This thing is the Schiit

[Maxwell_E]

I received my tax return last week and like any sane human I bought something on a lark, the Modi DAC from Schiit Audio. Having been using my PC soundcard forever I am really just blown away how much better it sounds. The main difference to me is just how quiet this thing is. All the background noise of the digital doohickey's is gone at all but the highest volumes with my headphones on. I need to spend more time with it to figure out just how good it is but I am very impressed as of now. I was looking a long time for a super-cheap but well-respected DAC so this is the end (or beginning?) of a great journey. Plus the company's name has some great pun potential.

[earwaxxer]

Yep it is the Schiit! I've got the Gungnir. Very mature and high end sound. I hate to admit it, but the Quickie is now retired from main system duties because of the Gungnir. What it did help me realize, though, is how the Quickie does its magic. It helped to crystallize what the Quickie 'does' for the sound. It was only in the context of how digital done right can leap frog to a higher status. (Ok specifics - one thing I definitely noticed with the Gungnir running direct to the power amp (using Transporter as preamp) is that my MMG's all of a sudden got a 'super tweeter').

peace - Eric

[johnsonad]

Eric, how does the sound compare to your Transporter?

[earwaxxer]

Sorry Arron, I must have missed this one somehow.

Computers these days! (Thats right blame it on the computer, when you know its human error). Anyway - I have had quite some time now to flesh out the differences between the Transporter and the real Schiit (cant help it). The Gungnir is a very clear upgrade, but its a bit complicated. Its hard to assign credit here. First of all, the digital inputs on the Transporter seem to be non functional. I've tried everything, and I know Logitech (Squeezbox) Media Server like the back of my hand. Fantastic piece of software by the way. Flexible beyond imagination.

What the Schiit does, is produce a very open non-irritating sound, with depth and timber. Its interesting that both DAC's use the AK43XX. The Schiit uses newer ones of course and wires them balanced (two of them). The same family if you will. Schiit goes the extra mile and avoids op amps, and uses a very clean power supply. With that said, the DAC sounds better with the Quickie in the circuit, vs running the DAC direct via balanced outputs. Kudos to the Quickie.

[azrockitman]

Now that I have my office set up with my stereomour, etc, i would like to get a good, yet inexpensive, DAC, to hookup between my mac and the amp.  Do you still like your Modi?  I'm thinking $100 is about as cheap as one could find, for something that seems to have a good reputation for sound......

[Maxwell_E]

I really do like the Modi. I haven't been able to test any other DAC's in my setup but I'm still very pleased with it's ability to filter computer noise. With the PC motherboard 1/8" output I was getting some considerable noise, especially when I moved the mouse. That's all gone now and I couldn't be happier.

[earwaxxer]

Yep - I just got the new, and improved, USB converter installed in my Gungnir. Definately better than the already good SPDIF inputs.