Is this a proper setup technical-wise?

[Raven777777]

This method doesn't work. I've tried line and SPDIF.

've matched the first link cable with the magni and modi. Flipped the lever on the Modi front and back. And my headphone is plugged into the magni. And the 3rd link cable is in the black hole with the 3.5mm in the M9.

With the RCA(red and white) from the Modi to the Magni. All I heard was static. then I connected that Micca cable from the black hole on the back of my magni to my M9

 

[ProtegeManiac]

LO with the magni only - this is the only method that works

Modi 3, yes. I plugged the USB to the port that charges it. the light is turned on and I flipped the switches back and forth. neither switch works with the Modi

Im using the Modi's manual that came in the box. and charging block came in the box as well

The headband isn't plastic -- it uses wired suspension. Will stretching it out really help? Because I did that for 24hrs once and it ended up hurting even more.

By any cahnce you weren't using any file that isn't compatible with the Modi3 but the M9 can play, ex DSD? Normally tht won't work through SPDIF but the M9 firmware can show that it is playing on its player without telling you that nothing is coming out of the data stream, unless it automatically does DSD to PCM conversion.

If you were using compatible sample rate/bit depth PCM either the M9 or more likely the Modi is broken. See if you can borrow an old DVD player and test its coax output into the Modi3 with a CD. if that works with your cable, the M9 is broken.

If it doesn't work, then either the Modi3 or the cable you're using to connect the Modi3 to the Magni3 is broken.

 

[Raven777777]

I was just streaming through tidal which doesn't support DSD. My Modi is only a few days old. I doubt my M9 Is broken. Its only a few months old and if its not in my hand, its on a low shelf. I will try the CD thing.

 

[buke9]

If the light comes on the Modi more than likely it is working. The problem I think is you are not hooking up the digital connection correctly. If you have a computer you can use the supplied USB and put it in the other usb connector on the Modi the one with the rectangle above it and have the front switch to the up position and then play a sound file with the Magni hooked up to it via rca cables and that should make sound as long as you pick the Modi as the device in the Sound control panel.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I was just streaming through tidal which doesn't support DSD. My Modi is only a few days old. I doubt my M9 Is broken. Its only a few months old and if its not in my hand, its on a low shelf. I will try the CD thing.

Try regular 16/44.1 FLAC first. If that works then there's something wrong with the Fiio software that interferes with MQA compatibility.

Does MQA even work via SPDIF? Because DSD and BRAudio don't.

 

[Raven777777]

By any cahnce you weren't using any file that isn't compatible with the Modi3 but the M9 can play, ex DSD? Normally tht won't work through SPDIF but the M9 firmware can show that it is playing on its player without telling you that nothing is coming out of the data stream, unless it automatically does DSD to PCM conversion.

If you were using compatible sample rate/bit depth PCM either the M9 or more likely the Modi is broken. See if you can borrow an old DVD player and test its coax output into the Modi3 with a CD. if that works with your cable, the M9 is broken.

If it doesn't work, then either the Modi3 or the cable you're using to connect the Modi3 to the Magni3 is broken.

so the CD thing works. I doubt my M9 is broken. Maybe it is the cable?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00V436UQU?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I noticed under the amazon description it states that this works for the x3 and x5 but not the newer x3-II, x5-II, and x7. I'm not sure what the difference between them that allows the cable to work for the older gen. I think the M9 might have some similarities with the newer X models so the cable wont work for it either.

Also why does it seem that cable is the only one of its kind??? I cannot find a similar one anywhere

Does anyone here personally own a M series and schiit modi? Maybe they will know for sure how to solve my dilemma

 

[ProtegeManiac]

so the CD thing works.

If it works then that eliminates the problem being at the Modi's end, unless you're using a file type that the Modi can't process or needs the source to resample it a certain way for the Modi's digital receiver and DAC chip to comprehend.

I doubt my M9 is broken. Maybe it is the cable?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00V436UQU?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I noticed under the amazon description it states that this works for the x3 and x5 but not the newer x3-II, x5-II, and x7. I'm not sure what the difference between them that allows the cable to work for the older gen. I think the M9 might have some similarities with the newer X models so the cable wont work for it either.

1. More likely scenario: "mono" 3.5mm to RCA cable is broken and those listed compatible devices are simply the ones that were verified to work by users and the M-series' primary goal being size and responsiveness making the M3 have fewer features and lower power output while the other models beat the X5 on price and power output cost more than the X5. Not to mention the X series has one advantage for using with desktop gear: the Fiio DK1 dock with its older USB connector works with the X-series to hold them upright while sending out a line out signal (X-series can send analogue line output through the extra pins of the USB connector).

2. Less likely scenario, normally: Maybe Fiio put the + contact on the digital output on the other + contact on the socket. Not sure why they would even do that though so this is less likely, however there's one review that says if it's all the way in it doesn't work but if pulled out slightly it does so this might actually be the reason why. As to why they switched out

Also why does it seem that cable is the only one of its kind??? I cannot find a similar one anywhere

That contact point relocation is probably the issue. Here are two digital coax 3.5mm to single RCA that has a TRRS-type plug (three black stripes) instead of a plain TRS mono (one black stripe).
https://www.amazon.com/Coaxial-Digi...ial&qid=1564289791&s=electronics&sr=1-49&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-L21-3-5...+coaxial&qid=1564289895&s=electronics&sr=1-12