Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.

STATUS:

Modi 2: in stock. Orders placed now ship in 1-3 business days.

Modi 2 Uber: in stock . Orders placed now ship in 1-3 business days.
Modi Multibit: in stock. Orders placed now ship in 1-3 business days.

Modi is a complete family of affordable DACs for virtually any need. Whether you want better sound from your computer, your tablet, your CD player, or many other sources, the Modi family has a model that will fit your needs.

Modi 2: Improve Any Computer’s Sound
Modi 2 plugs into virtually any computer—Windows, Mac, popular Linux distros, Intel Chromebooks, as well as iPhones and iPads. Just connect via USB and go with no drivers in Standard Mode, up to 24/96 output. Switch to Expert Mode (and install Windows drivers) for extended high-res capabilities to 24/192.

Modi 2 Uber: The Complete Mini-DAC
Honey, I shrunk the Bifrost! That’s the idea behind Modi 2 Uber. Like Bifrost, Modi 2 Uber offers USB, Toslink, and RCA inputs, each individually selectable via a front-panel button. It also has a more sophisticated analog section, with DC-coupled output. And, it’s ready for all sample rates, from 16/44.1 to 24/192.

Modi Multibit: Unique Multibit Architecture and Digital Filter
Modi Multibit is the most affordable multibit DAC with a modern architecture—from any manufacturer, from any country in the world. Featuring Schiit’s unique closed-form digital filter, and using the same Analog Devices AD5547 multibit DAC as Bifrost, Modi Multibit smashes the high-price barrier in multibit DACs.

Need Volume Control? No Problem.
If you’re using headphones, just add a Magni Uber for adjustable volume via its preamp outputs. No headphones? Just add a SYS Passive Preamp for analog volume control.

Made in USA
By “made in USA,” we mean made in USA. The vast majority of the total production cost of Modi—chassis, boards, assembly, etc—goes to US companies. Our board house is 20 minutes away from our office in Newhall. Our chassis guys are just over the hill in the Valley.

2-Year Warranty and 15-Day Return
Modi is covered by a limited warranty that covers parts and labor for two years. That’s 2x the warranty of most of the products in this price range. And, if you don’t like your Modi, you can still send it back for a refund, minus 15% restocking fee, within 15 days of receiving your DAC.

On B Stock
When we have products with minor cosmetic flaws, we will sell them here as "B-Stock". If you choose the B-Stock option to save some money, please note that it is not eligible for the 15-day return. However, the full warranty applies.

Inputs:

Modi 2: USB
Modi 2 Uber: USB, Toslink SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF
Modi Multibit: USB, Toslink SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF

Sample Rates and Bit Depths:

Modi 2: 16/44.1 to 24/96, including 24/88.2, without Windows drivers, or up to 24/192 with Windows drivers (or using a Mac or Linux machine)
Modi 2 Uber: 16/44.1 to 24/192 via USB. 16/44.1 to 24/192 via Toslink* and Coax.
Modi 2 Multibit: 16/44.1 to 24/192 via USB. 16/44.1 to 24/192 via Toslink* and Coax, with 24/176 and 24/192 being NOS (non-oversampled)

*Note: many optical transmitters cannot output 24/176 and 24/192 reliably

Input Receiver:

USB: C-Media CM6631A
SPDIF: AKM 4113

D/A Conversion IC:

Modi 2 and Modi 2 Uber: AKM AK4490
Modi Multibit: Analog Devices AD5547

Analog Summing, Active Filtering:

Modi 2 and Modi 2 Uber: Based on AD8616 with precision thin-film resistors and film capacitors
Modi Multibit: Based on AD8512 with precision thin-film resistors, DC-coupled with DC servo

Output: RCA (single-ended)

Output Impedance: 75 ohms

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz, +/-0.1dB

Maximum Output:

Modi 2 and Modi 2 Uber: 1.5V RMS
Modi Multibit: 2.0V RMS

THD:

Modi2 and Modi 2 Uber: <0.002%, 20Hz-20KHz, at max output
Modi Multibit: <0.006%, 20Hz-20KHz, at max output

IMD:

Modi 2 and Modi 2 Uber: <0.003%, CCIR
Modi Multibit: <0.007%, 20Hz-20KHz, CCIR

S/N: >104dB, referenced to 1.5VRMS, unweighted

Crosstalk: -80dB, 20-20kHz

Power Supply:

Modi 2: USB bus powered, 120mA draw
Modi 2 Uber and Modi Multibit: Included 16VAC wall-wart with 100% linear power supply

Size: 5 x 3.5 x 1.25”

Weight: 1 lb

Holy crap, that’s a lot of different Modis!
Yes, it is. We wanted to cover all the ground here, and make sure that anyone who wants better digital sound can get it—at a very affordable price. And we wanted to bring our own unique multibit architecture down to the lowest possible price point.

But there’s gotta be a catch, right?
Not really, other than our Modis are designed exclusively for direct sale. A dealer network would double the price.

So, you’re saying you plug this in and you’re ready to go?
Pretty much. In Standard Mode, Modi 2 can be used with virtually any Windows or Mac computer instantly recognizes Modi USB and requires no drivers, and many Linux distros that support USB Audio Standard 2.0 work just fine as well. It can also be used with iPhones, iPads, and Intel Chromebooks, as well as the Sony PS4. In Expert Mode, you’ll need to install drivers on Windows. Same goes for the Modi 2 Uber.

What’s the difference between Modi 2 and Modi 2 Uber?
Lots. Let’s break it down:

Inputs: Modi 2 only has USB, Modi 2 Uber has USB, optical, and coax.
Control: Modi 2 has no controls, Modi 2 Uber has an input selection switch.
Power Supply: Modi 2 is USB powered, Modi 2 Uber has a linear power supply and wall-wart.
Analog Section: Modi 2 is capacitor-coupled output, Modi 2 Uber has DC-coupled output with a servo.
Chassis: Modi 2 has a painted steel chassis, while Modi 2 Uber has an aluminum top and pushbutton (pinched off the Bifrost, natch!)

How about the Modi Multibit?
Modi Multibit has exactly the same inputs, finish, and controls as Modi 2 Uber (and also a large, stylized “M” screened on the top that looks kinda like a space invader—and helps designate it as a Modi Multibit.) But it’s profoundly different from the Modi 2 Uber inside:

Architecture: Instead of a conventional delta-sigma architecture, the Modi Multibit uses our own, entirely new multibit architecture.
Digital Filter: Instead of using the digital filter embedded in the AK4490 DAC, the Modi Multibit features our own unique closed-form digital filter implemented on an Analog Devices SHARC DSP—the same filter used in the Bifrost Multibit.
D/A Converter: Again, instead of using a delta-sigma audio DAC, the Modi Multibit uses an Analog Devices AD5547 medical/military-grade D/A converter—the same D/A converter used in the Bifrost Multibit.

Bottom line, Modi Multibit is by far the most sophisticated DAC available anywhere near this price, and it is based on an entirely new architecture (rather than using NOS or soon-unavailable old-style audio multibit D/A converters.)

Sounds like you’re pretty proud of the Modi Multibit.
Not that that’s a question, but yes, we are. Only a little more than a year after the introduction of the Yggdrasil, you can now get a DAC that includes derivatives of its unique technology for only about 1/10 of the price. Has anyone else done that? Would anyone else do that? Are we insane? Only you can tell.

Well, I don’t believe Multibit is the way to go, I heard from an anonymous dude on the 'tubes that it's sucky.
Cool, then get a Modi 2 Uber and save $100. Or a Modi 2 if you’re only using USB and save $150. Everybody’s happy!

So what platforms does your USB input support?
Actually, the question should be “What platforms support your USB input?” since our USB input is 100% UAC2 compliant (that is, USB Audio Class 2, the accepted standard for USB audio transmission.) So, here you go:

Windows 7, 8, and 10. Windows 10 is highly recommended. It is usually plug and play with our DACs. Sometimes you have to install drivers, which are available at schiit.com/drivers. Windows XP, Vista, and Windows Server editions are all untested and are not recommended.
Mac OSX. From 10.7 on up, Macs have been plug and play with our DACs. Sometimes you’ll run into power management problems that will require you to turn off App Nap.
iOS. From iOS7 on up, iOS devices have been able to interface with our DACs using a USB Camera Connection Kit, Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, or Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter. You may have to use a hub to avoid a “Draws too much power” error.
Android. Most Android devices that shipped with Android M or above will interface with our DACs using a USB OTG cable. Some may require separate player software, like USB Audio Player Pro.
Linux. Most Linux distros that support UAC2 natively will be plug and play with our DACs. Please note that we cannot provide detailed technical support for Linux.

I want a combined DAC/amp! Why didn’t you put an amp in here?
We did. They’re just in different chassis and costs another $99-169. They’re called “Magni 2,” “Magni 2 Uber,” and “Vali 2.” The latter of which even gives you a tube! Now you have zillions and zillions of permutations of amp/DAC combinations, instead of a single boring, soon-to-be-obsolete combo box.

If Modis are so great, why would I step up to Bifrost or Gungnir?
Because you want something big enough to hold down the curling veneer on the fake-bark stereo rack you got on sale at K-Mart in 1979. Or because you want even higher performance. Or upgradability. Modis aren’t upgradable.

But I heard from an anonymous dude on the intarwebs all DACs sound the same! You’re bullshitting us!
If it’s your experience that all DACs sound the same, that’s cool. There’s a DAC in your iPhone or Android phone, so you can use that one and save some cash.

Here's a pair of high-end yet affordable components from Schiit Audio

Steve Guttenberg, CNET Audiophiliac

"The Schiit Magni 2 Uber headphone amp and Modi 2 Uber digital converter are downright affordable, but still qualify as legitimate high-end audio components."

"Next, I tried my Oppo PM-3 headphones with the Magni 2 Uber/ Modi 2 Uber stack, and the headphone's newfound transparency took by breath away. This headphone is the one to beat for the price (US $400, UK £349, AU$549). Pairing it with the two little Schiits is the most affordable way to unleash the PM-3's sound potential."

Read Full Review ->

How to Get $6,500 Out of a $650 Sound System

Roy Furchgott, Maxim Magazine

"For you to hear digital music, it has to be converted from zeros and ones back to the sound wave it was originally—that requires a Digital-to-Analog Converter. The one that comes in your music player or computer isn’t a very good one. But you can replace it with something like the Schiit Modi 2 Uber, a high quality DAC that makes music more clear, defined and smooth—almost like it was spinning on virgin vinyl. And yes, Schiit is pronounced the way you think."

Read Full Review ->

The Magni 2U & Modi 2U By Schiit

Smit Patel

"Overall, the Schiit Magni 2U and the Schiit Modi 2U are a mini-powerhouse that truly shatters the general price performance ratio by putting many higher models to shame. Having recently reviewed the Fiio Q1, I thought I would not find a DAC/Amp that would perform as well as it does for its price alone but the Schiit stack definitely challenges my initial thoughts. I was not only surprised by the levels of transparency but also the hi-fidelity sound that can be attained for only $300."

"Coupled to this, the build quality of both the Schiit Magni 2U Amp and the Schiit Modi 2U DAC is simply outstanding with a well-implemented brushed aluminium chassis. Next to the polished looking PlusSound Cloud Nine amp, the Schiit stack looks decidedly classier with durability infused with functionality."

Read Full Review ->

Comparison of Mid-Fi DAC/Amp Combination Units

Marv (AKA Purrin)

Compared to Grace M9xx, JDSLabs Element, LHLabs Geek Out V2 Infinity, iFi Nano iDSD

"Best stage of the bunch. The deepest, but not overly wide. Crisp controlled attacks and transients with good bite. Despite bass being a tiny bit leaner than the best, dense tones, and nuanced with excellent gradations of sound levels."

Start at the linked post and scroll down for subjective impressions and intangibles.

Read Full Review ->

What is a DAC, and Do You Need One?

G. Clay Whittaker, Popular Science

"FOR $200 YOU MAY NEVER GO BACK TO MEDIOCRE SOUND AGAIN"

"Across the board, boy was the sound crisp. Movie soundtracks took on new depths. I heard subtleties in the dialogue of Hannibal Lecter in “Silence of the Lambs” and picked up on previously unheard parts of tracks off a favorite Weezer album."

Modi 2

Complete, Affordable DAC Family

$99

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