Schiit Audio (or other) DAC Recommendations

until recently i used the d2 in my office system and it's quite a capable piece; however the smsl su9 (around $400) was a clear upgrade, as was the chord mojo (around $500)

I've been very happy with the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital DAC/headphone amp

https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/pre-box-s2-digital/

It won the “Best DAC/Headphone amplifier” award from EISA a couple of years ago. Swapping it from my office system into my living room system in place of a Bel Canto DAC 3, it held its own.

sfar - I think the Pro-Ject DAC Box S2 would be an item of interest for me.  I don't have any need for the headphone amplifier, so could reduce the cost for what I would expect to be the same DAC.

loomisjohnson - Both appear to be viable options thought that the $400+ price I'd start trying to talk myself into PS Audio GainCell DAC.  I recognize that it would be more than 3x the cost, but rather than spend $400+ I'd have to consider selling one of my two integrated amplifiers and looking at some PS Audio gear.  It doesn't necessarily make any sense, but I guess hobbies to have to, right?

mcjeljo, i haven't heard the gaincell dac, tho its very well-reviewed and i have heard the matching s300 power amp, which was very good. now, you're talking about dropping 3 grand for the pair, as opposed to 400 or so for a standalone dac, so query whether it's enough of an upgrade. personally, i'd be inclined to go the cheaper route first (vendors like apos audio and music direct have return privileges), but like you say, it doesn't have to make sense.

@mceljo I am a big fan of Schiit DACs and own three of them right now.  I would only buy a Modi if I bought the MultiBit version.  MultiBit was game changer over their previous versions.

I agree with @docknow -- the multibit Schiit DACs are excellent. I much prefer them to the delta-sigma DACs I've used.

@docknow - What makes the MultiBit so much better than the standard Modi?  I don't know what the difference between a multibit and a delta-sigma DACs are.

@mceljo You can read the technical aspects on their website and Jason’s Headroom thread (warning, it’s very long). My take on it is that they have worked out a mathematical way to re-construct the original waveforms from the 44.kHz sampling (e.g.) that seems to be better than the delta-sigma DACs do and is like R2R, but all done on chip. They then implement it with some computationally powerful chips, that only they use for music.

Functionally, I had a BiFrost with two different DACs, prior to the MultiBit upgrade, and while it was nice, I didn’t really listen to it much. About 2 seconds after the MB upgrade, I recognized this was very different and sounded like the analog side of my system and like music. I listen to all digital now, as on balance, analog (at my price range) and digital are essentially equal with different pros and cons.

Take a look at some of my old posts, where I have talked about MultiBit more.

I have 3 low-ish cost DACs that are very good.

- AudioMirror Tubadour III SE ($1500 - $2800)
- Benchmark DAC3B ($1600, Stereophile A+)
- Gustard X26 Pro ($1500)

The Gustard is the one I use the most but the other 2 are used in certain situations. All 3 are very good. If I had to choose only 1 the Gustard is the one I would get. It is in between the DAC3B and the tube based AudioMirror in sonics. 

@yyzsantabarbara - "low-ish cost" doesn't compute with four figures in my world though I recognize what a high end DAC can cost.  I paid $1,600 or less used for both of my current amplifiers and felt guilty spending that much.

@mceijo If those prices do not compute for you another DAC in the 3 figure range that is pretty good is the Matrix Audio Mini-3 Pro. I bought mine new for $750 but it may have gone up in price a bit more. It is ROON READY with built-in streaming. A good DAC. My buddy is taking it off my hands for a headphone system but I thought it was about 80% as good as the DACs I  mentioned above.

There are of course a lot of other Chinese made DACs that measure great and are around $500. Topping being an example.

Another vote here for Schiit MB DAC’s
I have the Yggdrasil in my main  system and the Modi MB in my office system. 

OP

Are you playing SACD with your Pioneer?  If so then you might  miss the DSD in thos recordings, assuming that you scrap the Pioneer and get the Schiit.  Of course you can keep the player as a transport use the Schiit for CDs and run the SACD into the amp directly for SACD

@mahler123 - I do have a number of SACDs and I won't be giving my my SACD player capability unless it goes kaput or I replaced it with another SACD capable player.  I honestly have not heard much difference with SACD vs. Redbook vs. my Maverick Audio DAC (with Bluesound Node) though I'm fairly certain that the SACD was noticeably better with a recent Octave Records disk in combination with my new-to-me Krell S-300i amplifier.  I have not had an opportunity to crank things up for an extended period of time to really be able to form a solid opinion.  Work has been swamped and I've had almost no time at home without the rest of my family which mean limited listening that's generally distracted (kids) with lower than desired volumes (lovely wife).

I may have found the best solution to all audio equipment decisions.  Focus on the music.  I now have five CDs on the way so my focus is on the excitement of new music.

I ordered a bifrost 2 in mid-april. When I ordered it the bifrost was in stock, but that date has gotten pushed back a few times. Though it looks like it might be off rolling back order now. I broke down and ordered a denafrips ares ii because I got impatient. It’s another r2r type DAC for about the same price. It’s DSD capable, while the bifrost is not. Looking forward to trying them both out. My setup leans more towards detailed, so a warmer DAC might be the way to go. From what I can gather from reviews and forums, the Ares ii is warmer with a big soundstage. The bifrost seems to strike a good balance with detail and warmth. We’ll see. I’m leaning more towards the bifrost as it’s supposed to be easily upgradable, but who knows.  

I finally made a decision and am patiently waiting for a Schiit Modi Multibit DAC.

Great decision. I've always wanted to try a schiit multibit DAC. I have the regular modi and I love it. Sounds better than my Audio GD r2r DAC.

Hi lakeofwyles,

Any feedback on your two dacs. I currently own Ares II and want to know if Bifrost 2 is more detailed with warmth and richness. Or do they sound the same?

Thanks!

I'm still waiting for the Schiit DAC to arrive.  The website currently lists 6-8 weeks for it which is better than the 12-16 weeks listed when I made the purchase.  I was happy when the timeframe was reduced as that's at least an indication that they are expecting parts at some point in the future.

Check out this latest from Audiophilestyle.com:
https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/bits-and-bytes/new-schiit-yggdrasil-blind-listening-comparison-r1045/

All the best,
Nonoise

I have the Modi3. It's a very good $100 DAC but wouldn't say its a giant killer.

My Modi Multi Bit is scheduled for delivery tomorrow.  I ordered it on July 21 and it's now September 26, so 8ish weeks isn't bad considering the 12-16 weeks that was listed on the website.

After playing with the Schiit Modi Multibit DAC I have decided to send it back.  I don't have anything negative to say about it, but discovered that it sounds indistinguishable from the tube output on my Maverick TubeMagic D2 DAC so it simply doesn't make any sense to spend more money for the same sound.

Prior to the recent tube upgrade on my Pathos amplifier, I have always preferred the solid state output on the Maverick DAC, so I had not even tried the tube output.

My next move will be a discrete op-amp upgrade this is supposed to benefit both outputs on the Maverick DAC.  I discovered the upgrade while reading about potential tube rolling options.  This seems to be the biggest improvement that people have found and since it benefits both outputs should be a good value.