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Modi 5

High Performance Mesh™ DAC

Finish
AC Adapter Type

$149.00

Ships 5-7 days

Description

Specs

FAQ

Downloads

Need an excellent standalone DAC, but don’t want to spend a fortune? Here you go: Modi 5 gives you our unique Mesh™ conversion, Unison 384, and Linear Override. The result? The most flexible, best-sounding inexpensive DAC out there. 

Mesh: Sounds Expensive. Isn't.
All of our True Multibit or Multiform DACs have used our own proprietary digital filter, developed through decades of R&D. Mesh brings this unique digital filter to a much more affordable price point, by meshing (ahem) a 32-bit Microchip processor with a standard delta-sigma modulator. The result? Something that sounds a lot more like our more expensive DACs.

All Inputs Covered
Just need a USB DAC? One cable and you’re done. Modi 5 is USB powered for maximum transportability and flexibility—it’ll even run your optical and coax inputs with USB power. Or, plug in our optional external AC wall-wart to engage Linear Override for much higher voltage rails (and higher output). 
 
Designed and Built in the USA. For Real.
By “designed and built in the USA," we mean it. We do our own PCBs, assembly, test, and QC in Corpus Christi. Our chassis are made in California. No joking, no fooling, no games.
 
3-Year Warranty, 15-Day Easy Returns
Modi 5 is covered by a 3-year limited warranty that covers parts and labor. And if you don’t like your Modi, you can send it back for a refund, minus 15% restocking fee, within 15 days of receiving it.

SPECS THAT MATTER

Distortion: inaudible; 100-1000x lower than any transducer (speaker or headphone) you're using
Noise: inaudible; far below a typical headphone or speaker amp
Input capability: accommodates all actual music recordings from all typical sources
Heat: runs mildly warm; this is normal 
Size: very desk-friendly

 
OTHER SPECS
 
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz, +/-0.04dB
 
THD+N: 0.0003% 
 
IMD: 0.0004%, CCIR
 
S/N: 118dB, referenced to full output, with or without external power
 
Crosstalk: -125dB, 20-20kHz
 
USB input: Unison 384™, up to 32 bits/384kHz supported, full UAC2 compliance
 
Other inputs: Optical SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF, up to 24/192
 
D/A Conversion: Schiit Mesh™, a unique combination of our time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter and a standard delta-sigma modulator, in this case an ES9028
 
Analog Stage: Based on OPA1656, with precision thin-film resistors and film capacitors, DC coupled
 
Output:  RCA single-ended
 
Maximum Output:
 
1.5V RMS when powered via USB cable
2.0V RMS with Linear Override AC wall-wart
 
Output Impedance: 75 ohms
 
Power Supply: USB powered with charge pump rail generator for +/-5V rails, reports as 500mA USB device, Linear Override via 14-16VAC, 0.5A+ wall-wart, provides +/-12V rails and reports as 0mA USB device
 
Size: 5 x 3.5 x 1.25”
 
Weight: 1 lb
 
 

Is this the right DAC for someone just starting out?
Probably. It’s super high-performance, it sounds great, it does all popular digital inputs, it gives you tons of flexibility, and it works well with everything we make. If budget is tight, you can also get the same technology in the Magni Mesh DAC card if all you need is a headphone amp/DAC.

Well I have a ton of expensive gear, is this DAC for me?
Maybe. It certainly won’t hold back more expensive gear. Plus, maybe you want a second system? Pair it up with a Vali 3 and enjoy!
 
I read on the intarnets that all DACs sound the same!
That’s cool. You have one in your phone. 
 
I read on the interwebz that you need a $35,000 DAC for my class of system!
That’s cool. Maybe try Modi for yourself?
 
A dood on the toobs said that measurements are all that matter.
That’s cool. This measures better than any Yggy we make except More is Better. Performance per dollar, baby!

Does this have Forkbeard?
No, but we offer Mimir for Forkbeard in a standalone DAC or the Mesh Card with Forkbeard for our modular products. 

So what’s this about Mesh?
Mesh is our way of bringing our unique, time- and frequency-domain optimized digital filter to a more affordable DAC. You see, all Schiit DACs from Bifrost on up (and Modi Multibit) have all used our own unique math, developed over decades, implemented on a costly Analog Devices DSP. That’s the filter that Mike has called “megacomboburrito” for a long time, and it’s an important part of how our DACs sound. Now, we’ve figured out a way to bring this filter to more affordable products like Modi 5, by combining it with a standard delta-sigma modulator (in this case, one from ESS).
 
I only understood a bit of that.
That’s OK. Look at it this way: other DACs use the built-in digital filters of the D/A converters they are using. We use our own.

Why?
Because we believe our own digital filter is the best sounding filter on the planet.
 
How do you verify that claim?
Listening. Lots of listening. Also other listeners. Over the decades that the megacomboburrito filter has existed, it's been consistently lauded as an exceptional digital filter. Yes, even with all the hoo-ha about upsampling with sci-fi sounding algorithms these days. 
 
So this has the new high-speed Unison 384?
Yes.
 
What’s so great about Unison 384?
Like a lot of what we do, it’s not off the shelf. It’s our own USB interface designed to do a single thing well: to interface seamlessly with modern UAC2-compliant devices. It’s really just for getting audio from your streamer or computer to this DAC.
 
So what platforms does Unison 384 support?
Actually, the question should be “What platforms support your USB input?” since our USB input is 100% UAC2 compliant (that is, USB Audio Class 2, the accepted standard for USB audio transmission.) So, here you go:
  • Linux. As in, most popular streamers.
  • Windows. From Windows 10 up, you’re set.
  • Mac OS. From 10.10 on up, Macs are good to go.
  • OS and iPadOS. Apple devices with USB-C plug right in. If you're going retro, you’re set with a Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter,
  • Android. Android devices with USB-C plug right in. Some older stuff may require special cables or software. 
  • Roon. Roon works great with our DACs.
And this Linear Override thing?
Linear Override allows you to run Modi 5 on a single USB input, for portability and convenience, or you can add an AC wall-wart to override the switching supplies and provide linear regulated, low noise, +/-12V rails. These higher rails also allow us to give you more output.
 
I want a combined DAC/amp! Why didn’t you put an amp in here?
We did. They’re just in different chassis and cost another $119-149. They’re called “Magni” and “Vali.” It has the same footprint as those amps. You can even add a Loki Mini analog EQ if you want. Now you have options for a desktop stack, instead of a single soon-to-be- obsolete combo box.
 
What is “Modi?”
In Norse mythology, Modi is one of Thor’s sons. The other is Magni. That may be a hint. 

Modi 5 Manual