>regardless of ones denomination

Unless you worship at the house of Linux.

I've got a Modi (my first foray into computer audio) which I'm using with an older HP Pavillion DV6 laptop with Windows 7, Belkin USB cable and Foobar200, Fidelizer and the trial version of JPlay.  As I've tweaked settings and it has burned-in the sound has improved but still is not as relaxing, not as get lost in the music, as my practically free Sony Playstation 1 cd player.  Any inexpensive tips on what I can do to turn this from just OK to aaahh.

Thanks for the preview Michael !!

I'm looking to upgrade from my Fiio e10, and my budget is under $300 cables and all. I've been considering HRT, Audioengine,and the Dragonfly to use with my A2's.. I then learned of the Modi, and quickly added it to the short list. 

Ahhhh, decisions, decisions

how do your first impressions compare to the dragonfly?

I admire the challenges and decisions these kinds of inexpensive things pose.

On the one hand, if it sounds great you wonder why don't streamer boxes don't incorporate an equivelent-sounding DAC in the box "for even less". On the the other hand, you wonder if this would sound better with that iFi USB power supply and if so how would the package compare with a more expensive DAC. On the other other hand ...

I have the Gungnir - If this little baby has the same 'house sound' it should not disappoint. The Gungnir has a very 'mature' rich sound. Hits higher than its asking price.

I'm no marketing guru but products like this are odd to me.

Seems the target is not "real" audiophiles..no serious audiophile would buy something this low end and make it any part of their system. Or that Dragonfly thing, or any of the HRT Streamers, etc., etc.

So that leaves non-audiophiles. But do non-audiophiles really care enough to spend $100, and figure out how to hook this up (and be bound by it all with the wires and setup)? Non audiophiles think $100 is a lot of money...and would a non audiophile even find this product?

Perhaps it's for the newby-pseudo-audiophiles. Ones that still think the prices are outrageous (having not yet been desensitized to prices), and want to get in and take those first baby steps.

I remember that first DAC baby step for me, the V-DAC II. That was a good one because it also taught me real quick about the unnatural sound of oversampling. Made the next succession of decisions a lot clearer.

Maybe I just figured it all out. So glad I could type it out. Ha ha.

DACless people can buy this, play with it for a month, then upgrade. Welcome to the game.

A $99 DAC is for anyone who:

1) only has $99 to spend

2) only needs/wants to spend $99

Take your pick of reasons but they are both "valid" from where I sit.

And don't forget, in his Stereophile review of the Dragonfly, AD said it sounded as good as his $900 DAC or words to that effect (different company, same designer).

Given you can spend close to a million on a system, I doubt the 'credentials' of 99.9999999999% of people who call themselves audiophiles (joke)

I figure anyone who invests - be it $99 or $9,999 - in a component offering better sound reproduction than your generic micro/lifestyle system is an audiophile by definition.

Schiit was probably thinking multiple things when lauching this product, all of which are how do we make more money.

1. Seems like they want to make a great product, that sounds good at a fair price, capturing that best bang for the buck market.

2. Offer an entry level product to get people hooked and want to upgrade. I just spent $99 and dang that sounded pretty good, what can i get for $300?

3. More and more people sit in front of their computer all day working from home and they want to enjoy music while they work, but stereo system is in another room. My little brother a graphic designer asked me the other day if there was any good sounding computer speakers he could buy to hook to his MAC, so I directed him here. 99.9% sure he is going to buy a set of the PSB Alpha PS1 powered speakers and a MODI and he will be more than satisfied and he will text all his friends about it.

4. Marketing tactics by offering 3 products (Small, Medium and Large) companies increase sales of the middle/medium product. Peoples thought process is hmm small medium large, or good, better, best.  I want a cheeseburger but the triple is probably too much and if i get the single i'll still be hungry, better get the double. Wendys lost sales of their double burger by taking the triple off the menu for a while, they promplty put it back and sales of the double increased. Look at how many companies offer 3 products in a category (iphone 16gb, 32gb, 64gb).

Thats my two cents.

I think, being a Schiit owner, I understand them. They are a rebelious, very knowledgeable and talented few from the 'high end' audio world. They know how to make stuff that sounds great, and make it for cheap. I do believe their product is directed at the audiphile. Its an impulse buy for the audiophile. We philes love gear. The more the better. Any self respecting phile MUST HAVE at least one piece of Schiit gear! It doesnt matter what piece that is. It doesnt have to be the best DAC or whatever you own. We just like to hear different kit.

I have worked in electronics for many years as an electronic engineering technician on systems and circuit boards. When I see the inside of some of these products, then look up IC chip prices used in the design, estimate how much design time to layout circuit board and optimize, price of other cheap components like surface mount ceramic capacitors, resistors... well lets just say there is alot of profit built in to many of these amps / dacs. I think it is great that Mike is reviewing many of the lower cost options that hopefully will offer bang for the buck in our quest to improve the sound of our systems without going broke in the process.   

i've been so obsessed with a certain product, or that flavor of the month before. it was when i had the"big rig"(for me anyway), and i would obsess  and want for pieces of equipment i could never afford. Music ceased being fun, relaxing.

computer audio, and the great sounding, affordable gear has given me the fun back. aint that what its all about ??

my modi is still cold too, and i have the same question michael had "how'd they do this for $99 !!! "

the hardness, brightness that i noticed on the modi initially, is softening , when i've switched back to the d1, it sounds slightly veiled, congested, where the modi is spacious, clear,better control of the bass. while i like the d1, love the volume control, i very much prefer the sound of the modi,
i believe its the keeper, i'm still gonna hang on to it a couple more days, while i investigate a headphone amp, and believe me, the magni is at the top of the list !

Don't feel bad for splitting your review coverage Michael. Sometimes a reviewer's own enthusiasm forces his hand. Sometimes the impatience of readers forces it further.

My Modi is much improved with a lot of burn-in and a new  Audioquest Forest ($28.75) USB cable.  I also ordered a direct connect adapter that John Kenny recommends ($3.12).  I just listened to Townes Van Zandt Live At The Old Quarter on the computer and enjoyed it very much.  I am trying the Korg Audiogate free (twitterware) player which I like so far.

there is a vast improvement in the modi from the first day, to now, a week later.

i also use forest usb and rca cables, not familiar with the direct connect adapter, i looked it up on amazon, looks like there could be some damage done if you weren't very careful