Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by MrTie, Jul 25, 2016.

  1. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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  2. auri

    auri Facebook Friend

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    Yup. Chip ovens are used in more serious R-2R DAC applications (like MRI machines) to shorten warmup times/provide better thermal stability.
     
  3. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Would the Modi Multibit (or other multibit DACs) sound different at different ambient temperatures, after being warmed up properly? Houses don't have central heating here, so I indoor temperatures can vary from mid-teens in winter to low 30s in summer (Celsius).
     
  4. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    It shouldn't case too much of an issue, it's a small case (warms up quite fast), and as long as it doesn't overheat, it's thermal stability that you're mostly looking for.
     
  5. strangecargo

    strangecargo Acquaintance

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    I just received a Modi Multibit and a Yggdrasil about an hour ago. Been listening to the the Modi Multibit for the last hour or so as I unpack/setup the Yggdrasil. I wasn't really sure what to expect (this is my first exposure to comboburrito), but my impressions are pretty favorable so far. Modi Multibit definitely does some things I wasn't expecting out of something at this price point. It's also been interesting to see how distinctly the sound changes as it comes up from "Fedex truck" cold to its normal operating temperature.
     
  6. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Sound will change to change.
     
  7. JayNYC

    JayNYC Friend

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    Hi, new Modi Multibit owner here (long time Yggdrasil owner). Question: when changing sample rate at the source (ie: a playlist with tracks of different sample rates, assuming bit perfect playback), does the Modi Multibit make any switching sounds or other feedback indicator that it is changing sample rates? My Yggdrasil makes clicking noises and there is a slight delay when it switches sample rates (while annoying, it's reassuring), but the Modi Multibit does not pause or click at all. Is my unit working as intended?

    (if anyone is curious I recorded a screencast of Jriver setup so you can see there is no sample rate conversion happening inside Jriver; I am trying the new/native Windows 10 audio drivers; WASAPI playback)
    https://www.screencast.com/t/tsQBYKNQIV

    Any guidance greatly appreciated.
    Thanks
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2017
  8. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    Hi @JayNYC, I've just upgraded to Yggdrasil. My Modi MB never clicked. Presumably it does the muting in a different way. Gungnir Multibit/Yggdrasil use relays but Modi/Bifrost Multibit do not:

    From http://schiit.com/public/upload/PDF/gungnir_owners_manual_2_1.pdf

    Hey, this thing clicks between songs/between inputs/etc!
    Yes, it does.

    Care to explain why, smartass?
    Sure. That’s the muting relay engaging when there’s no input. Many computer sources turn off the digital audio output between songs and when changing sampling rates. We went with a muting relay because it’s the best way to ensure there are no clicks or pops when the input is unlocked. But it does click a bit.
     
  9. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    I recently moved my 'Modi Multibit' from its earlier home atop my Musical Fidelity X-10v3 to elsewhere on the desk. It certainly takes longer to stabilize when powered on. To me, it sounds bright-ish when cold and gets warmer/smoother as it heats up, perhaps a bit too much when sat on a big tube preamp :)
     
  10. schneller

    schneller Acquaintance

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    Why so many Yiggy owners buying Modi Multibit?

    (Black Modi Multibit owner aspiring for a Yiggy.)
     
  11. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    For me, after I got very used to the Gungnir Multibit in my main system, I couldn't stand the treble ringing on the bedroom system so I picked up a Modi Multibit.
     
  12. kukur9

    kukur9 Acquaintance

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    Hi all,
    I wanted to report my findings after reading so much about the Modi Multibit here, and about the Audio-GD Singularity 19 that was pretty well shit on (as literally as you can get online!). I had been meaning to listen further to the Modi Multibit after purchasing it months ago, but my Audio-GD DAC-19 (not the Singularity, non-NOS) fed by a W4S Remedy/LPS-1 and BNC coax bested (if barely) the mRendu/LPS-1 via Ethernet feeding the Modi Multibit.

    Reading here got me interested in giving the Modi Multibit more time on its own terms. So, I finally set 'er up but via RCA coax since Modi Multibit doesn't have a BNC input. Thus the big change was the input and using a Wireworld Starlight 7 instead of a Oyaide silver coax. And this is a speaker system. Comment on my HD600s at the end.

    I am not defending anyone or anything, I'm only reporting that I was unhappily surprised to hear my Modi Multibit sound rather bi-polar (for lack of a better term) after powering on and warming up in my system for three days. It isn't quite apples to apples, but on the other hand the quality of the sound was what it was: disjointed or disconnected with itself. Quite odd, really, and makes me suspect something's wrong with something...

    The PRaT, detail, and timbre were fantastic, the bass was deep and full. The bass was a little loose, but not annoyingly so. There was some treble glare for the first couple days that made listening unpleasant, but then the disjointedness just kept bugging me and finally after about three songs on the third day, I pulled the plug and put the DAC-19 back in. Really hard to describe how the sound just seemed to be pieces of sound mushed in the soundstage. I checked polarity, I checked connections, and still it was just this weird mush where some details would almost pop out. I was really disappointed as I had not heard this kind of sound previously with the mRendu feeding the Modi Multibit.

    Anyway, I bet some of you wizards have suggestions. In the meantime the DAC-19 is not as full in the bottom, and not as detailed, but is clear, quick, rhythmic, spacious, and smooth sounding. It's nice to know what I've been missing, and maybe I will score a Gungnir Multibit or Yggdrasil one of these days. As some have posted, the DAC-19 sound can grow on you in all its good ways. I've compared my system to my local dealer's recently, and I'm confident the overall system is solid. Note I didn't say perfect, just solid and really almost end-game solid (if I can get the best of the Modi Multibit and DAC-19 together!).

    In the meantime, the Modi Multibit goes back to the Vali 2 and HD600 combo where it doesn't have the problem described above (and is fed via USB with an Uptone Regen rather than coax). Y'all are so keen on the Jot that that seems like the next step up...
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2017
  13. Vertinari

    Vertinari New

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    I hope this would be an acceptable place to ask this question, I've got an NFB 11.28 on it's way but have been eyeing the Modi Multibit for just as long, and was wondering if there would be a noticeable (subjective, i know) improvement to get the Modi Multibit to use as the dac and NFB as the amp. As there aren't any local shops that have the Modi Multibit to audition, I'd probably have no way to test them out to compare with the NFB 11, so turning to the community for some thoughts on it.
     
  14. dropadred

    dropadred New

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    @Vertinari, I can speak to you as a NFB-15 user (not a Modi Multibit user however), but glance over your equipment, what do you see? Are you perfectly satisfied with your AMP and HPs? Me, personally, I am still thinking about an upgrade, thus the Jotunheim for the Amp and there I would have to buy some DAC and, honestly, the Modi Multibit would be the one, but if I do not consider to jump to some AMP-only unit I could not justify a purchase of DAC when there is a AMP or headphones or even speakers which would be upgraded otherwise. NFB-11 has a great DAC (for the price) IMO.
     
  15. PeteMullersKeyboard

    PeteMullersKeyboard New

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    Finally got fed up with driving my LCD4s with only a Chord Mojo (I know, I know) - finally decided to choose a proper amp, and decided to add a Modi Multibit as well because I've read this entire thread, a few other threads in various places online, and have always wanted to try an R2R DAC. In addition, I sure am sick and tired of keeping the Mojo charged all the damn time.

    So, current chain is my 2010 Mac Pro -> Sonnet Allegro Pro USB 3 card (one controller per port) -> Jitterbug -> Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB cable -> Modi Multibit -> Wireworld Luna 7 RCA interconnects -> Ifi Pro iCan -> "Audeze" blue limited edition XLR cable -> LCD4

    I'm not exactly new to audio but have...not a ton of experience compared to many when it comes to having heard a wide variety of setups and gear. I consider myself to have a decent ear, grew up around high-end hifi stuff. But have only recently had the time/money to spend on this hobby (now addiction). First pair of decent headphones ever was a pair of Triple.Fis with an upgraded cable, that was it until I purchased a pair of HD700s a couple years ago thinking I had it all figured out. Purchased the Mojo to drive those properly, then that was it until I came across an excellent deal on a mint second-hand LCD4 pair. Have spent months trying to figure out how to amp them, and if I should bother with another DAC. I've heard most of the LCD lineup (except XCs) through some Ray Samuels amps, and Xs out of a Bryston BHA-1 (which I did not like at all). Have of course extensively listened to my LCD4s out of the Mojo so that's my main reference point. Given where I live, it's very hard to audition anything, so I mostly have to infer how gear will sound based on all that I read, so far it's worked fairly well. This is all sort of a disclaimer, or a lens through which to view what I write next.

    Have had Modi Multibit on for about 8 hours now, and so far many of the previous comments seem accurate. A bit warm (which I like), perhaps could be a tad less "hard" at the high end and could be a bit more resolving there as well...but what the hell, it's $250. Soundstage is much better than Mojo was, sub-bass isn't there in spades but it's enough for me for now. Not really hearing the mid-bass hump, but most other comments seem about right. There is a weird sort of hollowness to higher-pitched vocals on some tracks, but that might be shit mastering. Newer stuff, so probably.

    Overall the detail, soundstage, tone & separation are very much to my liking, can't imagine doing better for the money. I'm sure it gets better overall, but until at least....the next time I read a Yggdrasil thread, I'm satisfied. I was a bit worried about excessive warmth w/the Pro iCan and LCD4s, but I'm extremely sensitive to brightness, high frequencies (can still hear to nearly 20k), sheen, metallic ring, anything of the sort. So even if some might call this "excessively warm" - it's working very well for me. Those silver-platted copper interconnects should help right....:)

    I do wish this LED wasn't so goddamned bright....

    Will come back with more when I'm less asleep.
     
  16. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    Has anyone every experienced a higher frequency ringing coming out of their Modi Multibit? I've had two instances now where I hear this overlayed with whatever music I'm playing and I have to turn it off for a few seconds then turn it back on for it to go away (I usually leave it on 24/7). It's happened twice this week so I'm starting to get worried.
     
  17. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    http://www.head-fi.org/t/815368/hap...-introducing-modi-multibit/1380#post_12933242
     
  18. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

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    I've had both 11.28 and Modibit on long term home trial ... I would spend my money elsewhere if I were you ...
     
  19. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Kind of unclear what you are saying here. Modi Multbit sucks? Audio-GD NFB-11.28 sucks? Both suck? Using the Modi Multibit into the NFB-11.28 is unnecessary?
     
  20. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

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    I answered @Vertnari whether it would make sense to run Modi Multibit into NFB11.28. To my mind it wont ... as DACs I rate their performance more or less at the same level.
     

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