Schiit Modi Multibit 2 DAC

[Runrunsmithfly]

Had the MB2 since day one.
Awesome dac in this price range and hits way above the price point IMO!

"Tiny Tim" amongst giants...and it fairs nicely...

It's an amazing performer. If a person has $300 to spend on a DAC then this is the one to buy. The MM1 is an excellent DAC and a game changer when it was introduced and the MM2 improves on everything that makes the MM1 great.

 

[XERO1]

Had the MB2 since day one.
Awesome dac in this price range and hits way above the price point IMO!

"Tiny Tim" amongst giants...and it fairs nicely...

Tiiiptoe...throoough...the...tuuulips.....

 

[dbull12]

I have the MMB2 and just finished looking though this thread to see if I could find any comparisons to the Musician Draco since I'm considering "upgrading" to that. @Hyde00 I saw you had both the MMB2 and Draco and moved on from both. If you don't mind, did you ever have both at the same time to compare, and why did you decide to let the Draco go?

I also saw @JAnonymous5150 has had experience with the Draco. I read all of your wonderful comparisons in this thread. Were you ever able to directly compare it to the MMB2, or do you have a general sense from memory how they differ?

 

[Hyde00]

@Hyde00 I saw you had both the MMB2 and Draco and moved on from both. If you don't mind, did you ever have both at the same time to compare, and why did you decide to let the Draco go?

Unfortunately I don't have them all at the same time, but I could explain a bit as to why I sold them to the best of my memory.

Before I start I must explain that I have a few "deal breakers" that specific to me so it might or might not apply to you lol. Another thing is that I also like the Grado house sound which is a love or hate type of signature, so this further solidify the "this might or might not apply to you" LOL.

My current daily driver is SDAC, I like SDAC because female vocal is forward, that's my number 1 priority. After that I think SDAC has emphasis on upper mid / low treble which makes female vocal pop forward as I previously mentioned, but it also emphasize a lot of string instruments which I listen to a lot. To me this dac has the female vocal I like and the rich mids.

MMB2 has the same forward female vocal, actually it might be EVEN more forward. So I was really happy with it for a while since that's my number priority. But after a while I realize the presentation is a bit more on the lean and clean side, where I wanted a bit richness / thickness in my sound where SDAC do better. For example string instruments isn't emphasized on the MMB2, it's not recessed either, but rather it has a neutral presentation. But I wanted more emphasized.

Thing with Draco is actually the opposite, where the female vocal is laid back, also its treble presentation in general is also more laid back. If MMB2 is more upfront and center then Draco is more relaxed. If you like a darker more relaxed and wider presentation then Draco is for you. Also to me it feels like some information is missing in the name of smoothness.

Ultimately despite the resolution is lower than the other 2 but I still went back to SDAC since it has the sound signature I like. I also had Denafrips Ares II during the time I had Draco to compare side by side, but I end up selling that too LOL.

Again I might be the only person that you know in existence that would make such ridiculous choices. So your mileage may vary.

Definitely let me know if you have any questions!

 

[dbull12]

Unfortunately I don't have them all at the same time, but I could explain a bit as to why I sold them to the best of my memory.

Before I start I must explain that I have a few "deal breakers" that specific to me so it might or might not apply to you lol. Another thing is that I also like the Grado house sound which is a love or hate type of signature, so this further solidify the "this might or might not apply to you" LOL.

My current daily driver is SDAC, I like SDAC because female vocal is forward, that's my number 1 priority. After that I think SDAC has emphasis on upper mid / low treble which makes female vocal pop forward as I previously mentioned, but it also emphasize a lot of string instruments which I listen to a lot. To me this dac has the female vocal I like and the rich mids.

MMB2 has the same forward female vocal, actually it might be EVEN more forward. So I was really happy with it for a while since that's my number priority. But after a while I realize the presentation is a bit more on the lean and clean side, where I wanted a bit richness / thickness in my sound where SDAC do better. For example string instruments isn't emphasized on the MMB2, it's not recessed either, but rather it has a neutral presentation. But I wanted more emphasized.

Thing with Draco is actually the opposite, where the female vocal is laid back, also its treble presentation in general is also more laid back. If MMB2 is more upfront and center then Draco is more relaxed. If you like a darker more relaxed and wider presentation then Draco is for you. Also to me it feels like some information is missing in the name of smoothness.

Ultimately despite the resolution is lower than the other 2 but I still went back to SDAC since it has the sound signature I like. I also had Denafrips Ares II during the time I had Draco to compare side by side, but I end up selling that too LOL.

Again I might be the only you know in existence that would make such ridiculous choices. So your mileage may vary.

Definitely let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks so much! I also like forward and intimate vocals so it seems like the Draco maybe wouldn't be for me. I had also considered the Chord Mojo 2 and the Ares II / Ares 12th, but I had ruled out the Mojo 2 since I think I want to stick with R2R, and from what I've read I thought the Ares might be too warm and laid back. My main headphone is the ZMF Atticus which is already very warm, and I like SS amps that have a more warm and "tubey" sound. Currently have the Piety and will likely be upgrading to either the upcoming ZMF/JDS amp, Violectric V202, or Cayin iHA-6. So I figure for synergy it might make sense to have a more neutral DAC that still has that natural R2R sound. So maybe MMB2 is just my endgame DAC! It seems a lot of these others aren't quite what I'd be looking for, and I also don't want to spend over $1k

 

[Hyde00]

Thanks so much! I also like forward and intimate vocals so it seems like the Draco maybe wouldn't be for me.

Yeah from the Draco thread it sounds like if you have a nice DDC (say something similar level to Denafrips Iris / Singxer SU-6 / Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2) then it can give it more defined treble / clarity / vocal......etc.

But any DDC at that level would be about half the cost of Draco.

I had also considered the Chord Mojo 2 and the Ares II / Ares 12th, but I had ruled out the Mojo 2 since I think I want to stick with R2R, and from what I've read I thought the Ares might be too warm and laid back.

lol Mojo 2 apparently has similar issue, I thought the depth / layering was a bit flat. Otherwise tonally it sounds great! So apparently you need a nice USB cable for it to have proper layering (I was using like $10 UGREEN cable LOL).

Ares II actually was not bad, but I thought it wasn't different enough for me to warrant the upgrade (maybe my other chains are the limiting factor). But Ares II actually is smaller in scale but better in layering than Draco, also Ares II actually has a little bit more treble amount (but less bass than Draco). Think of Draco as a bit wider and darker and Ares II as a bit narrower but brighter.

Ultimately I feel like everything "need another gear" for it to shine. Like I understand audio is a chain so everything need to perform its best for it to work. But on the other hand I feel like I keep running into "oh wait this sound bad now but if you buy this then it will sound great", "but oh wait this extra gear you're buying it need another item to fully shine" so on and so forth.

In the end I thought SDAC and MMB2 sounded great out of the box without any extra requirement. Like it just....... sounded good! So I sold/returned all the other dacs.

My main headphone is the ZMF Atticus which is already very warm, and I like SS amps that have a more warm and "tubey" sound. Currently have the Piety and will likely be upgrading to either the upcoming ZMF/JDS amp, Violectric V202, or Cayin iHA-6.

Oh if you ever upgrade from Piety please let me know what you end up with. I was also looking for this "tube sounding" solid state. I had Asgard 3 then later on had Violectric V200.

In the end I end up with Lyr 3 and Project Solstice because........ you know....... you can't beat having a tube in there to have tube sound LOL. Lyr 3 felt like a small upgrade from Piety (like 10-15% better maybe). But I also understand the convenience of solid state so one day I do wish to get a solid state unit.

For now..... can't beat tube sound without tube LOL (considering the cost). I've read solid state in the $2000 range will beat my tube amp in the $500 range.

So maybe MMB2 is just my endgame DAC! It seems a lot of these others aren't quite what I'd be looking for, and I also don't want to spend over $1k

I feel like this might pair really well with what you have given your preference and other gear (Atticus and Piety). ONLY THING is at one point I had Piety + MMB2 + TH900 and it was TOO BASSY.

But it might be ok, it might not? I've read some people with Piety + MMB2 + HD600 = match made in heaven. But HD600 inherently lacks bass.

I think Piety add a bit of bass and MMB2 add a bit of bass too, so HOPEFULLY it would be ok?????? I think Atticus is bassy too isn't it?

Don't guarantee you it will work or will not, tread with caution.... LOL.

Good luck!

 

[dbull12]

Yeah from the Draco thread it sounds like if you have a nice DDC (say something similar level to Denafrips Iris / Singxer SU-6 / Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2) then it can give it more defined treble / clarity / vocal......etc.

But any DDC at that level would be about half the cost of Draco.

lol Mojo 2 apparently has similar issue, I thought the depth / layering was a bit flat. Otherwise tonally it sounds great! So apparently you need a nice USB cable for it to have proper layering (I was using like $10 UGREEN cable LOL).

Ares II actually was not bad, but I thought it wasn't different enough for me to warrant the upgrade (maybe my other chains are the limiting factor). But Ares II actually is smaller in scale but better in layering than Draco, also Ares II actually has a little bit more treble amount (but less bass than Draco). Think of Draco as a bit wider and darker and Ares II as a bit narrower but brighter.

Ultimately I feel like everything "need another gear" for it to shine. Like I understand audio is a chain so everything need to perform its best for it to work. But on the other hand I feel like I keep running into "oh wait this sound bad now but if you buy this then it will sound great", "but oh wait this extra gear you're buying it need another item to fully shine" so on and so forth.

In the end I thought SDAC and MMB2 sounded great out of the box without any extra requirement. Like it just....... sounded good! So I sold/returned all the other dacs.

Oh if you ever upgrade from Piety please let me know what you end up with. I was also looking for this "tube sounding" solid state. I had Asgard 3 then later on had Violectric V200.

In the end I end up with Lyr 3 and Project Solstice because........ you know....... you can't beat having a tube in there to have tube sound LOL. Lyr 3 felt like a small upgrade from Piety (like 10-15% better maybe). But I also understand the convenience of solid state so one day I do wish to get a solid state unit.

For now..... can't beat tube sound without tube LOL (considering the cost). I've read solid state in the $2000 range will beat my tube amp in the $500 range.

I feel like this might pair really well with what you have given your preference and other gear (Atticus and Piety). ONLY THING is at one point I had Piety + MMB2 + TH900 and it was TOO BASSY.

But it might be ok, it might not? I've read some people with Piety + MMB2 + HD600 = match made in heaven. But HD600 inherently lacks bass.

I think Piety add a bit of bass and MMB2 add a bit of bass too, so HOPEFULLY it would be ok?????? I think Atticus is bassy too isn't it?

Don't guarantee you it will work or will not, tread with caution.... LOL.

Good luck!

Thanks, I'll definitely let you know if/when I upgrade from the Piety and how that goes! Based on everything you said I think that just solidifies that I should probably stick with the MMB2 and not try to look for better when I'm quite happy with it haha.

The Atticus has a crazy amount of mid-bass and in my chain it can be a little much with the stock lambskin pads, but I've been loving the synergy with everything since I swapped out the lambskin pads for the suede pads, which make things slightly more neutral with a bit better sense of space.

So yeah I'll have to be careful not to add TOO much warmth with my amp and DAC. My next headphone (and likely last headphone for a long time if I'm happy with it) will be an Auteur Classic which is the "brightest" ZMF and is far more neutral than the Atticus. So having those two complementary headphones it might be a bit tricky finding the right balance with an amp and DAC that add some warmth but not too much for the Atticus. Fun challenges to look forward to I guess!

 

[Runrunsmithfly]

I listen to rock and jazz. Male vocalists and female vocalists. The MM2 does everything right in my book using a Piety and a Vahalla 2. It's a $300 wonder. My MM1 doesn't even get used anymore.

 

[HWB3]

I use it with my Schiit Magni 3+ and Vali 2++. It makes classic rock and a little bit of country very enjoyable to listen to. I've got a Magni Heresey on the way and I'm anxious to try that out.

 

[Hyde00]

Thanks, I'll definitely let you know if/when I upgrade from the Piety and how that goes! Based on everything you said I think that just solidifies that I should probably stick with the MMB2 and not try to look for better when I'm quite happy with it haha.

Oh you already have it, I mean if you already enjoy it then don't mess with it LOL.

Don't be like me, I already like how my gear sound but wanted an "upgrade" so I end up trying so many dacs in the $800-1000 range then came back to my old dac anyway LOL.

I listen to rock and jazz. Male vocalists and female vocalists.

It makes classic rock and a little bit of country very enjoyable to listen to.

I find in general all the Multibit dac I tried have nice forward vocal and nice guitar. I've tried the following:

MMB1
MMB2
Bifrost 2 OG

 

[Hyde00]

On a random note and I don't know if there is a thread for it yet but.....

Anyone tried the Unison USB Multibit Dac Card yet? Suppose to be same tier as MMB2.

 

[omarccxr]

On a random note and I don't know if there is a thread for it yet but.....

Anyone tried the Unison USB Multibit Dac Card yet? Suppose to be same tier as MMB2.

For $200 I'll pass. It's a pain in the ass to remove the Lyr and Jotunheim knob without stripping it. Much easier in the Asgard though. I just sold my Lyr 3 because I preferred the Vali 2+ I just got anyhow

 

[2bxfile]

I listen to rock and jazz. Male vocalists and female vocalists. The MM2 does everything right in my book using a Piety and a Vahalla 2. It's a $300 wonder. My MM1 doesn't even get used anymore.

Hello Runrun:
Was just wondering: are you still loving your MMB2? Would you say that this little piece "is that good" and therefore represents the end of your search for a long while?
Have you had any hiccups with your unit?
Thanks
You also like jazz - here's a little sugar for you: Imagine yourself sitting here smoking a Fuente Don Arturo AnniverXario cigar (optional) with a nice single malt near the fireplace: 4K

Surprisingly excellent audio quality.

​

 

[Runrunsmithfly]

Nice jazz club! MM2 is still working for me. Like the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Every so often I'll put my old MM1 in but it doesn't stay in for long.

 

[mlsstl]

I'm very pleased with my MM2 and no urge at this time to go looking for anything else, and I've heard a number of more expensive units and owned a few. I mainly use it in my headphone setup.