Schiit Modi 3

I have a strange problem with Modi 3 using SPDIF RCA interface. Cracking sound as soon as I connect a digital cable, and the cracking stops when I start playback. At this point Modi 3 gets quiet and works remarkably well with the RPi3 Digi+ Pro Roon endpoint.
Tried two different cables, two different PSUs, same thing. When music stops, the cracking sound starts again after 3-5 sec. Connected Digi+ Pro to a Bryston DAC and no problem. SPDIF on Digi+ Pro is transformer isolated. No issues with optical either..
I do not get it that when the Modi starts receiving a signal on SPDIF, the cracking stops. It is very annoying,

 

Speculation (largely out of ignorance): maybe the problem is that the Modi is not grounded? See this line from the Digi + blurb: "Note that the output transformer is shielded. To make sure the shielding works, your DAC needs to be grounded. If you’re unsure, we recommend the standard version."

The Bryston is grounded, so the shielding on the Pro's output transformer will work as intended. And none of this is an issue with the optical connection.

If this is the case, I'd expect others with the same setup might have experienced the same problem...

 

Ok let's speculate some more. So I understand why the transformer isolation maybe useless if the DAC is not grounded.
But we are not talking noise in a normal audio sense, I mean something in the background. The cracking is very loud.
And why it stops when I start playback? When I press the pay button in Roon first the cracking stops completely, and after few secs the music starts. When the music stops it silence for few secs and the cracking starts again.

 

Both Digi Pro + and Modi 3 have no problems with SPDIF if connected to other devices.
I connected Digi+ Pro to $15 Fiio Taishan SPDIF and it is dead quiet, yes it sound awful comparing to Modi 3, but no cracking.
I connected Modi 3 to the SPDIF out of another DAC and it works, no cracking.
Now I have Digi+ Pro that is OK with anything but Modi3 and Modi 3 that works no problem with other SPDIF source but Digi+ Pro. It looks like Modi 3 just does not like Digi + Pro SPDIF.

 

@wormcycle Have you tried swopping OS or even the SDcard for the Raspberry?

 

Does the cracking stop or change if you touch the Modi's case?

Haha, I have one of those Fiios too. And yes...

 

sounds like firmware problem - initialized buffer is sent to playback, at fault can be any device - transport or DAC.

 

I had my unit since around launch, never had a problem with it. USB works great with it! I do however use the external power option with the Modi, even when I don't have a need for Toslink or Coax.

 

It needs more hype, this thing is the best bargain in audio. I have no desire for anything else in my speaker system. It's also finally the DAC that makes me enjoy the HD650.

The Modi 3 is the decadent slice of chocolate cake, with extra butter in the frosting and a tad dry spongy texture. In other words: it's rich, full of body, has this beautiful tube-like bloom tone, with a touch of digital hash, and makes you want to reach for another piece of cake without the guilt. I can listen to this thing for hours ("just one more album...") and get totally lost in it. @Psalmanazar would probably choke on how creamy this thing is. But as creamy as it is, I wouldn't say it's liquid either. It still sounds digital. My Onkyo C-7030 CD Player provides more clarity over the Eitr and I loose a bit of bloom, but not much. The tiny bit of blur/smear in the dynamics and lack of super sharp bite, I actually find to be a good quality that provides that seductive bloom.

To compare against the Bifrost Multibit A2, well that's like a well seasoned strip steak without marbling. Detail is fine, tight, wonderful layering in aromatics and seasoning, but ultimately overall lacks flavor. This DAC is so neutral to be an uninvolving listen. Where's the body? It lacks soul. Oh sure it can pull out details from recordings like a mofo but it's presentation is too forward and it can't mask that lack of bass. On some tracks, the bass can feel like being pelted with popcorn or whacked with a feather pillow. Other tracks there's some great three-dimensional bass articulation, not rendered in the Modi 3, but in exchange for loss of heft. The bass fuckery here is too noticeable to ignore, and in technicalities the Bifrost Multibit A2 clearly trumps the Modi 3 with layer separation, detail, clarity, focus but it sounds lifeless. I'm not feeling anything emotionally, I no longer get those goosebumps from my favorite female singers. This is probably the DAC to show off Pink Floyd or whatever well-mastered Starbucks muzak to house guests and hope they don't ask for that decadent slice of chocolate cake.

In my speaker system, I get to have my cake and eat it too.

My HE-6s are better off with the steak (although it would synergize better with a filet mignon - a buttery, darker sounding DAC, like the Modi Multibit I once had).

My setups:

Eitr or CDP -> Modi 3 -> SYS -> Vidar -> Emotiva T2s
Gen5 or CDP -> Bifrost Multibit A2 -> Saga in Active mode with 6SN7GT Sylvania tube -> Emotiva T2s

Yeah, yeah I know my speakers aren't anywhere near what some of you guys have and you'll probably object to my Bifrost description by calling my speakers chi-fi, budget-fi, Koss-fi or whatever. But the differences in DACs are clearly noticeable to my ears, same can be said with my headphones as well. I have no desire to upgrade my speakers for the moment (live in an apartment), favorite quality would be how good vocals are on it. They are front and center, the rest is sort of second banana. Good, sometimes great, but not as astonishing as the vocals are.

But god damn the Modi 3 is wonderful. More slam, more engagement, more cohesiveness, with just the right amount of laid-back presentation. This has no right to be $99.

Now with a Magni 3 and the stock 650s, match made in paradise for me. The thing I hated about the Valhalla 2/Bifrost Multibit setup I had were vocals were always in my face that got tiring. Add in the fart like quality bass with zero width in the headstage and I'm left wondering what's so great about the headphones. Even tambourines sounded piercingly shrill. Sure there was still veil, but it was like someone turned up the sharpening filter in Photoshop to pop out the details behind a curtain.

Now with Magni 3/Modi 3, it's so laid back I could fall asleep while listening to the 650s. I like the recessed presentation, took away my biggest problems with the cans and now I can get more attuned to how subtle details are woven in together. Like a fine bourbon that demands appreciation. The veil no longer bothers me either. Yeah the width is nowhere near like the HE-6, but I don't give a shit anymore about headstage with headphones. You're never going to get sound-stage like speakers so why bother.

Add Unison to Modi 3 next year and the value proposition of other DACs plummets. I feel like after Modi 3, it's diminishing returns or maybe I don't have a system resolving enough for the True High-End™ down-payment on a car price DAC.

 

I'm here to report my own stupidity and impatience regarding Modi 3...

Here I was on the topic praising Modi 3 for it's open and smooth sound but criticizing the lack of drive and energy in compassion to a Chinese Khadas Tone Board. In meantime I listened to the Modi 3 several times to compare it to some other DACs and finally few days ago I turned it on again to compare it to a newly arrived FX-Audio DAC-X7 (with AK4490) just to realize it sounds more ballsy than I remember. Few songs and different music genres down the road I was aware that its sound indeed became juicer than before - long bass guitar notes dug with more energy, vocals sounded fuller and more present... I simply couldn't detect any shyness and lack of drive when comparing it to mentioned Khadas Tone Board. Modi 3 matched it in this regard while beating it across the board in terms of micro-details and wider, airier sound-stage. For example, playing Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughn - In Session over Modi 3 clearly revealed more space and atmospheric details.

And while mentioning FX-Audio DAC-X7 with AK4490 (which goes for $189 but includes headphone amp). They do have similar smooth tonality but Modi 3 is clearly leading in terms of revealing much more texture and tiny details so it's not a competition really.

So color me impressed - I almost can't believe they pulled this kind of resolving sound for $99. I think my Chi-fi exploration phase is running to an end and I'm very curious to try Modi Multibit next. Also, I'll never again post a comment about anything that haven't been running for straight 7 days at least.

 

@Aiibo what amp and headphones/speakers are you using? Modi 3 is pretty nice after its warmed up for an hour or so. I found the Modi Multibit had a darker tone and slightly thicker compared to the Modi 3. Good pairing with brighter phones.

I forgot to include in my impressions is the soundstage of the Modi 3 with my speakers is more closed in than the Bifrost. It's weird because the Bifrost's presentation to me is more upfront yet there's still a wider stage. With a SYS as my pre-amp, no longer dealing with a faint haze or smear from the Saga.

 

I'm using it with Cyrus 8vs2 integrated amp and Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo 3 speakers. This amp is considered by many to sound revealing and open, prioritizing speed, details and energy over warmth - bordering with punishing. I personally never felt that punishing part except with some harsh sabre DAC implementations as a source (Topping D50 for example which sounded too edgy and grainy in my system). Speakers on the other hand should be pretty neutral in their character I believe.

Regarding Modi Multibit - I'm not really looking for anything specific, just having fun trying them out, sharing impressions and so on... but I do like the idea of a thicker sound and I'm curious to experience it for myself.

 

I just did a simple yet extremely efficient mod on my Modi3 (bought ~June 2019):
For less than 1 euro (I had remaining components from my previous Cambridge Audio 640C / 640A mod).
Mod consists of soldering high quality decoupling capacitors on the +Vcc and -Vcc pins of the output Op Amp.

Components / Cost:
- 1x Elna Silmic II 16V/100uF - 0.6euros on mouser
- 1x Wima 250V/47nF MKP4 - 0.2euros on mouser

Improvements, ranked by importance:
Mids and Highs are more silky, less grainy than before. They retains their details even as low level, which was not the case before (I do not have to push volume anymore to hear all details).
The bass now go deeper, with less fuzz messing the low mids.
Stereo Imaging is more precise.

I am stunned with the results and wonder why this is not by default in every device.. From my experience all HiFi equipments benefit from Capacitors mod.


Below are some pictures of the mod:
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/241786-modding-modi-oh-schiit-3.html

 

Stick a capacitor up your backside (MAL210119103E3 - Electrolytic Capacitor 10000 µF);
Soooo much less grainy than before.
Mids and Highs - super silky! The stereo imaging a dream.

From my experience all Hifi fanatics benefit from a Capacitor mod.

I spare you the pictures.

 

It's not about "the moar the better" but about good implementation.
Currents are resolved locally as capacitors are connected on OpAmp directly between Vcc+ and -, without polluting the GND.
Also as you might know, OpAmps are sensitive to local decoupling, as extra PCB distance with capacitor leads to resistance and inductance, defeating its purpose.
Actually this is a must have to prevent fast OpAmp oscillation.

This means less noisy and stronger power supply.

Now, I have both Modi3 and Bifrost MB so this gives me some comparison points. This does not bring the Modi3 to Bifrost MB level, but improves my major complains on Modi3 as reported earlier on this forum.
For a mod costing close to nothing, I'd thought I'd share it

Now if you allow me, I 'd rather spend time enjoying music than trolling on forums.

 

Interesting proposition. I'm too stupid to comment critically on this, but what the hell, I'm also too too stupid to shit on it. Kudos for trying it out. Screw the bench racers.

 

I trust Schiit Audio knows how to implement an OPAmp; Adding random capacitors isn't going to make those improvements you promise.

Stop polluting this thread.

 

If this is the problem you're trying to solve, what you did doesn't make sense. You just added more parasitics with leaded components. The Modi is all surface mount, and has much lower parasitic inductance from their caps than the leads alone of one of your caps.

 

Good for you man, you spent a buck and heard more difference than people spending $50+ on a fancy USB cable for their $99 DAC