Modius Review
I have had the Modius for about 2/3 weeks now, and I think I have had enough time with it to write a review. So here we go!
Disclaimer
I like to start off my reviews with a disclaimer. I feel the information covered in this disclaimer may help those who are reading this review to get a bit of grounding on what my chain is, my experiences, preferences, and just abit about myself so you are more accurately able to understand my review, and where I am coming from.
My current audio chain that was used to test the Modius is Modius -> Asgard3/DarkVoice 336se -> ZMF Auteur/HD6XX/Andromeda. The music I listen to ranges, but some of the genres I listen to the most are K Hip Hop, Hip Hop, Pop, Rock, Classical, Jazz, and Acoustic.
Some previous DACs I have tried was the FX Audio DAC X6 and a Modi 2. I haven’t tried TOTL DACs or higher end DACs, so this review will be in reference to what I am hearing, and drawing comparisons to lower end DACs I have used.
All this testing is with the SE out. I will throw up another smaller review with balanced out when I get the chance to test the Bal out.
Now we got some disclaimers out of the way lets get started!
Audio
The most immediate thing I noticed when plugging this DAC in and using it was that the resolution, seperation, and soundstage immediately improved. The soundstage seemed much more open, less congested, and overall more airy with room to breath. Layering and imaging was overall a bit more precise, but the real difference between the Modius and lower end DACs was the resolution. I would say it was about 40-50% more resolving than the Modi 2 (can you use percentages for resolution like this? Idk lets keep rolling with it!)
This DAC definitely leans on the warm side, with a full bass range that isn’t bloated but is impactful. It isn’t bloomy, but rather just full bodied. Bass resolution is good, and I don’t find it to be muddy at all. Mids are clean and clear, while the treble is very airy and sparkly without being sibilant at all. There is no grain in the treble, and is a rather smooth experience.
Timbre can come across as slightly metallicy, but it’s not something one will notice all the time. I hear this is a character trait of the D/S DAC type, so I am really interested trying out a R2R/Multibit DAC to see the difference in timbre compared to the D/S.
I will agree with a review higher up stating that this is a slight V shaped signature. I am interested in seeing how the BAL out will differ from the SE out. I have read that it is quite different, I am picking up an XLR to RCA converter since this should work inplace of getting a balanced amp.
Overall I feel that this is a great entry level DAC. I think if you can poney up the extra cash from the Modi to the Modius, one should do it. I didn’t know if I believed DACs could make a difference, but after getting the Modius I realize they do make a difference. I don’t think it will be in my chain for a really long time, as I now want to upgrade to a higher end DAC such as the Bifrost 2/Gungnir Multibit to try and see if multibit is the way for me now that I now DACs can make a noticeable difference.
If anyone has any questions let me know! I will try to answer them as best as I can!