Topping DAC better than Schiit Modi?

bryblob

bryblob

Super Member
I have a Schiit Modi Uber 2 that I have had no problems, sounds good to me.The only dac I've used in the past would be a Fiio d3 and internal dacs in cd players like a Nakamichi MB-3 and a denon dvd-1000. I've been looking at the Topping D10,30 and 50. I was wondering if anyone has listened to both and if it would be a worthwhile upgrade.

My system is a Shengya integrated amp, 80 watt/ch with a tubed preamp. Speakers are Sonus Faber Minuetto's. I usually listen to tidal hifi, both master and cd quality. Thanks for any thoughts.
 
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bryblob said:
I have a Schiit Modi Uber 2 that I have had no problems, sounds good to me.The only dac I've used in the past would be a Fiio d3 and internal dacs in cd players like a Nakamichi MB-3 and a denon dvd-1000. I've been looking at the Topping D10,30 and 50. I was wondering if anyone has listened to both and if it would be a worthwhile upgrade.

My system is a Shengya integrated amp, 80 watt/ch with a tubed preamp. Speakers are Sonus Faber Minuetto's. I usually listen to tidal hifi, both master and cd quality. Thanks for any thoughts.
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I have the possibly wrong idea that the Sonus Fabers are a bit rolled off and warm. If so, maybe the Topping 50 would add a little energy to the sound. I preferred the Modi mb to the Topping D30, but my speakers are high sensitivity.
 
fredgarvin said:
I have the possibly wrong idea that the Sonus Fabers are a bit rolled off and warm. If so, maybe the Topping 50 would add a little energy to the sound. I preferred the Modi mb to the Topping D30, but my speakers are high sensitivity.
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I would agree that they lack some top end, but I do like how they sound, pretty big for how small they are. Am I right that a modi multibit would be $350?
 
bryblob said:
I would agree that they lack some top end, but I do like how they sound, pretty big for how small they are. Am I right that a modi multibit would be $350?
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I think so. it has a different chip and filter than the Modi Uber. The d50 uses the Ess Sabre chip.They are all cheap enough to experiment with and re-sell quickly.
 
If you want to spice things up a bit and handy to make a DIY case lookup Khadas Tone board. You can get it from Digikey. Very clean and open sound, should pair very good with softer sounding speakers.
 
I just happen to be sitting here doing comparisons between my Schiit Modi Multi and the Modi 3. I Compared the Modi Multi to my Topping D30 several months ago and prefer the Modi Multi. (The Topping does a fine job for optical TV audio.)
What surprised me was that I "think" I prefer the Modi 3 to the Modi Multi. :dunno: The 3 is more detailed and revealing. However, with my already revealing RAAL tweeter speakers (in my office), it almost makes the sound too clinical.

OK, while listening to Sibelius, Symphony #2, I swapped them back and prefer the Multi, in this system. The 3 will be reconnected to the ADS system in the living room, where it sounds just fine.

For your speakers, I'd probably go with the Modi 3, as it is more revealing than the Multi. As I said, the 3 sound great with my ADS.

The Multi is $249. The 3 is $99.

Here's a thread on Schiit DAC's. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/schlit-dacs.845210/
 
hmm, I almost have to wonder if that clinical sound an artifact of the processing or more accurate, it does sound like the modi 3 has made improvements over the 2.
 
It also could be that I got used to the sound of the multi, having listened to it in this system for about a year. There were some things that I really liked about the 3 in this system. Playing Al Di Meola, I could hear more of the vibration of the string. Playing Pat Metheny, "Last Train Home", the repeating snare drum? was more forward and a little more detailed.

I've heard (read) people talk about system integration and how some components sound better in some systems and not as good in others. Didn't really put much stock in to it before, but I'm becoming a believer.
 
I had the Multi Bit and ordered a Modi 3, to my ears the Modi 3 sounds much more detailed . However, my Aune T-1 which is 5 years older has less detail but a better sound stage, go figure. But, for 99 bucks the Modi 3 is a keeper.
 
botrytis said:
Just remember, Schiit is like Apple. They use 1 or 2 generations older tech and sell it as new. Nothing wrong with it but understand what you are getting.
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What foul trickery is this? New is the one thing left that I thought was/is still held to some kind of standard. Yes! I just checked, mine's got some new down in the bottom, I’m good.
 
I have a Modi 3. Not all that impressed. Detail, bass and sound stage is nice enough. Vocals and mids lack warmth and life. Planning on selling it and trying something else. I had a Maverick D1 years ago that had more life.
 
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