Latest Thread Images

Schiit Modi USB DAC
Mar 23, 2013 at 8:36 PM Post #91 of 870
I was thinking about splicing the cable so that the power was delivered separately to the signal rather than from the laptop USB port. I wasn't planning on any mods to the Modi itself.

Its just that a couple of reviews I've seen have powered the Modi from the iFi iUSB unit and say it's better. The only problem is that the iUSB costs twice as much as the Modi.

Maybe a powered hub is the answer, but I was thinking of maybe a small regulated 5volt PSU feeding it power through a spliced cable, or maybe via a through connection on the PSU where it takes in the USB signal from the laptop, but the output to the dac uses the regulated and clean 5volt supply.

Its only a thought, hopefully if I keep taking my tablets this madness will subside.

BTW I thought that the ferrite beads only helped with RFI and wouldn't do much for other noise.
 
Mar 25, 2013 at 9:58 AM Post #92 of 870

Quote:
jarvik said:
Would the Modi be a good choice for a DAC in a stereo system (with full-size amp and speakers, not headphones)?  It would be great if I could turn my laptop into an audiophile-quality server for 99 bucks.
Click to expand...

 
If the only input you need is USB then yes, it would be.
 
Mar 25, 2013 at 10:30 AM Post #93 of 870
Quote:
dudemycans said:
I was thinking about splicing the cable so that the power was delivered separately to the signal rather than from the laptop USB port.
Click to expand...

 
This might be a better option - USB cable and DC PSU go into one side, they go out through another USB cable on the other side. You have the option then on using any clean DC PSU you have lying around, or even get an ELPAC, just watch the specs. If you really want to isolate the power from the laptop, just cut the conductors on the power pins on the USB cable you'll use from the laptop going into this.
 
https://www.circuitsathome.com/measurements/usb-isolator
 
I was planning on ordering that and the Modi next month but my poor cat just racked up a $110 bill at the vet.
triportsad.gif

 
Mar 28, 2013 at 1:47 PM Post #95 of 870
Quote:
tdockweiler said:
I'm shocked there doesn't seem to be more interest in this DAC. Not many impressions of it to be found anywhere..
 
Someone else go buy it and review it already!
 
I guess i'll go use that thing called "Search". I'm probably in the wrong thread.
Click to expand...

 
no man, tdockweiler, if you are in the wrong thread, I think I am too! I seemed to have so much trouble prowling through the pages for detailed comparison between ODAC and Modi and I think I seemed to find some answers from your reviews!
 
Your comparisons in the mids are very crucial as I listen to many vocals.. however, there is also another part which you mentioned on that are crucial to my tough decision between these 2, depth and soundstage.. I listen to orchestral as well and these 2 qualities plus imaging are quite high on my list as indicators to my choice.. so are these qualities just edging Modi to be the winner over ODAC just by the smoothness you mentioned?
 
really torn between these 2 DACs as I wanna shorten my signal path to just one box instead of using a USB-SPDIF converter now to another DAC to do the D/A conversion.. right now I am powering my headphones using a speaker amp through an attenuator, so I am really looking into a DAC that is not bank-breaking and is really capable of delivering the most transparent sounds with good imaging to begin with the amplification.. ODAC seems really well developed but price of Modi and 88.2khz support is also hard to resist...
 
Mar 31, 2013 at 6:55 PM Post #97 of 870
I have been enjoying the Schiit Magni several months now, and have started thinking about the Modi DAC. Im not sure whether the Modi would be an upgrade over the Xonar DX which I am currently using as my DAC. Any thoughts/suggestions?
 
Apr 4, 2013 at 2:10 PM Post #98 of 870
Having paid a lot to have my Magni shipped in to the UK and then decide I could really do with a proper source I'm a little reluctant to buy an accompanying Modi from overseas. Are then any comparable DACs at the price point? I heard the Topping D20 was a good contender but not many impressions on Head-Fi. 

Opinions?
 
Apr 5, 2013 at 4:51 AM Post #100 of 870
My son is still thrilled with the Modi/Magni that I gave him in January for his birthday.  In addition to using it with his Macbook pro, the Modi works great as a DAC with his iPad mini and lightning camera connection kit, without needing a powered USB hub to power the DAC.  
 
The Modi is not quite as detailed and airy as a Nuforce HDP when it's used as a DAC only, but the Magni amp paired with the HDP as a DAC is an upgrade over the slightly aggressive sounding amp built inside the HDP. So, I'd place the Modi DAC closer to the level of the uDAC-2 or Audioengine D1, both of which cost more than the Modi alone but less than the Schiit M&M stack.
 
His M&M stack is mostly used to drive some HE-5LE, HD600 and HD25-1 II, with which it seems to pair with all of those equally as well.
 
Apr 5, 2013 at 7:08 AM Post #102 of 870
Because it's supplied with a UK wall wart and through a distributor. The modi only works out marginally more (less than £10 if I remember right) from electro mod than direct from schiit as there's no wall wart needed.
 
Quote:
fihidelity said:
I considered buying my Magni from them but it still works out cheaper to buy from the US even after customs. 
Click to expand...

 
Apr 5, 2013 at 8:10 AM Post #103 of 870
Quote:
lawrywild said:
Because it's supplied with a UK wall wart and through a distributor. The modi only works out marginally more (less than £10 if I remember right) from electro mod than direct from schiit as there's no wall wart needed.
 
Click to expand...

I've just realised the other DAC I was considering wasn't asynchronous. Is the Modi and if so what benefits does that provide?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 3 (members: 0, guests: 3)
Back
Top