Modi Multibit: Multibit for the masses.

Are you leaving your source chain on 24/7? I find both the Modi and Jotunheim need their warm-up time. A few records are un-listenable through the Jot off a cold start because it's just too sharp.

 

I think they put lack of DSD as a con because they can't think of anything else. So, in effect, it is a positive

 

Yes, I am leaving them both on, although I was switching the Jotunheim off at night until a few days ago. I am quite sensitive to treble though and tend to suffer from mild hyperacousis.

 

Hey buddy, I ran the GO 450 at full volume into my amp, so it acted like a line out. No other DAC besides that.

 

Without having the full text of the article available, it's a bit hard to know just what to make of it (and I'm not about to start encouraging the entrenched Hi-Fi "press" by actually buying their rags). It raises a litany of questions more than anything.

How were they feeding the MOMBY?

What "CD" are they comparing measurements to? A player, the raw spec, or the perceptual possibilities?

The table/list of measurements doesn't make much sense. The CD (Red Book) spec yields 96 dB of actual dynamic range, which is what their table shows. From memory I thought MOMBY managed 94/95 dB via S/PDIF and TOSLINK and, for some reason, I seem to recall it being 90/91 dB via USB (I'd have to go look) - which might correlate to their "6 dB worse" claim ... but who knows.

So something is either missing there, or else it's not right on some level (or they're comparing to spec and driving the thing via USB ...).

 

Who needs their measurements anyways, we've already got @atomicbob 's stellar set

 

Indeed, and just going back over them, they make sense ... .

I was just curious as to the magazine's point of reference because, as stated, theirs don't make any sense (or at least the comments around them).

 

Maybe GUTB wrote the article.

 

They were feeding the Momby with two different sources, a MacBook Air (cable not stated, but I would assume USB?) and a FiiO X5 with QED Reference Optical Toslink.

The general tone of the review was positive and the Momby did receive 4/5, "Excellent - extremely capable." It was really just the performance description that was a bit weird / negative. I guess that vibes with the fact that Momby does not necessarily measure as well as the Modi DS but sounds superior?

The part about dynamic range in the performance section I did not understand, but this could be due to my lack of understanding:

"Dynamic Range sums noise and distortion to give an overall performance figure, so increased distortion results in lower dynamic range: the Schiit measured 96dB. This is well below CD that nowadays comes in at 102dB, and massively below hi-res that will typically measure 115dB from a budget DAC."

@Torq

I've enjoyed following your Yggdrasil thread over at HF. It has been very iinteresting to read your comparisons of TOTL DACs.

 

My x5 has no optical digital out, coax only, so I don't know how they did that.

 

You're right, but that is what it says in the review. Maybe they used a magic widget to convert it

 

My X3ii does have a digital out. Maybe the first generation X5 does not.

 

Your x3 doesn't have an optical out any more than the x5 does. That is what was being discussed.

 

@Senorx12562 , my bad. I see you meant optical. EDIT - removed noise.

 

People still digging these? I might end up with one at work if I downgrade that system.

 

I like mine a lot, opened up the soundstage and detailing of my Valhalla 2, so thinking it would play nice with your Sunrise III (which I think you should keep, you sound fond of it in your other post - it seems difficult to stay satisfied in this hobby).

 

I think my Modi Multibit has developed a fault. I thought I'd check with you guys to make sure.

There is a ringing or resonance sound in the left channel. At first I thought it was a fault with the HD650's . I swapped the Modi Multibit for my Audiolab MDAC and the noise is not present. There is no noise through the MDAC's headphone out nor via the Jotunheim. That points towards the Modi Multibit.

The MDAC is connected through the balanced inputs of the Jotunheim, I I will try it through the singled ended to make sure it's not a fault with the Jotunheim single ended inputs. Is anything else I should try before contacting Schiit?

Many thanks.

EDIT: It's okay with the MDAC throught the Jotunheim's single ended input, so almost certain it's the Modi that is the problem.

 

First, try to shut it down and restart. If it doesn't help, try shutting it down for 24h and then give it another try. In other instances users have reported that this may help with Schiit gear.

 

The old reboot trick. Should have thought of that

EDIT: Yes, that worked. Thanks. Do you know why it happens? Is it a common problem?

 

Well it's time.. Finally upgrading from Hifimediy U2 Sabre DAC to the Modi Multibit. I'm really excited to see how much of an improvement (if any) it really is. Expect to hear back from me in a couple weeks when I've spent some time with it.