it has improved significantly ...Schiit Modi+ incredible for $129 ... and their newest Bifrost is definitely, for most, worth the 6X price...$799 today can buy so much compared to 10 years ago...
There has been a lot of improvement. And to some degree, progress has stabilized... as you can now get far more DACs that perform at the level as analog. However, build quality and detailed design still separate very good sounding from great sounding. As is often used as examples, Schiit makes some great budget DACs... I own one, some of my friends own them. They sound great for the money... but they don't sound anything like a real audiophile DAC... even one produced nearly ten years ago. While it is in the details, the natural sound of an individual instrument, how fully fleshed out the human voice is, how proportionally represented are all the sounds.
Audiophile stuff tends to weigh a ton... because of massive power supplies providing quiet, highly regulated power, highly isolated internal subcomponents, massive enclosures to dampen vibration. All these things, you still don't get on budget gear. Which is why real audiophile gear costs a lot and sounds great for very long periods of time.
When comparing the Schiit Modi 3+ and the Musical Fidelity M1 DAC, several factors come into play, including sound quality, features, and user preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the two DACs based on available information:
### Sound Quality
- **Musical Fidelity M1**: This DAC is well-regarded for its sound quality, particularly in enhancing the clarity and detail of audio playback. Users have noted improvements in the highs and a more liberated sound in genres like Pop, Rock, and Jazz, although classical music may not show as much improvement [[2]](https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-mini-and-musical-fidelity-m1-dac.1516985/).
- **Schiit Modi 3+**: While specific comparisons to the M1 are less documented, the Modi series is known for delivering excellent sound quality at its price point. It is often praised for its transparency and ability to handle high-resolution audio effectively.
### Features
- **Musical Fidelity M1**: The M1 DAC offers a variety of inputs, including USB, which makes it versatile for different setups. It is designed with audiophiles in mind, providing a range of connectivity options that can cater to various audio sources [[2]](https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-mini-and-musical-fidelity-m1-dac.1516985/).
- **Schiit Modi 3+**: The Modi 3+ also features multiple inputs, including USB, optical, and coaxial, making it a flexible choice for users looking to connect different devices. It is compact and user-friendly, appealing to those who prefer simplicity in their audio setup.
### Price and Value
- The pricing for both DACs can vary, especially if considering used options. The Musical Fidelity M1 is often found in the used market at competitive prices, which can make it an attractive option for those looking for high-quality sound without breaking the bank [[3]](https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/musical-fidelity-m1-upgrade-vs-topping-e30ii.1065771/). The Modi 3+ is generally priced lower than the M1, making it a great entry-level DAC for those new to high-fidelity audio.
### User Experience
- Users have expressed satisfaction with both DACs, but personal preference plays a significant role. The M1 may appeal more to those who prioritize sound quality and have a more extensive audio setup, while the Modi 3+ is ideal for those seeking a straightforward, high-quality DAC without the need for extensive features.
### Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between the Modi 3+ and the Musical Fidelity M1 will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you value a more robust feature set and potentially superior sound quality, the M1 might be the better choice. However, if you're looking for a reliable and cost-effective DAC, the Modi 3+ is an excellent option.
---
Learn more:
1. [Schiit Modius or used Musical Fidelity M1 DAC? | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org](https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-modius-or-used-musical-fidelity-m1-dac.964097/)
2. [Mac Mini and Musical Fidelity M1 DAC | MacRumors Forums](https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-mini-and-musical-fidelity-m1-dac.1516985/)
3. [Musical fidelity m1 (upgrade) VS Topping E30II | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums](https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/musical-fidelity-m1-upgrade-vs-topping-e30ii.1065771/)
Feature wise newer DACs tend to provide hi res digital to various degrees while older DACs less so. That’s important if high res streaming from say qobuz or Tidal is something you might be interested in.
If it were me if the Schitt is newer and supports hi res and costs less it’s a no brainer to choose it unless there is some unique feature of the MF that you value.
mapman that is GREAT information. Thank you VERY much. I think I will KEEP the Modi 3+ (where it is now, in my 2nd 'office' system, connected via LONG usb C to my laptop) for practical reasons (small, USB C), and will ADD the M1 (bought for under $200) to my main system for 'heft and looks' (physical size) or the 'basement' system (bunch of equipment, lot of vintage receivers (no DAC), speakers, CD players (with AWFUL built in DAC) also for 'looks and heft'. The M1 does not seem to be terrible in the 'under $200' category.
FWIW I have a similar older vintage mhdt Constantine DAC that I still like very much. Currently used in a smaller desktop system. It’s a NOS design which is pretty unique. It’s a very smooth and analog sounding DAC and very musical. Also very cool and unique looking with smoked plexiglass enclosure that allow you to see all the very high quality components used. Hand made in Taiwan. A keeper!
Now I need to find a cheap yet MASSIVE vintage transport. Wish I had kept the 80 lb monster MSB Technology Laser Disc Transport LS1 Gold. That would have gone well with the M1.
Prior to that I'd say a great deal. In the last 10 years though? Not in my mind.
The advent of cheap femto clocks and DACs which do much better with Redbook (44.1kHz/16 bit stereo) than the previous generation happened around 2000 or so.
After that I think it's all taste making rather than actual improvements in tech.
Prove me wrong by sending me the latest dCS stack to listen to for a couple of years.
My M1-CLIC is still operating perfectly within it's feature limitations (for example internet radio is limited).
Sound quality is fine: smooth, no digital harshness, applause sounds real, cymbals have tone not just hiss, vocals are sweet and full where appropriate, blah, blah, blah :).
Tangential/hijack question: I’m using an Oppo 105 as a transport/streamer into a Schiit Gungnir. What’s a good DAC upgrade from the Schitt in the $1K range?
@simao Schiit just released a new version Gungnir 2, at $1599 ...I've liked Schiit and Denafrips in that price range, haven't heard the older Gungnir...
How much has DAC technology advanced in the last decade or more?
A lot of significant sonic improvements over the last 8yrs especially in the ~3-8k price range.
Is my Schiit Modi 3+ better than the Musical Fidelity M1 DAC?
Not familiar with this DAC’s performance
And secondly: how much can be 'gained' by spending 3-4x times the value of those 2?
It is much harder to sonically differentiate better DACs below 2k as better parts and engineering, in high-end limited niche market, drive up costs. Whether it’s worth the sonic change/improvement depends on the transparency of the audio chain and the OP’s subjective preferences.
Happy to bring the 2 DAC I mentioned for a comparison with 'audiophile' price level (say 10-30 times the cost of mine) DAC on a qualified system (mine likely is not). Driving distance from 48116 MI
simao I have the Oppo 103 player. Wondering how the built in DAC compares to say a Modi 3+ (or the M1). I.e. use the Oppo as transport with one of those external DAC, or use the DAC in the Oppo.
When I bought my OPPO-103 12 years ago, I thought it was a terrific DVD Player. After upgrading, I was disappointed in the OPPO as a CD Player or transport/streamer...I think as you're looking at older DACs, personal preference becomes even more important, and there will be less agreement from others...
Looking at the DAC market as a whole and the progression of the digital pathway with streaming & DAC units: option of buying a decent used price DAC of the last 8 yrs...say a Berkley Audio Alpha 3 2018 (not the Reference) or a Mola Mola compared to the newer Schiit or one of the other newer builds of the past 1-2 years....thoughts? Or, going with a newer lower price-point DAC and waiting say 5 years to upgrade then? Several of the "extreme" price-point systems ( MSB, Bartok, and others ) are coming out with trickle-down tech but even their entry level systems are very pricey. Is DAC progression still early; will it benefit from newer tech coming? How much emphasis goes toward...software/algorithm vs chip/chips vs shielding/electronics? Is one side reaching build limits?
jl35 no so much 'older' or 'personal preference' but rather non audiophile cost constraint (I just don't want to spend crazy, ehem I mean 'auidophile' money).
Judging the Oppo 103 as transport, SACD and DAC: name alternatives in the below $400 market.
Ditto for
Shiit Modi 3+ (under say $150)
Musical Fidelity M1 (under say $250)
Matching TRANSPORT for above external DAC (say under $250)
Transport I like, and use, Cambridge CXC...CD Players I like Marantz CD6006(7) and Rotel CD11 Tribute - I own both, just sold the Oppo...I liked the Schiit Modius DAC better than the Modi...these are simply my preferences, all within your cost parameters, based on owning all equipment I mentioned...lots of people love the Oppo stuff...
An audiophile DAC goes well beyond just getting the major sounds right. It is highly refined. So the thsss of a drumstick hitting a cymbal sounds like brass. the highly complex sound of a trumpet or sax has the full complexity for a brass instrument not just a cartoonish impression. The human voice becomes fully fleshed out. Very often on budget equipment, Schiit being a good example, the voice is recognizable but thin and a bit week... heard through a really good DAC it has real serious midrange weight.. I am not a fan of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.... but the difference through a great DAC (with appropriate associated equipment) is simply astonishing... the power and depth of their voices. While, they are not my cup of tea... on a great system with a great DAC you can’t help but understand why they are so famous.
Some examples of Audiophile DACs would be Berkely Alpha Reference 3, Audio Research Reference 9, dCS Bartok (although I find this a bit thin... polite as it often referred to), MSB.
Within a given DAC budget (say, ~$5k) I'd go with a used ref. model - even if it's quite a few years old - rather than a new "mid-level" ditto. From my chair the DAC chip evolution, with a few exceptions, has if not stagnated then moved very slowly over some years now. The real culprit is its implementation, the quality of the analogue output stage, PSU and overall construction. Some recent DAC chips, like the dual-board chip from Hypex, provide for a staggering resolution and transparency, but I find it comes at the expense of tonal authenticity - i.e.: it robs tonal richness to my ears, even if it possibly cuts away what's considered excessive "fat" and which then that calls for substantial re-tweaking of acoustics (less absorption), speaker placement, etc.
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