The DAC Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by señorhifi, Oct 16, 2020.

  1. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I'm conflicted and want to say none of the above. I felt the modi multibit was hazy. The add-on cards are ok but their main appeal is the convenience factor. Also I didn't like the Jot1 at all; are you only considering this because of a b-stock?
     
  2. farscape

    farscape New

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    Is that after the Modi MB FW upgrade?

    Unfortunately price is a consideration here...
     
  3. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Unfortunately I do not know which firmware revision the modi I had was on.

    It might be better to wait for something to pop up on CAM if you're not in a rush. Importing always carries the risk of extra duties and fees.
     
  4. Emojiless

    Emojiless Acquaintance

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    Is there a DAC worth considering priced between Modius and Bifrost 2, or should I save up for Bifrost 2 given following circumstances?

    I am currently using PC->Modius->Valhalla 2->HD6XX/HD800S and I find my previous setup PC->SDAC->MCTH (/w LPS)->HD6XX was clearer, more musical, I felt more connected to the music. I especially loved acoustic guitars.

    In general I prefer larger soundstage and find Modius stage and resolution a plus but otherwise I find it lacks realism, and I hate the bass - it's loose and draws too much attention to itself - even on HD800S. I enjoy a fast bass that cuts, if that makes sense (when I had SDAC with MCTH and added LPS that was a step in the right direction).

    I briefly had Modius->MCTH and on some music that sounded particularly disjointed with HD800S as if there was noticable empty space between instruments. Perhaps thats a feature of the HD800S, but that doesn't draw attention on Modius->Valhalla 2

    I am also sensitive to emphasis in lower treble which annoys me more with current Modius/Valhalla 2 setup and I'm also annoyed to shoutiness as well. Should I expect more shoutiness and lower treble energy with Bifrost 2?

    I realize Modius is best balanced but that is not much of an option as I use Valhalla 2 and have SW51+ on order.

    When stage is too small I am usually bummed about it somewhat in music, but especially in games and movies. I find it more realistic when stage is deep and not necessarily extremely wide (that was something I didn't particularly like on ESP95X, it was wide but obviously lacked depth)

    I guess I should wait for SW51+ before making a decision but perhaps anyone who had similar systems or heard both Modius and Bifrost could have some advice if Bifrost is a step in the right direction or I should look at something else?
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2021
  5. spotts29

    spotts29 New

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    New Bifrost 2 + $200 vs. used Soekris 1541?

    Rest of chain is Pi2AES -> ? -> BH Crack -> Aeolus. Current plan is to go BF2 and then roll tubes to dry it out. Thoughts?
     
  6. PopJoe

    PopJoe New

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    Hello Purr,

    I’ve started to really be into audio about a year ago. I was dumb and felt into the Audio Science measurement game. The result was a never happy result since I was switching non stop and not understanding why I didn’t like a specific amp which is suppose to be better in measurements then another amps, same with dacs ... etc.

    What changed my mind was that I was finally able to go into a store and test hardware there, they didn’t have a huge selection but enough to tell me that measurements are crap and that you can’t just use that to select gears.

    I know you mention that SMSL and topping are over hyped so between a Gustard X16 or a SMSL SU-9, you would take the X16 ? Or what would be your recommendation in that price range.

    Thanks
     
  7. señorhifi

    señorhifi Friend

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    Ha, I got a Modi 3 for 60€ and... it's better than the 450€ Teac UD301. Before that I also had a Modi Multibit, way better than UD301 too.

    Man that UD301 was really bad (peaky treble, meh resolution, inflated price). Modi 3 is way more resolving and doesn't have the treble problem. Modi Multibit was about on par resolution wise (actually still a bit better) but didn't have any peaks in the treble either.

    Maybe if only the Teac had a good build in headphone amp I could recommend it, but no, the amp is way underpowered (I believe 150mW into 32Ohm only :/)
     
  8. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    Unfortunately there are a lot of dacs that are mediocre being sold for crazy money compared to the Modi 3. I like it a lot and the ifi Zen Dac one ups it for USB use, it's headphone out notwithstanding.
     
  9. KristianW

    KristianW New

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    Hi!
    ( from a new member )

    [ Considering the Schiit Modi 3+ and the Modi Multibit.]

    purr1n
    wrote in a comment on Dec 6, 2019
    [ about the Modi Multibit ] :

    “Warmup may take anywhere from 2 minutes to 48 hours depending upon age and firmware.”

    ( I’ve read similar warnings in a review and on one or two forums.)


    I would like to understand this better:
    ( As in, where do I find the 2 minutes?)

    Does Warmup time in- or decrease with age?
    Does (hopefully) the latest firmware give the shortest warmup time?

    ( It‘s just that I like to switch everything off - except the fridge - when leaving the house… I might have to settle for the 3+.)

    Thanks for any help in clearing this up!
    /Kristian
     
  10. Erroneous

    Erroneous Friend

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  11. Armaegis

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    @KristianW

    First of all, the nitpicking of warmup is generally overstated around these parts. I frankly wouldn't worry about it and think of it just as a "bonus" if you're listening for a long time. Stuff only really sounds "bad" when it has just come in from a cold delivery truck.

    What is your amp? If the amp generates any kind of heat, then stack the dac on top and any kind of warmup is taken care of for you.

    Is leaving the Modi on simply not an option? The power draw is not very high, so it would only be pennies worth of electricity.
     
  12. KristianW

    KristianW New

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    Hi Erroneous,
    Aye, as if *how to* introduce oneself came to mind first thing… - thinking about it.
    Good, I’ll skip new lines - although they make reading quicker.

    Thanks for your answer!
    What I’d like to know then, is how short warmup can become in the end - a few minutes (as purr1n mentioned) would suit me fine.
     
  13. KristianW

    KristianW New

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    @Armaegis

    Thanks!
    Leaving it on? Rather not, but not because of costs, more for safety - where I live the occasional thunderstorm *might* kill the electronics.

    Do I read you correctly, that you think a still ”cold” but well used Multibit would sound about as good as a 3+?

    My amp is a Tripath (Kingrex T20U) - so there is no heat there.
    ( I could put it in my lap though…or by a warm-water-bottle, :) )
     
  14. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    @KristianW
    I'm just saying that the warmup issue is not a big deal, at most we're talking about the last 5% of performance here, and frankly if you're using a modi and Tripath amp you're not going to be able to tell the difference. Just get whichever one is available at a better deal, and don't worry about the rest.
     
  15. KristianW

    KristianW New

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    @Armaegis

    Aah, thanks - so I might be just as happy with a 3+ as with a Multibit…
    ( One never knows at how small differences reviewers draw the line!)

    My present DAC gives a to low output and could sound a bit clearer… I hope the Modis are loud enough to feed the Kingrex Tripath without a preamp.
     
  16. KristianW

    KristianW New

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  17. Erroneous

    Erroneous Friend

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    Your system isn't resolving enough to tell a major difference. Enjoy whatever you choose, and don't worry too much about it.
     
  18. KristianW

    KristianW New

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    @Erroneous

    No, I never worry about gear, I just try to learn enough first.

    Probably true - but depends also on what one listens for - and only a better DAC helps me judge if I try to upgrade some other part.

    Thanks again!
     
  19. eternaldrake

    eternaldrake New

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    On the topic of DDCs, now that the Schiit Eitr is discontinued are there any recommended go-to alternatives? Mine just died on me and I am screwed until I either replace it or my DAC
     
  20. haywood

    haywood Friend

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    If you’re not doing anything too exotic then a lot of us are using a raspberry pi with an spdif hat. This can be either as a renderer for your pc software (e.g. roon) or a standalone solution that basically takes over the music server role from your computer. It not only sounds better (see various related threads here) but I think the convenience, fanless operation, and relative power savings are also big selling points.
     

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