Interesting, never thought the DAC would be compressing the signal. Is it really significant to degrade how the Magni 3+ sounds? If that’s the case then what’ll be the alternatives?
I haven’t tried the magni3 + I have the 3. I’ve been working on an amp comparison and was listening back to back. I found the Magni 3 to have good imaging but the sound is defiantly compressed. I started testing the Geshelli Labs ENOG2 and I realized every amp I tested with the Modi 3 was more resolving.
I found the OG Magni 3 to still compress more than the others. I then tested using the Modi 3 on the Archel 2 and SP200 and there was obvious compression.
I didn’t realize DAC made as much of a difference either, but it does.
The compression difference is way more noticeable on the DAC vs the amps
Oh I see, you were referring to the standard Magni 3, my bad. Still that doesn’t sound very great that the Modi has some pretty bad compression. Would really appreciate a cleaner Modi to compliment the new Magni amps then.
Yes, They really do need one.
I don’t like bagging on the Modi3 because its been my main DAC until a few days ago. I thought it sounded good and I couldn’t stop raving about it. In my mind its still a solidly built great for the price DAC but You compare it to something like the ENOG2 and its a night a day difference for $70 more.
In perspective $70 more makes the ENOG2 almost twice the price.
If schiit can fix the compression it would be the DAC to own under $180
Any thoughts on the multibit variant of the Modi 3? Or, any of their other Multibit dacs in general?
I haven’t tested any of them. I’d hope they solved the compression issue at that price though. Maybe someone that has both can chime in. It could be Schiit’s signature sound. The compression in some instances does change the feel of some songs not in a bad way. Its just a change.
Overall though, I’d still rather loose the compression.
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It’s the way the output stage was designed not the dac itself that introduces the issues imo
Have you considered trying the topping d10 or the smsl m100?
No, I’ve seen the topping. Never seen the S.M.S.L
I’m really liking the ENOG2 though.
I think the d10 and m100 are essentially a better dac than the modi without the issues that the schiit has, so that’s typically what I recommend to people on a budget
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Has that Liquid Spark DAC come out yet? I wonder if it’ll be better than the modi for a similar price.
I think it comes out in late January, and I’m fairly confident it will be a fair bit better than the current modi 3
It arrived today. I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet. I have to finish up a couple reviews before I complete the full on review of it. I’ll have initial thoughts late tonight or tomorrow
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Good news the heresy is noticable less compressed, and the mids sound more forward compared to the OG Magni 3.
Initial thoughts is it’s a cleaner more refined sound.
Despite the numbers from Schiit, it seems to output more power vs the OG Magni 3. At least it did pushing 600 ohm DT880
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Ooo, what do you think of the 880 so far?
It’s kind of weird actually. I had been listening to the " Focal listen before the 880 came in. It’s such a vast difference the 880 sound bland.
I did go back and listen to the he4xx after the 880 for a few seconds and they sounded wanting compared to the 880… Lol
So basically I need to listen to them more. My thought right now, which might not be reliable. The 880 sound flat and not really special in any area. Overall a good headphone, but not one that I think would blow anyone away. If I was trying to convince someone about the benefits of a good headphone setup I’m not sure I’d choose the 880 over something else.
Have you tried gaming with them? Their soundstage and imaging is pretty accurate. They are fairly neutral which is good for most genre, just a super solid all rounder
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Currently I’m using the original xDuoo xd-05 for my around the house and desktop amp and kind of want a proper desktop set up. My three main headphones ar the TR-X00 PH, HD58X, DT770 250ohm, and Tin P1.
Can anyone give me some advice as to whether to get a JDS Labs atom and a topping D10(or any other recommended ~$100 dac), wait for the monolith liquid spark dac and a liquid spark, or get one of the new magnis and a modi(or wait for a new modi as well?).
Waiting is no issue as I probably won’t get anything untill after the holidays regardless. Also if you think the xDuoo xd-05 is fine for my stuff that’s an option as well.
I think you may be interested in the schiit asgard 3 actually
I would still probably want a separate dac and I remember people saying the modi has the schiit compression. If I get a schiit amp my OCD compels me to get a schiit dac as well. Any schiit dac recommendations?