New Schiit Modi Multibit???

Discussion in 'Audio Science' started by purr1n, Jul 7, 2018.

  1. Tacit

    Tacit New

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    Thank you! It was 100% clear! Fundamentally I am sceptic by nature but also open to follow advice and to experiment. Situation with MB still puzzles me, I will try to look for some articles for explanations. When I told the story to my system admin, he said that he believed it only becasue I told him that, otherwise he could not imagene why in the world the change happened.
     
  2. damaged-goods

    damaged-goods Acquaintance

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    I've recetly compared a Modi 3 to Modi Multibit and am trying to get the subjective phrases right.
    With Modi Multibit everyhting sounds more "real". Modi 3 has slightly more macrodetail and is clearer and cleaner sounding.
    Both are not the last word on low level information, like hearing the space between instruments connecting the musicians.

    So what is it that makes the Modi Multibit sound more real, microdynamics or plankton? I've always assumed plankton to include low level information plus microdynamic so I'd guess that Modi Multibit has good microdynamic and decent but not excellent plankton? Would this be correct?

    Thanks!
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    MM has better timbre in the highs, less coarse more fluid sound. Modi 3 is significantly better at producing low level information, but tends to be mechanical. While neither are hard hitting, a regular complaint with the latest AKM velvet chips in the Modi 3 is that dynamics hit as hard as a wet noodle.
     
  4. mykeldg

    mykeldg New

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    Hi all. I have just joined and also just got a Modi Multibit v2. Is the v2 with the upgraded firmware still selective of USB inputs? I'm listening currently via USB and I don't find anything nasty. I tried using a Fiio E10 (USB DAC w/ coax out) to connect the Modi Multibit via Coax and found the sound to be cleaner but -- dare I say it -- quite lean / bright and I prefer USB over it. Does this mean my Fiio Digital to Digital converter is at fault?

    As a background I came from Topping D30, sidegraded to Modi 3 and now the Modi Multibit. Its too bad I had not kept my previous dacs to compare but basing off memory, I find the Modi Multibit much more lifelike, deeper soundstage albeit a bit narrow in width compared to my DS dacs.
     
  5. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    USB never changed on the Modi MB, as far as I know.

    The Fiio probably isn't a great coax source. Good SPDIF can be tricky, and best to avoid most USB->SPDIF converters. But there are some fairly new products that do well at a relatively low price. Generally I recommend the DigiOne Signature or, though I can only point to what others have said about it, the Pi2AES. If you need a USB->SPDIF converter, the Eitr is pretty decent for being cheap.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Not necessarily. It just sounds different. As for how USB vs the Fiio measure in terms of jitter, who knows.

    Topping D30 sucks. It has perfect measurements, like Gisele Bündchen. Modi 3 is a bit better, also with perfect measurements, like Heidi Klum. Modi Multibit has less than perfect measurements, richer, more curvy, like Sofia Vergara. Which one you choose to appease the gods by lathering her boobs with soapy suds is a matter of preference, not measurements.

    IMO, most ChiFi excellent measuring stuff on ASR sounds like garbage.

    Also, don't worry about comparing from memory. Your memory is perfectly fine so as as you don't confuse yourself with other changes (such as headphones) in addition to the DAC swap. A double-blind speed and G-force level matched test isn't necessary for you to remember how different cars drive like.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
  7. mykeldg

    mykeldg New

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    What seems to be the general sound signature change when adding the Eitr to the Modi Multibit? Does it make it sharper? I tried doing a USB to COAX (Fiio e10) but it sounded thin/flat/lean compared to USB. Im not sure if my converter is up to task compared to the Eitr.
     
  8. mykeldg

    mykeldg New

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    I actually find this initial reaction common and sometimes it is often used on negative reviews of the Modi Multibit. They say its darker and narrow sounding. However I find that DS dacs have less realistic imaging-- compared to the Modi Multibit, I notice more center image and focus. The DS tend to sound like the sound is coming from 2 speakers instead of one cohesive image. This coherence is often misunderstood as having a duller sound.

    I used to have Kef speakers with coaxial drivers and I find that when you A/B them with traditional speaker designs where the tweeters are above the driver--- the coherence between the tweeter and midrange driver often gives an impression of duller sound. But in reality, it is just a more coherent image between the tweeter and driver.
     
  9. mykeldg

    mykeldg New

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    LOL interesting analogies! I find that speedy A/B overloads the brain and somehow gets in the way of an authentic ABX result. The reason I say this is my experience with dacs. I tend to find its benefits after a prolonged listen of 2 DACs instead of a quick A/b. quick AB tends to favor the one which is either louder, livelier or more fun sounding.
     
  10. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    I wouldn't say sharper, it's more rounded in transient response but minimizes a lot of the digital hashiness that plagues USB inputs. It imparts a more smoother sonic signature. Its worth getting with the Modi Multibit (especially more so as its on closeout)

    I've had that FiiO before and yeah it did sound lean and flat.
     
  11. mykeldg

    mykeldg New

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    thanks, i'll consider the Eitr hoping to find one used. the sound i hear on the fiio coax out is definitely not smooth. I was actually about to say the Modi Multibit sounded analytical and fatiguing out of the Fiio which is the exact opposite of the Modi Multibit's general sound profile.
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yes! Speedy AB is the most horrible method to discern sound and a good way to ensure that you can't tell any difference.

    This is why wine tasters flush the palette with water in between. Imagine if while we were evaluating cars, say a Camaro and Mustang, and we were suddenly teleported back and forth several times during the test drive, it would be a rather confusing experience for our brains.
     
  13. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Good SPDIF will sound sharp and dynamic, but clear and smooth. USB on the Modi MB is going to sound kinda soft, mushy, undefined in comparison. Lean, rough, and/or harsh SPDIF into Modi MB is not usually a good sign for the source.

    Eitr isn't perfect, but pretty decent, has USB convenience, and cheap. Next step up without breaking the bank is going to be the DigiOne stuff or Pi2AES. Add an LPSU to those to probably remove any hash or glare you might get from switcher PSUs (at a higher cost).

    Now, might you still just prefer the default USB? Maybe. But if the Modi MB gives you problems with a good SPDIF source, it's either some inherent grain/congestion it has, or something you could consider tweaking with amp and headphone. Lots of variables, you know?
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Honestly, I'd just stick to default USB. No point spending to improve on a $250 DAC. Better off with DigiOne or Pi2AES if you have time to play around, since at least you get a good computer source.
     
  15. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I don't find price too relevant in this case. A good SPDIF source can pay dividends as you bring in other DACs over time. And that the Modi MB is $250 really undersells that it sounds pretty damn good, and will scale/change with good sources.

    Now, if you just want something one and done for a long time, you could easily argue instead for a used, last gen Bifrost MB or save for a Bifrost 2. Better USB, at least.
     
  16. mykeldg

    mykeldg New

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    Just got the d50s and comparing it to the Modi Multibit v2, I still kind of prefer the Modi Multibit.

    Modi Multibit v2 has the more musical presentation: better depth & realism (like it has 3-dimensional separation). It's also effortless in giving microdynamics and revealing subtle stuff going on in the mix. It also sounds more organic & lifelike compared to the d50s.

    d50s has a very clean sound void of any color. Compared to other DS dacs i've had like the modi 3, d30 & dragonfly, its more revealing & dynamic. However, compared to the Modi Multibit v2, it somehow comes across as 2-dimensional and a more abstract sound (albeit clearer/cleaner).
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2019
  17. Tacit

    Tacit New

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    Dear Friends, I am very much grateful for your help and advice with Modi MB, I appreciate it more and more. It sounds great with Vali tube amp and I would like to recommend you xDuoo x10t ii transport for Modi MB. It gives very clean data especially because of internal lithium battery. In spite that it is not expensive.
     
  18. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

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    How much does it cost to get the updated chip from Schiit?
     
  19. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    [email protected].

    I don't know the answer, but I bet they do.
     
  20. abisai2

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    @redrich2000

    The firmware will cost you $35.00 plus shipping. I ordered mine in December. Swapping the DIP package isn't very difficult but, the legs on the DIP and LEDs are delicate. Take your time.

    You will need to email Schitt directly since the firmware is not an item on their website.
     

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