[blackberriesandthinkpads]

I have a Modi 2 Multibit with a Mangi 3 and am happy with it's performance.

I'm looking for a portable USB powered DAC/AMP combo unit with similar performance. Any recommendations?

It is my understanding that the Grace Audio M9XX/M900 is inferior to the Modi Multibit. It's also rather large...

I don't need high power output on the amp side of things, driving low impedance gear.

Am I on a fool's errand?

 

[Rhamnetin]

Chord Mojo will best that.

 

[blackberriesandthinkpads]

Chord Mojo will best that.

Best the M9XX/M900 or the Modi 2 Multibit? Or both?

And why doesn't that bloody thing have a potentiometer...

 

[Rhamnetin]

I'd expect it to best all of the above. Volume control is done via the buttons.

 

[blackberriesandthinkpads]

I'd expect it to best all of the above. Volume control is done via the buttons.

I know, I just hate buttons for volume control. And god it's ugly, but if it performs, it's hard to argue with that. Looking into it, thanks.

So it's right around the $500 USD price point (luckily my limit for any given piece of gear), what other similar performing options (if any) are there around or less than that price point?

 

[cel4145]

The One Plus 6 tested quite well when used in conjunction with an external amp vs. the headphone out directly to headphones, so you may find some improvement there when used with the A5:
https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_6-review-1776p3.php

 

[kukkurovaca]

I have a Modi 2 Multibit with a Mangi 3 and am happy with it's performance.

I'm looking for a portable USB powered DAC/AMP combo unit with similar performance. Any recommendations?

It is my understanding that the Grace Audio M9XX/M900 is inferior to the Modi Multibit. It's also rather large...

I don't need high power output on the amp side of things, driving low impedance gear.

Am I on a fool's errand?

If it's important for it to be multibit, there aren't a ton of options, but:

Battery powered:

iFi (Micro BL, Nano BL, xDSD) use DAC chips that are supposed to be partly multibit. I do not actually know what that means

USB powered:

Soekris dac1101

There are aslo a handful of portable NOS DACs using vintage chips, which are pretty obscure. I have no idea how any of these things sound.