Why I use the $129 Schiit Modi in my $20k System. Not A Review.
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- čas přidán 3. 11. 2022
- Discord Link: / discord
Schiit Modi: www.schiit.com/products/modi
If you want to see a review of the Modi @iiWiReviews did a great job across 2 videos and you can see them here:
• Schiit Modi 3 review
• Schiit Modi 3 Revisite...
Speakers Used:
Buchardt S400 MKII: buchardtaudio.com/collections...
Focal Kanta No1: www.focal.com/us/high-fidelit...
Dynaudio Special 40: www.dynaudio.com/home-audio/s...
Mon Acoustics Super Mon Mini: monacoustic.us/product/the-su...
Preamp & Power Amplifiers
Denafrips Hestia: www.vinshineaudio.com/product...
Kinki Studio EX-P7: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-p7
Kinki Studio EX-B7 mono blocks: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-b7
Source: Bluesound Node 2i
www.crutchfield.com/p_813NODE...
(all music is hi-res streamed from Tidal)
DAC: Denafrips Ares II or Venus2
www.vinshineaudio.com/product...
Speaker & Power Cables: Maze Audio Ref4
www.mazeaudio.com/speaker-cabl...
(rest in peace Kent)
Interconnect Cables:
Analysis Plus Oval One RCA
Oyaide Tunami Terzo XX V2 XLR
analysis.plus/product/oval-on...
Your results may vary based on your ears, room, and associated equipment. - Věda a technologie
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](/img/n.gif)
Mini Review of using the modi for music in my system: I understand some of you may still want my opinion on what its like to use the Modi in my system for music as the main DAC. Essentially its the same as using the internal DAC of my Node 2i, there is a smidgen more sparkle in the highs but I wouldn't say its better or an upgrade just slightly more sparkle. It would be more of an upgrade for anyone using PC audio or if you have a super cheap amp that doesn't have a DAC or has a really crappy DAC then the Modi will be a great option. Hope this helps.
Thanks bro!
Agreed. If you are using an older AVR that was less than ~$1000 new, then the Modi is likely a sonic step up from the internal DAC. I use one in my bedroom to feed an old Pioneer AVR.
Still wish Bluesound would offer a Node without a built-in DAC and knock $100 off the price.
@@rosswarren436 they'd never do that, they're really a lifestyle company, it just so happens us audio freaks embraded their streamer :)
@@NemoPropaganda ah, so THAT is it! Oh well. Missed opportunity for them. And yes, we audiophile nerds really love it. While we usually bypass the onboard DAC we love how easy their Blue O/S is to use compared to crappy ones like Play-Fi. Hang in there!
Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to hear to make my decision to buy the Schiit Modi+ dac.
Interesting discussion, I certainly enjoy watching videos like this. I use a desk system and I don’t sit that far away from my DAC, but I really appreciate how easy it is that my Bifrost 2 has a remote control for me to switch between music (iPad via USB) and movies/games/computer (optical SPFIF).
I think Modi would certainly be good enough for casual TV (I was using a Modi 3+ as my main DAC) but I honestly gained so much midrange clarity and overall separation when I upgraded to Bifrost 2. It’s shocking how easily I noticed it. Just sharing my experiences, not prodding you to change DACs!
i appreciate your continued use of qualifiers ('in my room/in my system'). They really do matter - nice vid!
of course bro! thank you for noticing.
Bro, you keep it so real. Never change! Great tip on using a Dac that way, never thought of using a Dac with a TV before
thank you for the kind words my man.
I have the Mani going into my tube amp and my system is about 4k. It amps my rega turn table and it sounds great. These products are great 👍🏽
I just purchased a $129 Modi + and having listened to it on an $8k stereo, bypassing the internal DAC on the CD player using the coaxial output, it appears to be just about as good as anything. Miles ahead of the “cheap” stuff, and sounding not much worse than the best of the best. I have to try all 3 inputs and on a variety of hardware with it yet, but I’m already tempted to deem it the best value simple straight DAC for the money..👍🥳
Really appreciate your honesty its a win for me.
Love the Modi and Modius is a nice upgrade for not much more. Better fit and finish than my $1300 DAC in the silver finish.
Well you made me break out my extra Modi 3E and swap it for the cheapo POS optical-to-RCA DAC I was running from the TV into my vintage Adcom system for a simple 2.0 channel set up. The difference was immediate & profound. Dialog was much more intelligible along with special effects having much more punch & depth. Even more impressive was how Pandora sounded through the Modi 3E. Thank you very much and keep up the GREAT work.
hell yeah brother!! I too thought "its just TV who cares" and then I couldn't believe the difference after I tried the Modi.
Once you get to the Modi 3+ level, getting better is VERY Subtle.... At a local audio shop, they did a blind AB Test between the Modi 3+ and the Denafrips Aries 2 connected to a Mark Levinson Integrated amp. The difference was so very slight, certainly NOT worth the price difference. There is certainly a "Good Enough" point in Hi Fi, it's just some people have money to burn.
The interesting thing is one mans subtle is another mans "night and day", one mans good enough is another mans "not worth it". Value is truly personal.
New sub here, this video is the cherry on top on convincing me to get this. Oh yea, rad beard bro!
thank you dude, welcome to the party!
Wow!!! Never considered adding a Modi in my TV connection...I have one I dont use.great idea very inexpensive audio upgrade for the TV sound.
I use a "cheap" dac for TV as well. An older Geshelli Labs Enog2 pro AKM Dac I picked up for $100. I use a separate much more expensive dac for non-TV Digital sources.
Lol thanks Nemo for a good laugh towards the end. I have to look into it
I have both a Modi 3 and a 3+, on two systems. The difference between the two is that the latter has Schiit’s Unison USB. I A-B’d them with lossless music via USB from an iPhone and I was honestly shocked at how obvious the difference was. Moving from the 3 to the 3+ was like cleaning a thin film of grime off a window. (The current version, the 3E, is basically the 3+ with an ESS chip instead of AKM.)
I've been using a Schiit Modi 2 Uber for about 8+ years with my main PC, and it has been great. Just got the new Modi+, and it's great. The Modi+ doesn't use a wall wart for power, just USB, so it runs very cool, no warmth at all, where the Modi 2 Uber would run pretty warm. I can't really tell any sound difference in the old modi and the new one, they both sound great.
I use a Modi 3+ with an old semi-functional receiver in which only the phono stage and a tape input work. I got an inexpensive bluetooth receiver going in over optical and using an older CD player as a transport going into the coax on the Modi. It works really well. Really if you got multiple set ups in your home having an extra Modi around is like having audio duct tape.
audio duct tape lol, well said.
Same usage here for a year or so…. Great advice👍
Nice, glad I'm not alone :)
I'm using a Modi 3+ (the original with the AKM DAC chip) in my computer room/office taking the optical out from my Soundblaster card into an old Pioneer AVR feeding some ELAC B6.2 speakers. Works very well. Seems very neutral. I paired it with a Vali 2 and play sometimes with tube rolling. Fun. Not every application screams for a Denafrips Ares II or better.
100% agree, also Ares2 as good as it is for music is unusable for video use as it has some delay.
New to audio myself, grabbe a Magni 3+ and a Modi 3E for my first jump into this space.
Gotta say I'm excited, pairing it with some HD600's and my logitech Z625 speakers (Which for a budget speaker, sound fantastic with the EQ I have set using Peace)
Im just curious how this will pan out. I also plan to hook it into the TV right by my desk.
Thanks for inspiring more confidence in my purchase.
great choices bro! Schiit makes great gear my man. I'll be reviewing the Rekkr soon!
Cheers Nemo,, 🍻🥰🤘
the discord misses you :)
It's definitely worth getting the bigger stuff if you're an enthusiast, but the Modi is steal a seriously good choice. I agree with Schiit, the Modi and also the Magni amplifier, are all most people ever need. It's also depending on what's being pushed through it, but even a ridiculous system can still get 95% of it's potential on those cheap components.
I considered the Schiit models but ended up with a Topping D70S at a discount. I use it for music, movies, etc and like the sound. A good all round performer with lots of connectivity options.
Great DAC!
I considered getting the E50, gets it and regretted it. Only thing that is impressive about that DAC is the bottom end, mid range and top end is terrible.
@@kato2395 Did you try plugging it into a different usb power source? Im using a 1A phone charger and I have no distortion in any frequencies.
The Topping is nice, but IME, Schiit is a step up in sound quality. If you ever decide to upgrade, I can recommend them. The Bifrost 2 is especially great.
@stin almost bought one and it was out of stock. Got a nice discount on the d70s as well as aune x8 with a sparkos upgrade. Still, would consider bitfrost and perhaps geshelli dacs.
So I've been loving my modi plus, I got it to stream music from my pc to my 70's stack for albums I don't own yet or new music. However for the life of me I can't get the interference to go away. Its just a regular usb 3 cable from the pc to the modi and audio jacks to my realistic s1-2001. Is there something I'm not doing right?
My knolwedge of desktop audio is very limited, I suggest you reach out to schiit directly to see if they have any input.
Hello, I use an old Phillips DVD player model 711 to listen to CD's thru an Emotiva amp and Emotiva bookshelf speakers, do you think I won't regret spending $100 on the Modi DAC??
hard to say, the Modi is very inexpensive, it just depends how bad the dac in your DVD player is.
You just described my situation. I have a very similar setup with the Pontus II (which I love), but fumbling around on my hands & knees to switch from USB input to optical for TV input on the DAC is not very user friendly.
Much easier to do this on the Amp
Thanks
glad I could help brother, grab the darn Modi, or if you really want to keep the budget low the Fiio Taishan will get the job done but the Modi will have better dialogue clarity and stage much larger.
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks Nemo. Sounds Modi is the go👍
I use my Benchmark DAC1 hdr in my bedroom/tv system as both dac and preamp.
Having a world class preamp (with analog inputs) as part of the dac has its advantages.
BTW if the streaming service such as Netflix allows you to choose 2 channel (as opposed to 5.1) the sound is even better than just having your tv do the downmix to 2 channel.
I saw that but is there anyway to make it default to that? I often forget to change the setting as my netflix constantly defaults to 5.1.
Yes Netflix always defaults to 5.1 and I’ve discussed with Netflix but there doesn’t seem to be a way to change this.
With the exception of Bravia Core, I know of no other streaming which even gives you this option.
However if I view Showtime, HBO or Starz via CZcamstv (as opposed to their apps) they are transmitted in two channel and they do indeed sound better.
Your Benchmark DAC1 actually tests worse than the new MODI+ according to audiosciencereview.
@@LBCAndrew why does that matter?
If you connected the optical cable from your TV into one of the Denafrips’ digital inputs, why wouldn’t your preamp then control your TV’s sound?
I believe I covered that in the video, if I did that I would have to get up everytime and press the buttons on the DAC to change the input as most DAC do not have a remote control. Aditionally (not mentioned in the video) some R2R DAC like the Ares2 will have some lipsync issues. This is not a problem when used for music but it cannot be used for TV due to its timing.
I’m sorry- you did cover it.
(But aren’t you curious to try and see if the Denafrips makes a difference when it comes to tv sound.)
BTW, one big advantage to only streaming re tv is that I found removing the cable box from the system improves the sound/ it’s simply less veiled- I presume the cable box adds a lot of the noise to the power.
@@stuartboros7693 No not curious at all, if I have to get up to change inputs it's a non-starter for me :). As far as cable boxes go I havn't had one in about 15 years so no problem there.
Too bad no one sell schiit modi in my country. What do you think about ifi zen one signature?
I have not heard it.
Similar idea here. I ran the audio signal from my Nvidia shield pro ($200) via USB to my modi ($130) Then to my rotation of vintage receivers and amps. Nothing in this price point has been able to come close. Though I have been considering the modi multibit lately.
if you're mostly streaming I'd say save the cash my bro. IMO the modi is about as good a DAC you need for casual streaming. It's still the DAC I use when I'm watching TV :)
I am a new susbscriber. I have a Sony A80J TV and a Denon X4700H AVR. Would you recommend the Modi to improve the sound on my system? I am new to Hi-fi and am not sure how I would hook it up to my system. Thanks for the great and informative content!
Hi bro, no, I think the internal DAC you have in your x4700h is probably good enough and the Modi would not really be an upgrade.
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks so much for your reply! I have Amazon Music and I use the HEOS app in my Denon 4700H to stream music. . Do you think a dedicated streamer like the WIIM Pro will improve the sound quality of the music I am streaming? I am hoping to make the most use of the ability to stream UHD music. Thanks again!
@@hhernando808 I'm not 100% sure because I have not heard that Denon, maybe try asking in my free discord? There are some Denon and Wiim users in there.
@@NemoPropaganda Thank you so much for your response and for creating these very informative videos!
Is it the new model 3e that you are using?
I have no idea bro, it was free from a friend :)
I do the same :) but w a topping DAC.
I have the Modi Multibit and I love it!!!
Sadly the fires at the plants in Japan and the chip shortages they created has made it unavailable. I think they said they might be able to offer it again in January.
The Modi Multibit is amazing, with its big soundstage and great imaging.
@@ChicagoRob2 thinking of getting one whenever they are available again. Will use it for music in the den.
@@rosswarren436 It’s a great DAC - smoother and less forward than delta-sigmas. Jason Stoddard of Schiit said they had to use Multibit parts for their higher-end DACs, so that’s why the Multibit is being delayed.
@@ChicagoRob2 ah, good to know, but good to know it will soon be available again!
Why aren't you using your denafrips DAC for TV?
as said in the video, I didn't want to have to stand up everytime to change the input as most DAC don't have remote controls.
@@NemoPropaganda ahhh I missed that.
I get the point you're making, and agree. However, you're saying you have a better DAC than the Modi for music, yet, why not use that for TV/movies as well?
that question is answered in the first 90 seconds of the video.
@@NemoPropaganda I found it, thanks. Was walking my dog and must've been distracted. 🐶
The Modi is a seriously solid little DAC
@@asplmn oh nice, I love dogs!! Don't have any myself buy my friend group has a ton so I get all the benifits without the responsibilities :)
So if I purchase one, would you be able to help me set it up? Like FaceTime or something like that?
I feel that level of product support is the manufactures job and its not something I would provide for anyone.
Fair enough
You should absolutely try that DAC in your system! Entry level units in high-end systems why the hell not. Make those uptight audiophiles blow a gasket.😁. Some people like ketchup on steak
I did, I left a pinned comment for my impressions :)
@@NemoPropaganda nice! I just read it. I actually unhooked my TV from my Ares II and ran it to my MODI 3 via optical. Way more convenient thanks for the tip
@@michaelruggiero8284 Nice! no more gettig up to change inputs :)
How would it compare to a gishelli labs j2 ?
I dunno, the gashelli is more expensive though, I'd imagine its better.
U should review it if u can it gets stellar reviews from the cheap audio man . I just bought one.
@@anthonyalvarado1635 I've seen randy's review, if you already ordered it though why do you want to know how it compares to something cheaper?
@NemoPropaganda just curious bro , I mean ur an audiophile as well you know how we're always looking for the next best thing and sometimes those little gem companies have good gear and their price to performance is insanity. Emotiva ,geshlli ect . Maybe when I receive and check it out I will borrow it to you foe a review of ur interested. I am sure it would help the community. Love ur channel by the way , bought the b 1 + off of the reviews tou and randy did and that turned unto me muying the t zeros + then the t2+ then the emotiva Vailtas and now I'm gonna use all emotiva for my theater build. Doing a dedicated 8 person theater in my basement!
@@anthonyalvarado1635 of course I totally understand the curiousity just not when there is a big price difference, so far in my journey I've discovered most stuff is price appropriately though there are some gems like the emotiva B1+ and the Gishelli dac seems to be a gem also. I appreciate the offer but since the price is reasonable I would feel more comfortable buying one for myself :)
My Modi clips when the TV is run through it. A regular click or dropout every 5 or 10 seconds. The modi does not do this from iphone, iPad, or DVD, just from TV via optical.
I like to run the TV to a streamer with HDMI arc, such as Bluesound Node.
that's exactly how I use the modi but I don't have any issues.
JDS also very good 👍
You should have put the Modi in the high dollar system just to see the difference from the Denefrips.
I'm guessing I'm not the only one wondering how well it compares. Just because of the price being low shouldn't have stopped you unless the Schitt could possibly damage the system.
I've done it in the past, I found no appreciable difference using the modi versus something like the internal DAC of the Bluesound Node.
TV optical output to modi dac and RCA to active speakers -- Can u use TV remote control to adjust volume by the way??
most likely not, very rare but some TV's do let you control volume via optical out but most don't.
@@NemoPropaganda then you control volume by the knob of amplifier or amp remote…
so you have digital from the TV to the Modi and then the analog to what?
for me it goes into my preamp.
@@NemoPropaganda And what is the source of the TV digital signal? Basically, I have an optical digital from the TV running into my AVR, so I'd get "surround sound" if available. I only use it for OTA HDTV so I don't know if they send more than stereo channels, perhaps you know. Otherwise my AVR getd DD/DTS from my Roku via HDMI or DVD player via HDMI. If I used a DAC it would only be stereo, right?
Cmon man, make comparison between your modi and venus despite huge price difference 😊 please
maybe one day as a separate video I'll try to explain the differences between very cheap and very expensive stuff.
@@NemoPropagandaDefinitely, such a topic is worth a separate video as you say. It would be dream come true video for me, and I believe that such a video would be very useful for many newcomers as well. Sound demo plus your explanations, this is how I see it
Dude, you made a video approximately a year ago crapping on the Elac Debut B5.2s stating that "yes, they will sound better with better and more expensive equipment - but why would anyone do that?" (I'm paraphrasing). But then you make this video saying that you are using one of the least expensive DACs with a 20k system. I'm sorry but I feel that is hypocritical. I feel anyone can mix and match gear at any price point - it's totally fine. Who is to judge? You're doing it yourself.
Did you watch the video bro? I'm using this cheapo DAC to watch TV, that's not hifi my man. As far as the Elac that is true and many reviewers have said the same thing. Most Elac speakers sound just okay on similarly priced gear and the raving reviews many of their speakers got was by using much more expensive gear. I fail to see the issue or how any of this is hypocritical. Should I be using a $1000 DAC to watch TV? It really seems like you didn't watch the whole video...
To be fair a $20k audiophile system is entry level...
very true, $20k doesn't even cover a good set of cables :p
@@NemoPropaganda
You can certainly get amazing cables for well under $20k! Mine are $3099 & are fantastic.
I'm sure your system sounds excellent.
@@Kowinaida I was totally joking, plz tell me you're also joking?
@Nemo Propaganda
Lol...! Mine retail for $3099, I didn't pay that...I got an excellent deal.
My system is probably mid-level but has taken a couple of decades to achieve with trying different gear.
@@Kowinaida right but do you actually think $20k is entry level?