[AviP]

  You should reread the product page. It is stated clearly that the Uber uses the AK4490 chip.
 
 
"D/A Conversion IC: AK4396 (Modi 2), AK4490 (Modi 2 Uber)"

That's a recent change
http://web.archive.org/web/20160320044811/http://schiit.com/products/modi-2

 

[Nachash]

I've just joined the Schiit family

 

[Spork67]

I'm interested in a little stack of Schiit.
Currently listening to (mostly) FLAC files on my PC, via a Yulong U100 and a set of Fostex TH-X00 headphones.
What sort of improvement should I expect if I spend the $560 (Aust) on this DAC / Amp combo?
 
Was also looking at the Grace m9XX on Massdrop for $710 aud.
 
Can anyone tell me how that compares to the Schiits? Bonus points if you've tried both with the  TH-X00's.

 

[WilliamLeonhart]

  I'm interested in a little stack of Schiit.
Currently listening to (mostly) FLAC files on my PC, via a Yulong U100 and a set of Fostex TH-X00 headphones.
What sort of improvement should I expect if I spend the $560 (Aust) on this DAC / Amp combo?
 
Was also looking at the Grace m9XX on Massdrop for $710 aud.
 
Can anyone tell me how that compares to the Schiits? Bonus points if you've tried both with the  TH-X00's.

I had the Magni2/Modi 2 combo and while they sound extremely great for the price, the m9XX is just on another level. Coincidentally I have the THX00 too (as well as the k7XX) and it must be said that the m9XX is made for any headphone that has "Massdrop" on its name.

 

[mysticstryk]

I'm interested in a little stack of Schiit.
Currently listening to (mostly) FLAC files on my PC, via a Yulong U100 and a set of Fostex TH-X00 headphones.
What sort of improvement should I expect if I spend the $560 (Aust) on this DAC / Amp combo?

Was also looking at the Grace m9XX on Massdrop for $710 aud.

Can anyone tell me how that compares to the Schiits? Bonus points if you've tried both with the  TH-X00's.

The main advantage in terms of sound was the DAC section of the m9xx was better than the Modi. Now that the Modi 2 Uber has been upgraded to using the 4490, this advantage is gone.

 

[WilliamLeonhart]

I beg to differ. The DAC chip alone won't determine SQ and you can say that the implementation is even more important. For example, using the same DAC chip doesn't mean that the 2 will have the same level of anti-noise capabilities, and that alone will affect sound quality a lot. IME even the iPurifier 2 and the Wyrd couldn't help the Modi 2 have the same level of clean background like the m9xx. To be fair it was the Modi 2 not the M2U, but I have seen not many people saying that the M2U sound better than the M2.
 
Anyway, saying that 2 DAC units having the same sound because they use the same DAC chip is like saying 2 pairs of headphones sound the same because they use the same drivers. The DAC chip name is being used more and more like a marketing tool these days, too many products say "this use the same DAC chip as [something terribly expensive]". That alone is ok, but saying that they bring the same SQ is dishonest to me. It's the same as putting 24-bit or DSD on cheap units. They don't actually help improve the sound that much.
 
I don't dispute that the Magni/Modi is a great choice. It's just that there's only so much you can get from cheap amp/DACs. One other combo that I can recommend is the xDuoo Xd05, which unlike the m9XX does not sound better than the Modi/Magni combo, though it has more functionalities and cleaner background (running on battery). Unfortunately the xDuoo's drop just ended days ago. 
 
Anyway, my advice to @Spork67 is that you should audition your options first. That's the only way to be limit your buyer regrets later on. It's always best to limit your upgrade steps as when you re-sell your old stuffs, you most likely will lose a certain amount.
 
Cheers.

 

[mysticstryk]

Where in my post did I ever say the DAC chip in the m9xx and Modi 2 Uber sounded the same?

 

[WilliamLeonhart]

My post still applies You can't judge the sound just from the DAC chip

 

[mysticstryk]

My post still applies You can't judge the sound just from the DAC chip

Of course not. However the m9xx DAC was clearly surpior to the Modi 2 before the Modi got the upgrade. Now they can compete against one another in the same ballpark. That is what I was implying with my post.

 

[Spork67]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't mean to start a schiit-fight...
 
Unfortunately I don't think there is anywhere near me that sells specialised headphones or headphone amps, so the luxury of try before I buy is not one I really have.
 
Has anyone here used the Yulong U100? (My current DAC/amp) It certainly was a big step up in sound quality from the PC sonic circuitry, and drives these cans to loud for comfort @ < 50% volume. Maybe I should be happy with what I have for the time being and see if something I'm interested in comes up for sale in the buy and sell area, that way if it doesn't rock my world I'm losing the $ of postage by the time I sell it on rather than taking the new-becomes-used financial hit.

 

[sayitaintsoap]

I just bought my Modi 2 Uber on 6/10. I'm still within the 15 day money back period. Does anyone know if mine has that new IC whatever it's called and if it would make a noticeable different in sound quality?

 

[sayitaintsoap]

If I open this bad boy up to take a peak and tell, what should I be looking for? would AK4490 be labeled anywhere? 

 

[mysticstryk]

  I just bought my Modi 2 Uber on 6/10. I'm still within the 15 day money back period. Does anyone know if mine has that new IC whatever it's called and if it would make a noticeable different in sound quality?

 
 

  If I open this bad boy up to take a peak and tell, what should I be looking for? would AK4490 be labeled anywhere? 

 
They have been shipping with the new chip for a couple months.  You should be fine.

 

[streetfighter]

Can anyone check this method for determining whether your Modi 2 Uber has the new 4490 or not?
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/640785/schiit-modi-usb-dac/795#post_12669210
 
Basically:
 
Originally Posted by NewEinstein 

OK ... there seems to be one way to tell if you have a 4490 Modi2U or the older version:

"The Uber's USB input is also now self-powered, not bus-powered...mainly to improve compatibility with power-marginal USB ports (cough...Windows...cough)." (Quote from Jason @ Schiit)

So if the Modi is recognized by your computer without its power being on its an old version (bus powered). Mine is only recognized when I switch the Modi itself on (self powered) -> new 4490 version
 
 
So I tried this method on my M2U that was purchased last month. Can anyone with an older Modi 2 Uber cross check this method to see if its valid?
 
 
Thanks.

 

[Letmebefrank]

  Can anyone check this method for determining whether your Modi 2 Uber has the new 4490 or not?
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/640785/schiit-modi-usb-dac/795#post_12669210
 
Basically:
 
Originally Posted by NewEinstein 

OK ... there seems to be one way to tell if you have a 4490 Modi2U or the older version:

"The Uber's USB input is also now self-powered, not bus-powered...mainly to improve compatibility with power-marginal USB ports (cough...Windows...cough)." (Quote from Jason @ Schiit)

So if the Modi is recognized by your computer without its power being on its an old version (bus powered). Mine is only recognized when I switch the Modi itself on (self powered) -> new 4490 version
 
 
So I tried this method on my M2U that was purchased last month. Can anyone with an older Modi 2 Uber cross check this method to see if its valid?
 
 
Thanks.

 
Bought my M2Uber last September. Switch off = still recognized by computer.