Schiit Announces Next-Gen Magni and Modi

December 12, Valencia, CA. Two years after the announcement of the original Magni headphone amplifier and Modi USB DAC, Schiit Audio introduces the next generation: Magni 2 and Modi 2, together with their even more feature-packed Uber models. This introduction means additional flexibility and performance for Magni 2 and Modi 2 at the same price level ($99) as the original Magni and Modi, while Magni 2 Uber and Modi 2 Uber reset the value equation for entry-level products at $149 each.

 

"We've added gain switching to Magni 2, and 24/192 capability to Modi 2, and kept them at the same price as the originals," said Jason Stoddard, Schiit's Co-Founder. "But we went all-out on the Uber models, adding preamp outputs and higher power to Magni 2 Uber, and making the Modi 2 Uber essentially a mini-Bifrost, with optical, coaxial, and USB inputs. Now, the flexibility and performance you can expect at the entry point to high-end personal audio is much higher than ever before."

 

In total, four products were announced:

 

Magni 2. All-new discrete headphone amp with 1.2W RMS per channel and switchable high/low gain, together with a refined constant-feedback gain stage. The update of what's arguably the most popular headphone amp, ever. $99. 

 

Magni 2 Uber. All-new discrete headphone amp with 1.5W RMS per channel, switchable high/low gain, preamp outputs, and even more sophisticated constant-feedback gain stage. Also includes new 24VA wall transformer (3x larger than Magni) and aluminum top chassis and knob. $149.

 

Modi 2. All-new USB asynchronous DAC with switchable USB Class 1 and Class 2 modes. USB Class 1 remains driverless for all supported computers, USB Class 2 adds 24/192 capability, but requires drivers for Windows. The update of one of the most popular USB DACs ever. $99.

 

Modi 2 Uber. All-new USB, optical, and coaxial three-input DAC running full USB Class 2 for 24/192 capability through all inputs. Essentially a mini Bifrost. AC linear power supply with included 8VA wall transformer. Aluminum pushbutton and top chassis. $149.

 

Like all Schiit products, the complete Magni/Modi line is made in the USA, with the vast majority of its total production cost going to companies manufacturing in the USA, and local assembly, testing, and support through Schiit’s Valencia, CA offices. 

 

Magni and Modi were the sons of Thor in Norse legend. Magni 2, Modi 2, Magni 2 Uber, and Modi 2 Uber are available to order now on the Schiit website. 

 

Founded in June 2010 by audio industry “old dogs” Jason Stoddard and Mike Moffat, Schiit Audio has a simple, if somewhat insane, mission: to bring superior performance, design, and quality to audio products at near-Chinese prices, while manufacturing in the USA. Schiit has grown into a leader in the "personal audio" market, with a wide range of products spanning DACs, headphone amplifiers, and preamplifiers, from $49 to $1699. Schiit is also a leader in the direct sale of audio products, passing additional value along to the customer by foregoing the cost of traditional distribution networks.

 

Jason Stoddard was the former engineering lead at Sumo, designing power amps that included Polaris II, Polaris III, Andromeda III, Ulysses, Ulysses II, The Ten, The Five, as well as preamplifiers including Athena II, Diana, and Artemis, and Sumo’s first digital line: Axiom and Theorem.

 

Mike Moffat was the founder of Theta, Theta Digital, and Angstrom, and his audio history covers an impressive list of firsts, including the first standalone DAC, the Theta DSPre, the first use of digital signal processing and bit-perfect digital filter algorithms, the first DTS surround processor, and more.