Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

The only things I don't like about my Modi Multibit is that fact that you need to keep it on all the time to sound its best.

I also wish the coax connection had a screw connecting it to the back of the chassis like the optical. The coax is just wired directly to the board. My coax feels kinda wobbly and my cable needs a ton of force to go on. I'm really worried I'm going to snap the damn thing off. The weight of the cable alone is causing it to flex. Any Ideas?

I'm wondering if I can solder on a more durable connection.

 

TBH, that is true for basically any DAC as you want the oscillators to settle, but a bit more critical with ladder/multibit DACs. Generally it's more important to be temperature stable dealing with higher bits so the latching stabilises, but temperature can also affect the linearity. In my experience with 16-bits it should settle quite quickly so I wouldn't be too paranoid about it, generally it should warm up and be quite stable after 30 minutes to an hour as the chassis is quite compact, but I would prefer to leave it on all the same. Modi Multibit shouldn't use too much electricity in any case.

I'd rather change your coax cable than trying to solder a different connector. I have a lightweight coax cable made from MIL-SPEC coax wire and using amphenol plugs which I rather like. I used to have some heavy RCA cables that had locking plugs that broke a socket on a power amplifier and forced me to resolder the connector and I did not enjoy that. Otherwise you can experiment with spacers around the cable to support the weight, but it won't help with reducing the inserting force.

 

I made the mistake of stealing my Modi Multibit from my headphone setup at my computer and trying it with my Chromecast > Sony receiver > JBL 4301B setup in my bedroom, and the difference was... stark. The sound was much more involving. Instrument separation and timbre were improved. I almost pulled the trigger on another Modi Multibit or a Bifrost Multibit but ended up picking up a pair of used HD800 from /r/AVexchange.

 

My local dealer has 15% off on Schiit Modi Multibit!
But I was thinking... Should I rather save up for a Bifrost MB?
I wont buy a Gungnir MB, cause well... I'm not rich yet?

 

@Prydz I'd get the Modi Multibit. I think almost everyone would.

 

Jason has hinted about a possible Bifrost upgrade/revision. Modibit is a 'dead end'. That said, it is an incredible DAC for the money (especially with a further 15% off) and I prefer it to the current Bifrost.

 

Yeah, not a terrible dead end, though- decent sound for a killer price. I have a horrible suspicion that after it feels safe to buy a DAC again, if I upgrade to a Gungnir Multibit (or whatever the Bifrost becomes), that I'd be sorely tempted to keep the Modi Multibit and just deploy it in another system.

 

I feel you. I guess it will most likly just be a side grade to my Arcam irDAC.
I dont like the DAC market, cause suddenly theres something new coming out...

 

I wonder how practical it would be for someone living in Norway to upgrade a Bifrost Multibit.

 

I haven't heard irDAC, but I highly doubt that.

Someone at Schiit fucked up when they released Modibit at it's given price. It punches far above it's weight. I recently went from Yggdrasil to Modibit and it didn't lead to Ragnarok

 

irDAC also punches above its weight.
A local speaker maker (called Doxa, really good speakers, some of the best ive heard) bought in alot of DACs cause they are making one themselfs. And they straight up told me to get the irDAC instead of some pretty expensive DACs.
Afterawhile tho, I bought a Audio GD M7, but I found it mostly different sounding, so I sold it. Not worth the premium at the time. But all this is awhile ago... And now I got upgrade craves

 

It should be pretty easy, these guys do it for Europe proper:

http://www.schiit-europe.com/index.php/producten/upgrades/schiit-bifrost-multibit-upgrade.html

 

Considering the similarity between the Modi MB and Bifrost MB, they really need to do more to differentiate the product beyond power supply. I think dropping the opamp buffer and going to a discrete output stage would be the most obvious. Then maybe going for the chips they have in the Gungnir MB or even the Yggdrasil.

That being said, the existence of the Bifrost MB doesn't necessarily represent a loss. It could drive sales for the Modi MB much like how a triple cheeseburger increases sales of double cheeseburgers.

 

It's all about chronological context. When they made the Bifrost, it was a good deal. When they made the Bifrost Multibit upgrade, that was quite the bargain. When they then made the Modi Multibit, people wondered if Schiit were out of their minds.

Still, even though it doesn't make sense to buy a new Bifrost right now, there's always the possibility that they could drop a bitchin' upgrade for it, in the future.

 

@schiit discusses his philosophy on such things in his blog.

Chapter 30: Death of a Product

"It’s better for you to cannibalize your own product lines, rather than waiting for someone else to do it."

 

Here's the irony: all of the new products last year were additive, which is something I didn't expect.

In other words, when Modi Multibit was introduced...sales of Bifrost remained about the same. When Jotunheim was introduced, sales of Asgard 2, Valhalla 2, and Lyr 2 remained about the same (Lyr is a bit slow, but that seems to be related to the lack of supply for LISST more than anything). When Fulla 2 was introduced, sales of Magnis and Modis remained the same (or increased.)

Now, the problem is, what to do with this sprawling line?

(Don't panic, the answer is "nothing, let's see what happens in the longer term.")

 

Add more Schiit to it obviously.

Kind of curious if there would be a Bifrost Multibit Uber? Or is it pretty much maxed out for the form factor.

And put it where? Not trying to flippant, honestly curious if it would work, hence the question.

Integrate USB Gen3 with the rest of the board?

 

Before the Modi MB I would have agreed with you. But with the heroics they pulled to get the same DAC chip, DSP filter, opamp AND power supply in a card much smaller then the MB upgrade board, I think they have some space to play with.

Edit:

....and S/PDIF receiver and USB receiver.....

 

Update the Bifrost to have balanced XLR's

 

I want a balanced multibit DAC but I can't afford a Gungnir Multibit.