MODIUS E
MODIUS E MODIUS E MODIUS E

MODIUS E

£235
VAT already included
Out Of Stock

MODIUS IN SILVER (LAST ONE LEFT)

Modius? Yes, as in “Modius Maximus,” a bigger, balanced-output Modi with super-high performance—and even better versatility. Connect to any computer or streamer—or tablet, TV, CD player, or many other sources—and Modius delivers exceptional sound.

High Performance DAC and USB

Modius E features Schiit’s exclusive Unison USB™ interface, which provides plug-and-play compatibility with virtually any modern device. Combined with the ESS ES9028 D/A converter and dedicated balanced and single-ended output stages with DC-coupled output, Modius provides exceptional performance for a very low price.

Plug Modius E into virtually any computer or streamer with the included USB A-C cable and you’re ready to go. Or, choose optical, coaxial, or AES digital sources and use the included wall power supply. Or, if you want to connect your phone or tablet—something that needs very low power draw—again, use a USB wall power supply to eliminate dreaded “draws too much power” errors. That’s right—Modius accepts pretty much any input you can throw at it! 

Perfect Pair with Magnius, Asgard 3, Jotunheim, and Lyr 3

Modius E  has exactly the same footprint as our popular mid-sized amp series. If you’re looking for more connectivity than the internal cards provide, Modius is a perfect pair. Don’t have one of our amps? No worries, Modius works great with virtually anything!

Designed and Built in Texas

By “designed and built in California" this means: the vast majority of the total production of Modius—chassis, boards, transformers, assembly, etc—is manufacturing in the US. Schiit's chassis are made minutes from there facility. The PCBs are done just over the hill from them. Yes, the wall-warts aren't made in the USA, but there's some give and take at this price point. 

2-Year Warranty

Modius is covered by a limited warranty that covers parts and labour for two years.

Specs

SE or Balanced Outputs:

Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz, +/-0.02dB

THD+N: 0.0003%, with or without external power

IMD: 0.0004%, CCIR, with or without external power

S/N: > 118dB, referenced to full output, with or without external power

Crosstalk: -125dB, 20-20kHz

Maximum Output: 4.0V RMS balanced, 2.0V RMS single-ended

Inputs: USB-C, Toslink SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF, AES

Sample Rates and Bit Depths: 16/44.1 to 24/192

USB Input Receiver: Schiit Unison USB™

D/A Conversion IC: ESS ES9028

Analog Stage: Based on LME49724 for balanced output, OPA1656 for SE output, both independent, with precision thin-film resistors and film capacitors, DC coupled 

XLR balanced and RCA single-ended

Output Impedance: 75 ohms

Power Supply: USB powered with +/-5V switching rail generator; auxiliary USB power input for 0mA USB power draw devices (like phones and tablets)

Size: 22.86 x 15.24 x 3.80 Cm

Weight: 907 grams

FAQ

What’s so special about Unison USB?

It’s a very good USB interface designed to do a single thing well: to interface seamlessly with modern UAC2-compliant devices. There’s no stuff in it for DSD or MQA. It doesn’t have drivers for now-obsolete Windows platforms. It’s really just for getting PCM audio (still over 99% of all files) from your streamer or computer to this DAC.

So, you’re saying you plug Modius in and you’re ready to go?

Pretty much. Modius can be used with virtually any computer with no drivers: Windows, Mac, or Linux distros that support UAC 2.0. It also makes using phones and tablets easier, though, because if you use the provided wall-wart and USB cable into its external power port, it will avoid the dreaded “draws too much power” error. But Modius can also be used with a wide variety of digital sources, not just USB. Feel free to connect an optical, coaxial, and AES input as well.

What’s the difference between Modius and Modi 3?

Lots. Let’s break it down:

D/A Converter: Modi 3 uses the respected AKM AK4490 DAC, Modius uses the AK4493, a newer, higher performance version.

Analog Section: Modi 3 uses the OPA1662 op-amp and is DC-coupled, Modius uses two separate output stages, one based on the LME49724 balanced op-amp for the balanced output, and one based on the OPA1662.

USB Input: Modi 3 uses the C-Media CM6631A for USB input, Modius uses Schiit Unison USB.

SPDIF Inputs: Modi 3 offers coax and optical inputs, Modius adds AES as well.

Size: Modi 3 is the perfect size for stacking with our Magni and Vali amps, and Modius is the perfect size for stacking with Asgard 3, Jotunheim, Lyr 3, and Valhalla 2.

You have two totally separate output stages on this DAC, one for single-ended and one for balanced?

Yes. We chose to optimize for each use. The balanced output stage uses an inherently balanced, differential op-amp, whereas the SE stages use a single-ended op-amp. Both are very high performance, and both are designed specifically for their use.

So what platforms does your Unison USB input support?

Actually, the question should be “What platforms support your USB input?” since our USB input is 100% UAC2 compliant (that is, USB Audio Class 2, the accepted standard for USB audio transmission.) So, here you go:

Windows. Windows 10 is plug and play with our DACs. We do not provide drivers for earlier versions of Windows.

Mac OSX. From 10.7 on up, Macs have been plug and play with our DACs.

iOS. From iOS7 on up, iOS devices work with our DACs using a USB Camera Connection Kit, Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, or Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter.

Android. Most Android devices that shipped with Android M or above work with our DACs using a USB OTG cable. Some may require separate player software, like USB Audio Player Pro.

Linux. Most Linux distros that support UAC2 natively will be plug and play with our DACs. Please note that we cannot provide detailed technical support for Linux.

Roon. Roon recognizes our products and is plug and play.

Most streamers. Most streamers are Linux-based, so they have no problem with our USB input.

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