Hey all,
 
Before we get into the big 2014 product releases (Ragnarok, Yggdrasil, etc, etc...), I figured I'd let you know about two new things we have available now: Modi Optical and Sys.
 
Modi Optical is exactly what it says: a Modi with optical input. Now, I know some of you are wondering why we've bothered with this, given the preponderance of USB these days. Well, if you have a CD player with optical out, a computer with optical out, an Apple TV or other streaming player with optical out, or an Airport Express, you're not wondering. There's a lot of optical out there too, and we wanted to give you an inexpensive way to get great sound out of your optical-output products. Hence, Modi Optical. So, now you can choose Modi with a USB input, or Modi with an optical input. Simple.
 
Modi Optical is $99. Available now.
 
Sys is a simple 2-input passive preamp. The name, short for Switch Your Sch..tuff, tells you exactly what it does: connect one or two sources to it, select a source with the pushbutton, and control the volume with the pot. No electronics, no power, just simple passive switching and attenuation. For people who want to use a fixed-output DAC (like Modi, Bifrost, Gungnir, etc) with powered monitors, this is a great way to control the volume without using digital attenuation. And, you can plug in another source as well--from phono preamp to phone.
 
Sys is $49. Available now.
 
 
And that's about it for now! Enjoy.
 
All the best,
Jason

Sweeeeet. Was hoping for a Modi that didn't have to deal with USB schittyness. Is the only difference the optical port? If so, why are they the same price, when Bifrost USB is $100 more?

greatogrado said:

  Sweeeeet. Was hoping for a Modi that didn't have to deal with USB schittyness. Is the only difference the optical port? If so, why are they the same price, when Bifrost USB is $100 more?

Click to expand...

It only has an optical input, not both. Photos are up on the site.

Thanks for the reply, Jason. In your opinion, is there any difference in sound quality between the USB and Optical versions?

Where is rag, where is rag, where is rag, where is RAG?
 
/off topic.
 
 
Not sure if many people want an optical only Modi, since a lot of people here are PC-centric crowd, and prefer using USB device.
 
(I also see unlike USB-bus powered one, this variant requires a separate power supply, too)

I think Jason and Mike have a pretty solid idea of what their market wants. Clearly, there has been enough of a demand for Schiit to spend the time to develop an optical version of the Modi. And, if there hasn't, at least now the market has a very cost effective way to improve the sound of their various devices that only have optical outs.
 
I don't really get why there would be any confusion/disagreement with its design/release/purpose 

Interesting announcements Jason, you have my attention. I'm eyeing the Sys for my studio. I have a simple question. Can the path be reversed to be 1-in/2-out? I'd like to use it for one source and switch between monitors with this.

You mean now I can have the mother of all the stacks?  Vali,Magni,Modi,Loki,Sys here I come!

Is optical out an apple product thing? I stay far away from those overpriced fashion items.

Interested in the sys, in the process of moving so I'll try one out once I've settled down in my home 

And I thought I was the only weird one seeing the option to purchase the Modi with optical input about 8 hours ago on the site. Thank you.

Ordered the SYS. Was waiting for a cheap preamp exactly for the desktop use (iMac -> Ciunas DAC -> SYS -> Airmotiv 4s).

axelcloris said:

Interesting announcements Jason, you have my attention. I'm eyeing the Sys for my studio. I have a simple question. Can the path be reversed to be 1-in/2-out? I'd like to use it for one source and switch between monitors with this.

Click to expand...

Same here. I was going to DIY one but this will match my stack so I'll gladly pick it up. Not sure it'll be reversible like that. *Le sigh*

This morning I bought both the Modi Optical (which I've been waiting for since they told me it was coming a few weeks ago) and the SYS! I'm very excited!
 
Quote:

axelcloris said:

  Interesting announcements Jason, you have my attention. I'm eyeing the Sys for my studio. I have a simple question. Can the path be reversed to be 1-in/2-out? I'd like to use it for one source and switch between monitors with this.

Click to expand...

 
I have been wodering this also.  Since nobody knows or has been answering, I've decided to find out for myself.  If it doesn't work backwards, I'll probably end up returning it.
 
And for those wondering why there's a Modi optical, for me it's about the PC gaming.  You need the sound card in your computer to process the 5.1 signal into stereo virtual surround.  Then you send the digital stereo signal out to a DAC via optical, then amp, etc.  Normally you either have a USB-only DAC (stereo) or virtual surround from your sound card (****ty DAC); this basically gives you the best of both worlds.

The Optical Modi should be great for the logitech squeezebox. Too bad it was not released a month earlier ... Anyway, I'm very  happy with my Nad DAC MDC.