iMac but am nervous about problems connecting the computer to the dac. Online I’ve seen some posts of people who have had trouble with the Catalina OS. Can anyone confirm that the Modi does indeed work with either of these computers that Apple presently sells? Thank you so much for any thoughts you can share.
    ron
     
  8. Gruss Gott

    Gruss Gott Almost "Made"

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    My modi mb 2 and eitr both connect fine to my mbp16 via usb-c and my mbp13 via usb-a
     
  9. Bachrocks

    Bachrocks New

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    Grüß Gott Gruss Gott,

    Thank you so very much for your information. May I ask what OS you are running? It is so tempting to buy a Macbook Pro 16 inch.

    Oh, is it preferable to connect the Modi to a usb converter? Is the sound much better than straight usb from the computer? Hmmm, I don’t see them for sale on Schiit.com. Am I missing the listing?

    Kommen Sie aus einem Deutschsprachigen Land? (Do you come from a German-speaking country?) Vor langer Zeit, habe ich ein Jahr an der Uni in Salzburg studiert. (A long time ago, I studied for a year at the University in Salzburg.)

    Thanks again!
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2020
  10. redrich2000

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    My Modi Multibit connects to Catalina fine. I'm having issues but think it's USB hardware rather than software.
    Can you point me to where you read about people having issues?
     
  11. mykeldg

    mykeldg New

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    I hope people can soon compare how the modius stacks up against the Modi Multibit. I understand its a completely different tech but maybe the unison more than make up for it in the modius.
     
  12. redrich2000

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  13. Sqveak

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    What matters is that it can deliver the required amperage at the correct voltage.
    In this case the stock brick can deliver 500mA and the proposed replacement exceeds your requirements.
    What happens here is the Modi Multibit will still only draw what it needs. It's calling the shots, not being force fed.

    If you are still worried there is always the genuine replacement part:
    https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/coll...ts/schiit-audio-magni-2-uber-ac-power-adapter
    (Ignore what the URL says, it links to a selection of replacement bricks.)
     
  14. monacelli

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    Good points @Sqveak. In this case the terminations matter too. @redrich2000, did you notice that the transformer output has bare ends? If you (1) don't have a soldering iron, (2) aren't comfortable finding an appropriate barrel connector and soldering it yourself, you might be better off with a different option. I poked around a little, and 16 Vac wall warts designed for use in Australia are crazy hard to find. The closest I could get was this guy below. It's technically 18 Vac output, but my guess is that Modi Multibit would run happily with it. The internal voltage regulators would have to drop a bit more voltage, and so would produce more heat (but probably not *much* more). Of course, using any wall wart other than the one Schiit supplies would likely void your warranty. If that matters to you, I would go ahead and order a new one from them. If you bought the DAC used, or you just aren't concerned about the warranty, I suggest writing the Schiit tech support guys a nice email asking if the transformer below would be a suitable substitute. Or if you have a buddy who's good with a soldering iron, maybe buy him some beer and ask him if he could solder a barrel connector onto the one from Jaycar for you.

    You could also use screw terminals, but if you've got kids you might want to apply heat shrink or electrical tape after you've made the connections:
    https://www.jaycar.com.au/2-1mm-dc-plug-with-screw-terminals/p/PA3711

    18 Vac option, because Australia: https://www.radioparts.com.au/product/33770140/ac1810-18v-ac-1a-power-supply-with-2.1mm-plug
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2020
  15. redrich2000

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    Thanks for the replies. I hadn't noticed that termiation. The Jaycar ones usually come with a selection of tips but this one doesn't.

    I do have the original one. It's just because of where it's plugged in, it's a pain to pull it out if I want to do some playing around. I don't often do that, so paying $100 for the two from A2A (Modi Multibit and Eitr) seemed excessive. But I found a way to make it work yesterday so I think I'll just live with it.
     
  16. Nbees

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    Yes, at first I thought it was drum kit noise you sometimes hear in older jazz recordings- squeaky pedals, vibrating snares etc.. But I isolated it to the left channel of the Modi multibit unit. This was feeding it by discs/transport on toslink or coax. So anything related to USB or computers as contributing causes could be ruled out. I had it on all the time for quite awhile. I turned it off, cleaned, and reconnected, seems to be working ok now. BTW how does one do the software update, or is it necessary? My unit was among the earlier batches.
     
  17. Sqveak

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    The ringing or cricket-like sounds are a known quirk. As you have discovered, the solution is power cycling the DAC.

    The software update isn't necessary but does bring improvements in sound quality. It can be had by contacting Schiit and either sending your DAC in or having a chip posted to you. The update comes in the form of firmware on a socketed 8-pin DIP. If this terminology is alien to you then it's best to arrange for Schiit to perform the update.
     
  18. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I remember when the Modi Multibit first came out, the copy for it mentioned that resolutions above 24/96 were in NOS mode, but there’s no mention of that that I can find on the Schiit website about this anymore. Does the firmware upgrade also apply the burrito filter to 24/176 and 24/192 files?
     
  19. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    https://www.schiit-europe.com/index.php/modi-multibit.html
    Sometimes not keeping websites up-to-date can be helpful ;)

    Given @schiit's policy on rolling updates, that information may or may not be in the public domain.

    *edited for clarity
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2020
  20. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Okay, that’s what I thought. I seem to recall the reason those resolutions had to be NOS was because of a hardware limitation and I doubted a firmware update would fix it.
     

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