Schiit Modi+ Affordable No Excuses D/A Converter - Do-All DAC (Silver)

TL:DRVery good DAC with a bit more emphasis on treble and analytical listening. I run this with the Mee Audio P1 Pinnacles and even threw a wired Airpod Max's at it and I noticed it greatly improves the high end and its rolloff. So things like Trance music or rock will immediately sound cleaner while still being musically enjoyable. It makes audio sound transparent and fuller while it tightens up and makes bass response more consistent across the board.The soundstage is the greatest improvement that I see even for my in ear monitors, it's almost scary. The extra information and layers it adds to your listening really shows it makes the most of out of the extra bit-depth and bit-rate out of your audio. I play music on Tidal and stream my music on Tidal's MAX setting with 24-Bits @ 192Khz. (I imagine you can max out the settings with Bluray playback.) I don't know if it's placebo but it's almost overwhelming how detailed and how much the soundstage opens up on your playbacks, I can really hear the nuances and amazing engineering that goes into producing my favorite tracks. Now it adds sounstage without messing with how forward or faraway your music sounds but the backup vocals or sounds that are in your music is improved. This is truly what immersive audio is like without adding bloatware like 3D audio encoding or whatnot and you'll see that for yourself. I would give this a shot if you wanna see what a DAC is all about.I also used this on my loudspeakers Bose S1 Pro and the Bose SUB 2 and it does the same thing and improves my playback. It really makes my bass punchier and consistent as well and I actually had to turn down the treble on the S1 pro a bit and I will definitely be using these while I add more to my setups with this DAC being the main audio source.----------------------------------------------I've tested a good amount of equipment throughout the years. Everything from Skullcandy, Bose, Mee Audio, Grado, and even the Sennheisers HD800. I mostly got this to replace a Fiio Alpen 2 I lost a few years ago. I always put off upgrading to a beefier DAC since the top of the line is pretty pricey. But this DAC feels like it's worth more than what it performs. I've tried other Fiio Dacs and portables but never got a desktop DAC. It does a great amount better than other DACs I've had so far and this satisfies my craving to go for the more expensive DACs that schiit or other brands like Topping have to offer. I currently broke my Mjolnir 2 Amp but this does well on its own and I'm eagerly waiting to pair Mjolnir with the Modi+.First off, I was scared at first since I tried many different configurations to listen to this device, setting up the proper bitrate and Bit depth, trying the OG cable on its own power port and using a separate cable for purely audio input but I KEPT getting static and distortion even at low volumes during long listening sessions. I thought the recordings of my audio sources were just being exposed for its analog method of recording... but I've had times where that can be the case but I even tried digitally produced music and it still came out with artifacts and distortion. And I'm fine with having to properly setup equipment to sound its best but the whole reason this was the most appealing to me was the possibility of powering the device and inputting audio with a single usb-C. I almost gave up until I tried a thick generic USB-C cable meant for outputting charging, video, and audio and it fixed my problem altogether. It looks like the cable it came with is not good enough for data transmission and is good just as a power supply. I am running the Modi+ at 24-Bits and at a 192Khz bitrate and the data transmission is now smooth even for long listening sessions. The voltage at which the modi outputs audio is more powerful than if you ran just ran straight cable from your headphones to your aux output. But yet the audio signal background noise remains silent and clean, now there will be distortion (no static) at higher volumes in this particular case due to not having a headphone amp. But I'm glad it's not happening at low to medium volumes like before. This is a great DAC if you're on the analytical/treble-leaning side of the audiophile spectrum but I bet this can be adjusted to your liking easily.

This is our second Modi - a Modi 3+ that has been working flawlessly on my desktop system, and now Modi + for the other desktop. Great sound, 3 minute setup - whats not to like?The only niggle on the Modi plus is that they replaced the input selctor toggle switch with a sequential push button switch and 3 LEDs. And the only issue is that there is a bit of light bleed over out the face plate from the 'ON' LED to the two 'OFF' LEDs. Not a major issue, and if it bugs you I imagine you could open it up and maybe stick a shroud or tape between the lights. Or just rotate it 90 degrees so you don't see the light until you want it.But really, that is a tiny issue on such and easy to set up and great sounding DAC

Connecting the Schiit Modi + to my system adds depth to the sound quality of my digital media. Using it is pretty straightforward. Build quality, design, and sound is excellent for the price. You have a variety of inputs: Toslink, CoAx, and USB to connect to. This is my first DAC and I'm pleased. For something made in the USA, that's a good thing!

First off, I really like Schiit audio and have always bought the Modi and Modi Multibit varying versions over the years. Unfortunately, I already have a Khadas Tone Board DAC, which costs even less and sounds on another level better.My system:Yamaha TSR-700 (RX-V6A) ReceiverQ Acoustics 3020i speakersRSL Speedwoofer 10sI also tested all three DACS with the Polk S15 and NHT SuperOne 2.1 speakers.Tested also with the SMSL A300 Integrated amp, Aiyima T8 Pro, the sound quality of all three DACs were easily discerned regardless of the amplification used or speakers used (the speakers made the biggest difference to the sound, the amplification the least).The Schiit is detailed, true to source, and sounds good. It will be an upgrade from your built in audio for sure. But the Khadas Tone Board has better bass, just as much detail, and sounds richer. Music just sounds much better on the Tone Board and it is very noticable. I was hoping the Modi+ would be an upgrade from the 3-4 year old Tone Board, but is is clearly not.I also have a Topping E50 with an upgraded power supply for audio specs, the E50 will beat the other two in measurements. But for sound quality, the Khadas is by far the best sounding. The E50 is sterile and analytical, and the Modi+ falls in between them.Khadas Tone Board (Cheapest, best sounding, needs an enclosure, only USB, RCA L-R, and Coax connections)Highs: Rich and detailedMids: Best mids of the threeBass: Most weight, really fills in the music.Schiit Modi+ (Much cheaper than the Topping, more than the Tone Board)Highs: Detailed, but not as rich as the KhadasMids: Very good midsBass: More authority than the Topping E50, less than the KhadasTopping E50 (Best measuring but least musical of the three, remote control, preamp function)Highs: Good but very sterileMids: Good but not as rich as the Khadas or SchiitLows: Good but the least authority.I am not saying it sounds bad, it is well balanced and definitely would be an upgrade for certain systems. It is just the Khadas is an over-achiever and manages to beat the other two easily for music quality (I expected the Khadas to be the worst of the three).If you are chasing numbers, get the E50.If you want COAX, SPDIF, and USB connectivity and good sound, get the Modi+.If you just want a good sounding DAC for around $100 (and if you only need RCA, COAX, and USB), the Khadas Tone Board is a no-brainer!