Dac choice Schiit Modi Multibit vs Caiman II /SEG vs Chord Mojo

[Avinunca1]

I am pondering which DAC to buy to use with my new RPi and Digi+pro (parts arrived this morning).
The Caiman has very good reviews as does the Schiit Modi Multi-bit.
The Schiit Gungnir has even better reviews but is substantially more expensive but still tempting as a retirement present.
I currently use my SBT directly connected to a Leak Stereo 20 but I have a Border Patrol SE300B to repair which I feel would
warrant a top quality source. I would prefer to spend the money on a replacement for my DIY valve pre however. I will need a pre when I
replace my damaged cartridge.

Michael

[Dauntless]

I have a Schiit Gungnir multibit which I am happy with. I am using it with ye olde CD transport. I also have an ifi sp/dif purifier plugged in the Schiit coax socket which does make a difference. Digital nasties are a thing of the past:) As you say all your other choices have had good reviews. The new Caimen seg is also getting good reviews on here at present. I choose the Schiit Gungnir because it has balanced outs as my stuff is digital and suits balanced operation. Have you thought of the Gungnir sigma delta which is at a lower price. All your other choices are sigma delta. I have other dacs and the ifi sp/dif purifier improves them all. You will probably get good results with any of your choices I expect. I've heard a whisper that Schiit are about to launch a pre amp which will be most likely a valve offering.

[Avinunca1]

Thanks for your reply and the news about the pre-amp. Very interesting knowing the value for money Schiit normally provide.

[mervinb]

I'm a Caiman owner who happens to use SBT (Squeezebox Touch I presume), and have recently been replacing the SBT with RPi and other small embedded boxes, connected to Schiit DACs, so I might be able to offer some comments:

1. The Schiit multibit DACs are really good. I'm currently using a Gungir MB. If the user reviews are to be believed, you'll find the Modi multibit a major upgrade to the SBT.

2. Now the bad news - I've tried several RPi with squeezelite connected to various Schiit DACs, and unless things have changed dramatically, the USB->DAC issues inherent in RPi architecture will be a problem. No matter how much I tweaked the kernel and squeezelite parameters, I could not get click-free output. In contrast I set up a Pogolug E02, and with minimal tuning (buffer sizes only) I got perfect glitch-free playback.

3. I've also tried the Enhanced Digital Output patch to SBT to allow the use of USB->DAC. It's not totally glitch-free, and in spite of the chain being identical (USB to DAC), the Pogoplug -> Schiit sounded distinctly better to my ears. I was surprised. Bits somehow are not the same???

Good luck with your shopping. I'm now waiting for delivery of an Oroid C2 to test out as a replacement for the Pogos at home. The Pogos are very low power, and struggle when I have synchronised output in different rooms. Hopefully the C2 will address this.


I am pondering which DAC to buy to use with my new RPi and Digi+pro (parts arrived this morning).
The Caiman has very good reviews as does the Schiit Modi Multi-bit.
The Schiit Gungnir has even better reviews but is substantially more expensive but still tempting as a retirement present.
I currently use my SBT directly connected to a Leak Stereo 20 but I have a Border Patrol SE300B to repair which I feel would
warrant a top quality source. I would prefer to spend the money on a replacement for my DIY valve pre however. I will need a pre when I
replace my damaged cartridge.

Michael

[StanleyB]

The drop in the value of the £ is going to affect the price of imported DACs very soon. Even the Caiman SEG is likely to see a price increase when the next production is completed. So it might be a good idea to buy very soon.

[Avinunca1]

I read the HiFi World review on the Schiit Modi MB. They say it's excellent but users may find it bright and there is a distortion issue. Not being in a position to try before I buy I will have to give it a miss.
Not sure about the Rpi issues.
For sure everything is getting more expensive - good old BAT Brexit Added Tax.

[Avinunca1]

Just came across my thread. I did buy the Modi MB in the end and I've been very happy with it. Now, after a couple of years I am thinking of upgrading.

[hifinutt]

frank is selling this , you might like to have a look

https://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_title=Schiit_Gungnir_Multibit&p=dac&prod_id=66396&offset=

[Avinunca1]

frank is selling this , you might like to have a look

https://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_title=Schiit_Gungnir_Multibit&p=dac&prod_id=66396&offset=

Thanks for notification. I did consider the Schiit Gumby.

I decided to go for the EC Designs UPL and MOS - both 16 bit and UTOS USB to optical converter https://www.ecdesigns.nl/en/ A bit left field but the creator has many years of experience detailed on diy-audio and some very good dacs under his belt. These devices are battery powered so no worries about any mains borne nasties.