How I upgraded the Modi Multibit firmware

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by batriq, Apr 25, 2019.

  1. batriq

    batriq Probably has made you smarter

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    Note: The thread name says it all. This is how I upgraded the firmware. These are not necessarily instructions to upgrade the firmware or any instructions that you should follow. They are definitely not Schiit's instructions.

    Step 1: I read @purr1n 's caveates here:
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ggdrasil-gen-5-usb-upgrade-instructions.4842/

    Step 2: I removed the top chassis being careful not to strip them
    [​IMG]

    Step 3: I used a small flat head screwdriver to gently remove the chip slowly and equally from both sides. The key here is small, gentle movements, and patience.
    [​IMG]

    The chip came out nicely with straight pins:
    [​IMG]

    Step 4: I took out the new chip from the static shielding bag and noted the notch
    [​IMG]

    Step 5:
    I placed the chip on the socket. Note that the pins are a little wider than the socket. It's important here not to try to force it in.
    [​IMG]

    I pushed the chips very gently inward while simultanuously lowering the chip so that the pins fit just right:
    [​IMG]

    The difference between the above two images is subtle but important.

    Step 6: I pushed the chip in from the middle firmly but gently. There's almost no resistance here. After pushing it in, I pressed on the top and bottom edges to make sure all the pins are in evenly.
    [​IMG]

    Step 7: Finally, I lowered the body into the cover aligning the LEDs carefully. This makes it easier to keep the button in place
    [​IMG]

    Finally, turned it on and listening to music:
    [​IMG]
     
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  2. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    How did you get another chip?
     
  3. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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  4. jnak00

    jnak00 Friend

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    Did the upgrade make a noticeable difference to you?
     
  5. batriq

    batriq Probably has made you smarter

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    @Cspirou Yes, I contacted Schiit.

    @jnak00 Yes. Marv talked about the differences here, but I wasn't expecting that I would be able to hear much difference. I was at least hoping for better bass since I had not found it articulate. The difference in the clarity of the details and the bass were very clear to me from the start.
     
  6. batriq

    batriq Probably has made you smarter

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    I should try the HD650 again. I had switched to the HD600 because of the bass being too thick before the update.
     
  7. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Fantastic photo-documentary of this. Well done, your title proves accurate again!

    @Biodegraded Might want to hold off shipping your's down. For any Canucks, this is a huge cost savings to do it at home.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
  8. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    How much did they charge for the chip? I have mine packed up ready to send in for them to do it for $35 plus shipping.
     
  9. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Too late, mine's already on its way back. Yep, postage was deluxe :D
     
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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  11. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    Yea facepalm...

    Same cost for buying the chip only, but you only pay for one way shipping instead of round trip.
     
  12. jnak00

    jnak00 Friend

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    Just got a quote for shipping the upgrade to Canada for self install. Shipping ranges from $17 USD all the way up to $53 USD. So, between 50%-150% of the cost of the upgrade itself. It actually costs the same to ship a Modi Multibit.

    You're only out the shipping one-way compared to a self-install, plus no worries about messing it up, but you're also without your DAC for a while.
     
  13. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    My DAC is coming back via Fedex, tracked & insured, $US37.50. This was the default, but I'm sure you could ask Schiit for whatever shipping option you like.
     
  14. jnak00

    jnak00 Friend

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    It just seems like a lot of money to ship something that appears to be the size of a cough drop. Although, no one ever accused Schiit of having cheap shipping options to Canada.
     
  15. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Blame USPS, rather. ;); the cheapest rate I can find for a package of ~zero weight from SoCal to Calgary is $US10.50. Alternative carriers, faster delivery etc. all add to the price.

    I shipped my DAC down before knowing that having the chip sent up was an option, but for the security of having Schiit perform and stand behind the work - especially as they don't charge extra for the labour - I'm fine with the cost.
     
  16. batriq

    batriq Probably has made you smarter

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    Yes, I paid $35 for the chip and ~$10 shipping across the country via USPS. I saved on shipping the modi out, both in terms of time and money, and the DAC was down for about 20 minutes from the time I unplugged it, to the time I finished (including the time to take the pictures). The first picture above is taken at 10:29pm and the picture with the LED alignment is taken at 10:38pm. This is less than the time it takes me to pack the modi and ship it.
     
  17. starence

    starence Facebook Friend

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    I installed the upgrade the other day on my DAC, not too difficult. Lining up the pins properly when you install the new ROM chip is the hardest part, like batriq said, the pins are a little too wide for the socket. I bent them in slightly by hand, not sure if there's a better way.
    As for removing the old chip, I just grabbed it by the sides with a pair of needle nose pliers and pulled.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
  18. SVChucko

    SVChucko New

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    Wait a minute, the firmware's on an 8 pin DIP? Upgrades don't get much easier than that!
     
  19. hutt132

    hutt132 New

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    I was inspired to do the upgrade myself from this post, as I wasn't aware they would send you the chip. Chip was $35 + $8 shipping.
    Upgrade was pretty easy. Just pop the lid off and swap them out.
    What's interesting to me is that the mosfet(?) heatsink on mine just clips on it, whereas the one in the op's picture is screwed together.

    Not sure if I can tell a difference afterwards without confirmation bias.

    New Chip Installed
    [​IMG]

    New Chip
    [​IMG]

    Old Chip
    [​IMG]
     
  20. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    The technique for bending the pins is quite simple- press the legs of one side againt the tabletop, apply light pressure, and repeat with the other side.

    I used to do this a lot as a kid when seating ram on motherboards was literally this.
     

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