Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

My impulse-purchase Modi Multi-bit (and Vali 2) arrived yesterday, just in time for me to warm it up and include it in my multi-way Bifrost comparison (my original Bifrost goes to its new owner on Monday).

Initial impressions, with no warm-up time at all, are quite impressive - even without a price qualification. Should be an entertaining weekend.

 

Sell both, get Gungnir Multibit

 

I got my Modibit in last night, I let it warm up overnight, and listened to it this morning. It is exactly what I was looking for. The Modi 2 4490 seemed a tad dark to me for some reason, like there was just something a little off. The Modibit is amazing, it seems a little calmer, possibly because the transients seem a lot better to my ears. Used to when things got intense in a song, everything would kind of be jumbled up and eh, and the Modibit does it effortlessly, it's great. In fact, at first I wasn't mpressed that much, but after listening to it, the music just is so natural. I never understood the point of something sounding "analogue" until now. I had the impression it would just mean it would sound warm and tube-y like my turntable + cheap phono, but this sounds sweet! Anyways, just my 30 minute impressions, going to the beach and will get back Sunday, I wonder if it will sound better after warming up for a few days.

 

Ha ha, shrewd advice! But, after more than enough back and forth, I've finally settled on Bifrost Multibit. I'm now convinced that it's the superior DAC. However, the Moby remains a substantially better value, especially if your system is of a more modest scope. Honestly, I feel like mine is only just able to convey the sonic differences between both devices. But they're quite real, and I'm convinced of my impressions.

I really need to stop beating around the bush, put (digital) pen to (imaginary) paper, and elaborate more thoroughly on what I'm hearing here.

 

Gear: Modi Multibit > Schiit Vali > modded HD650

I sold my Bifrost 4490 less than a week ago to free up funds and immediately soon after, @Hands put up his Modi Multibit for sale. It was a no brainer at the price he offered it for. The Modi Multibit came an hour ago and good lord, it already sounds magical.

For those wondering if their money is better spent on the Bifrost 4490 or Modi Multibit, I'll just say this: if you don't plan on upgrading down the line, just f'ing get the Modi Multibit. It's not even a question. The multibit magic is certainly there, such ease and such cohesiveness. The holographic soundstage melds everything into perfect harmony. Speaking of soundstage, it throws you right in the middle of the action, the 360 sense of space is what the multibit sound is known for, and is in no way lacking with the Modi Multibit. I had to take off my cans a couple times to make sure I wasn't listening to speakers. Bifrost 4490 had the low end slam that was great for electronic music, but sometimes felt too overwhelming. However, the Modi Multibit scales this back just a tad bit (still enjoyable) and as a result, the entire spectrum feels more tonally balanced. No real complaints with this winner.

In short, getting rid of my Bifrost was a wise decision. For me at least. It was a great DAC no question, but the Modi Multibit is simply unreal. Yes, Schiit may come up with an upgrade in the future which blows the Modi Multibit out of the water, but I made up my mind to take a short vacation from the DAC game. I can see myself living with this for awhile and when I do get the itch to upgrade, I'll simply go for the gold and grab a Gungnir Multibit/Yggdrasil.

TLDR: Just buy the Modi Multibit if you haven't already, it's almost criminal how much audio goodness you get for a couple hundred bucks. It's a great time to be an audiophile, Schiit 2016: Make Audio Great Again.

 

Moby is better than BF4490, irrespective of cost. 'Nuff said, really.

 

*salivating*

 

All of these shining reviews have me wanting a Modi Multibit even more!!!

BTW, my system is very modest compared to most.

Windows 10 desktop running Foobar 2k WASAPI (Event Mode) @ 24 bits out via USB to Emotiva DC-1 out via Monoprice RCA cables to Schiit Vali 2 to (mainly) my stock Sennheiser HD-650s.

I have a yearning to try multibit, and am fairly certain that I eventually will nab me up a Modi Multibit when the funds are available.

Thanks for all of the reviews and impressions. They're fun to read IMO.

 

Is there anybody here who can say something about the Modi Multibit in comparison to the Resonessence Labs Concero HD Sabre dac? Would the Modi be an upgrade or sidegrade? My headphone amplifier is the Liquid Carbon.

 

Ah, good to hear you had contact with Hans. I like his (video) reviews a lot, honest/independent with very nice insights.
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I'd also find it very interesting when he could review the Modi MB. I just love the DAC and the music it spreads in the room, I'm very impressed (a not yet established gamechanger if you ask me). I offered Hans my recently purchased Modi MB for a review, unfortunally he prefers a non-private sample (various reasons, and he pointed out that my warranty would be voided after opening the DAC)

@baldr, It would be great if Schiit can step in!? With no connection what so ever, could you please have a look:
Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR4tuhqPppVp-PD0q17sPEA?app=desktop&persist_app=1
Text version: http://thehbproject.com/en

 

I am new to the world of Schiit products purchasing a Vali2 and the Mobi about 2 weeks ago. I do most of my listening with an unmodded HD650. Yesterday, I rolled a Philips PCC88 into the Vali2. Tonight, I hooked it up USB direct into my computer and did a comparison with the GOV2 balanced into the same HD650. I previously had the Schiit gear running off of a chromecast endpoint via SPDIF from JRMC.
Tonight via direct USB I heard a soundstage that was much wider and deeper than the GOV2 and also blew away the chromecast setup. As everyone keeps mentioning, the Schiit gear also had beautiful, beautiful, luscious bass. The plankton (microdetail) came out in droves. I really heard all of this come together while listening to the Flecktones album Live Art. I have seen Bela Fleck and the Flecktones probably 20 times over the years and hearing the FLAC rip of the CD via the Mobi/Vali2/650 took me back to the live experience like no other combination of audio gear ever has. Victor Wooten's bass sounded so detailed, I could hear the slap of his fingers on the strings...ridiculous. The crowd noise and hooting n' hollering was all around just like I was standing in the crowd. The GOV2 reproduced everything beautifully too, but much, much closer hence losing the big picture of what the recording/sound engineer was trying to portray.

I didn't think I would be able to have an audio experience like this for roughly $1K. I would like to thank everyone on this site for their accurate and well- written early reviews and recommendations.

 

damn, all this talk positive talk here is almost "hype" level! Now I'm wanting a Modi Multibit! I haven't looked at the HF thread not he Modi Multibit; too afraid the gushy their will kill me.

I am a little concerned with how fast schiit is coming out with products though. Over on the Ether thread folks are bashing MrSpeakers for too many upgrades too fast. The prevailing wisdom is wait, get it right, then release. Of course a company has to make enough money to support the R&D, so there is a fine line to straddle. Over on reply #288 baldr noted the cost to own a fully upgraded Bifrost would be $14/month. I'm just not sure about the "DAC Subscription Plan" pricing approach. Sure, I know I don't have to upgrade, but we all know how it works in this hobby: if there's an upgrade path, one will take it. Why does a man buy an upgrade? Because he can!

That all said, I sure hope someone brings a Modi Multibit (let's call it that since that is what's its daddy calls it) to the Denver meet on Saturday.

 

Please don't compare Schiit to MrSpeakers. Schiit doesn't release half-assed products. Most if not all of their releases have been right from the get-go. There's no DAC subscription plan, no one is forcing you to upgrade or buy anything. For instance, look at the Bifrost's timeline: it's been out for 5 years? and how many upgrades have we had? AND I believe they're spaced at least one year apart. Every upgrade has been a substantial jump from its predecessor. Compare that to the 1.5 year old Ether (wow it's that young?!), and how many revisions are there now?

Schiit is bringing us better bang for the buck each day. That's called progress son. If you're really worried, just go hide under a rock for 10 years and maybe you'll wake up to a Balanced Fulla Multibit with tubes for $150.

 

I finally got done with my Bifrost comparisons ... and, more importantly for this thread, added a post to compare Modi Multi-bit to the various Bifrost variations.

Hope it's useful.

 

It's not "useful", it's f'ing epic. As in, say, an epic poem.

 

Dude, chill. I just expressed a little concern, that's all. I have Schiit gear and I love it too. I've been in the tech business (as an adult) for 30 years, so I'm very familiar with tech cycles. I never said there was a DAC subscription plan. I just noted that concept from a prior post from Schiit! The concept is true when any durable good is amortized over a period of time, but more valid if there are is a stream of upgrades vs buy, sell used, then buy (possible used), which can be a less expensive route.

I'm relatively new to MrSpeakers. I got my Ether C in Jan of this year. I don't really consider the $10 for the optional 1.1 pads a significant upgrade, but I did it anyways (i really couldn't hear any difference). I doubt I will do the flow upgrade, but I need to hear it, of course. So really, 1.5 years and this is the first real upgrade. That's seems pretty reasonable to me. Of course I understand Dan has a checker history with regards to upgrades, so I get the concern. That said, no one was forced to buy earlier version of his products either, and upgrades are always optional.

I'm very happy to see the progress and leadership Schiit has taken in the personal audio world. Bang for the buck and resale value retention is pretty high with Schiit gear; possibly near the top. Clearly not so with MrSpeakers, but Dan does make some good stuff. I also very much appreciate all the different price points Schiit has available.

Back to the Modi Multibit. Has anyone yet determined the "optimum" warm up period? By this I mean after X hours it really doesn't sound that much better?

Also, are we talking warm-up time or break-in time? Warm-up time implies that is has to be that warm for every use. If that's the case, seems like never turning it off would be prudent. Anyone know how much power it uses idle? Does it use more power when in use rather than idle? Does it need to be in use (and not idle) for it to warm up? I suppose many of these questions are valuable for the whole multi-bit line up.

Thanks

 

Warm up time and it seems that people in this thread are mostly seeing improvements through 24 hours. Bottom line, leave it on all time time and it really doesn't matter how long it takes to reach optimum whether by break-in or warm-up.

 

So today was like Christmas...

First I received the Modi Multibit at around 2:30 pm.

Hooked it up to my Denon integrated receiver, which has served me and my Beyer T90 very well these past few months...

Im not totally hip to the many audiophile terms that get thrown around. All I know is that, compared to my Bifrost 4490, the Modi Multibit sounded more natural and "coherent". That was the biggest difference. There seemed to be a bit more space between instruments as I cranked some Brahms Concerto no.2. And each section / instrument sounded more "looked after" or rather more distinct and lively. It was as if they were once dead and suddenly came alive. Soundstage was actually about the same as 4490frost, but the presentation of everything was far more "holographic" I suppose, more dimensional.

I decided to hook the Modi Multibit up to the Uptone Regen I'd been using with the 4490. All the above improvements simply increased, and I noticed the sound became even more natural and relaxed / effortless.

Then my new Valhalla 2 arrived around 6:30pm! I felt like I should've been wearing pajamas and smelling pine tree! I previously had the Vali 1 but was not satisfied with it. Not a bad amp at all, I just preferred my Denon. Plugging in and playing the Val2 with my T90s was... a revelation. It was an even more substantial improvement than adding Modi Multibit. The music as a whole became like... more emotionally involving is the best way to sum it up. It was a sublime match for the T90/Modi Multibit. Miles better than Vali 1, it was not tubey sounding but with a slight splash of warmth, very neutral and clear, with crisp non etched highs. But dear God Brahms sounded like heaven now. Its hard to describe the change, just more liquid/euphoric/relaxing/effortless. It made the music even more holographic and expanded the soundstage.

These things actually increased noticeably after swapping out the stock power cable for a Pangea I had laying around.

The entire day was like playing the old Mega Man video game and constantly getting suit upgrades! The Schitty goodness just kept piling on like a delicious ice cream sundae. Sex for the ear drums!

And this stuff isn't even burned in yet!

 

Awesome! Now pop in some Phillips/Valvo NOS tubes into that Valhalla 2 and you'll really be kicking!