New Schiit Modi Multibit???

Servicing the Modi out of warranty is $30 and I believe they usually bring everything up to date that they can. A chip swap is far easier for them to deal with than the usual issues. I don't know if this would be considered abusing their service policy though.

Pro audio customers are probably far easier to deal with than general consumers.

 

You might want to reconsider. Latent ESD damage is a real phenomena. Ask anyone that has ever been a parts handler at manufacturers such as Intel, AMD, Motorola, TI, etc.

Here is a link to an ESD protection wrist strap. Scroll down to customer reviews and look for an entry by David Dr. Pay particular attention to the photomicrograph pictures he attached.
https://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Grounding-Alligator-RTK-002-Detachable/dp/B004N8ZQKY

Example of further information:
https://www.radio-electronics.com/i...s-basics-electrostatic-discharge-tutorial.php

 

Continuing OT, I always wondered about ESD as none of the engineers at the computing company I work at ground themselves when handling equipment. They say we don't have to worry about it here due to the high humidity (SE Asia). They do take proper precautions on the production line.

Back on topic, so the consensus is that there's no way to visually distinguish between v1 and v2 Modi Multibit?

 

I work at a semiconductor company and design/apps labs can be designed with flooring and workbenches that will reduce ESD risk. The parts are "free" so you don't generally care as much if you blow one out (if the part even works at all from a functional design standpoint). Having said that you will fail an ISO audit if you don't have proven discharge measures in the lab.

 

Actually, I'm not sure there is consensus as to the _existence_ of a v2 Modi Multibit...

 

Well, either there was a firmware update or @schiit is punking us (especially Bob).

 

Well, if I'm being punked it is an especially happy one. Modi MB v2 firmware rocks!

Micro-meet yesterday and we got a bit ridiculous resulting in a very enjoyable auditory experience, especially with @johnjen modified HD800 which also rock. Best sound ever from an HD800. System A pictured with Sonarworks calibrated HD650:

Two very capable DACs offering level matched change-ups between R2R and Multibit at the flick of a switch. Cable going to back of LiveClock is from acoustic lab 10MHz reference Jackson Labs Fury with Allan Deviation of 1 E-12 and phase noise -130 dBc at 10 Hz.

System A signal path:
USB -> Eitr -> MC-3+ -> Modi MB v2 firmware / dac1421 -> Goldpoint Switch - Attenuator -> Lyr3 with PS Vane 6SN7-UK
Clock path for geeks:
Jackson Labs Fury 10 MHz -> Antelope Audio LiveClock -> Mutec MC-3+ word clock input

System B (not pictured)
Dante Rednet AOIP -> Bifrost MB (v1 firmware, not updated yet) -> Magni 3 -> various headphones

Depth of bass, definition of leading and trailing edge of kicks sound amazing with Modi MB v2 firmware. Cymbal ringing fades to black are especially well presented. Percussion in general sound much closer to that heard by similar instruments in the studio and on stage in good acoustic spaces. Body of upright bass resonates with that richness felt when sitting in front of the acoustic bass player. String plucks have transient response snap, also like heard in person.

Sample of music used for audition:
Charles Lloyd Quartet - Mirror - The Water is Wide (engineered by Dominic and Adam Camardella)
Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Woods - Juicy Lucy
(production credits : https://www.allmusic.com/album/juice-mw0002693385/credits)
Overwerk - Daybreak
Gary Stroutsos - Anasazi Dreamers
Felix Hell - Liszt prelude on Bach

*edit*
The Stratum 1 time reference (Fury), LiveClock and MC-3+ aren't necessary to have a thoroughly enjoyable experience with this system. They chase that last 1% of system capability that most people would be better served buying a higher end DAC. We got ridiculous because we could, with these components available in my acoustic lab.

 

I’m trying to decide on a (relatively modest) DAC for a secondary system. I was leaning towards a Soekris but all this talk of Modibit v2 has caught my attention. Can you share any impressions of the little schiit v. 1421?

 

I do not possess @purr1n @Torq @Hands skills of describing the auditory differences in a standard way. So this will have to do.

Modi MB will render sounds of well recorded instruments closer to what I hear when in front of said instruments, but is unforgiving.
Example: Charles Lloyd Quartet - Mirror Modi MB v2 all instruments sound startlingly real. dac1421 is close but doesn't quite approach Modi MB v2 realism on any filter. Point Modi MB v2.
Example: Elton John Yellow Brick Road was meant to sound good on the radio in the car, back in the '70s. Snare drum, cymbals, high hat will nearly rip your ears off with Modi MB. dac1421 can have filter adjusted to be more forgiving, ie: slow Butterworth such that the album becomes more listenable. Point dac1421, adjustable filter modes.

IEM listeners running high sound levels may run into residual noise sooner with Mpdi MB v2 than dac1421. Point dac1421 for loud IEM listeners only. Most listeners won't hear the noise floor on either. Tossup.

Most moderately well produced music is rendered very well on either. Tossup.

USB implementation on dac1421 is very good allowing for a simpler overall desktop system with no outboard wallwart. Modi MB v2 really needs Eitr to shine to the best of its abilities. Point dac1421.

When well recorded, upright bass is more realistically rendered with Modi MB v2 firmware than dac1421. So is Kick drum. Point Modi MB v2 when well recorded. Otherwise tossup.

Final thoughts: I am keeping both in the lab inventory.

 

Does this all also apply to the v1?

 

Super helpful, as always. Thanks so much.

Although it will challenge my predjudice against wallwarts, Modibit v2 sounds more like what I’m looking for.

 

With all the rumors/speculation/desire for/around updated versions of Modi MB, Bifrost MB and Gungnir MB, it occurs to me that I've never actually gotten around to posting a full up, all-Schiit-multi-bit review/comparison.

Which is a shame, particularly given the number of comparisons to Yggdrasil I've done.

At a minimum, I guess it behooves me to get my ears on/order-up currently-shipping copies of those three DACs (since I have an Analog 2/USB Gen 5 spec Yggdrasil sitting under the desk) and get a long-overdue, very well deserved, review of those things done ... ASAFP ...

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Also ... since "Richard" is a synonym for "Dick" and "Depiction" is a synonym for "Picture", I can only assume @Richard Depiction really means "Dick Pic". Not sure I need to say more there ... given the avatar ...

 

Wait, is a silent Bifrost update anything more than speculation? A one box solution with no warts would be even more appealing...

 

If Modi Multibit got a firmware update, Bifrost Multibit probably did too.

 

These are my subjective impressions of v1 vs v2. I have been sick and not listening to music for the past for days.

I'm back listening to music today and wanted to give you some early thoughts on the Modi Multibit v2. The difference is not night and day, but it's there and appreciable. For my preferences, it's a nice improvement. Here is what I hear:

1. Biggest difference is tighter more textured bass. Blooms less. I can hear real differences between bass guitar and upright bass which can be difficult. Extension is more or less the same.

2. Tone is slightly improved. More natural sound.

3. The stage sounds about the same in terms of width and depth, but it seems to breath a little better. Not quite as congested. A touch more air if you will.

4. Transparency. I'm struggling a bit with this one. I would say v2 is a dab more transparent. Details come through more effortlessly. Main vocalist and back up singers don't blend as much. They are laid open to be enjoyed as individuals or as a harmony, but distinct in their own right. v1 struggles to do this. Female vocals that can sound "peaky," are a bit more natural on v2.

Again, these differences are not dramatic as I may have described them but they are there nonetheless.

 

At the end of the day, this is a very nice sounding DAC. It has no business sounding this good at this price. And I appreciate that Schiit continues to silently tweak/improve it even though it is officially not upgrade-able.

 

Maybe you could just call Jason and ask him. Then you could share it with us so we would all know.

 

I'll agree, it's good to see improvements, but it's dammed frustrating not knowing what version I have. Any way I can find out for sure?