Schiit Modi+ DAC Review

[don'ttrustauthority]

So being made in USA and providing customer services gives it 50 bonus sinad performance points over the competition?

More or less, though I don't really look at SINAD at all other than ego points. I like having "measurably transparent" equipment gather dust while I roll my tubes.

My Vali 2+ has gotten more time than my Jot 2. Amir reviewed both amplifiers. Guess which has better SINAD? Hint: My Jot earned a rec!

 

[don'ttrustauthority]

That's not it @ all. The SINAD score is what it is.

Score?

 

[majingotan]

More or less, though I don't really look at SINAD at all other than ego points. I like having "measurably transparent" equipment gather dust while I roll my tubes.

My Vali 2+ has gotten more time than my Jot 2. Amir reviewed both amplifiers. Guess which has better SINAD? Hint: My Jot earned a rec!

Marry those two amps and you get my Magni π amp

 

[don'ttrustauthority]

While Topping service isn't great, any DAC that doesn't have volume control offers super limited functionality. You may end up spending any savings plus a lot more on a pre-amp. I'm spoiled with the wonderful pre-amp of the RME ADI-2, Flex and D90SE. I can't imagine wanting a DAC without XLR out as my Buckeye amps sound great with them. Buying a DAC without a volume control requires a specialized configuration. Not a useful tool for any of my systems. (If I did need that I would get an $8 Apple USB audio dongle). I'm not sure the consequence of NO volume control is clear in this ASR review or the recommendation?

Odd configuration you have.

Most people have a dac and preamp/poweramp or integrated amp or receiver (integrated w/tuner).

Sounds like you're doing dac directly into powered speakers? As a consumer? You must be using pro speakers as consumer powered speakers typically have an internal dac.

 

[Doodski]

Score?

Just a slip on terminology. Not the correct term I agree. OOPs!

 

[oscar_dziki]

Thanks Amir. This might be the perfect DAC to go from my Flex digital to my subwoofer.

Whats flex digital? I doesn't Google very well

 

[staticV3]

Whats flex digital?

https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/flex
It's one of the I/O versions

 

[amirm]

However, aluminum cases are very light, and may not be much heavier than certain types of plastics. Do you know if the current revision of the Modi is made out of steel or aluminum?

All the schiit enclosures are made out of steel.

 

[bboris77]

All the schiit enclosures are made out of steel.

Right, all of their current designs appear to be made out of steel bottom/aluminum top. They used to have a few budget designs with steel tops as well.

 

[NapoleonDynamite]

American made, not quite the value of their Chinese counterparts, but close enough.

That value resulted from low wages and Foxconn style labor. It is the model most admired in USA these days. Coming in a company near you...

 

[don'ttrustauthority]

Right, all of their current designs appear to be made out of steel bottom/aluminum top. They used to have a few budget designs with steel tops as well.

Some of the early designs had steel tops, painted.

Eventually they got nicely cut aluminum with a nice finish, and the bad finishes were sold in black.

The new change is to eliminate the screws on the top and make it easier to assemble.

Sadly, the nice looking aluminum tops are gone, they're painted again. Not cnc but stamped now, still aluminum I think.

New color for silver, so you probably won't match. However, the consistency of the aluminum was not very good from year to year. Still pretty amazing looking gear for those who care about that.

I enjoy having the mini-metal boxes on my desk. I think they look cool.

 

[T.M.Noble]

Some of the early designs had steel tops, painted.

Eventually they got nicely cut aluminum with a nice finish, and the bad finishes were sold in black.

The new change is to eliminate the screws on the top and make it easier to assemble.

Sadly, the nice looking aluminum tops are gone, they're painted again. Not cnc but stamped now, still aluminum I think.

New color for silver, so you probably won't match. However, the consistency of the aluminum was not very good from year to year. Still pretty amazing looking gear for those who care about that.

I enjoy having the mini-metal boxes on my desk. I think they look cool.

Mostly correct! The chassis are now completely made of steel, tops and bottoms. The smalls bends in the chassis require steel as aluminum wouldn't hold up. We also changed the chassis for better ergonomics as well as aesthetics and finish consistency. We actually like how the paint came out. We spent a lot of time trying to get it right.

 

[bboris77]

Mostly correct! The chassis are now completely made of steel, tops and bottoms. The smalls bends in the chassis require steel as aluminum wouldn't hold up. We also changed the chassis for better ergonomics as well as aesthetics and finish consistency. We actually like how the paint came out. We spent a lot of time trying to get it right.

That is good to know! I liked the look of the brushed aluminum tops but they were very delicate in terms of scuffs. I’m assuming painted surfaces are a lot more durable. Does this all-steel construction apply only to smaller size products or are medium size products affected too?

 

[T.M.Noble]

That is good to know! I liked the look of the brushed aluminum tops but they were very delicate in terms of scuffs. I’m assuming painted surfaces are a lot more durable. Does this all-steel construction apply only to smaller size products or are medium size products affected too?

I biggest problem we had was waste. A considerable amount of the anodized aluminum tops did not live up to our standard. We also saw changes in color during the anodize process. These two problems are resolved by moving to paint. Still looks good, is durable and consistent.

Currently, we are only painting the new style chassis units. The higher end still has the option for the grained aluminum finish.

 

[oblvnnwtnjhn]

I received mine over the weekend. Built a system for my office consisting of a Cambridge AXA35, JBL L52's and the Modi+ fed by my Windows 11 PC running Qobuz. I am happy, still breaking in the equipment, maybe at 15hrs now, but for what all the components are and expectations set and met, a great performer for passive and somewhat detailed listening.

Schiit Support has been very responsive with my post sale questions. Supporting an American company, American support. Worth my time and money.

 

[Trell]

Odd configuration you have.

Most people have a dac and preamp/poweramp or integrated amp or receiver (integrated w/tuner).

Sounds like you're doing dac directly into powered speakers? As a consumer? You must be using pro speakers as consumer powered speakers typically have an internal dac.

Quite a few members of this forum are using active pro monitors.

Although my Genelec monitors have digital input (AES) I use the analog input for both of the two desktop setups.

 

[oblvnnwtnjhn]

Quite a few members of this forum are using active pro monitors.

Although my Genelec monitors have digital input (AES) I use the analog input for both of the two desktop setups.

I am with you, as former audio engineer, I always liked the powered units and there are some phenomenal options past and present. With the like of Genelec, Dynaudio etc, the amplifier section is matched to the matched speaker sets. Only downside, if a recording is shite, you'll know it quick unless you EQ which may or may not get you somewhere depending on how bad the recording is. Though I suspect as audiophiles, we pursue quality recordings to begin with.

Hearing a master 2" Studer 827 on a Neve J Series through Westlakes....unreal. Albeit not self powered, probably a Hafler. If you want supreme amplification, a friend of mine bought and carries the Linear Power torch. He installed a few of his 2075's in a Nashville Studio: http://linearpower.com/Amplifiers.html

 

[Scrufboy]

It appears to be metal from the pics.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California

www.schiit.com

He asked if the casing was aluminum or steel... Both are metal. Your reply is odd.

 

[Doodski]

He asked if the casing was aluminum or steel... Both are metal. Your reply is odd.

Are you new here? I am oddd. Lol.

 

[_theLaughingman]

Are you new here? I am oddd. Lol.

I can literally see you doing a head tilt while asking that. Hysterically laughing at this.