Any Schiit Modius Users?

[RiojaRed]

A little late to the party, but I just stumbled in.
I had been shopping for quite a while for a DAC to replace my rather old TeraDak Chameleon that is no longer produced. The optical in had given out.
I purchased the Schiit Audio Modius and have been running it for about two months now. I really don't like it much.
I find it thin, hollow and incapable of creating a decent sound stage. I won't play anything through it without running it through the tube buffer. That wasn't necessary with the TeraDak.
I run only Optical to avoid the ground potential difference issues inherent with USB, so I have no issues with jitter caused by USB timing issues, and I'm using ROON core on a NAS and a well rigged gaming PC as the player, but it just sounds bad.

 

[gvl]

The Chameleon is a NOS DAC, so it's colored due to its inherent high frequency roll off and other issues. Roon has a good EQ DSP, not sure if it's available in Roon core, if it is just set some down tilt for HF and maybe boost the lows a bit to get back that sound you're used to.

 

[Monad]

A while back, at the start of my most recent audio journey, I had a ModiM.

It was an obvious upgrade from no DAC, drinking straight out the 8bottle (PC) but I didn't really have anything to gauge it against. At the time, I also had the first run Schiit Freya. They should have worked well together but they didn't really. I upgraded to a Schiit Gungnir Multibit, using balanced connects and found it to be deeper, wider and oveall a better match for the Freya.

The difference between the Mimby and Gumby was stark and frustrating.. as I struggled with the Mimby for months before upgrading.

I've heard good things about the Modius, guessing it has a beefed up power supply over the Mimby// 2x larger so must be more..

I'm not currently running any of the above gear.. it is what it is. Stuff comes and goes and our SQ rises and falls with each acquisition.. in retrospect, and comparatively, the MIMBY was, with my system and in my limited estimation--> (edited** ) not a great match.. but at this point, I'm not going to be happy w a $100-$200 dollar DAC.

For $200, it's probably an exceptional value for the SQ it delivers but it's still a $200 DAC. The Gumby was $800 used and maybe it was 4x better, idk. I sold that one too, eventually.. picked up a Jolida Glass DSD DAC and while I liked the Gumby a little better, I was on bad CA "rolling brown-out" power and the Gumby needs at least 48 hours run-time to sounds it's best. My power would flicker a few times a day so I was always getting the 'other' end of the stick.

Unclear if Modius needs to be running 24.7 but I'd guess so... For best sound, try leaving it on full time, if you can.

DAC is the most important part of your digital chain (also source streamer, cabling).. I used to say 80/20, spend 80 on speakers/ 20% on gear but I've revised that a little to include spending $$ on DAC and streamer. ;D

 

[SWL3600]

I purchased the Schiit Audio Modius and have been running it for about two months now. I really don't like it much.
I find it thin, hollow and incapable of creating a decent sound stage.

Wow, that's interesting......couldn't be any more opposite of my experience with the Modius as well as other reviews I've read.

Makes me wonder if something is wrong with it or something else. How do you have it hooked up? Balanced? Unbalanced? Optical, Coax, USB?

 

[hornbostel]

In my main rig I run a Schiit Modius into a Magnius (balanced) which provides inputs to a pair of Schiit Aegir monoblocks driving a pair of JBL L100t's. Ridiculous good! Input to the Modius comes via coax for CDs, SACD, DVD audio, etc. (Sony UBP-UX80) or USB via iPhone or PC (typically Spotify Connect). IMO the Modius simply reproduces the input. Nothing thin about anything containing some thickness through this setup on the JBLs, that's for sure! Soundstage and imaging is awesome. And amazingly I think that its even better with a single Aegir instead of the monos! Nuts.

 

[BruT-804]

Semi-newb question here, pardon me if it's been discussed already -
If you're using the unbalanced outputs of the Modius is there much improvement over the Modi? Looks like they have different DAC chips but same output stages if you're using the Modius unbalanced.
I don't have any way to use balanced outputs in my current system.
Thanks
BT

 

[StimpyWan]

Semi-newb question here, pardon me if it's been discussed already -
If you're using the unbalanced outputs of the Modius is there much improvement over the Modi? Looks like they have different DAC chips but same output stages if you're using the Modius unbalanced.
I don't have any way to use balanced outputs in my current system.
Thanks
BT

I have a Modi 3 and a Modius, and the Modius was a nice step up, even through single ended connections. You're moving from an AKM AK4490 DAC chip to the AK4493 chip. A newer circuit design too. Much better low level resolution, mid bass detail, and treble air and extension. The Modius is well worth the price difference, IMO.

 

[ssmith3046]

Semi-newb question here, pardon me if it's been discussed already -
If you're using the unbalanced outputs of the Modius is there much improvement over the Modi? Looks like they have different DAC chips but same output stages if you're using the Modius unbalanced.
I don't have any way to use balanced outputs in my current system.
Thanks
BT

I used a Modius with a Rupert Neve headphone amp and tried both the balanced and SE outputs. They really sounded about the same to me when I was switching back and forth between them. Different volume levels.
I'd recommend the Modius to be used with SE only.

 

[hornbostel]

Semi-newb question here, pardon me if it's been discussed already -
If you're using the unbalanced outputs of the Modius is there much improvement over the Modi? Looks like they have different DAC chips but same output stages if you're using the Modius unbalanced.
I don't have any way to use balanced outputs in my current system.
Thanks
BT

I haven’t A/B’d the balanced and unbalanced outputs of the Modius. The primary reason that I use balanced outputs is that the Magnius preamp also has a set of unbalanced RCA inputs, which I use for my turntable preamp. I can thus switch between analog and digital inputs easily using the Magnius.

IMO The Magnius is a game changer killer preamp if all you need is two inputs, one from a DAC (that has balanced outputs) and another from an analogue source. The volume control (potentiometer) is simply awesome. Plus the Magnius can separately drive ANY headphone you could possibly afford, even those that require balanced output. I run an old school pair of Sennheiser HD 265’s.

The other reason I use the Magnius is that it provides balanced outputs. Thus, I can drive my pair of Schiit Aegir’s as monoblocks with a preamp that costs less than a night out on the town!

However, in general, and back to the core question, l always use balanced connectors if available for lower noise and better SNR.

 

[W.ALLEN]

I have a Modi Multibit and a Peachtree DAC-iTx , The iTx to me is a little bright but sounds good , the Modi Multibit is more laid back sounding , not near as bright and definitely has a much lower bass . I use mine via USB from my PC , listen to Spotify premium . Looking for a sound that is in between the two . Would the Modius be worth a try or do I need to go with something else .

 

[W.ALLEN]

I did some listening back to back with both DAC's and I do like the Modi MB better . It is smoother sounding . Guess the question is where do I go next to get to the next level .

 

[ssmith3046]

I did some listening back to back with both DAC's and I do like the Modi MB better . It is smoother sounding . Guess the question is where do I go next to get to the next level .

Bifrost 2?

 

[W.ALLEN]

Bifrost 2?

I was thinking that or gungnir multi bit . For the cost of a new one I would consider a used one but don't know how much difference there is between new and one a couple years old . Read the Gungnir MB is a better sounding unit over the Bifrost MB

 

[gvl]

Bifrost 2 is presumably closer to the Gungnir multibit, the original Bifrost multibit was basically a Modi Multibit in a bigger box. If I wanted a multibit DAC I'd probably consider Denafrips offerings before Schiit.

 

[ssmith3046]

I was thinking that or gungnir multi bit . For the cost of a new one I would consider a used one but don't know how much difference there is between new and one a couple years old . Read the Gungnir MB is a better sounding unit over the Bifrost MB

Bifrost 2 is all new. There was no discernible difference to my ears between the Bifrost multibit and Modi multibit.

 

[W.ALLEN]

I did read about the Bifrost 2 being upgradeable buy the consumer , did like that . Makes you wonder what the difference would be for 600 more to get the Gungnir MB . Did read good reviews on the Bifrost 2 .

 

[gvl]

I'd give a Modi 3+ or Topping D10S/E30 a try before dropping hundreds on those Schiit multibit contraptions. And before doing that you may want to find a way to move Spotify playback from PC to something like Chromecast Audio and use optical into the Peachtree, you can still control it from the PC app but this will avoid sending the signal through the Windows audio stack which can degrade sound quality.

 

[RunOutGroove]

Sorry if this has already been addressed here, but I've been wondering about the differences between the Modius and a Bifronst Multibit? I currently own a Topping D50, which I use for my TV and CD/DVD audio (I don't use computer/USB audio). I like that thing OK and find the SQ to be better than what I was getting with my Denon SACD/DVD player, but I've been getting the itch to try something else. Something that could just be a incremental upgrade as I don't have the budget for the really great stuff and I figure that if I to buy either one of the aforementioned used that I could recoup a lot of my $ by selling off the Topping (which is a popular brand and has the advantage of having a remote and Bluetooth capability). I mention these two Schiit models as possible replacements for my Topping becuase that I've seen both of them on my local CL recently. Unfortunately it looks like the Bifrost Multibut already sold, but since it's been out for a while it seems that it may be possible to find a deal on another one. I hear good things about Schiit DACs, it's just a matter of which one that I can find for a couple hundred on the used market that would be best... and hopefully be a fair bit nicer than my Topping..?

 

[gvl]

Sorry if this has already been addressed here, but I've been wondering about the differences between the Modius and a Bifronst Multibit?

Modius is a much better DAC, technically. Many swear by Schiit multibit DACs however. Not sure if this helps.

 

[RunOutGroove]

Modius is a much better DAC, technically. Many swear by Schiit multibit DACs however. Not sure if this helps.

OK...thanks, good to know. I might just have to push the button on that Modius that's for sale locally. The price does seem a bit high for used, but I'd bet that the seller will lower it and then I'm game. I won't know if it's really an improvement over my Topping until I plug the thing in, but it'll be worth the small gamble to find out...