Theyāll measure differently, but they are probably very similar in design.
The Modi Multibit seems to get a mixed bag of user reviews.
The higher end Schiit multibit stuff is generally regarded much better, but the the digital sections are very different and the analog sections are just plain better.
Could you clarify what you mean by sections? Are you talking about different products?
The analog output stage of the higher end schiit dacs is typically better designed and implemented, so it sounds better. The multibit design is also better implemented with a bit higher quality components
Oh I see
So between the modi multibit and the A3 multibit card, itād be better to grab the modi due to itās analog outputs?
Or rather, itās better to grab the higher end multibit dacs for the improvements over the modi multibit
Iād probably buy the modi, just so I could upgrade either easily later.
If I had to guess and Iāve heard neither, the card could have a marginal advantage. But Iād assume they are much the same.
The digital sections on the higher end Schiit multibit stuff use multiple DACās of higher quality, the Gungnir I believe uses 4 and the Yggdrassil I think is 8.
Whew, why so many DAC chips on the other models? I always imagined that only one was needed to get the job done.
I personally wouldnāt buy the modi, not that great of a dac
Not even the Multibit one? It was either you, or someone else, but they mentioned the normal Modi suffered from compression issues. Does that really carry over with the Multibit variant?
The way the Schiit multibit stuff works is they TI DAC chips designed for medical devices.
There are no current ladder DAC chips made for Audio, Monās DAC has discontinued chips of this type in it.
But you can only practically manufacture a ladder DAC to about 18 bits of accuracy.
If you want to reach 24 bits then you have to get inventive.
If you take 2 DAC chips and add 1/2 of the output of one to the other you get an extra bit, so 4 gets you to 20 bits, and 8 to 21 bits.
You get the rest of the bits if you decide you actually need them, by dithering the output and potentially using some sort of analog filtering.
Like I said in my reply the reviews seem mixed on the Modi multibit.
The general consensus at SBAF where most Schiit stuff is highly regarded, is that the Modi Multibit is OK, but itās just not possible to build a good Multibit DAC at that pricepoint.
Having said that the Bifrost 2 is apparently a huge leap forwards over the original Bifrost, and the Modi is basically a simplified Bifrost so maybe the Modi Multibit 2 if/when it ships will get there.
I think $300 is no mans land in DACās, buy one of the better $100 DACās or go up to maybe an SU8 if you want the additional features and upgrade later.
The airist r2r is pretty sweet, you might be able to find a soekris 1321 in that price range
Just wanted to mention again that the Bifrost MB v1 is on closeout for $349 ā just saying 
2 Likes
Is there that big of a difference between the two Bifrost MB DACs?
Through some research, I heard that the V2 has a bit more refinement. There is very slightly wider sound stage, depth, and lower noise floor. I think itās very hard to tell w/o A/B testing it. I will say that I own V1 and I am very happy with it at this price.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Oops, I forgot to mention that V2 does have balanced and a remote. Itās up to you if itās worth double the price though.
The impression on SBAF is that the Bifrost 2 (there is no none multibit version anymore) is a big step forwards, again I havenāt heard them, personally I considered the Bifrost 2 and just bought a used Gungnir instead.
The older Bifrost Multibit was still considered to be pretty good, just significantly behind the higher end Schiit DACās.
How much that really means when paired with a $200 amp (all be-it a good one) is a bigger question.
I wouldnāt over think it too much, if you want R2R try and find an airtist as Mon suggested, or pick up a close out Bifrost multibit, otherwise pick up any of the good $100 to $200 DACās and enjoy. None of those options are badā¦
Except the regular modi 3, stay away from that one lol
The Airist R-2R looks nice, but itās out of stock on Drop. Iām not sure if Iāll be able to save enough money fast enough to buy a closeout Bifrost V1 with how low their stock is for those right now, and I canāt seem to be able to find Soekris dac at all. I suppose that leaves me with buying used for those I think.
Buying used can save a fair bit of money, and is generally pretty safe for a dac or amp or another component
I got a 200 dollar budget what dac would you guys recommend.