Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

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

  1. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,659
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Californium Valley
    I would also ask people to back off on the upgrade issue. Schiit has been doing us a big favor and they don’t have to. I’ve spent more than a few hours talking to Jason and Mike. They are good people and are trying to run a business and keep their customers from spending money when they don’t have to by offering upgrades on many products. I still have my original Gungnir but thanks to the upgrade program it’s now a multi-bit with a Gen 5 USB input. With other companies I would have had to buy three dac’s at this point. So stop complaining. Don’t kill the golden goose. Thanks Jason and Mike!
     
  2. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2019
    Likes Received:
    1,419
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    .
    I agree with no upgrades except for the Yggdrasil. You browse their site, look at their products, check the specs and you buy what you want. There's always the possibility a newer iteration of a product you just bought is better a year or two later. That's just the nature of consumer electronics. Maybe a poor analogy, but it's like building a PC. You pick out high-end parts knowing full well in 3 years your shit is going to be outclassed by whatever the newest mid-tier offerings are. That's why "future proofing" a PC is stupidity. (BTW I'm not saying don't drop a few grand if you want/need to)

    I'm surprised Schiit would even do a firmware flash on the MM. Sounds like an unnecessary headache. People read too much in these "silent revisions" and then develop a weird inferiority complex. How much tweaking do you need on a $250 DAC?

    The Bifrost Mulitbit is still the odd man out in their DAC lineup. Like it's not a Gungnir Multibit yet supposedly the Modi Mulitbit with a good CDP or Eitr comes close to the Gungnir. The difference between the MM+Eitr and BM is ~$171. I'm not sure if that's worth it. Wish the BM had a BNC input, but if the hype around their new USB implementation is better than SPDIF...guess that doesn't matter.

    I can't imagine the sort of crap Schiit is going to deal with when the Sol is up for sale. Sure Schiit has plans to include video tutorials on their site, but too many idiots who don't know WTF they are doing and then filling their inbox/voicemails with complaints. Like I've read posts around the internet people bitching about Schiit's customer service, but I have to wonder if 99% of that aren't just ridiculous demanding consumers who expect a small outfit to bend over and take it up the ass because they're idiots who don't know how to install drivers or plug in a power cord or whatever minor BS. They expect the generous return policies of Amazon or Walmart. And add that people can't be polite, so you deserve the attitude given back to you.

    Thank God I don't run a business, I couldn't put up with the shit consumers fling and I'm no corporate bootlicker either. But there are times when I think Schiit does too much for people. As one of their customers, sure I love that about them but is it really worth the hassle...
     
  3. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,461
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Apologies if my question came off in a negative way. It wasn't meant as any sort of criticism, purely an appeal to anyone in the know, as it were. I'm a huge Schiit fan.
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Nope, not at all.
     
  5. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,659
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Californium Valley
    Didn’t take it that way either.
     
  6. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    9,937
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Texas and California
    Home Page:
    Hey all,

    Yep, you should be able to ask for the new firmware for Modi Multibit, and have the ROM sent to you if you want. If you bend a pin, static it dead, or otherwise bone it up, well, that's your bag. Otherwise you can send it into us and we'll drop the ROM in.

    This is part of our new "try to make sure any upgrades or changes don't have to come back to the mothership" program. It's not going to be perfect, and it's going to cause some consternation, but I think we all agree that the best DAC is one you have ALL THE TIME, rather than missing for a couple of weeks for an upgrade from time to time. Got it. Heard you on that one. Totally agree.

    And, with respect to Marv's comment on upgradability going away, yes, we were very very very very close to pulling it from all products below Yggdrasil. You'll find out how close in an upcoming chapter.

    A few more comments on upgradability:

    1. The pace of release of new high-bit-depth multibit DACs is...well, glacial would be polite. It isn't like the old days when there were new audio DACs every year or two. This means that some DAC/Analog upgrades could be confusing, like the Yggdrasil Analog 2, which uses the same (very expensive) chips as the original. The pace of DAC/Analog upgrades will likely decrease, until we develop some new DAC technology ourselves.

    2. It's possible that we may have to make chassis changes to ensure more upgradability in the future for products like Yggdrasil; of course, if we do this, it will also be offered as an upgrade. Yggdrasil is expensive, despite any protests by the car-priced-DAC crowd otherwise; we're going to do all we can to protect your investment in it. Don't worry, there's nothing imminent, and, if we do it, we'll make it worth your while, like maybe adding a remote option at the same time.

    3. We've already had to make unplanned changes to products, like swapping the Bifrost motherboard for Bifrost Multibit upgrades, to accommodate upgrades. Not a killer, but also not ideal. Bifrost simply grew out of its original configuration. Ah well; we promised upgradability, and we did what we needed to do to deliver it. We'll continue to do so where we can.

    4. For all of our promise of more autonomous upgrades, this won't be a perfect process. For example, while Unison is a drop-in for Bifrost and Yggdrasil, it requires a motherboard firmware flash for Gungnir Multibit. ARGH. Hopefully that's the last of the "must come back to the factory" upgrades. We're going to try to figure out a way to make that one less painful, when it happens. Sorry about that.

    5. It's unrealistic to think that a product can be upgraded indefinitely; we simply can't predict what's coming in the future, nor can we ensure we have ALL of the interface stuff necessary to support new features or capabilities. That said, we will be upgrading products as long as is feasible.

    All the best,
    Jason

    TL;DR: Upgrades aren't going away. They may get a little slower, but we're trying to make them easier.
     
  7. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2017
    Likes Received:
    8,973
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Home Page:
    I'm glad the upgrades are continuing. I, for one, appreciate you guys doing what you do. Thanks Jason.

    And I say f**k the worthless entitled whiny cunts who complain.
     
  8. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Likes Received:
    7,983
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver BC
    I'm pleased I sent mine in before learning this or I'd have been tempted to try it myself - and with my history, the risk would've been significant...

    And seriously, though it's a simple op for your techs, what you're charging for this can in no way come close to covering the labour cost. So it's a privilege I'm grateful for.
     
  9. Scott Kramer

    Scott Kramer Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    May 3, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,446
    Trophy Points:
    93
    In case it got buried: YMMV of course, it's a dac!
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/fs-schiit-modi-mb-vali-2.7675/#post-252483
     
  10. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2017
    Likes Received:
    7,738
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Canada
    Thanks for posting this Jason - you’ve given us a place we can point any whiny randos.

    Sucks for the Gungnir Multibit USB upgrade. If only you had a crystal ball (which some folks seem to think you do).

    As far as the chassis change, I assumed this was coming eventually with Mike’s talk of a BWD connection and other elements. A remote I’m sure would be appreciated for folks who have multiple digital sources/transports.

    Great info, thanks again.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2019
  11. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,659
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Californium Valley
    Thanks as always Jason. Hope to see you and Mike again one of these days.
     
  12. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2017
    Likes Received:
    7,738
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Canada
    Something just dawned on me about this upgrade stuff. Here is Jason saying they’ll upgrade the firmware/ROM for Modi Multibit - which was never even supposed to be upgradable to begin with!

    Great Schiit.
     
  13. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,085
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Yep. Really good Schiit. I am sending mine in shortly. Will tide me over til next year when their new USB module hopefully comes out and I upgrade to a Bifrost or higher.
     
  14. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    Price of the "chip only" is the same as having them do it. Not sure if it resets your warranty like other upgrades, but at least it won't void it. If I didn't live on the opposite side of the Pacific, I'd send mine in.

    Thanks, @schiit for making this even possible for a non-upgradable device!
     
  15. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,659
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Californium Valley
    Shit. I’m an idiot. I’ve got a Modi Multi-bit hooked up to my TV DVR. Time to get a ROM drop in. Thanks again Schitt!
     
  16. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    I ordered the chip on Monday and it was waiting for me when I got home from work on Friday (paid the premium for Fedex Int'l Economy). Plugged it in an initially thought, "Holy Crap! Sounds like a completely different DAC!" Then I realized I had the L/R outputs reversed :p. Right way around the difference is subtle but significant. Tighter sound overall, more clarity, bass is tighter and punchier. I can convince myself I hear everything Marv initially described.
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-schiit-modi-multibit.6591/

    Definitely a worthwhile upgrade. Much cheaper and more eco-friendly than buying a new DAC. Thanks @schiit!!!
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2019
  17. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    Just happened again and at first I thought it was the hinky Telefunken E88CC I put back into the MCTH acting up again. Put the stock EH back and it was still doing it. "Shit, MCTH is facked now ...." Tried the spare EH and confirmed it was the amp, not the tube. Oh wait, Modi ringing thingy ... :mad:
     
  18. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Likes Received:
    384
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Poland
    Just recently I connected one power amp's both channels into preamp's left one and called a manufacturer that the sound is only in-between my speakers with no imaging whatsoever :confused:

    After several minutes of troubleshot we located the reason (me being a dummy was THE reason) and I thought the guy had a stroke, he laughed so hard:D
     
  19. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Likes Received:
    7,983
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver BC
    So the DAC is doing the ringing *after* the chip swap? I was wondering if the new chip had solved that issue; haven't had it myself yet but likely haven't had the new chip in long enough (pre-upgrade, it'd be only once every few months that I'd have to re-boot the DAC).

    Interested to hear if anybody else has experienced this post-chip-swap.

    OTOH, I'm happy for you that your fave tube is still alive :)
     
  20. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,085
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    I have had the ringing once since my chip swap. Probably been a month now?
     

Share This Page