US amp manufacturer Schiit just recently announced the launch of the Modi and the Magni at a ridiculous price of $99 each.
The Magni is a discreet AB power amp and the Modi is a USB DAC with 24/96 sampling rates. Both are very small indeed.
Schiit Modi specs
- Sampling Rates: 16/44.1 to 24/96, including 24/88.2
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db
- Output Level, Maximum: 1.5V RMS
- THD: Less than 0.004%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1.6V RMS
- IMD: Less than 0.006%, CCIF
- SNR: More than 100db, unweighted, referenced to 1V RMS
- Crosstalk: -80dB, 20-20kHz
- Output Impedance: 75 ohms
- Power Supply: USB powered, 120mA draw
- Size: 5 x 3.5 x 1.25”
- Weight: 1 lb
Excerpt from Schiit’s Site on the Modi
Modi is the most advanced USB DAC under $100 that is made in the USA. With a C-Media CM6631 USB 2.0 asynchronous input receiver and 24-bit AKM4396 DAC coupled to an active filter output stage, Magni is ideal for a computer-centered audio system.
USB Powered, No Drivers
Modi plugs into virtually any computer—Windows or Mac—and requires no drivers to deliver great sound, up to 24/96 sampling rates.
It features asynchronous transfer with individual crystal oscillators for the 44.1 and 48k sampling rates, and uses the USB Audio 1.0 standard over USB 2.0, and is powered by the USB port.
DAC
Modi uses the 24-bit AKM4396 DAC with switched-capacitor filtering and a high-quality active filter section with excellent line-driving capability. Yeah, we know, engineering is a disease.
What this means is that it uses one of the highest-performance DAC ICs out there, and it will comfortably drive long cables. You can easily hide Modi behind your computer and run long RCAs to your main audio system.
Schiit Magni Specs
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 2Hz-200KHz, -3dB
- Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 1.2W
- Maximum Power, 50 ohms: 1.0W
- Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 260mW
- Maximum Power, 600 ohms: 130mW
- THD: Less than 0.005%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS
- IMD: Less than 0.007%, CCIF
- SNR: Greater than 100db, unweighted, referenced to 1V RMS
- Crosstalk: -70dB, 20 Hz-20KHz
- Output Impedance: Less than 0.1 ohms
- Gain: 5 (14db)
- Topology: Fully discrete FET/bipolar, Class AB, DC-coupled throughout
- Protection: standard failsafe DC power input and muting relay
- Power Supply: “wall wart” style 16VAC transformer, regulated +/- 15V rails
- Power Consumption: 4W
- Size: 5 x 3.5 x 1.25”
- Weight: 1 lb
Excerpt from Schiit’s Site on the Magni
Magni is the only fully discrete headphone amp under $100 that is made in the USA. Delivering 1.2W of power into 32 ohms, Magni is ready for virtually any headphone—including many hard-to-drive orthodynamic models.
Discrete Design, DC Coupled
If you ain’t into engineering, you can probably skip this section. But it’s important. All other amps in this price range use op-amps for gain. Not Magni. It uses a discrete gain stage design, with low-noise JFET inputs, fast VAS transistors, and massive output power transistors.
The result is a greater current capability for higher power output. We’ve also used a DC servo to eliminate coupling caps from the signal path.
From IEMs to Orthos
Magni is quiet enough for most IEMs but provides up to 1.2W into 32 ohms, which is plenty for many orthodynamic headphones. Magni is versatile enough to be a “do all” amplifier—it may be the only amp you ever need.
Apparently, these have been selling like hotcakes already and at that price point, I am not surprised. The closest competitor at that price is FiiO or a low-end Ibasso unit and even then it doesn’t look anything near as complete as this package.
For me at this price point, they are a no-brainer for a low-risk buy, and try and initial impressions suggest they can power planers.
More details and purchasing can be found at: www.schiit.com
