I don't know, when I get around to getting a stand-alone DAC it probably will be a Schitt... because of the name.Not counting on it. There is more than simple dislike and different preferences here, more of an obsession with hatred of all things Schiit! Their Sq isn't the issue, maybe it is the name that is sending them off the deep end.
I think as with all DAC's it is best to match it with what the gear you have will reveal. I have an okay system, large JBL's and good solid amplifier, but it is all pretty antiquated by today's standards so it is possible my system isn't revealing enough to hear the shortcomings of the Modi MB. There certainly are all levels of gear out there as well as different interpretations of what is good sound. Your impressions are as valid as any others.Just for the record, I never said anything negative about Schiit, in fact I acknowledged that Modi Multibit is a respectable DAC on multiple occasions. The problem with it, it lacks musicality, piano and brass instruments sound pretty mechanical and shallow lacking texture, plus it has fairly aggressive sound being an oversampling DAC which I could live with if not for the first issue I mentioned. I found I like other DACs better, especially the NOS kind that employ no digital filtering, that what my comment above was all about, yet it caused someone to get personal. Oh well, not first time it happens to someone raining on fanboy parades and certainly will not be the last. Peace.
I assume you're talking to me, and no, I didn't respond, because I've been doing other things, and I don't hang out on this forum all the time, and this forum is not exactly a hotspot of non-stop posting activity.
As far knowing if "our gear is able to reveal any differences" --- wtf do you think my impressions were? Me just sitting here making this all up? My buddy and and I were just sitting around dreaming of all the differences and I decided to come here and post them? Get real, man. If you don't believe me, stick with whatever DAC you have and be happy/call it good/save money.
Both DACs were hooked up to his Macbook, and both were plugged into his P-304 Onkyo Integra Pre-Amp, plugged into his Onkyo M-508 Grand Integra amp. We switched sources on the fly using his Mac and the Pre-Amp, back and forth on the same songs as they ran.
The speakers were Klipsch Chorus 2.
Sound preferences? Fairly neutral, not a *ton* of bass, but solid punchy bass, laid back sound, polite, refined sound signature with forward vocals, no harsh treble, layered soundstage, lots of mids, not super bright gear. Basically, I like Wharfedale, Monitor Audio, Marantz and Yamaha gear. I don't like Klipsch generally speaking. My buddy does. Basically whatever the Geek Out 2A sounds like, I like.
Does anyone want a pic of the setup to prove what I'm listening to and to verify it's "resolving enough"? http://imgur.com/a/bo2Li
EDIT: No, the Valhalla 2 was not hooked up at the time of the A/B listening test.
Just for the record, I never said anything negative about Schiit, in fact I acknowledged that Modi Multibit is a respectable DAC on multiple occasions. The problem with it, it lacks musicality, piano and brass instruments sound pretty mechanical and shallow lacking texture, plus it has fairly aggressive sound being an oversampling DAC which I could live with if not for the first issue I mentioned. I found I like other DACs better, especially the NOS kind that employ no digital filtering, that what my comment above was all about, yet it caused someone to get personal. Oh well, not first time it happens to someone raining on fanboy parades and certainly will not be the last. Peace.
Thanks for the additional info. You could lose the attitude, however. If you're going to bother posting on this forum, your posts may be responded to. If you can't handle that, then pick another forum. The system as pictured would be pretty bright/harsh. Klipsch and a non carpeted floor are not the greatest combination, but whatever.
Alobar, I was thinking on getting into Schiit myself, are these Tube DAC's? Right now I have a DACmagic 100 from Cambridge which is non-tube...I was just wondering from anyone's knowledge/experience if a Tube is 'warmer' say with bass I am assuming (noobie here) than what Cambridge offers...right now it is good but I am out for listening experience and would not mind trying a different DAC just to really see if I myself/personally hear the difference in 'highs/mids/lows'.I think as with all DAC's it is best to match it with what the gear you have will reveal. I have an okay system, large JBL's and good solid amplifier, but it is all pretty antiquated by today's standards so it is possible my system isn't revealing enough to hear the shortcomings of the Modi MB. There certainly are all levels of gear out there as well as different interpretations of what is good sound. Your impressions are as valid as any others.
The rub for me is more about the "koolaid" and "fanboy" stuff. Considering this is a Modi multibit thread a little leeway should be granted for that..
So like them, or don't. I hope nobody expects to be taken seriously by hating them simply because they don't like the name. Stick with SQ with regards to price point relative comparisons with other (new) DAC's and I and most others will certainly respect that! Schiit products are obviously not for everybody and I'm good with that. I for one have enjoyed my Modi MB tremendously but someone else will no doubt prefer a different DAC.
I don't believe that any of Schiit's DAC'S have tubes in them . I believe those with tubes are headphone amps. The only way to know if a dac is better or worse is to try them. Some go to the used market and then sell them if they are not to their liking. That way they don't lose much if any money for trying . I can say on here how much more comes across with the music I listen to with the Modi MB but someone else invariably will disagree and say something else is better. Just have to try.Alobar, I was thinking on getting into Schiit myself, are these Tube DAC's? Right now I have a DACmagic 100 from Cambridge which is non-tube...I was just wondering from anyone's knowledge/experience if a Tube is 'warmer' say with bass I am assuming (noobie here) than what Cambridge offers...right now it is good but I am out for listening experience and would not mind trying a different DAC just to really see if I myself/personally hear the difference in 'highs/mids/lows'.
There was a brand that begins with Jolii or something version 3 but I am looking to spend no more than a few hundred bucks...
Oh that is right...sorry about that one, I got caught up in finding something with that Tube sound for my system or simply a DAC as I feel the tube amps are a bit much for me right now...okay yeah never mind I thought there were ones with tubes that were not specific to headphones!I don't believe that any of Schiit's DAC'S have tubes in them . I believe those with tubes are headphone amps. The only way to know if a dac is better or worse is to try them. Some go to the used market and then sell them if they are not to their liking. That way they don't lose much if any money for trying . I can say on here how much more comes across with the music I listen to with the Modi MB but someone else invariably will disagree and say something else is better. Just have to try.
Most folks who have them seem to love them. They look like a lot of fun. There's a fairly lengthy AK thread: http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/supercharged-maverick-audio-tubemagic-d2-dac.698877/If you think you want to get involved with a tube based DAC, check out Maverick Audio:
http://www.mav-audio.com/
Oh that is right...sorry about that one, I got caught up in finding something with that Tube sound for my system or simply a DAC as I feel the tube amps are a bit much for me right now...okay yeah never mind I thought there were ones with tubes that were not specific to headphones!
I have an older Rotel 855 CDP with the 1541A chip which sounds really nice to my ears. I'm wondering if I'd have anything to gain by feeding it's digital signal into my Modi MB?
I would have tried it already but it would be a real pain to rearrange my gear.
Well the 1541A chip is from, what, the 80's? So the first question that should be asked is, does the Rotel still operate within its specs? From what I've read, it's a pretty decent cd player for the time, but time does march on. But if you're happy, why go to a lot of trouble just to get a possible improvement? I'd say, leave well enough alone.