Which dac to start with? Schiit MODI MULTIBIT or MODIUS. Any ideas/experiences?

[Michal]

Hello. I'm trying to improve my digital flac collection stored on my laptop. I have a restored Kenwood KA-305 and a pair of Richter speakers. After some readings I pinned it down to either Schiit MODI MULTIBIT or MODIUS.

 

Has anyone currently having one of these? What are your thoughts? Anything else that I should look at and why?

 

Thank you so much for you interaction.

[ZGojira]

The standard response:

1. Multibit is less accurate compared to Delta-Sigma, and they are special only if you enjoy the added distortion
2. Recommendation of a Topping DAC (take a look over at ASR, and you will be able to find a model that fits your budget)

 

Back to your question

• Modius has the advantage of balanced outputs, which may come in handy if you upgrade down the road to a balanced setup. Modius also has more input options.
• Whilst I like the sound of multi-bit , the main reason for getting one are usually 1) to run in NOS mode, 2) you like the sound. Neither of which seems to apply in this case for you with the Modi MB.
• For better bang for buck, lots of DAC's pop up on classifieds, find one with the features you need/want. You may even find something that matches the aesthetics of your other equipment.

 

May I ask what features/attributes attracted you to the Modi MB and Modius?

Edited December 2, 2021 by ZGojira

[Steffen]

Go with the standard response

 

[Michal]

Hi Zgoijra and Steffen.

 

After some initial readings and considering my budget I was attracted to either Modius or Modi Multibit by Schiit. Topping e30 and e50 also appeared often in the readings, but I like the aesthetics of Schiit. 

 

Hence my dilemma. I know we're not speaking of the best of the best with this budget, but it still should be better then my laptop's dac with signal through 3.5mm jack? Am I right?

I don't think I need a balanced one with other features, I just simply want to get the best out of my digital flac collection with my budget. 

 

1. It looks like Modi Multibit can't be used in Nos mode.

2. It's difficult to say if I (might) like the sound

 

New modi multibit is 350 in AUD. I could a bit more to get something second hand. But what to look for?

 

Thanks

 

 

[muon*]

Sounds like you are attracted to the multi bit, nothing wrong with that.

 

Measurements aside, many people prefer the sound of multi bit dacs, while many others prefer delta sigma tech'.

 

I won't say which way to go as I'm biased

Edited December 3, 2021 by muon*
correction

[Michal]

Thanks Muon. Apart your bias, would you recommend any other brand to look with such budget? 

[aussievintage]

3 hours ago, Michal said:

Hence my dilemma. I know we're not speaking of the best of the best with this budget, but it still should be better then my laptop's dac with signal through 3.5mm jack? Am I right?

 

Even a Topping D10 would be better  

[Steffen]

Just now, aussievintage said:

 

Even a Topping D10 would be better  

 

I hate to say it, but even an Apple dongle is objectively better (but likely doesn’t have the right kind of input).

[muon*]

38 minutes ago, Michal said:

Thanks Muon. Apart your bias, would you recommend any other brand to look with such budget? 

Sorry, haven't heard any in that range.

Edited December 3, 2021 by muon*

[Steffen]

2 minutes ago, Steffen said:

 

I hate to say it, but even an Apple dongle is objectively better (but likely doesn’t have the right kind of input).

 

Sorry, I misread the quotations. I know nothing about that laptop’s built-in DAC, so I don’t know which is better. What I meant to say was that the Apple dongle is objectively better than a Modi Multibit, in the D/A conversion stakes.

[Addicted to music]

1 minute ago, Steffen said:

 

Sorry, I misread the quotations. I know nothing about that laptop’s built-in DAC, so I don’t know which is better. What I meant to say was that the Apple dongle is objectively better than a Modi Multibit, in the D/A conversion stakes.

 
 

For the money the Apple dongle is a giant killer!  But that’s my opinion......

https://www.audioreviews.org/apple-audio-adapter-review/

 

 

 

 

 

[was_a]

Stay away from clinical (well-measuring!) Toppings, and go for the new Ifi Zen Dac (v2). Fantastic value in the hi-fi world.

[Michal]

Everyone has an idea, so I should trust my gut

[rocky500]

I had tried quite a few delta sigma dacs earlier on in my setup and finally tried a Schiit multibit dac.

Really preferred the sound to any of previous dacs.

Sent me on the road to R2R dacs and have have never looked back.

Just seems where me and my system get the most enjoyment these days.

[tripitaka]

39 minutes ago, Michal said:

Everyone has an idea, so I should trust my gut

Personally I would trust my ears, but if your gut works that's fine too

[Juzbear]

I think it worth buying according to your initial inclination, and trusting your gut, especially if it is a relatively low risk buy that you can resell later for little loss. The reality for most of us is that the audio hobby incorporates most or our senses, our hopes and aspirations. I have found some of the greatest satisfaction in the hobby revisiting brands and components that caught my eye as a kid growing up. Better to be buying your own dream than someone else’s. And if you get caught up in the upgrade bug, as you might, buy the next dream. If you don’t, you clearly bought the right one first time around.

 

Justin

[Bcdesign]

45 minutes ago, Juzbear said:

I think it worth buying according to your initial inclination, and trusting your gut, especially if it is a relatively low risk buy that you can resell later for little loss. The reality for most of us is that the audio hobby incorporates most or our senses, our hopes and aspirations. I have found some of the greatest satisfaction in the hobby revisiting brands and components that caught my eye as a kid growing up. Better to be buying your own dream than someone else’s. And if you get caught up in the upgrade bug, as you might, buy the next dream. If you don’t, you clearly bought the right one first time around.

 

Justin

 

Love this!

 

Furthermore, the difference in sound is going to be extremely minimal, if at all.

[Steffen]

17 minutes ago, Bcdesign said:

 

 

Furthermore, the difference in sound is going to be extremely minimal, if at all.

 

Precisely, from a pure sonic point of view. However, keen observers of this forum will be aware that there is a whole universe of psychology that influences the choice of audio gear. Whatever DAC you buy, it’s hard to audibly ruin the sound, so just buy whatever makes you feel good.

[rocky500]

Actually found a photo when I had the Modibit up against one of the other dacs that I bought.

Wasn't into silver at the time and the looks where better with the 2Qute.

Still there was something to the Schiit that kept me wanting to listen more.

 

 

Edited December 3, 2021 by rocky500

[Michal]

13 hours ago, rocky500 said:

Actually found a photo when I had the Modibit up against one of the other dacs that I bought.

Wasn't into silver at the time and the looks where better with the 2Qute.

Still there was something to the Schiit that kept me wanting to listen more.

 

 

Looks nice! I see you put sum weight on it as well

As for the connection to a laptop, it's a usb one, right? Thanks for the photo!

[rocky500]

34 minutes ago, Michal said:

Looks nice! I see you put sum weight on it as well

As for the connection to a laptop, it's a usb one, right? Thanks for the photo!

Currently using those bigger bunnings door stops for added weight on top. Keeps it on the shelf better. 

Yes USB to PC. Using a PC with windows as my source. Still the same one to today but with occasional changes with internals.

 

I think the model Modibit I had did not measure that well from memory but the 2Qute was much better.

I have found for myself this does not covert back to what I ultimately enjoy. Seems to have little bearing in the dacs I have tried.

The 2Qute was more solid built, looked nicer, better colour (black), I take it measured better, but kept the modibit and sold the 2Qute as preferred it in my listening sessions.

Then later went to other R2R dacs until I settled on my current Holo dac. Have tried a few Sigma deltas again but just not for me it seems.

Edited December 4, 2021 by rocky500

[Michal]

30 minutes ago, rocky500 said:

Currently using those bigger bunnings door stops for added weight on top. Keeps it on the shelf better. 

Yes USB to PC. Using a PC with windows as my source. Still the same one to today but with occasional changes with internals.

 

I think the model Modibit I had did not measure that well from memory but the 2Qute was much better.

I have found for myself this does not covert back to what I ultimately enjoy. Seems to have little bearing in the dacs I have tried.

The 2Qute was more solid built, looked nicer, better colour (black), I take it measured better, but kept the modibit and sold the 2Qute as preferred it in my listening sessions.

Then later went to other R2R dacs until I settled on my current Holo dac. Have tried a few Sigma deltas again but just not for me it seems.

I think I'll give Modi Multibit a go  And in the future slowly upgrade. Thanks for your time!

[MattyW]

I’d go the Modi Multibit…. It’s a nice introduction to Multibit. Careful though, it’s a slippery slope. I ended up going through various different multibit and R2R DAC’s over the years. They do something special (for me anyway) that I’ve not heard in Delta Sigma designs. I generally prefer NOS implementations to OS. Just sounds more natural to my ears.

[blakey72]

I just bought what I thought was a bargain. 

https://klappav.com.au/collections/pro-ject/products/pre-box-s2-digital-micro-pre-ampli-er-silver

 

https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/pre-box-s2-digital/

Edited December 4, 2021 by blakey72