The above is correct. This is exactly the reason many sources (including most Digital sources on computers like S/PDIF, HDMI, etc.) will not let you adjust the volume when using those options

According to NwAvGuy, to whom we are not allowed to link to here:
" Taper - Alps makes two slightly different audio tapers for volume control use “3B” and “15A”. The 3B taper is at 50% (-6 dB) at half volume. The 15A taper has a more gentle taper up to 70% and then it becomes more steep. If you listen mostly at lower volumes the 15A taper is likely the better choice. If you listen often close to full volume, the 3B might be better. "
 
Not sure which taper Schiit is using with the Magni or if it would even make much of a difference?

So how do I figure out if my MODI is set to 24 bit mode?

Quote:

headsounds said:

So how do I figure out if my MODI is set to 24 bit mode?

Click to expand...

 
If in Windows go to your sound settings, Playback tab, select the Modi and hit Properties. Go to the Advanced tab and under Default Format select any of the 24 bit options (I use 24 bit 44100 Hz since most all my music is 44.1)

Thanks! I had it set to 16bit 44100hz. 24 bit sounds better now at lower volumes!

Quote:

headsounds said:

Thanks! I had it set to 16bit 44100hz. 24 bit sounds better now at lower volumes!

Click to expand...

 
Glad I could help. With my quick 5% volume test I get noticeable hiss with the Modi in 16 bit and none at all in 24 bit.

Man, great review, congratulations! I think the only miss is a photo of the accessories which come with each device.

I was searching for a DAC to my Denon D2000, i was almost buying the HRT Headstreamer, so i see the Modi, but unfortunately by what i see, he can't be used without a AMP ((

Quote:

kidgafanhoto said:

Man, great review, congratulations! I think the only miss is a photo of the accessories which come with each device.

I was searching for a DAC to my Denon D2000, i was almost buying the HRT Headstreamer, so i see the Modi, but unfortunately by what i see, he can't be used without a AMP ((

Click to expand...

 
You are correct, the Modi is just a DAC, you need a separate amp.
 
As far as accessories, they both come with the same two page manual and stick-on feet. The Magni also comes with the power adapter, and that's it. No cables or anything else at all. Still, I did snap a picture of the adapter, so I may put that up when I update this later.

Thank you for posting this comparison. It's also refreshing to see that a blind A/B test was done. 
 
From reading your comparison, it seems that Schiit did a really great job on both the Magni and Modi.
 
I was also worried about using my low impedance headphone with the Magni due to it having 5 gain. Thank you for explaining how using a DAC in 24/96+ will let you digitally attenuate the signal down a bit without affecting the sound quality for most recordings.
 
Right now I have an X-Fi Titanium HD, and I wonder how the Modi would compare to that. I'm tempted to pick up the Modi just because it looks great with the Modi, and than I could just use my sound card with my speakers. It's hard to find good comparisons between hardware. 
 
I noticed that in your pictures it looks like one of your PYST cables is longer than the other. Is it, or is it just an optical illusion? They look like high quality cables, and would work well if I did decide to buy the Modi too.  
 
It'll be really interesting to see how both stacks sound when mixed. 

Quote:

atomicfrostx said:

Thank you for posting this comparison. It's also refreshing to see that a blind A/B test was done. 

 
From reading your comparison, it seems that Schiit did a really great job on both the Magni and Modi.
 
I was also worried about using my low impedance headphone with the Magni due to it having 5 gain. Thank you for explaining how using a DAC in 24/96+ will let you digitally attenuate the signal down a bit without affecting the sound quality for most recordings.
 
Right now I have an X-Fi Titanium HD, and I wonder how the Modi would compare to that. I'm tempted to pick up the Modi just because it looks great with the Modi, and than I could just use my sound card with my speakers. It's hard to find good comparisons between hardware. 

 
I noticed that in your pictures it looks like one of your PYST cables is longer than the other. Is it, or is it just an optical illusion? They look like high quality cables, and would work well if I did decide to buy the Modi too.  
 
It'll be really interesting to see how both stacks sound when mixed. 

Click to expand...

 
Thanks, glad I could be of some help 
 
I've got...uh, I actually think it's some sort of X-Fi card in my gaming PC (it's been quite a while since I've concerned myself with it, so I'd have to check specifics). No guarantees, but if that is what's in there then I may at least do a brief comparison with my Grados and/or Shures (I have no 1/8" to 1/4" adapter, so no LCD-2s).
 
Yeah, the PYST left cable is about 3/4" longer than the right one. I can offer no explanation, but they do work fine

Quote:

defiant00 said:

 
Thanks, glad I could be of some help 

 
I've got...uh, I actually think it's some sort of X-Fi card in my gaming PC (it's been quite a while since I've concerned myself with it, so I'd have to check specifics). No guarantees, but if that is what's in there then I may at least do a brief comparison with my Grados and/or Shures (I have no 1/8" to 1/4" adapter, so no LCD-2s).
 
Yeah, the PYST left cable is about 3/4" longer than the right one. I can offer no explanation, but they do work fine

Click to expand...

 
I would appreciate a brief computer card (your XFI) vs the Modi when you have the time!

Mix-and-match section is up. A bit less structured, but hope it helps.

Just wanted to quickly say that I found your review very helpful and accurate.  Thanks for taking the time to perform this testing. 
 

Quote:

defiant00 said:

Mix-and-match section is up. A bit less structured, but hope it helps.

Click to expand...

 It does help a lot. I had been wondering if I would be better off getting an Asgard over the Magni and Mogi. However, after reading your comparison it seems that the Magni is pretty much on par with the Asgard, and the Mogi is a really capable DAC. Both together cost less, and you get both an amp and a source. 
 
It seems that the M&M stack does a great job runing into the diminishing returns wall where you would have to spend a lot more money to get a noticeable performance bump.
 
Even though I already have a decent DAC (X-Fi Titanium HD) I'm really tempted to get the Mogi. I'd also be able to use the M&M stack with my laptop which would be a nice plus. However, seeing how this would be my first headphone amp and USB DAC It would spend most of its time on my desktop.  
 
That Monoprice RCA cable also looks well built, but it does look like it would dwarf the M&M stack compared to the PYST cables. 

Great comparison and very helpful thanks