Schiit - Modi 3

Designed & Made
in the USA

Ideal for
Audiophiles

Ideal for
Indoor Use

2 Years of
Warranty

Metal
Build

AKM AK4490
DAC Chip

DESCRIPTION

SPECS

FAQs

Holy crap, a do-all Modi 3 for $99!

Yes. But that’s not all—it is also the best delta-sigma Modi we’ve ever made. It’s also the most versatile Modi we’ve ever made. And it also comes with a cable and a wall power supply.

And a True Multibit™ DAC for $249!

Yep, Modi Multibit is the least expensive multibit DAC based on a modern platform—from any manufacturer, anywhere. We’re pretty proud of it. It’s got a whole lot of technology packed into it, from its DSP-based digital filter to the unique-to-audio AD5547 D/A converter. And, it has a 100% linear power supply, 100% standard.

So, you’re saying you plug these in and you’re ready to go?

Pretty much. Both Modis can be used with virtually any computer with no drivers: Windows, Mac, or Linux distros that support UAC 2.0. Some older Windows machines may need a driver, which we provide at schiit.com/drivers. You can also use both Modis with phones and tablets, as well as most Intel Chromebooks.

Modi 3 makes using phones and tablets easier, though, because if you use the provided wall-wart and USB cable into its external power port, it will avoid the dreaded “draws too much power” error.

Modi Multibit may need an external hub or a powered Apple cable to avoid the “draws too much power” error.

What’s the difference between Modi 3 and Modi Multibit?

Lots. Let’s break it down:

Control: Modi 3 uses a toggle switch to select inputs, Modi Multibit has a pushbutton with LED indication.

D/A Converter: Modi 3 uses the AKM AK4490 DAC, a respected delta-sigma DAC. Modi Multibit uses the AD5547, a unique-to-audio multibit DAC.

Digital Filter: Modi 3 uses the digital filter embedded into the AK4490 DAC, while the Modi Multibit features our own unique closed-form digital filter implemented on an Analog Devices SHARC DSP.

Analog Section: Modi 3 uses the OPA1662 op-amp and is DC-coupled, Modi Multibit uses the AD8512 and discrete JFET buffers and is DC-coupled with a DC servo.

Miscellaneous: Modi 3 ships with a USB to Micro USB cable and a universal 5V USB wall adapter, Modi Multibit ships only with a 16VAC wall-wart (no cables)

Hey, wait, your "universal" wall adapter for Modi 3 has a US plug on it. What if I need a Europlug/UK Plug/Australian Plug/Martian/Borg/Uninsulated Victorian/Alternate Timeline Edison DC Plug?

The wall adapter is universal in the sense that you can plug it into pretty much any common AC wall voltage--100V to 240V--and it will (a) not self-immolate, and (b) provide 5V out of a USB connector. It does have a US/Japan style plug, but you can use a plug adapter and plug it in pretty much anywhere. Or you can use any 5V-out USB wall adapter you have handy. Or a battery pack. Or a computer.

Wow, so what’s the catch with Modi 3? It seems too good to be true.

The catch is you don’t get the fancy button and LEDs of the Modi Multibit. You also don’t get the DSP-based digital filter, or the AD5547 DAC. You also lose the linear power supply for a switcher.

I thought you hated switching power supplies!

We’ve said we would never use one where we didn’t need to. In this case, to hit the performance and price we were looking for, it needed a switcher. Don’t worry. It’s a very nice switcher.

Well, I’m gonna get me a fancy-shmantzy linear power supply and plug it into the back your Modi 3, what do you think about that?

We think you’re a little strange, because the output of that fancy power supply is going into a switcher, anyway. But if it makes you happy, we’re not going to stop you. Nor will we try to sell you such a power supply.

Well, let’s change the subject to Modi Multibit. It looks like it doesn’t measure as well as Modi 3, is that right?

Right. If you’re looking at standard performance metrics for steady-state signals, delta-sigma DACs will measure better than Multibit. If you’re looking for measurements, Modi 3 is your DAC.

But you think the Modi Multibit sounds better?

Yes.

You guys are a little touched in the head, aren’t you?

Quite possibly.

But I don’t get why you’d want to have a worse-measuring product—

Let us cut you off right there, because we know how this argument goes. And goes. And goes. And keeps on going. Here’s the deal: we are free to believe what we want. So are you. If your belief system leads you to devices that perform well by standard metrics, cool. If not, that’s also cool. There’s room for both viewpoints. Look up “Schiit Happened, The Objectivist/Subjectivist Synthesis.” And even then you may think we’re entirely full of it. And that’s cool.

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. Windows 10 is highly recommended. It is usually plug and play with our DACs. Windows 7 and 8 will work, but may need our 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.

iOS. From iOS7 on up, iOS devices work with our DACs using a USB Camera Connection Kit, Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, or Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter.

Android. Most Android devices that shipped with Android M or above work 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 $99-149. They’re called “Magni 3” and “Vali 2.” The latter of which even gives you a tube! Now you have options, 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 or Yggdrasil?

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 a 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 even more cash.

Warranty

2 Year Warranty

Don't sweat it, this Schiit Modi 3 comes with a 2 year warranty from Schiit that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about Schiit's warranty in India.