*Comparison and Review* Magni/Modi vs O2/ODAC

The Objective Combo

The Schiit Stack

The Review

The two perform and sound too close to each other to make any practical differences. The Schiit Stack looks better and costs less.  Get the Schiit Stack.

For those who don't know how the Objective Combo Sounds

Like the Objective Combo, the Schiit Magni and Modi can be described as as very neutral to slightly bright pair.  The first thing you might notice when coming off of your computer's onboard sound or other components is the treble.  It might seem elevated or more apparent, and possibly way more resolving.  I find that, for the money, the Schiit Magni and Modi are very resolving in the upper registers-- and just like the Objective Combo, have a clean and clear presentation that allows for instrument separation to be off the charts.  Some might find them a little lacking in the deepest of bass extension and impact, and thus I only recommend them to be paired with neutral to warm sounding headphones.

Songs Used:

Tool: Lateralus

Mumford & Sons: Broken Crown

Hans Zimmer: Mombasa

Johnny Cash: Highwayman

Trentemøller: Moan

Jethro Tull: Up To Me

Depeche Mode: Personal Jesus

Beck: Paper Tiger

Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven's Symphony 9 in D Minor

Arne Domnerus, Bengt Hallberg et al: Jazz At The Pawnshop, Now's The Time

All songs were level matched by ear with a Hifiman HE-400 before comparison.  Switching between the two source combos takes approximately 5 seconds.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

The real question is, would mixing-and-matching the DACs with the amps produce better / worse results? Since there are two components at play here in each combo, it could always be the possibility that one combo has a better DAC and the other a better amp, thus nullifying the differences.

At this price point, I rather keep the aesthetics of the stack intact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck99 

Which of the two would you say is better for the HD650 (I see one in your sig), or does it make no difference? I would just be using the amps.

I had one, but I sold it back.  My sig's confusing, the big, bolded ones are the ones I currently have.  I'm not sure they'd do the best with the HD650, or at least not to my liking.  They definitely add the treble sparkle and cleanliness like the objective combo does.  The very first thing I noticed with the magni/modi coming from a good amount of time with my computer audio, was just how much cleaner and more extended the treble was in comparison.  I remember the Objective combo giving me this same impression when I first got it and compared it with the Little Dot I had at the time.  However, I don't think it would add enough bass coloration for me with the HD650.  The main reason I didn't like the HD650 was for its lack of deep or impactful bass.