[Meremoth]

 
I'd figure I'd respond to you here to not pollute the O2 thread with even more competitor talk.Those rigid interconnects look cool but I don't know if I'd like having an exposed PCB on the back.

That's a 3.5mm headphone jack to RCA cable. You need a USB 2.0 A to B cable (printer cable) like this to connect the Modi DAC to your PC. Basically the DAC converts the digital PCM signal from your computer (you want to use ASIO or WASAPI so Windows doesn't try to mix in audio output from other programs and the OS) to an analog one and the amplifier amplifies it for your headphones.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030301&p_id=5437&seq=1&format=2 or the rebranded schiit one.

 
I wish i could give out more reputation points, because so many people have been very helpful today, but alas I've ran out, but I digress...  
 
What are the problems or potential problems associated with an exposed PCB on the back and how would the PYST CABLES prevent the PCB from being exposed?
 
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm just extremely ignorant about all of this, but I love learning.  
 
Would I need to use Foobar to use ASIO or WASAPI drivers?  I think I remember once coming to the conclusion that I would use WASAPI drivers if I ever started using Foobar, but I can't remember why I reached that conclusion.  Can you give me a brief (or long if you like) pro and con-esque explanation of ASIO vs. WASAPI. 
 
Also I had someone suggest I might ought to go for the Modi Uber + O2.  This is what he said:  
 

 
"from a pure specs perspective, I would go for modi and O2, you get 1.5V from the modi, and get 1X on the O2, it will let you use the volume knob a little higher with a little less risk for channel imbalance. but it might be good to ask around if people have tried that combo or had any problem"

 
His belief being that channel imbalance is one of the worst things for sound quality, but he did say to ask around, so anyone have any opinion about the Modi Uber + O2 combo?  
 
 
Thanks again, everybody, for all y'alls help.  

 

[David Aldrich]

   
I wish i could give out more reputation points, because so many people have been very helpful today, but alas I've ran out, but I digress...  
 
What are the problems or potential problems associated with an exposed PCB on the back and how would the PYST CABLES prevent the PCB from being exposed?
 
Personal preference, an exposed PCB isn't generally considered finished goods in most circles but will be functionally fine so long as nothing metallic shorts the contacts.
 
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm just extremely ignorant about all of this, but I love learning.  
 
Would I need to use Foobar to use ASIO or WASAPI drivers?  I think I remember once coming to the conclusion that I would use WASAPI drivers if I ever started using Foobar, but I can't remember why I reached that conclusion.  Can you give me a brief (or long if you like) pro and con-esque explanation of ASIO vs. WASAPI. 
 
ASIO is an audio driver package that was designed for the lowest possible latency and 0 processing by Windows, it is really intended for the recording industry where latency is important.
 
WASAPI does the same thing in regards to 0 processing but does not put as big a priority on latency.
 
Also I had someone suggest I might ought to go for the Modi Uber + O2.  This is what he said:  
 
 
His belief being that channel imbalance is one of the worst things for sound quality, but he did say to ask around, so anyone have any opinion about the Modi Uber + O2 combo?  
 
 
Thanks again, everybody, for all y'alls help.  

 

[Thazzz]

I'm between Mode 2 and the IFI nano DAC.
What differences are there?

 

[roro]

I'm also considering getting the M2U+M2U stack for my HD600's. I'm otherwise an audio noob, and just use Media Player Classic to play MP3's on my Windows 7 desktop PC.
 
1) What software should I use to play audio files? How do I setup the ASIO vs. WASAPI drivers (never heard of these before today)? Are there any other settings in Windows I should be changing for best audio quality with the Schiit stack?
 
I also currently have Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers.
 
2) What is the best way to connect these to the stack? Is this adapter all I need to connect the Klipsch speakers to the Magni 2 Uber? What is the recommended way of adjusting volume to the speakers since there will now be 2 volume knobs (one on the M2U and one on the Klipsch speakers)?
 
Thanks!

 

[Psalmanazar]

  I'm also considering getting the M2U+M2U stack for my HD600's. I'm otherwise an audio noob, and just use Media Player Classic to play MP3's on my Windows 7 desktop PC.
 
1) What software should I use to play audio files? How do I setup the ASIO vs. WASAPI drivers (never heard of these before today)? Are there any other settings in Windows I should be changing for best audio quality with the Schiit stack?
 
I also currently have Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers.
 
2) What is the best way to connect these to the stack? Is this adapter all I need to connect the Klipsch speakers to the Magni 2 Uber? What is the recommended way of adjusting volume to the speakers since there will now be 2 volume knobs (one on the M2U and one on the Klipsch speakers)?
 
Thanks!

You just install the Schiit provided Cmedia ASIO drivers for all their DACs, check the exclusive mode boxes in windows, and output ASIO with a capable player like foobar.

You might need a longer cable than that. The Magni 2U just acts like a pass through pre-amp to your powered speakers. You adjust the speaker volume with the knob on the speakers which have a built in amplifier. I don't know what the best position of the Magni 2u pot would be. Probably somewhere without channel imbalance.

 

[roro]

 
You just install the Schiit provided Cmedia ASIO drivers for all their DACs, check the exclusive mode boxes in windows, and output ASIO with a capable player like foobar.

You might need a longer cable than that. The Magni 2U just acts like a pass through pre-amp to your powered speakers. You adjust the speaker volume with the knob on the speakers which have a built in amplifier. I don't know what the best position of the Magni 2u pot would be. Probably somewhere without channel imbalance.

 
Thanks! So does ASIO (or WASAPI) actually make any difference? This page on foobar's site says:
 
"Please note that this component is meant for systems where ASIO is the only available output method. It is highly recommended to use the default output modes instead of ASIO. Contrary to popular "audiophile" claims, there are NO benefits from using ASIO as far as music playback quality is concerned, while bugs in ASIO drivers may severely degrade the performance."
 
Also, the Klipsch speakers already have a fairly long cable with the 3.5mm jack (that's currently connected to the speaker out on the PC motherboard), so just a short 3.5mm female to RCA male adapter should be long enough to reach the M2U+M2U stack. Just wanted to make sure this was all I needed to connect the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers to the preamp outs.

 

[ev666il]

Reading about the Modi 2, I've run into this: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/2r2rbk/hd650_magni_2_uber_modi_2_uber_vs_macbook_pro_13/
 
The author says he's having aliasing problems with the Modi 2. Can anyone else confirm or deny?
 
I suspect it might be a defective unit; if that was not the case, it would be a rather outstanding issue.

 

[ChesterYonany]

is there any difference between these two ways of adjusting volume:
 
1. 100% on windows and playing with the pot on the amp.
2. turning the pot on the amp to max and playing with the windows volume.
 
?

 

[Psalmanazar]

   
Thanks! So does ASIO (or WASAPI) actually make any difference? This page on foobar's site says:
 
"Please note that this component is meant for systems where ASIO is the only available output method. It is highly recommended to use the default output modes instead of ASIO. Contrary to popular "audiophile" claims, there are NO benefits from using ASIO as far as music playback quality is concerned, while bugs in ASIO drivers may severely degrade the performance."
 
Also, the Klipsch speakers already have a fairly long cable with the 3.5mm jack (that's currently connected to the speaker out on the PC motherboard), so just a short 3.5mm female to RCA male adapter should be long enough to reach the M2U+M2U stack. Just wanted to make sure this was all I needed to connect the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers to the preamp outs.

If it didn't make a difference, people wouldn't use it. ASIO has much lower latency and much better high frequencies than DirectSound. It's the professional standard. The DirectSound resampler is still awful in Windows 10: http://archimago.blogspot.com/2015/11/measurements-windows-10-audio-stack.html

 

[roro]

If it didn't make a difference, people wouldn't use it. ASIO has much lower latency and much better high frequencies than DirectSound. It's the professional standard. The DirectSound resampler is still awful in Windows 10: http://archimago.blogspot.com/2015/11/measurements-windows-10-audio-stack.html

Ok, so I'll plan to use the ASIO drivers that Schiit supplies. What else do I need to do on the OS/software side of things? Is there a nice guide somewhere to follow to get started with listening to hi-fi music the audiophile way? Thoughts on foobar vs. JRiver?

 

[Mr Rick]

Ok, so I'll plan to use the ASIO drivers that Schiit supplies. What else do I need to do on the OS/software side of things? Is there a nice guide somewhere to follow to get started with listening to hi-fi music the audiophile way? Thoughts on foobar vs. JRiver?

http://schiit.com/drivers

 

[Psalmanazar]

How to set up an external DAC to completely bypass the horrible Windows DirectSound mixer as otherwise why did you buy an external DAC?

1. Connect all the cables. Turn it on. Plug it into the computer. You might want to install drivers first but the Schiits want to be plugged into a computer.
 
2. Install the drivers for the DAC if there are any. Schiit has drivers. Install the ASIO ones if you want to use ASIO. ASIO is the professional standard; WASAPI Event mode is the clone of it as Microsoft doesn't want to pay Steinberg. I use ASIO as the Cmedia drivers Schiit provides work https://schiit.com/drivers and scroll down.
 
3. Windows settings Set the DAC to exclusive mode. Control Panel -> Sound -> Playback devices -> Right click the DAC -> Properties. Disable all enhancements in that tab and move over to Advanced. Check both boxes for exclusive mode. You might want to set up your audio configuration now. Are you going to use the built in Realtek chip for your laptop speakers or is everything (not just your media player and music) going to go through the Modi now? That's your choice. I don't really want to know about how you watch cat videos or porn.
 
4. Foobar. Install the ASIO extension http://www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_out_asio
Preferences -> Output -> Set the device to ASIO whatever the Schiit driver is.
Preferences -> Output -> ASIO-> Check high priority.
If you're going to use Foobar's digital volume control (better than Windows) for more headroom set the ASIO driver to output in 24-bit. If not you can also check 16-bit. I presume you're listening to redbook CD quality audio of 16-bit, 44.1 kHz PCM. I hope you're listening to lossless FLACs too. If not, you need to ask yourself why are you doing this?

You can also use WASAPI Event output but be sure to install the foobar wasapi component and check high priority under Preferences -> Advanced -> Playback -> WASAPI. Both ASIO and WASAPI Event will output the direct PCM stream from foobar to the DAC.

5. Enjoy music through foobar! Notice the Windows volume control doesn't work for the output to the DAC? DirectSound is no longer interfering.

 

[Deftone]

  is there any difference between these two ways of adjusting volume:
 
1. 100% on windows and playing with the pot on the amp.
2. turning the pot on the amp to max and playing with the windows volume.
 
?

 
Number 1
 
if your music player is set up right with WASAPI/ASIO then you shouldnt be able to adjust volume in windows it will be set at max output even if you move a slider it wont do anything.
 
control volume using the amp then
 
edit: Psalmanazar did a much better job at explaining

 

[ChesterYonany]

   
Number 1
 
if your music player is set up right with WASAPI/ASIO then you shouldnt be able to adjust volume in windows it will be set at max output even if you move a slider it wont do anything.
 
control volume using the amp then
 
edit: Psalmanazar did a much better job at explaining

 
what the ASIO does anyway?
i need to choose between my magni and fulla, but i need both.
magni for my HS and fulla for speakers.

 

[Deftone]

its a driver that bypasses the windows sound mixer for a higher quality output to dac.
 
its like a good firm handshake with your dac compared to direct sound which is like a sweaty nervous handshake