Schiit Modius Balanced DAC Review - This schiit is unfair!

[@badlighting]

FYI: newer Schitt Modius e DACs have type C instead of micro USB

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for the info!

[@zooey2810]

There are lots of reviewers out there, but you are the only one I completely trust

[@PassionforSound]

Wow. Thanks Zooey!

[@IronHorsey3]

@@PassionforSound Your effort at objectivity and context is second to none.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Roman. I really appreciate that.

[@RenRenification]

Waiting for that Bifrost 2 review! Excited!

[@PassionforSound]

Not long now...

[@hifihillbilly4843]

Excellent review! You’re hand down becoming one of my favorite reviewers.

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you! 😁

[@lpspinners8736]

I agree that this channel is one of my top 2 favorite channels on KZbin.

[@audioaficionado9494]

Great review. Very informative, comprehensive and succinct. I started my Schiit stack with the Modi and loved that DAC. Got the Freya S preamp and snagged the Modius as a balanced DAC. I'm considering the Asgard 3 and Sundara too. How convenient that you are reviewing all the gear I'm getting. Keep up your excellent review channel.

[@PassionforSound]

Haha, thanks AA and glad I could review all your upgrade decisions for you 🙂

[@thesoundfreq8861]

Your reviews are getting better and better mate! Well done. Loving your work. Production is top notch!

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Mark!

[@chefsteve8381]

Love the matching hoodie lighting very high tech! , you're going to make my wallet very thin with all these great audio products, cheers keep up the good work !

[@PassionforSound]

Haha. Thanks Steve! Sorry about your wallet!

[@JimAnderson1]

Also I am impatiently waiting for that Asgard 3 review. Great reviews. My favorite channel for objective and informative audio equipment reviews. Great job.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Jim. The A3 review is locked and loaded for the next mid-week release (Wed / Tues depending on where you live)

[@PassionforSound]

Oops. I goofed. It's loaded up for next weekend so just over 1 week to wait. Sorry! I had to get through some loaner gear before I could get to the A3 (which I own)

[@wonderboy7768]

whoas me, the icons... learn it in 10 mins, enjoy the clean design for years

[@PassionforSound]

LOL. I agree 😁

[@gramblor1]

I like your "Happiness is immeasurable" shirt 😂

[@PassionforSound]

Haha. Me too. That and my USB shirt are my faves so far

[@horatiocornblower6195]

Fantastic review my man, Modius and Asgard are currently on the way, thanks!!

[@PassionforSound]

Awesome! Glad you liked the reviews - I'm sure you'll love the gear!

[@omni6409]

You're pretty spot on, mate. I'm quite impressed. Most of the youtube reviewers I know are either deaf or probably paid by the manufacturers one way or another.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Omni! Glad you agree. I'm beginning to think you're right about some "reviewers" selling out after seeing a certain amp review on a certain channel this week ☹️

[@dennisD..]

As a beginner at this hobby, buying a Zen DAC then having to watch your video just gave me a buyer's remorse. Lol I just wish I was able to watch your video before I pulled the trigger. But this doesn't stop me from selling my 2 week old Zen DAC lol

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Dennis, I haven't heard the Zen DAC so it could be equally as good. I probably wouldn't jump to sell it now, but would recommend saving up for the next step up if/when you're ready.

[@mouhebkhateeb5609]

I love that you don't use bullshit audiophile terms and don't claim that you can hear a 0.3db difference immediately subscribed ❤ and waiting for my magnius and and modius to come .

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked the review! Enjoy your pile of Schiit 😉

[@DrAg0n3250]

It's a little funky that my Modius arrived 1hr ago. I haven't installed it yet but I was confident in the dac and the stack it would make with my Modius (Blacked out too baby! My whole desk setup is matte black, only LEDs are the ones behind my computer monitor.)

[@PassionforSound]

Very nice! Great choice. Enjoy!

[@xcountry6709]

Have owned both the Modius and Magnius for a while now, Fantastic DAC, and the amp is a perfect compliment! Great review, Thanks so much!!

[@PassionforSound]

They're definitely a nice pair. Enjoy!

[@lpspinners8736]

I have a Schiit Modius DAC and for $199.00, it is a fantastic, great sounding piece.

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@SteelBlueVision]

You are now on my Schiit List, subscribed!

[@PassionforSound]

Awesome! Thanks SBV!

[@kjbiz]

Just revisited this as I was going to make my decision on the modius and it really helped me decide. Thanks again for your help.

[@PassionforSound]

So glad I could help! 🙂🙂

[@MrMrwaz]

You sold me.. just pulled the trigger on a modius to pair with my asgard 3. Will make a point of difference with my Atom stack.

[@PassionforSound]

You'll love it I think. Enjoy!

[@StephenCaudillPhoto]

Top-notch review. I am eagerly awaiting shipment of my Modius. It'll be paired with the Valhalla 2 which I've had for about 5 years and my HD600s. In a world of immediate gratification, the wait is... kind of exciting :-)

[@PassionforSound]

Nothing like that anticipation!

[@morespinach9832]

Did you enjoy the Valhalla combo?

[@killerra]

I have just randomly come across your reviews and I really enjoy your presentations. I own a Jotunheim 1 with the Multibit DAC module but I still enjoy listening to reviews of the new stuff. I'm subbing to keep up with your stuff. Cheers.

[@PassionforSound]

Cheers KR! Glad you like the channel and thanks for subbing!

[@killerra]

@@PassionforSound Do you think the Modius would be an upgrade to the Jotunheim's internal multibit DAC, or would I be losing by going back to a chip-based unit?

[@PassionforSound]

From what I've heard from others, it should be an upgrade. You'll probably lose a little depth in the soundstage, but detail retrieval and clarity should improve.

[@killerra]

@@PassionforSound I'm so afraid of losing that holographic element the multibit adds, maybe I'll have to bite the whole clip of bullets and save up for the Bifrost 2 after all, but it's been a year already so maybe I should hold out for a Bifrost 3 haha. Thanks for the advice.

[@PassionforSound]

If that's important to you (and it is to me so I understand) then you're definitely better off saving up for Bifrost 2. I doubt there's a Bifrost even in the works yet because Schiit have been really busy with replacing the AKM chips in all their other designs and updating the Yggy too.

[@ch33zpuff]

Some strong words of praise of the Modius... Great thorough review and I can't wait for the Sundara review!

[@PassionforSound]

It's pretty awesome, Brandon (so are the Sundara). I think the Modius is better than the E30, but that's going from memory only so I can't be 100% sure.

[@cosmicheretic8129]

The micro usb is a deal breaker for me so will wait for a new version or other option. I have a feeling my E30 and 789 will be fine together for now when I get them next week. Thanks for reviewing them!

[@PassionforSound]

That'll be a nice combo. I think you'll see a lot more USB-C from manufacturers in the future.

[@filovirus1]

at last! thank you for the review. Modius ordered!

[@PassionforSound]

Awesome! You'll love it and good timing given that stock of AKM chips will be limited in the near future.

[@Farazao]

Nice review there! Waiting to see the pairings of the bifrost 2. I feel I could have an amp with beter slam to complete my system, let's see what you found out.

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Victor, glad you enjoyed it. I actually didn't do specific amp pairings for the Bifrost 2 because it will be great with anything. What are you currently using?

[@Farazao]

@@PassionforSound using it with a Jotunheim and a Smsl Sp200. I like the detail on the sp200 but sometimes the combination feels a little soft with the Focal Clear. I was thinking about getting a THX789 or an Eirish maybe to complete the chain but still don't know. What do you think?

[@PassionforSound]

Both will be a nice upgrade from the SP200. I like the Erish for its smoothness, but both are great amps.

[@Farazao]

Thank you once again for the help!

[@PassionforSound]

Anytime!

[@snowrang3r657]

Great review as always, I'm digging the b-roll. I can see why someone might need/want the screen and remote of the Topping E30 but for me this is THE budget DAC.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Snow! Glad you like the B-roll. I definitely agree that this is the budget DAC to choose.

[@myalpaca5]

Very satisfied with my Modius+Liquid Platinum+Arya

[@PassionforSound]

That would be a great pairing I expect. I have a Liquid Platinum on the way to review (probably early next year)

[@wokthetalk3079]

Hello. I really have been enjoying watching your reviews and especially how you compare the item you are currently reviewing with that of previously reviewed products (both scaling up and down). It also helps that you take the time to recommend and give the pros/cons in some pairing choices as well. With that in mind, I was wondering if you had a chance to pair the Modius with the 789?

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you're finding the content helpful! I didn't get a chance to try that pairing because I've now sold the 789. I am confident that it would be an excellent combination though.

[@migueltorcuator2152]

I’m curious if you can discern the different between a $100 to one that costs 10x more via a double blind test

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, that's really not a challenge even though some would say that it is. I've got an interview with Jason Stoddard from Schiit where he actually talks about a double blind test they did with some DACs. It'll come out in mid November

[@mchlprz]

Such an amazing review! Always enjoy watching these. The one I’ve been waiting for too haha! I was able to get a great secondhand deal on an A90/SU-8v2 combo, but I’ve still been considering swapping the SU-8 with the Modius for an “even” swap. Going to have to consider my options even more now

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Michael! I've been trying to get an SU-8, but might divert now due to the AKM fire and focus on products that aren't likely to have supply issues so I can't comment on the proposed swap. All I know is the Modius is comfortably the best budget DAC (or mid-price) that I've heard.

[@mchlprz]

​@@PassionforSound Yeah such a shock with the fire news. Thankfully reports of no one hurt and everyone evacuated. I'd be willing to have my unit shipped to you, but I'm located in the states so shipping would be pretty steep + don't know how long to get through customs haha. The Modius at $200 is great buy at that price range from what I can tell based off your review + others. It's always refreshing to see these products pop up because it always helps to bring balanced into a more "budget" friendly area while still performing excellently. Always love watching these reviews. Excited for the continuing "Schiit Week" !

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for the offer. I'll keep my eyes open for a secondhand one here in the future so I can get it on the channel.

[@mchlprz]

@@PassionforSound from own review, and very, VERY non-techinal: It's great! Clean sound, really simple, comes with a remote, and a somewhat useful set of features that you can use the menu for if you want. I didn't find a difference in sound between optical and USB, so I stuck with optical because I've been having noisy USB port issues.

[@PassionforSound]

Hopefully I can try one at some point!

[@akpk12]

I don't have a lot of money to throw at a descent audiophile desktop/headphone setup so I wanted to get your suggestion. Equipment: Source: Mac Mini/windows laptop Speakers: Kanto TUK (Active monitors) Headphone: Massdrop X Sennheiser HD6XX DAC: Schiit Modius Amp: Schiit Magnius Connections: - Use the Schiit DAC/amp stack to power the Massdrop X Sennheiser HD6XX (balanced) - Use the Schiit DAC to send the analogue signal to Kanto TUK (and to use the speaker's inbuilt amp and bypass the speaker's DAC) I will really appreciate if you can give your opinion on this basic setup as I am really keen on setting up my first (some what) audiophile setup? Would you say this setup will get me to 70-80% of the very high-end audiophile results (considering the law of diminishing marginal returns). Many thanks in advance, Amit

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Amit, that looks to me like a great setup at the price. I don't know the speakers, but everything else you've chosen is excellent

[@InIcarus]

The treble roll-off demonstration I feel was a little superfluous, I can't believe anyone seriously interested in this review would think less than half a dB roll-off up there would be an issue. People claiming otherwise is in the lowest common denominator territory and I don't think it's necessary to address them. Great review otherwise as usual, I've come to value your opinion more and more as time goes on, and I find myself popping in here looking if you have a review when I'm interested in a product. Keep up the good work!

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Inlcarus, so glad you're finding my reviews helpful! As for the roll-off demo, you'd be surprised how important some people in the measurement-first community think this is. Where appropriate I'm trying to add a different perspective to balance some of the noise coming from that side of the fence.

[@InIcarus]

@@PassionforSound I think I understand, you're managing some "signal-to-noise", so to speak ;) And yes, I probably would be surprised, judging by your reply.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, that's a nice way to put it 🙂

[@jordanfish]

When the hoodie resonates perfectly with the subject matter :)

[@PassionforSound]

Haha. So true!

[@testek3053]

14:41 i agree about sound chain coherence, but you didn't mention which headphones were used to notice differences? is a mid tier like dt1990 able to benefit from a bifrost 2, or would it be unable to deliver better sound than paired with a modius? nice roll-off simulation btw! couldn't hear a difference, but youtube compression probably rolled-off both files anyway.

[@PassionforSound]

I definitely couldn't hear roll-off when I tried it direct at my desk. That's a good point about which gear will show differences. I mostly use the Empyreans for my testing. There will be a point where either amp and/or headphones limit our ability to hear improvements. With headphones the price threshold is fairly low so DT1990s should show the differences. Amps are a little trickier because it depends a lot on the characteristics not the amp.

[@doncarlitotan]

Been waiting for this review. Thank you.👍

[@PassionforSound]

You're welcome!

[@Alexandra-Rex]

I'm thinking about the Modius combined with the Schiit Midgard, and having seen your review of both of these, it seems like it will be a very good combination.

[@PassionforSound]

Definitely!

[@Alexandra-Rex]

@@PassionforSoundDo you think the Schiit Modi+ and the Magni+ would work well with the Meze 99 Neo? I might for that to get an upgrade a lot sooner than if I save up for the other more expensive combination that I assume is better, at least the DAC, but I could always upgrade at a later time.

[@PassionforSound]

That will be an excellent stack with the Neos. As is always the case, you can go higher and higher in this hobby, but that will make for an extremely enjoyable and affordable setup.

[@Alexandra-Rex]

@@PassionforSoundThank you for all the testing and replies :) The Neos are ordered, now I must save up for the Asgard 3 :)

[@Alexandra-Rex]

@@PassionforSoundIt seems I've goofed a bit 😄 I was looking at those two, Midgard and Modius, but in the review you start talking about the Magnius, and I for some reason confused it with the Midgard, and then lost interest in that combination since Magnius + Modius wasn't as good. So all the other questions I had about things, like the Asgard, isn't really relevant since Midgard + Modius is a good combination. Asgard is good, but only one input if you don't want an internal DAC. So I'll be going for the Midgard and Modius, unless something new comes out in the price range.

[@sashac3323]

I agree with a lot of comments, you are the best reviewer! Keep up the great work!

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks souch, Sasha!

[@sashac3323]

@@PassionforSound Quick question. I just re-watched as I'm on the fence between this and the Bifrost 2. You mentioned about mid-tier equipment, if the amp is an Asgard 3 with a pair of Sundara or DT 880 600, are these too much of a mid-tier to not get the B2 and stick with the Modius?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Sasha, I still think the Bifrost 2 is a worthwhile purchase. You'll still hear the benefits from the gear you mentioned and it future-proofs you for later upgrades. Modius is good, but Bifrost is definitely better

[@agentm83]

Really useful video. I own a Modius and love it! I appreciate the commentary re: the Bifrost 2 and headphone amps.

[@PassionforSound]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy your Modius 🙂

[@morespinach9832]

Modius owner here looking to upgrade to bifrost. Did you notice any difference?

[@PassionforSound]

Are you asking me or agentm83? I got the sense he hasn't tried both and I think my answers are best described in either this video or my Bifrost 2 review

[@morespinach9832]

@@PassionforSound yesyou, sorry. thanks!

[@PassionforSound]

All good. I can't recall where I detailed my comparison, but it's either the Modius or Bifrost 2 review where I compared the directly 🙂

[@Coztomba]

Any review of the Burson Audio Composer coming up?

[@PassionforSound]

Sure is. I've asked Burson about a loan unit when I receive my (purchased) Soloist 🙂

[@Ans12237]

I'd like to know how the Modius stacks up against the E30. (Modius beeing ~100 bucks more here). How great is the diffrence ins space and detail?

[@PassionforSound]

It's a great question and I wish I'd had an E30 here for comparison, but sadly I didn't ☹️ I think the Modius would likely come out ahead by a modest margin, but hard to say just how much

[@willkendallpro]

I have the modius and love it. However, using the USB port on your source (computer) to power the modius is highly dependent on the quality of the implementation of the usb port on the source. I had issues with my computer not turning on power to the usb ports early enough in the boot cycle causing the modius to sometimes not be recognized. I solved this by providing power from a dedicated high-quality usb charger via the other usb port on the modius.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing that tip, Will! Glad you're enjoying your Modius

[@emmgeevideo]

Outstanding review. Thank you. 100% substance.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful!

[@nc3419]

When you say the Bitfrost 2 and the Modius are close enough for less high end equipment, What price points are you referring to? I have a Keces E40, a 40 watt that punches above its' class and reminds me of my Hegel h160, smooth, vg bass control but rounded, yet full highs with a good Stage with noticable depth for a solid state. It isn't a flat stage like many. It could benefit from a more treble extended dac and I do have a D50s on it which overall is decent but has a more narrow and centered stage and especially of issue is that ESS/digital glare. I have considered Ares 2, Topping d70s and Bitfrost 2, but for that small amp the Modius (maybe even a Modi MB) particularly using "RCA" only at this point may be good enough. Differences between the D50s and the D70s (briefly had this) on the keces with small Triangle Zetas (like Color series) as well as Focal 807Ws were small improvements as to detail but D70s also had a slightly better SS, width, depth, tone, etc but the biggest difference worth pursuing was the "lack glare and naturalness". That was most noticeable. I thought I could live with the glare as it was close to everything else, but no. So now I want something that is closer to D70s details and stage sounding better than both my D50s and Marantz CD6006. Small improvements do add up as do the costs, but like I said, that lack of digital glare really stands out and is worth pursuing. This is why I think the Modius wouldn't be a sideways move. I would compare the Marantz CD 6006 which uses a CS 4398 chip to the coax input of the Modius. Use whichever sounded best on piano and use optical for movies. I think while the coax may yield a more rounded treble, it would be desirable to have added width/depth/height to the SS so it isn't all bunched up front, center and forward. I mainly listen to music/movies on physical media as of now and appreciate as much width, depth and separation as I can get on CDs and Bluray. Modius might just be good enough for the Keces E40 amp (which btw is something you may find nice to review). I am tempted to get Amphion Heliums on it though should I sell the Focals, so that may make a difference in dac selection as well?. I have pursued quality sound in smaller. lighter gear, looking to shed heavier and expensive gear. Sorry to be a pain, but choosing a dac without hearing it leaves us trying to triangulate on a choice. I really liked the D70s lack of glare. With Bitfrost 2 and Ares 2 reviews favoring them over Topping products and the R2R soundstaging, makes them candidates as well. But if the Modius offers just enough depth (I know Modi MB/Bitfrost 2 has a bit more), width, separation and no glare, it may be close enough to never notice I am missing anything especially if it is that much better than a D50s. But if I had to, I would spend more to achieve a desired outcome. I had read others state that the Modius performs as well as a Topping D90 and that alone has me interested. Otherwise, I will make a choice between D70s (DS), Bitfrost 2 (middle point DS/R2R) or the Ares 2. Thanks for your patience.

[@PassionforSound]

Hi N C, that's a tough question to answer in terms of at which point the Modius is no longer good enough because it's more about individual product quality and less about its price tag. Probably the most useful thing I can tell you is that the Modius doesn't produce the soundstage depth of the Bifrost 2. It's very good for an affordable, balanced chip-based DAC and is comfortably better than the D50S, but it won't give you the layering and depth of the Bifrost 2.

[@nc3419]

@@PassionforSound Thank you.

[@PassionforSound]

You're welcome. Hope it helped!

[@alanmodimages]

So... the question becomes... Modius or Modi Multi Bit! for EDM and Jazz. Analog system, moderately resolving speakers. Saving for a BiFrost 2 takes a bit of time and I would love to start enjoying my Qobuz sooner than later :) Thanks!

[@PassionforSound]

That's a tough one and I haven't tried the Modi MB to comment. If you don't need balanced though, I'd start with the Modi MB and save some pennies to help you get to the Bifrost 2 sooner

[@alanmodimages]

@@PassionforSound Thanks :)

[@doctorrobin3040]

I agree. It is a fantastic product. You have to go to the Ares 11 to get a better sound but it is close. Thanks.

[@PassionforSound]

That or the Bifrost 2... 😉

[@doctorrobin3040]

@@PassionforSound The mighty Modius.

[@paulyllow]

Any chance of you reviewing Modi Multibit V2? For those who use only RCA output of Modius, why not pay a bit more for Modi Multibit?

[@PassionforSound]

I have tried to get one, but the various production delays and stock shortages have made it difficult lately

[@Error_4x5]

At three times the price, the Bifrost should sound better than the Modius to everyone with ears, not just a critically listening audiophiles. At that price difference, there should be a clear night and day difference between the two. The fact that there isn't tells me the Bifrost is way overpriced and it's FPGA based DAC is overrated.

[@PassionforSound]

There are a few things to consider here. Firstly, the differences are larger now than before because of the new version Bifrost 2/64. Secondly, the differences are in the staging and presentation which are less evident when switching back and forth quickly like you do during an A/B test than something like tonal character. During extended listening, the spatial character allows the device to sound more natural and true-to-life which is more enjoyable and less fatiguing for many people. And a final point is that the Schiit DACs don't use FPGAs, they use a chip-based resistor ladder and digital sound processors (DSPs)

[@Error_4x5]

@@PassionforSound Thanks for replaying. The reasons you listed for the Bifrost being better seem to me like edge cases. At that big of a price gap, I as a customer would be expecting total domination not, it's better in the corners, lol. I got the Asgard 3 after seeing your video and it blew my Magni out the water. I guess you don't see that kind of advantage with dac's.

[@PassionforSound]

I get what you mean. I think the Modius is already so good that the jump to the Bifrost 2 was less than it maybe 'should' be. That's changed now with the Bifrost 2/64 IMO.

[@John_Doe32]

I'm sold on the Modius! Question. I'm still within the return policy of my L30 Amp, so I'm thinking about returning the L30 and buying the Asgard 3, after hearing how rich the audio sounds in comparison to a more transparent Amp. I don't mind paying the extra $60 dollars for an Asgard 3, but I want to hear your thoughts beforehand. I heard some people saying there's a bit of buzzing to the Asgard 3 on higher volume, but I think that's more to do with their setup than the usual case.

[@PassionforSound]

Hi John, they're quite different amps. What headphones are you using and what characteristics are you looking for?

[@ForeverYoung007]

I really like your reviews. What I found however compared side by side with a D30 and paired with a CTH, I prefer the sound signature of the D30. Better sound stage mids presence and more natural. The Modius sounds to me a bit v-shaped in comparison and more digital and clinical with a slight rolloff to the highs. Althugh the modius definetely has more bass, slam and impact.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm assuming you're talking about the Topping D30? (Versus Loxjie D30) I haven't heard the Topping so can't really comment, but what matters is that you've found your preference. It's possible that there's also some interaction going on between the character of the DACs and the CTH amp so if you've found the sound you prefer then go with it! 🙂

[@brianisaac1804]

Would you consider the A90 and Modius a good combo? I really don’t see myself listening to more music than gaming, although every once in a while I do play music while I’m gaming. The D90 and Bifrost 2 cost 700, so I’m not really sure if that’s worth it unless it’s a great sale on Black Friday. The only thing that I’m sure about is the hd800s and the A90, the A90 has the most inputs for headphones.

[@PassionforSound]

That will be a great pairing. The Modius is outstanding for its price and very hard to beat. Also, if you ever decide to upgrade it will be easy to sell.

[@brianisaac1804]

@@PassionforSound Seriously, you’ve been a big help, thanks.

[@PassionforSound]

You're most welcome! 🙂

[@Ohio_Motonaut]

Which output would be more ideal for a tube amp? I have a Primaluna Prologue Premium. I have no experience with DACs. Thanks!

[@PassionforSound]

Most tube amps are single ended only so you'd likely be using the RCA out. Either would be fine though - just choose what the amp takes natively

[@DistroUser]

Nice review! I owned the Modius for about a month and then traded up to the Bifrost 2. I have to admit the Modius is no slouch and may be even more impressive when used in a home stereo setup (as I did). I believe the USB input does not need power , however all other inputs do or may benefit audibly. I also tried an external power supply from iFi and felt it degraded the sound over the stock Modius PS quite a bit. My two cents!

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing DU. That's really interesting about the iFi power supply! No doubt, the Modius is amazing for the price

[@morespinach9832]

Thanks for this. Do the biforst didn’t show a noticeable upgrade in sound?

[@DistroUser]

@@morespinach9832 I think so and the reason I bought it. The rest of your system needs to be at a quality level to discern the differences.

[@morespinach9832]

@@DistroUser thanks, i l lson find out if Dynaudio Xeo 20 is up to it :)

[@kokyong2011]

On the use of two usb power cables vs just one for the data input, is there any discernible improvement? You said insignificant, so I wonder though not significant, are there subtle improvements?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Ang, that's just me being a little cautious. I don't like to say there's zero difference in case someone goes out and measures some miniscule variance. When I say it's insignificant it means I can't hear any difference at all. I believe they're close enough (if not identical) so that no one will hear a difference.

[@1antastik]

You mention Chord Mojo as a superior dac. Did you really mean the Mojo or rather the Qutest. I was looking to upgrade my MOJO with Modius, would you recommend against it? Thank you so much

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Antonio, did I say that in this review? I don't recall including the Mojo here. I do very much like the Mojo, but I can't recall comparing it and couldn't say for certain which would be better because I no longer have the Modius here. Personally, for a desktop setup, I would probably prefer the Modius for its form factor, balanced outputs, etc. but I'm not convinced you're getting a better DAC as such so much as a more convenient design.

[@ishmaelk]

Hi, Lachlan. I find it interesting that you had a hard time differentiating the Modius and the Bifrost 2. But you didn't have the same problem when you compared the Bifrost 2 with the Burson Composer. How do you think the Modius would fare against the Composer?

[@PassionforSound]

That's a really good question. I can't recall which setup I had at the time with the interconnects I was using, etc. but I wonder if perhaps I wasn't getting maximum resolution because the Composer should be significantly better than the Modius (and I believe it would be). I've recently upgraded my switching box setup to use 3 pairs of AudioQuest Red River XLR cables (2-in, 1-out or vice versa). That should help better differentiate gear in the future I think

[@jon4715]

Big question is Modius vs Multibit dac card when paired with Asgard.

[@PassionforSound]

I've had other viewers say that the Modius is much better than the internal cards (either delta sigma or multibit)

[@jon4715]

Thanks. Yeah it seems like that's the case.

[@douglasjarnagan3835]

Is the Modius a good DAC for a CD Transport? Schiit seems to have laptops use in mind, but does that mean it isn't good for transports?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Douglas, the Modius has a slight USB emphasis as you say, but I think that's just because of the new Unison USB interface they designed. It still works just fine with other digital inputs so will go well with your transport.

[@josefernandez2722]

hi. Thanks for the review. I want to know your opinion on the differences between the dac ak4493 in the modius vs the multi bit dac on the jotunheim 2 vs ak4490. Im trying to make a buying decision to see which version would render the best results. Thank you

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Jose, I have only heard the onboard DAC in an original Jotunheim which limited my ability to really hear what it was capable of, but I've had multiple viewers tell me that the DAC cards are not as good as the external DACs and knowing how great the Modius is, I'd say skip the cards and go straight for that.

[@emmgeevideo]

Have you compared the Modius to the Modi? I don’t need all of the inputs and outputs, so if the DAC quality is the same or even the Modi is slightly less good I might prefer to save a little money. On the other hand, if the Modius is even 10% better I would rather buy “better”.

[@PassionforSound]

Unfortunately, I haven't compared them, sorry ☹️

[@Anand.Asrani]

Hi , Can I Connect the Modius between my laptop & my Yamaha Receiver ( Amplifier )

[@PassionforSound]

Absolutely!

[@Dean0017]

I have a Modius and just order a jot 2. Just wondering if it will be a good pairing?

[@PassionforSound]

That will be great! In the future, you MIGHT want to upgrade the DAC, but you certainly won't need to.

[@Dean0017]

@@PassionforSound That's what I was thinking. Maybe I'll go multibit in the future, but who knows. Thanks for the reply. Awesome vids!!!

[@kimchinoodle3640]

Heyyy, young audiophile wanting to work on my setup. Had purchased the Modius and now am waiting for my Magnius to come in, what would be the best way to connect my windows desktop and headphones once my amp arrives?

[@PassionforSound]

I'd just stick to simple USB for the sake of ease (and the Modius has good USB implementation). The other thing to think about though is your playback software. There are some great options out there like Roon, JRiver, etc. or you can use streaming apps. Just make sure that the software is setup to provide a direct connection to the DAC and not run via the Windows DirectSound protocol. Different apps do it differently, but if you see options like "exclusive", wasapi or ASIO, they're what you want.

[@marklong982]

Is there much of a jump from the Modi 3 to the Modius? I'm not sure if my next upgrade should be from the Modi 3 to the Modius or Bifrost 2.

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Mark, I'm yet to try the Modi so I can't say for sure. If you can jump straight to the Bifrost 2, that would be my choice.

[@AliArghavan]

Can you shortly compare this to similarly priced Soncoz LAQ-XD1?

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't tried the Soncoz yet, sorry

[@christianr9549]

Question for everyone, I'm using Tidal to stream music and since the Modius isn't MQA compatible does anyone know if I'll lose any quality on the master tracks?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Mr Moo, you won't lose quality as such, you just won't get maximum quality. When fed to an MQA DAC you get an extra layer of information made available by the MQA info packaged with the file. With a standard DAC it's basically like playing a normal FLAC version of the file. The MQA mastering process may be slightly lossy, but if there's no choice (i.e. no non-master version available) then you're not missing anything. If there is a non-master version available, try comparing both versions and see what you prefer.

[@robinf545]

Another excellent review!! I was thinking about getting a Modius or the Modi multibit. I have the Valhalla 2 as well as an Asgard 2 but was not sure which would be the best match.

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked it. Having not heard the Modi MB yet, I can't say for sure which is choose - sorry!

[@robinf545]

@@PassionforSound thanks for the response..looking forward to more great content!

[@useForwardMax]

If I'm getting Asgard 3, would you recommend Modius or internal multibit card add-on? Thanks.

[@PassionforSound]

I'd get the Modius, but I haven't compared them.

[@achan7396]

Thanks for the detailed review. I wonder if it's a worthy upgrade from my modi dac. My smsl amp has the balance input which I'm not using currently. Not sure if using the balance input is will be better than rca.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm not sure about the balanced vs SE performance of SMSL amps, but I'd expect the Modius to be better than the Modi based on the chip used being a higher grade chip.

[@achan7396]

@@PassionforSound Thank you!

[@JayGreezy]

I've got a Valhalla 2 and just bought a Modius for my DAC to replace my old SABER DAC. I hope this is a good setup, I can't find ANYONE who seems to use this combo, but I assume it will be lovely. Or....I hope rather.....

[@PassionforSound]

I think you'll be very happy, Jason!

[@GaryHuntPianoman]

I do not use headphones and true balanced xlr are important to me ...Do you think Modius would be overkill with good hi powered powered speakers or the Topping D10 in your opinion . I highly trust your knowledge ....Thank you

[@PassionforSound]

I think the Modius is a great idea, assuming you can adjust the volume somewhere else (i.e. the transport or speakers). The D10 is pretty underwhelming IMO so the Modius will do a much better job

[@GaryHuntPianoman]

@@PassionforSound Thank you so much

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure

[@cobraflunkie]

@Passion for Sound , would this pair well with a Magni amp? I have one and am looking for a DAC to complement it. The lack of harshness that reviewers like yourself use to describe this is appealing and the balanced out is great for connecting to studio monitors later on.

[@PassionforSound]

I think it's a great option for that type of situation. You can then always upgrade as you said with either monitors or a balanced amp if you want to.

[@geraldgreene5563]

Hi and the reviews are excellent.. I’m considering a new dac, which would you choose out of the ones you have reviewed.. toppings, bifrost, chord cutest and Denafrips.. my system consists of an audia flight FL3s intergrated with monitor 100g5 100 speakers. Xlo speaker cables reference models with audioquest Z3 power cables and interconnects. I use the bluesound node 2i with the internal dac , it’s considered warm and I’d like more detail, wider soundstage and a more holographic sound if that’s possible with a dac. Thanks

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Gerald, glad you're liking the reviews! If you want detail AND soundstage then the Qutest or Bifrost 2 are your best bets. The alternatives will either give you detail (Topping) or soundstage (Denafrips Ares II), but not both. The Qutest is likely better than the Bifrost 2, but both are excellent.

[@geraldgreene5563]

Thanks so much... I was also going the add the matrix mini I pro 3 to the mix, not sure if you review that one but it’s getting some really good reviews.

[@PassionforSound]

The Matrix gear is always solid based on my past experiences. Being a chip-based delta sigma design, it won't match the other two mentioned, but could well be better than the Topping gear.

[@geraldgreene5563]

@@PassionforSound I think it’s going to be the bifrost 2

[@PassionforSound]

Great choice!

[@morespinach9832]

For headphones or IEMs would Modius + Vali be a good pair? Or Asgard?

[@PassionforSound]

I'm afraid I haven't tried the Vali to comment - sorry!

[@federicocherubini7024]

Does It work connected with a Smartphone via USB?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Federico, I didn't try it, but I expect it would work. You'd probably need to provide the power from a separate source though (like a phone charger). There may be info on the Schiit website about this, but I'm not able to check right now.

[@djb113]

This is a really great thorough review

[@PassionforSound]

So glad it was helpful!

[@RonnyC98]

I have this. Hopefully I don’t need to get another one for a longgggg time.

[@PassionforSound]

I think you'll be pretty safe. Awesome DAC!

[@brianisaac1804]

Excellent review as always.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Brian!

[@brianisaac1804]

So after this review, which is better? Magnius/Modius, or the Topping A90/D90? To go with HD800’s?

[@PassionforSound]

I'd still take the Topping Stack out of that selection, but I'm actually thoroughly enjoying the HD800S with the Bifrost 2 and Asgard 3. The Asgard 3 review is a little way off still so I haven't done specific comparisons though so I can't specifically recommend between the Asgard/Bifrost or Topping stack yet. For now, Topping is a safe recommendation.

[@brianisaac1804]

@@PassionforSound I just watched and liked your Bifrost 2 video. What is your opinion on going with the A90 with the Bifrost 2, or is the Topping stack better overall? A90 is the Amp I’m going to buy, and choosing between these two Dacs. I know it’s a lot of questions, but I’m buying in a couple of weeks.

[@PassionforSound]

I'd choose the Bifrost 2 over the D90 unless you really want MQA. In terms of sound quality, I believe the Bifrost 2 is the better DAC

[@brianisaac1804]

@@PassionforSound Ok, thanks for your help. I look forward to more of your videos.

[@stevendavis1135]

Would you consider a upgrade over a modi 3+ or should I just save up for something like a bifrost 2? Also when you say budget or mid tier. Would you consider the lcdx to be mid-tier?

[@PassionforSound]

I'd probably look to jump to the Bifrost 2 if you can. The LCD-X is in the upper end of the mid tier IMO (based on pricing as I'm yet to try one)

[@Andrew-cp7mc]

I am in a similar situation - currently have the Vali 2+/Modi 3+ stack with my Focal Clear Pro. Planning to get an Audeze LCD-X as my next headphone and looking to also upgrade the DAC/Amp stack. As I think the LCD-X is the endgame for me, I dont need to future-proof the DAC/Amp stack, just an appropriate pairing with the Clear and LCD-X. Is the Asgard 3/Bifrost 2 overkill or Asgard 3/Modius a more sensible pairing?

[@PassionforSound]

I personally think the Bifrost 2 is definitely worthwhile in that setup. The Modius is great, but the Bifrost 2 will bring depth into the chain rather than just width. You're still not spending CRAZY money, but you're massively closing the gap between budget/entry level sound and top tier sound with the Asgard/BF combo. Also, if you decide to grab a Jotunheim 2 or similar in the future, the BF2 will scale with the higher level amps.

[@Andrew-cp7mc]

@@PassionforSound Thanks for the advice. I like your approach to the reviews; although I do have to be ready at the volume knob between your music intros ...

[@PassionforSound]

Sorry about the sound levels. There was a LOT to learn in the first couple of years. I've fixed that in current videos

[@xavierwood2030]

Great review! What balanced amp would you recommend for the Modius that's better than the Magnius?

[@PassionforSound]

The A90 from Topping is excellent. I'm also about to review the Monolith Liquid Platinum so stay tuned for that one. For something cheaper, but very good, check out the Geshelli Labs Erish too. I can't think of anything else off the top of my head.

[@xJae14x]

The Jotunheim 2

[@PassionforSound]

100%! Now that I've reviewed it, I'd throw that on top of the list.

[@MorTphyr]

can i use the jotunheim/modius stack for single ended? how do i connect the modius to the jotunheim?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes you can. You can connect the Modius and Jotunheim using either a pair of RCA cables or XLR (3-pin) cables.

[@MorTphyr]

@@PassionforSound thank you so much for you reply! Love your videos man, have a good day

[@chefsteve8381]

Good luck trying to get one in Australia for under $380, as shipping is over $100 plus our exchange rate, if Schilt want to sell any products in Australia they should stock them on amazon or local stores, once again stitched up Australian audio consumers. Looks like Schilt and others need a good hard look at their marketing and stocking before releasing products.

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Steve, I asked about this and Schiit's ops manager said that they only charge what their carriers charge them for shipping so it's an unfortunate side effect of our location on the globe and exchange rate as you said. I agree it would be good to see Schiit on Amazon Australia to help with these problems.

[@jayl5941]

I've watched your reviews and am currently struggling with whether to add the Modius or Bifrost 2 to my Topping A90. I use Sony Mdr-z1rs and it's so hard to know if the extra cost is worth it. Any thoughts with the A90?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Jay, the A90 definitely has the chops to get the most from the Bifrost 2. If you can stretch to it straight away you'll be well set for the foreseeable future

[@jayl5941]

@@PassionforSound Thank you. As a follow up - do you have a preference for the best method to hook up either a phone or dap (usb-c) to the Bifrost? I have a modi 3 now and use the mini-usb in but the Bifrost 2 doesn't have one. Thanks again for your great reviews!

[@PassionforSound]

I think the best bet would be a USB-C to USB-A adapter (like the AudioQuest DragonTail)

[@Seconds84]

@@PassionforSound still don't understand how a Biforst 2 would sound better or stretch an A90 when the Modius has a way better SINAD and a flat response? Please explain how there would be a difference?

[@PassionforSound]

It's because there's more to a DAC's sound than SINAD or FR measurements, Joseph. The differences between these measurements on these two DACs is likely inaudible. What's not being measured though is the accuracy of each DAC in correctly aligning the timing of transients in the music. This is a key to the spatial and timbral accuracy of a DAC and, to my ear (and knowing the intent of the design), the Bifrost 2 does it better and it's both audible and significant

[@nc3419]

I found that with the Loxjie D30, while smoother than D50s (nice detail and punch but it has that glare), it had less detail and separation than my Marantz CD6006. Using RCA to RCA only, perhaps the Modius might even be a bit better than the CD player? Other considerations are Modi Multibit, Topping D30pro. I did put a D70s in my system and it sounded detailed, smooth (no glare) and bested the Marantz, but am looking at a lower price point that could do that. Don't see needing MQA. Have the Lavaudio DS 600 now (a D50s clone) which I will use for computer with Cambridge Minx XLs so the glare will be tamed. But have Focals for the room. Any thoughts on the Modius v Modi MB vs D30pro appreciated. Depth, separation and natural tone/timbre is what I am after. The amp is punchy enough to awaken most any dac. Anyone feel free to comment.

[@PassionforSound]

The Modius is the only one of those I've tried so I can't really help there. It might also be worth considering the Geshelli J2 and SMSL SU-8s though. I've got a review of the SU-8s coming soon with comparison to the J2.

[@nc3419]

@@PassionforSound Thanks.

[@nc3419]

@@PassionforSound Looking forward to those. Thanks. Right now, it's between the Modius and Modi MB at the under $300 budget. I suppose I could grab a D70s again and be done with it but it's overkill for my needs and triple the price. So, as long as it's better than a Loxjie D30/Topping E30, I think it's good enough. Boy, I hope their optical fits securely as SMSL/Loxjie products I previously tried were so loose they fell out on their own. Did your review sample click in regarding optical?

[@PassionforSound]

The optical was nice and solid on the SU-8s. As for the Modius vs Modi MB, I really need to try the Modi MB because I'm a huge fan of Schiit's Multibit DACs so it might be even better than the Modius, but I don't know yet...

[@nc3419]

@@PassionforSound I think if I can get at least the detail of the D50s with a bit more depth and width retaining natural tone but without the digital glare, that would be a step in the right direction. I think the Schitt products could do that, with maybe Modius leaning one way and the MB the other, but neither better than the other, just a different flavor. Very tempted to try Bitfrost 2. I think that would be the absolute budget though.

[@SolitoTepic]

Excellent video, very well detailed, and I love the direct comparisons you make with other dacs. I would definitely never buy D30, I don't like things to smoothing. Interesting that Bifrost 2 has a more powerful punchier base. I liked the result together with Magnius, I like the forceful and edgy presentation, on your face. Comparing Modius + Magnius , with RME adi-2... rme is on the side forceful and edgy, in your face? or on the relaxed and soft side? Rme have a powerful base just like Bifrost 2?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Erick, RME is definitely on the edgier side - I think you'd like it. I don't think it's sound is quite as full as the Bifrost 2, but we're talking very subtle differences. You can always add a touch of EQ using the RME.

[@SolitoTepic]

​@@PassionforSound Thank you, RME is closer to my purchase!!

[@PassionforSound]

You're welcome. Enjoy!

[@hughrichardson7402]

I would like to see a review of some of IFI’s Products. Particularly the Zen Dac and Zen Blue, Although I feel like those products have been avoided because of the 4.4 mm connections as opposed to 4 pin XLR.

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Hugh, I'd love to provide that, but the local distributor (Busisoft / Addicted to Audio) has decided they don't want to deal with me because I used to be friends with a competitor of theirs. Sorry I can't help - it's out of my hands.

[@hughrichardson7402]

@@PassionforSound damm that sucks that they don’t want to deal with you simply because you dealt with Minidisc, at least that’s The store that I’m assuming that you are referring to. I believe that Minidisc sells the Zen Dac but not the Zen Blue, Although I already own the Zen Dac so the review maybe unnecessary given that I wanted a comparison. Thanks for the info though

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Hugh, it was the owner of Noisy Motel I was friendly with. Not sure if the store is even still active. I buy from Minidisc from time to time - those guys are great. They're thankfully not the cause of the pettiness so I can keep working with them 🙂 Perhaps I'll chat to them about some review samples. Might be a workaround...

[@CHUCKACIOUS]

Are you able to adjust EQ on the Modius?

[@PassionforSound]

I'm assuming you mean Modius (Mobius is an Audeze headphone) and no, there's no EQ on the Modius - just a pure DAC. You'd need to make EQ adjustments in your playback software.

[@CHUCKACIOUS]

@@PassionforSound appreciate it. Thank you. That's what I was curious about.

[@rioblast]

Can you please explain the relative difference between Magnius and Jotunheim (without any expansion module)?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Raymond, the Jot has quite a different sound and I really didn't enjoy it. Everything came across a bit uptight and forceful. The Magnius has a much less uptight sound. It's still a little edgy / digital, but to my ears it's a more enjoyable listen than the Jot. I haven't compared them side-by-side so I can only really talking about my general impressions, but I'd buy the Magnius everytime out of those two.

[@rioblast]

​ @Passion for Sound That's quite a remark and it will most likely influence my upcoming purchase. I'm very grateful for you taking your time to answer my questions. So what would you recommend instead? I'm going from a Modi/Magni3+/DT990 and are very interested in the Focal Clear and are looking for a balanced dac and amp that still can provide for my single-ended DT990's. That's also why I'm considering something else than the Magnius. Is Bifrost + NFB-1AMP a combo you would recommend?

[@PassionforSound]

I don't know the NFB-1 well so I can't comment, but depending on your budget there's the Soloist from Burson which is outstanding and the Topping A90 is also very good.

[@rioblast]

@@PassionforSound Do you mean the Composer 3x Performance and Soloist 3x Performance? They look impressive but $2200 USD + 25% Swedish tax plus shipping will end in a divorce. I've heard your review of the A90 and D90 and they seem to be a great alternative. I've even found a European vendor for those. I reached out to my local Hifi store and asked to listen to the Focal Clear but they said it wasn't worth trying and that it sounded plain so they had sold their demo. What do you think, would the Elear or Clear make a good or a bad combo with the D90/A90 stack? I do believe we share the same preference regarding the need for some base emphasis.

[@PassionforSound]

Wow! Can't believe they'd say that about the Clear. That reeks of kickback deals with other suppliers or some other kind of bias. The Clear with the D90 and A90 will be great! (I have the Clears still because they're excellent)

[@MrGezzh]

Awesome Review! How do you think it compares to the Modi 3? I am currently using this in my rig. Balanced outputs would be a nice addition but just wanted your thoughts? Cheers

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Gerren, I haven't heard the Modi 3 so I can't say for sure, but the Modius uses a higher level chip from AKM and is incredibly impressive so I'd say it's worth a go to get both SE and balanced options plus a likely sound quality improvement too.

[@MrGezzh]

@@PassionforSound Perfect, Will do and thanks for the response. Keep up the great work!

[@DrAg0n3250]

@@MrGezzh If you have more than one amp and one of them takes XLR input its worth it.Every amp handles sound slightly different even if both are using the same design philosophy (ex. discreet or op-amp designs). It also unblocks future amp up grades. I can see this working for some who use a gaming console or and a computer at their desk and would like have the same sound on using while using their amp

[@MrGezzh]

@@DrAg0n3250 Thank you, and yes I totally agree.

[@RamaP94]

This was a good review. Can you review the new Schiit Jotunheim 2?

[@PassionforSound]

Sure can! I have one on the way! 😃

[@RamaP94]

@@PassionforSound AWESOME!! Looking forward to it!

[@PassionforSound]

Me too! 😉😃

[@guccisasha]

is it ok to keep this modius dac always on ?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. It will draw a little power of course, but you won't do any harm to the DAC

[@guccisasha]

@@PassionforSound tysm

[@sanfroby]

Meglio Schiit Modius o Loxjie D30 ?

[@PassionforSound]

I'd take the Modius

[@alondite215]

The XLR out is rather significantly better than the RCA to my ears; it doesn't take me more than maybe a minute tops to determine which output I'm listening to most of the time. The RCA out is fine, especially for the price of the DAC, but it does have some of that AKM Velvet Sound character. Mushier lows, recessed mids, and somewhat glassier, more "digital" highs. The XLR squashes this almost entirely and sounds a bit more incisive. Resolution is outstanding on both, but the XLR has a bit better fine resolve and microdynamics, though it's far less evident than the improved tonality which is more readily noticeable when changing outputs. Headstage is a bit pushed-in, like a lot of other Schiit gear, but is fairly wide and spacious, if somewhat lacking in depth and layering. It doesn't have that "holographic" image with that sense of dimensionality that you get from their MB DACs; the image is more diffuse and "flat," almost like a cardboard cutout. For a $200 DAC, I'm not sure you can do better. Especially if you have gear that accepts a balanced input.

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Alondite, I heard no noticeable difference using the Topping A90 (IIRC). What amp were you using? Not saying you're wrong, just checking myself because I didn't yet have my Soloist 3X when I did this review.

[@alondite215]

​@@PassionforSound It was evident on Jotunheim (v1.1). Headphones are Focal Clear, HD650, and ZMF Eikon. I should mention that "rather significantly better" when comparing DAC outputs is often still rather subtle in the grand scheme of things, but it was readily apparent to me. I'm willing to bet the A90 is making the difference (or lack thereof). My experience with the A90 (and Topping amps in general) is that they basically override the signature of the DAC and gloss over most of the detail and dynamics. Magnius is another amp that does this to an extent, but is far less offensive to my ears. [EDIT] Most of my listening is done on the DNA Starlett, but I have to run it through Freya to use the Modius balanced. It was very evident on the Starlett, but I omitted it from the post initially in case Freya was affecting things, but I highly doubt that's the case based on comparisons with Bifrost 2 through Freya from both outputs.

[@PassionforSound]

Interesting. I would actually question the Jot in this case, but not sure about the Starlett. I'd love to try again with the Soloist because I trust that. I'm also always conscious about the differences in interconnects too so it's difficult to be definitive as I don't want to lead people astray and the differences weren't sufficient enough that I could attribute it to DAC

[@alondite215]

@@PassionforSound I would have questioned the interconnects as well if I got a similar result when comparing outputs from the Bifrost 2 in the same manner, but I didn't hear any such difference with that DAC so I feel I can rule that out.

[@PassionforSound]

Interesting! I don't have the Modius here to retest so perhaps it was the A90 limiting what I could hear. Glad the Soloist finally arrived for future testing situations!

[@andymenendez7824]

Hello, great review, I am really liking your channel and have been watching many of your videos lately. Have you tried the smsl su-8 yet? That one or the modius, or the smsl m200 will be mi next dac purchase. Any advice?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Andy, glad you're enjoying the channel! I was trying to get the SU-8, but with the AKM fire I'm thinking I'll divert to Sabre, Burr Brown and Cirrus based DACs for a while because stock of AKM based DACs will get tight. Personally, even having not heard the SU-8 I'd go straight for the Modius. It's just too good to second guess.

[@andymenendez7824]

@@PassionforSound That sounds like a great idea, I have a bunch of Schiit anyways and really like what I have so far. Thanks again for your advice and keep up the great work.

[@andymenendez7824]

@@PassionforSound FYI the SU-8 does have a double ES9038Q2M Sabre chip. Another thing I found interesting is that it has an FPGA which I found very interesting at this price, and also, there are so few reviews from people I trust. Either way, the Modius does look good. Final question, when comparing the Asgard to the Magnius, was that with the Magnius through the XLR's? Thanks again.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, Magnius is best with XLR so I only used it that way. Thanks for letting me know about the SU-8. I don't know why I had it in my head that SU-8 was an AKM DAC design.

[@nc3419]

It's good to know that RCA performance is close enough to XLR performance.

[@PassionforSound]

Agree! Always nice when you can run two different outputs or inputs without a major sacrifice in quality!

[@nc3419]

@@PassionforSound From most reviews, it seems to be a step up in SQ from loxjie d30 (i liked it well enough but connection issue) and Topping D50s (bit too much glare). So it could be a decent alternative to having to jump up to double or more price points. While one reviewer thought it wouldn't be optimal for classical music, any thought on that genre particularly piano? Other options are D30pro or a bit higher but the Modius might be a good match. My amp (Keces E40) has enough slam and warmth with tight bass and I will use either Focal or Triangle speakers. Good synergy but want to tame oversharpness/glare without losing too much dynamic range/transient response.

[@PassionforSound]

I think it's a great choice, N C. I'm not sure why the other reviewer thought it wouldn't suit classical music - that seems strange. Perhaps because it doesn't throw a particularly large / deep soundstage, but none of them do at this pricepoint in my experience. I'd personally take the Modius over anything else I've tried so far except perhaps the Geshelli J2 or SMSL SU-8s that's just been released, but both cost more than the Modius and don't look as good (if that's relevant)

[@nc3419]

@@PassionforSound Thank you. That helps. Now it's deciding on a pricepoint but the Modius might do the trick. I get some depth now as a function of speakers I tend to like. Given a function of room, amp, positioning...It didn't seem there was too much of a difference even with a Topping D70S but it was wider, warmer and a bit more detailed and no glare. I know I have depth as when I compared Quad S2s into my system a while...highly resolving but SS flat as a pancake and dry sounding. Yes, the Modius looks great and matches my amp well in black. If you ever get a Keces E40 for review, I think you'll find it competent as a mini class AB amp. It reminds me of my Hegel h160 in how it sounds, at reasonable volume.

[@nc3419]

@@PassionforSound I am trying to maximize depth in SS as well as natural tone for human voice and piano. Listen to alot of classical piano, modern folk, Nick Cave, plus other genres. I don't want to sacrifice other qualities too much either such as width of SS, detail and resolution but it doesn't have to be class leading. The D50s clone I am using is decent but the ESS glare detracts. So, my choices line up as Schitt Modius (perhaps best under $300) Topping D30pro Topping D70s Schitt Bitfrost 2 Topping D90se (absolute highest price considering my system) Amp is Keces e40 Focal 807w speakers. Any suggestions as to dac helpful. I am thinking Bitfrost 2 would give desired depth and separation w/o sacrificing details. D70s was nice, no glare, natural but the bass/midbass emphasis bled into separation a bit. I didn't think it more depth over the D50s clone but its' SS was wider. Hence the interest in both Modius and Bitfrost. And the darker cases match with the Keces. But SQ most important.

[@patrickwwallace89]

Hey, I'm really enjoying your channel! Do you think the Asgard 3 paired with the Modius would be a good fit for someone with Sennheiser HD650, Hifiman HE400i, who listens to classic rock -1950s, 60s, 70s, etc, and classical music? I'm pretty new to this and trying to find my first setup. Thank you :)

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you're enjoying the channel! I think that would make a wonderful setup for those cans and genres!

[@patrickwwallace89]

@@PassionforSound The way you're doing your reviews and comparisons is very helpful :) I'm considering getting the Bifrost in place of the Modius with the Asgard 3. Any recommendation on whether that would be worth the extra money or not? If you take the time to answer, thank you so much :) thanks for the first answer too.

[@PassionforSound]

It's absolutely worth the upgrade! The Bifrost 2 is great and the Asgard 3 has the chops to reveal the differences.

[@patrickwwallace89]

@@PassionforSound thank you so much :)

[@PassionforSound]

You're welcome!

[@ashtonmurch2142]

Is the Modi 3 good enough for the Asgard 3 or should I upgrade to the Modius?

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Ashton, I haven't heard the Modi 3 to be certain, but the Asgard 3 will benefit from better DACs so it's worth giving it the best performance you can afford.

[@mattstone5067]

Asgard 3 is SE only. The only reason you would want the Modius over the Modi 3 is if you have a balanced amp. What did you end up getting?

[@robertkirkpatrick1826]

The möbius vs the Geshelli jnog 2?

[@PassionforSound]

I didn't have the two side-by-side to compare, but both are outstanding (assuming you mean Schiit Modius). I'd probably choose based on aesthetics and functionality.

[@robertkirkpatrick1826]

@@PassionforSound thanks. I'm leaning towards a asgard 3+ lokius+modius +magnus stack to cover all my bases, based on your reviews of them all.

[@PassionforSound]

Sounds like an epic setup! I'd probably skip the Magnius and add a Jotunheim 2 when you can instead, but the Magnius does have a different sonic flavour so maybe for that reason it's a good choice.

[@robertkirkpatrick1826]

@@PassionforSound does ths jotunheim have the detail the Magnius does? I was looking to have a super clinical amp to add to the stack. If the jotunheim fits the bill then I'll go with that, it's not that much more. Thanks again.

[@PassionforSound]

I didn't find the Jotunheim to be clinical, but it did come across a bit forced sounding. If the two, I'd take the Magnius.

[@Abbbb225]

If you are using a SE out on your amp, is there any advantage to using balanced inputs?

[@PassionforSound]

In theory, balanced can be a little cleaner as a signal, but it also depends on the amp and how effectively it converts the balanced to single-ended (or if it just uses one side of the balanced signal). In practice though, it rarely makes a huge difference in most of my experiences and the Modius SE output is excellent.

[@Abbbb225]

@@PassionforSound Thank you! I'd love to ask some more questions about balanced audio circuits, as I have gotten conflicting answers from different sources. Can you plug a balanced headphone into a SE out (with adapter)? How about the reverse (can you plug a non-balanced headphone into a balanced out, with adapter)? Are all balanced outs equal (can you convert from xlr to mini xlr to 4.4mm to 2.5mm, etc., as far as using an adapter to connect your headphones to your amp)? Do you lose anything in converting from full size xlr to min xlr or to 4.4mm or 2.5mm?

[@PassionforSound]

You should have no troubles converting balanced headphones to SE outputs (I do it all the time). The same should be true for converting balanced outputs to single ended (regardless of the socket type) in almost all cases, but it's worth checking the manual of the amp as I've come across a couple that recommend against it due to the shorting of the negative and ground connections. (It's very rare though and not sure if those companies were just covering their butts)

[@Abbbb225]

@@PassionforSound Thank you! I just asked that to someone (don't know their background) in an audio forum and they said to never plug SE into balanced. And I emailed Schiit audio to ask the question, and someone there replied: "I would definitely NOT us balanced in single ended and single ended in balanced. You can get most headphones converted to balanced if you need to do that, or to single ended. Many headphones have interchangeable cables too." (headscratch emoji). I trust your opinion, just odd that there's so much mis-information regarding such a simple and common concern.

[@Abbbb225]

PS what happens if there is a short? what will die, the headphone, the amp, or you? Do you get the same power out of balanced when you convert to single ended? If so, and it's usually safe to do it, I wonder why anyone makes/buys SE amps...why not just get balanced and use an adapter? That way you have more flexibility and more power. Maybe only cans wired for balanced can take advantage of the extra power from balanced outs?