Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

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

  1. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    Stop sidestepping the forum filters dammit.
     
  2. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Honestly thought it was a glitch. Is there a reason for the filters?
     
  3. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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  4. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Makes sense. I'll be sure to use proper surnames from now on.
     
  5. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    The usual nicknames will get autocorrected, feel free to use those.
     
  6. ReAlien

    ReAlien Acquaintance

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    Suddenly, I started looking into Modi MB after Torq's negative comments on Ares, and there is something that I do not understand yet.

    1. Do I really need Eitr when I buy Modi Multibit? I intend to use it for listening to music from my PC via USB only. Eirt would raise the budget threshold and, maybe, in such case Bifrost Multibit would be a better option to look at.

    2. Also, the Schiit website says that Modi 3 has universal PS (can be used in the US and Europe mains), what about Modi MB? Do I need to look for European used items only due to voltage restriction?

    3. Is there a simple way to find out if my used Modi Multibit will have v2 firmware? By simple, I mean without testing equipment and such.
     
  7. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    1. USB isn't the best, and I'm speaking as someone running a Bifrost MB straight out of a laptop USB port on their main rig; eh, I make do. It's a matter of PCs being noisy as hell (in many ways), making having something to mitigate the amount of noise that makes its way to your ears (e.g. an Eitr) a justifiable purchase. I've little faith in my ears compared to many on here and even I can tell that de-poopifiers make sense when your upstream involves a PC USB out.

    3. Take it apart and look at the board? This does seem your best bet though: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...modi-mb-or-bifrost-mb-v1-or-v2-firmware.6622/

    My 0.02, the Bifrost may be a better long term investment due to its upgradeability. Also, even people who hated the older Bifrost MB say that current production ones (unannounced A2) are a marked improvement— personally tempted, but I don't find my current DAC particularly offensive so will likely wait and save up for a better one like a higher-end Schiit, Soekris, or maybe even Convert. For someone just getting into it, a new BiMB seems excellent value.
     
  8. EraserXIV

    EraserXIV Friend

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    Some believe the Eitr has a better USB interface than the one built into the Modi. The Modi uses a wall-wart, you will need one specific for your region.

    If you can find a used Bifrost for around the same price as a Modi MB plus an Eitr, I would go that route. It's essentially a Modi MB with a better power supply and options for upgradeability. The USB interface can be upgraded down the road when Schiit releases their in-house USB implementation. Any improvements on the digital/analog board can be upgraded as well when tickle down tech makes its way to the Bifrost and Modi.
     
  9. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Their smaller products (Modi, Magni, Eitr, etc) are exactly the same for every country. The only difference is the power brick used. Just be sure it's a 230V/16VAC wall wart and it will be fine.
     
  10. ReAlien

    ReAlien Acquaintance

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    Thank you for your quick response. Could you clarify, when you mean that Modi Multibit's USB module without Eitr would introduce noise form PC, are we talking about noise like hum or is it IMD? Cause I do not care lots about hum noise (I have tinnitus) but do value undistorted sound.
     
  11. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Just to clarify I've not gotten ears on a Modi yet, I'm speaking generally about the benefits of USB de-poopifiers. I got very audible hashiness and noise on the Chord Mojo, for instance, but that got sorted when I used an integrated iPurifier. I eventually gave up the Mojo entirely anyway despite liking how it sounded (kinda silly keeping a portable unit that needs desktop precautions around). USB really does seem like a PITA to get "right", I'm planning on putting together a dedicated system and moving away from computer audio when funds allow.

    Besides a cleaner background, or blackground I guess the SBAF term for it is, most of what I recall getting in improvements were extremely minor like more-easily-audible room cues, trailing decays, and just a sense of "thereness" from micro(?)detail. It's subtle, but when you're going out of your way to get a nice DAC these things really start to matter. I'm of the school of thought that the differences between good and great DACs are minimal, mind, and that they're more for zeroing in on a very specific sound you want. That said, noise over USB can be bad enough that you'd think there were problems closer to your ears than upstream. Think being a fraction of a turn off on a portable radio when listening to FM vs being dead on.
     
  12. Dzerh

    Dzerh Friend

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    it is all other the spectrum but high frequency part is the most offensive.
    If this is your first DAC - no, you don't have to buy Eitr. Take into account, that at this point of your audiophile journey you may not know which direction you will be going in 2 years.
     
  13. ReAlien

    ReAlien Acquaintance

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    Oh, I know that, thanks. I'm waiting for my fourth pair of new headphones in three months' time.)) My plan is to buy Modi Multibit in wait for Massdrop RDAC. This would be my first stationary DAC, yes. But now I use a portable one, Opus 1S. It has USB DAC capability, so I use it to run my Roon.
     
  14. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I don't remember there being an externally visible way to distinguish the FW revisions. I may be mistaken.
     
  15. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Meant that since the literal fine print on boards seems to change with revisions, taking a peek might help determine whether it's a newer make or not.
     
  16. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    The notation on the board is likely in the case of a hardware/circuit design change. In the case of Modi Multibit the only thing that I believe is suspected is a firmware update to introduce dithering and maybe other improvements. No one has noted a difference in the board version that I recall...
     
  17. gridmaster

    gridmaster Facebook Friend

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    Has anybody done any comparisons between v1 and v2 firmware? Schiit won't ship the rom to me, say I have to send the Modi Multibit in to them. $35 + round trip shipping, wondering if it's worth it.
     
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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  19. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    That's pretty cool that they would do that at all.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I would plead with people not to bite Schiit back in the ass for offering upgrades, because people deserve what they get. Honestly, they could just do it the CHORD or Ford way. No upgrades. Buy the new model. Seems simpler and less bitching. Many do not realize how close Schiit was to never allow upgrades again.
     

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