Inputs: USB, Toslink SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF
Sample Rates and Bit Depths: 16/44.1 to 24/192 via USB, Coax, and Optical

Input Receiver: 
Modi 3E USB: Schiit Unison USB™
Modi Multibit USB: C-Media CM6631A
SPDIF: AKM 4113

D/A Conversion IC:
Modi 3E: ESS ES9018
Modi Multibit: Analog Devices AD5547

Analog Summing, Active Filtering: 
Modi 3E: Based on OPA1656 with precision thin-film resistors, DC coupled 
Modi Multibit: Based on AD8512 with precision thin-film resistors, DC-coupled with DC servo

Output: RCA Stereo Analog (single-ended)

Output Impedance: 75 ohms

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz, +/-0.1dB

Maximum Output: 2.0V RMS 

THD: 
Modi 3E: <0.0002%, 20Hz-20KHz, 0dB
Modi Multibit: <0.006%, 20Hz-20KHz, 0dB

IMD: 
Modi 3E: <0.0002%, CCIR
Modi Multibit: <0.007%, 20Hz-20KHz, CCIR

S/N: 
Modi 3E: >118dB, referenced to 2V RMS, unweighted
Modi Multibit: >106dB, referenced to 2V RMS, unweighted.

Crosstalk: Greater than -124dB, 20-20kHz

Power Supply: 
Modi 3E: USB powered with +/-5V switching rail generator; auxiliary USB power input for 0mA USB power draw devices (like phones and tablets)
Modi Multibit: Included 14-16VAC wall-wart with 100% linear power supply

Size: 5 x 3.5 x 1.25”

Weight: 1 lb

APx555 Report for Modi Multibit

Holy crap, a do-all Modi 3E for $129!
Yes. But that’s not all. It also includes our own USB interface, Unison USB™. And it’s also the first ESS Modi we've ever made. Aaaaand 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. You can also use both Modis with phones and tablets, as well as most Intel Chromebooks. 

• Modi 3E 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 3E and Modi Multibit?
Lots. Let’s break it down:

• Control: Modi 3E uses a toggle switch to select inputs, Modi Multibit has a pushbutton with LED indication.
• D/A Converter: Modi 3E uses the ESS ES9018 DAC, a respected delta-sigma DAC. Modi Multibit uses the AD5547, a unique-to-audio multibit DAC.
• Digital Filter: Modi 3E uses the digital filter embedded into the ES9018 DAC, while the Modi Multibit features our own unique closed-form digital filter implemented on an Analog Devices SHARC DSP.
• Analog Section: Modi 3E uses the OPA1656 op-amp and is DC-coupled, Modi Multibit uses the AD8512 and discrete JFET buffers and is DC-coupled with a DC servo.
• Power Supply: Modi 3E is powered by USB and uses a switching power supply. Modi Multibit has a linear power supply and wall-wart.
• Miscellaneous: Modi 3E 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 3E 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 3E? 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 3E, 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 3E 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 both of our USB inputs (C-Media and Unison USB) are 100% UAC2 compliant (that is, USB Audio Class 2, the accepted standard for USB audio transmission.) So, here you go:

• Windows. Windows 10 or 11 are plug and play with our DACs. 
• Mac OSX. From 10.7 on up, Macs have been plug and play with Modi Multibit. From 10.10 on up, you’re good to go with Unison USB on Modi 3E. This now includes Mac OS 11.
• 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.
• Roon. Roon recognizes our products and is plug and play.
• Most streamers. Most streamers are Linux-based, so they have no problem with our USB input.

What’s so special about Unison USB?
It’s a very good USB interface designed to do a single thing well: to interface seamlessly with modern UAC2-compliant devices. There’s no stuff in it for DSD or MQA. It doesn’t have drivers for now-obsolete Windows platforms. It’s really just for getting PCM audio (still over 99% of all files) from your streamer or computer to this DAC. 

That’s it?
Yes. Well, some people think Unison USB sounds very good, too.

But how can a USB interface sound different?
Yeah, we hear you. No pun intended.

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 $99-159. 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.

Modi 3E Manual

Modi Multibit Manual