Budget DAC Review: Schiit Modi 2 ($99)

[amirm]

I also see they offer an ASIO download package though it isn't clear if it applies to the Modi. I wonder if performance improves with that? Very bottom of this page.

It does and this was the driver that I said was pain in the neck to install, requiring that the user set the switch on the device to "E." All my measurements are using ASIO under Foobar if you look at the bottom of the graph (in the first instance I misspelled it as ASIA instead of ASIO ).

 

[amirm]

I think we do need an external DAC for most applications. There are next to no measurements of the DAC onboard computer motherboards used for music servers. $99 is not really much to spend for known, good quality interface to compliment a computer server.

 

[Blumlein 88]

"The convincing case might well be the most expensive part of inexpensive DAC units. Then brand building ads and such."

And yet in this case there is little of this, beyond snarky naming and the reliable gullibility of the Computer Audiophile community.

Tim

I didn't notice my confusing language. By convincing case I meant literally the metal, pretty attractive case work. In other words the most expensive, and perhaps most convincing part of various DACs is not anything related to performance of the DAC at all. It is the casework, and its eye appeal.

 

[Blumlein 88]

It does and this was the driver that I said was pain in the neck to install, requiring that the user set the switch on the device to "E." All my measurements are using ASIO under Foobar if you look at the bottom of the graph (in the first instance I misspelled it as ASIA instead of ASIO ).

Ah, so you did. Sorry for my sloppy reading of the results.

 

[Thomas Savage]

In this day and age, when capable, reasonably transparent DACs are small parts of devices like phones, streamers, bluetooth speakers, etc., is any free-standing DAC, even at just $99, really a "budget" DAC? If it deserves a box of its own, it should be "hi fi." It should deliver something audibly superior to the DAC that is an incidental component of my phone. And this doesn't appear to do that. Schitt indeed. Five figure DACs in multiple boxes? Bullschitt.

Tim

I think you have just christened a new model, The ' BullSchiit'.

 

[Don Hills]

Well, Schiit do make a product called the 'Fulla'...

 

[amirm]

Well, Schiit do make a product called the 'Fulla'...

They do? That would be worth testing just for all the wordplay we can make there.

 

[Fitzcaraldo215]

Well, Schiit do make a product called the 'Fulla'...

Yes, and also the SchittList, on which I have placed the manufacturer. Seriously, this looks like a product conjured up, much like their ingenious, duh, name, in a casual heartbeat with no thought or care whatsoever in the implementation. Actually, the prophetic name and this product exemplify a total cynicism about computer audiophiles in general. If this is the best they can do at this price point, and if it were not true before, I would now quickly turn my back on any of their products at any price. Plainly pieces of Schitt.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

I think we do need an external DAC for most applications. There are next to no measurements of the DAC onboard computer motherboards used for music servers. $99 is not really much to spend for known, good quality interface to compliment a computer server.

Oh, I agree. Give me the isolation. Just give it to me in a simple box with a price appropriate to the product contained by it. Or better yet, give it to me with a nice headphone/pre, and with robust input and output options. That they can put in a nice box, because that Schmitt would be worth a few hundred dollars.

Tim

 

[Jinjuku]

Holyschitt. I experienced a few guffaws of laughter. And my bladder may have slipped a bit.

 

[RayDunzl]

I vote for standalone DAC.

Get one that works well, send all digits to it from all sources, and don't worry be happy.

 

[Sal1950]

I want perfect sound forever
I want it all for just a few buck$
And I want it now.

 

[DonH56]

I have a nice stand-alone DAC. It just happens to be in my pre/pro.

 

[DonH56]

I want perfect sound forever
I want it all for just a few buck$
And I want it now.

I really, really wanted to respond to this but couldn't get through the sort function in my lifetime... Just the cut set of audiophile + guitar player + old fart was too large.

 

[Jinjuku]

Did you try putting Windows 10 into Game Mode

 

[amirm]

Did you try putting Windows 10 into Game Mode

Don't laugh but we actually did try to change CPU scheduler policies to see if it made a difference. See the labels in the graph.

 

[Jinjuku]

Don't laugh but we actually did try to change CPU scheduler policies to see if it made a difference. See the labels in the graph.

I saw that but couldn't resist. When do you think the Behringer will be finished on the bench?

 

[amirm]

When do you think the Behringer will be finished on the bench?

Could be today. Question is, how long should I keep you all in suspense?

 

[Jinjuku]

Could be today. Question is, how long should I keep you all in suspense?

You post it when you post it. Hopefully it turns out to be a well performing, easy to setup, with some extra bells and whistles (HP out, ADC) included.

Balanced I/O doesn't hurt.

 

[Sal1950]

Could be today. Question is, how long should I keep you all in suspense?

I know where you live.