Schiit Modi 2 Uber AK4490

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by lm4der, Jun 14, 2016.

  1. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    fyi. I was considering getting a B-stock Modi 2U but contacted Schiit first. They said there was no guarantee B-stock had the 4490.

    Just in case anyone is cheap like me.
     
  2. Ash1412

    Ash1412 Friend

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    Now we need a Uber 4490 and Bifrost 4490 comparison |\/|
     
  3. Shutterbox

    Shutterbox New

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    I was thinking about this.

    A Modi 2U running 4490 now goes at 149
    A Bifrost running 4490 now goes at 399

    If, there can be Modi-MB, what kind of chip/filter can it run and is it possible to Multibit this design under 300?
     
  4. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    If I were Schiit, I'd do everything I could to get the Modbit to come in at $249. That way everyone can get a taste of what makes multibit DACs so special. But there's no upgrading a Modi. At the same time, offer an upgrade to the upstream multibit DACs in the line (maybe USB v4 for Yggdrasil and v3 trickles down to Gungnir Multibit/Bifrost Multibit?) to make it an even more attractive upgrade path from the new Modibit.

    Of course, that strategy was devised without any idea of production costs or timelines.
     
  5. mawk

    mawk Acquaintance

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    I'm very keen to try the 4490 but Schiit's website still lists the regular Modi (non-U) as using the 4396... As I need USB power I'll have to wait, but I'm liking the impressions of the M2U so far.
     
  6. Daze513

    Daze513 New

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    OK so not really knowing the differences between them is it worth the hassle to sell one Modi and get a new one just for the new chip? Space on my desk won't allow me to go any bigger than the Modi/Magni stack.
     
  7. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I think it's worth it. Music is more alive. But then I've always felt the M2 was kind of weak (along with every other DAC below $300 or so). I personally think the improvement in sound quality elevates it to a level above the old M2 (and every other ~$300 DAC I've heard) and is no longer entry/weak sauce. Maybe it's not fair to call M2 weak sauce, but this really is another rung up.
     
  8. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I suspected this when the Bifrost was offered with a 4490 chip. I presume that using a common chip makes inventory and building simpler and a bit cheaper. Been wanting a 4490 DAC with an optical input and it's nice to know it's available now.
     
  9. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    Do you expect the updated Mod 2U to be a noticeable improvement over other entry dacs if my headphones are TH-X00 and HD-650 and amp is only a Magni 2U? I know sometimes there's a law of diminishing returns with dacs depending on the rest of your chain...
     
  10. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Most entry level DACs are shit and don't even give you asynchronous clocks, USB controllers with ASIO support, mains power, and no ridiculously shitty Sabre chip. The Modi 2U gives you all of these with no shitty Sabre timbre or crappy 384khz DSD bullshit screenprinting on the case. As for replacing the old Modi 2U with the new Modi 2U? That's probably a waste as you already have something good and cheap whose primary merits are being good and cheap. I will get a chance to compare both of them myself this weekend.
    SAVE FOR Yggdrasil! If you want something else cheap to use with speakers and not just headphones, get a better, balanced sigma-delta DAC with more detail and no audiofool warmth or Sabre glare.
     
  11. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I can tell the difference between Modi2 and the Modi2U4490 using the Magni 2 (non-uber) on HD598s. That is, I don't even need my hd650s to hear the difference on that stack. Marv says Magni2U > Magni 2, so I think your good.

    I sometimes wonder if the HPs matter more with regard to hearing the DAC - I notice my Senns (598 and 650) benefit more than my closed Shure SRH840s. Which may not be a big surprise - they (srh840s) don't scale much. I don't really like the SRH840 anymore, but it's my only closed HP. But I digress.
     
  12. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I think there is something compelling about slumming it on the bottom end, but still trying to get something together that sounds good. It's kind of like this allure some people may feel (well I do anyway... sometimes... I think, and then reality checks in) for living in a trailer park, with your own personal double-wide, living a simpler life spitting chew, drinking PBR, watching WWE on Friday nights with the neighbor chick that's missing a tooth - the fantasy that white trash living, if you will, would be pleasant and less stressful than having a career and paying to live in a city.

    Edit: I'm not sure that analogy really makes any sense. But I'm leaving it.
     
  13. sah

    sah Acquaintance

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    Got myself a new Modi 2U 4490 to add to my ongoing DAC comparisons. Comparing to the older Modi 2U 4396, I hear what I've come to think of as the usual "better DAC" stuff — somehow better resolution of dynamics, soundstage gives the impression of being larger. Unrelated to sound, I was happy to find that the button on the front of the new Modi 2U doesn't rattle the way it did on the old one. I don't know whether I just got lucky, or if Schiit found a better way to build them.

    Comparing to the Bifrost 4490, the gap definitely narrows, but I don't think it disappears entirely. I think there's something going on in the bass or low mids on the Bifrost 4490 that is still more fun to listen to. Not sure whether to chalk that up to the analog stage, or something else better about the DAC implementation, or my imagination. I also notice the new Modi is still a bit quieter than the Bifrost, so I have to readjust the volume every time when comparing.

    Personally, out of these three I'll be keeping the Modi 2U 4490 for my living room stereo. (I've got a Bifrost Multibit in my headphone rig that will probably be staying for a long while.)
     
  14. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    I had a chance to AB the Modi 2U 4490 to the original 4396 version with the Magni 2U and the HD 650.

    The M2U 4490 is fuller, cleaner, wider, and more detailed than the original at the expense of being slightly V-shaped in comparison. Basically it's just better overall but not worth upgrading to from the M2U 4396 when that money could go towards a better DAC than either of them... like the Yggdrasil.
     
  15. Registered_for_pics

    Registered_for_pics New

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    Alright, what's the verdict here? USB or optical?
     
  16. sheldaze

    sheldaze Friend

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    The same rules apply, as from previous Schiit products. I have owned Bifrost, both generations of their USB implementation. The first generation was junk. The second generation was good. Modi 2 Uber is good. Nothing is audibly different regarding the USB versus the first Modi 2 Uber's USB - nothing changed due to it now drawing power from A/C instead of the USB source.

    I plugged directly into my crappy mobile USB computer source, and I heard crap. I then plugged in through my Wyrd, and I did not hear crap. I like the USB input, so this is my fix. If I plug into my good non-mobile USB computer source, I hear good sound.

    If your preference is to bypass USB via an external USB to S/PDIF conversion, you should continue to do that and use the Toslink or COAX. However USB is good when fed from a good source.
     
  17. exime

    exime New

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    I need a DAC for my new Project Polaris because my Yamaha receiver doesn't have the right rca outs so I just bought the Schiit Modi 2 Uber.
     
  18. bruck

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    I'm curious how this effects purchasing decisions with used gear considered and wouldn't mind hearing other's opinions. I have a Nuforce UDAC-3 that I was planning to keep using instead of buying a modi 2 uber - so that i could save for a Bifrost Uber and later upgrade to 4490 or multibit. Now I'm thinking that the Modi 2 Uber 4490 may just simply sound better than the Bifrost Uber (non 4490) - for half the money as people seem to get $280 - $320 for non 4490 Bifrosts and the M2U 4490 has become a steal at $150.
     
  19. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Unless you are buying a used Bifrost you don't need to upgrade your Bifrost to the 4490 version. The base model already has the AK4490.

    Edit: need to stop answering while sleepy. You ARE buying used.

    Personally I think you are getting a used Bifrost then you should just skip the 4490 and save that money toward a multibit upgrande. The problem with getting the 4490 upgrade and then getting the MB upgrade afterwards is that you can't sell your 4490 card like you can sell a similar DAC.
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2016
  20. bruck

    bruck New

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    Technically the 4490 board is removable and re-sellable to another bifrost uber owner right? Just likely a short-term investment, maybe you are right - saving for a multibit is likely a smarter path than paying to upgrade an uber to a 4490.
     

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