Based on good reports from "inmates" over at Audio Asylum, I decided to try a Schiit Audio MODI DAC, (see HERE).



This DAC is a USB-only, USA made product from a cutely named maker. It features an up-to-date AKM4396 DAC, C-Media CM6631 asynchronous USB receiver, and low-voltage AD8616 opamp filter/output stage. This for US$ 100. The obvious limitation is no S/DIF input.

The C-Media CM6631 USB receiver is notable. It's an asynchronous and therefore potentially very low jitter device -- that's the good news. Mildly disappointing is that Schiit doesn't provide the custom driver that would be necessary to support 24/192, so the MODI is limited to 24/96. They say that at the $100 price point they can't provide the support necessary to offer a custom driver.

The MODI is probably the best "cheapo" DAC I've had so far, (I've reported four if you're counting). It has almost the detail and resolution of the SMSL DL-1955 I report few months back, but more than compensating for any minuscule loss there is a significantly smoother presentation (or greater "musicality" as some would describe it). I'm quite certain that the majority of enthusiasts/audiophiles will prefer the MODI over the SMSL, and that includes me.

I can endorse the MODI without reservation at the price provided you need a USB only interface.

However MODI will be my last "cheapo" DAC for a while: I have decided to upgrade to medium priced DAC, Schiit's BIFROST DAC which I will comment in a separate post.