So I received my Schiit combo today and let's start with the packaging quality. It was as expected shipped as one parcel with 2 separate boxes in side for each item. The internal packaging was all cardboard, sturdy and compact. All items landed with no damage and within 9 days of purchase. They accept paypal and ship to freight forwarders with no issue.
All in all the total package was ~ 230USD + $71TT shipping (courtesy Caribox). Each item has a solid feel to it, all Aluminium body, silver, very easy on the eyes. It comes with 4 rubber legs that you apply at will on each device. I opted for the 6" PYST RCA cables which at $20usd (included in total above).
The devices as per pics below are made to be stacked, with the Modi DAC on the bottom as there are perforations on the top of the Magni to allow for cooling of the AMP. The Magni gets slightly warm after constant use, but the all aluminium body as well as the vents more than provide adequate cooling (unless you live in a furnace).
Setup is as easy as the website alludes, there are NO drivers to install. My Windows 8 PC recognised the DAC without so much as a notification and sure enough connected via USB it just WORKS. The AMP has a small power switch at the back and the both of them have a white front LED to indicate they are powered. The AMP uses a 6.35mm (1/4") stereo connector and it fits snugly. All components feel snug and well seated. When purchasing the AC adapter for the AMP you can select your region power connector (US, Europe, Japan, etc).
Now the real meat, the SOUND.... before I get to it i'll give a little history of how I got to where I am now (aka beginner audiophile - stress on beginner). I've owned several different audio devices throughout my life. I was a early believer of dedicated sound card in the Pentium 3 days when onboard was truly atrocious, so from Creative Sound blaster 16 to Audigy, Audigy 2 ZS Platinum, back to onboard (by this point it had become 'good enough'). I own Logitech Z2300, Z5500, LS21 and more recently a G45 gaming headset and other speakers along the way I can't remember (altec lansing, etc). I also own the nigh indestructable Sharkoon Gaming headset.
I basically went from normal PC speakers to power PC speakers, to powerful 5.1 PC speakers, to console/PC compatible positional gaming headset, PC gaming headset and now finally to an Audio-Technica ATH-M30 and Schiit Modi and Magni DAC and AMP.
All along the way there was an improvement in some form or fashion. Sometimes it was just raw power output, sometimes it was 5.1 and finally it was clarity. The jump from desktop speakers to the Sharkoon was fueled by the need for positional audio in FPS games. When I first used my Sharkoons I was surprised at how much details I was missing in games. I was amazed but the ambient sounds you would just never notice with stereo, or on even the Z5500 unless the volume was enough to get me evicted. I was satisfied with this for some 2-3 years but truth be told they are not great for full bass and they are HEAVY. Heavy enough that I am certain daily use has thinned my hair a bit (according to the hear dresser)
So I finally opted for a light weight headset and with my re-surgence in PC gaming I thought what the heck. Enter Logitech G45. From the minute I used these I realized the Sharkoon were definitely dated. Apart from my HAIR thanking me for the 5oz headset my EARS were awakened yet again (much in the way the Sharkoon originally did). Heights were cleaner, bass deeper and more full body. I could HEAR AGAIN (again).
Skip forward to now. Courtesy of Crixx and Messiaah and they incessant audiophile tongue lashings I opted to take on crixx suggestion (it doesn't happen unless mercury and Uranus align I assure you) and chance a 47USD headset. The Audio-Technica ATH-M30 (with 2 year insurance no less
).
So ~$47USD + $20TT shipping and about 2 weeks later they were on my head yet again awakening me to the difference in quality I had surely been missing. Truth be told the difference in perceived quality between the M30 and the G45 is surely less than the Sharkoon and G45. To put it another way:
Desktop speakers -> Sharkoon == Night and day
Sharkoon -> G45 == Night and day
G45 -> M30 == Mid morning to evening
M30 -> M30 + Schiit combo == Dawn to mid day (sound is brighter, even cleaner and bass is even more full body)
Let me try to put into words what I perceive as the difference:
Clarity - you HEAR words, notes, instruments you didn't even KNOW were there. You wonder at the completeness of sounds even as the volume increases without distortion.
Depth - Bass is full, more body (akin to a good subwuffer without the large box). Depending on the headphones you get more punch to the bass. It's concise and not a blur of heavy vibrations like you're in a fete.
To expand on the last comparison of dawn to mid day. Think of when you're driving at dawn/dusk. It;s neither bright nor dark. So your headlights make little difference and the sun isn't up enough to light the way. This is the best comparison I can think of, as once its midday, its bright and clear. You can see further and more easily. In the same way the combo has made the sound even more crisp, clear and deep. And consider its a CHEAP headset. I have my eye on something to come, but that will be in time.
Would I recommend spending money on better audio? a resounding YES. Would I recommend the Schiit, a resounding YES. Would I recommend it to EVERYONE, a resounding NO. Like all hobbies you eventually hit the wall of diminishing returns. Its the same for cars, PCs, audio, etc. This is something you have to have an interest or passion for. Will your ears thank you for it? HELL YES. Will you find such a distinct difference between your run of the mill $30TT headset and my current setup YES. Will you feel you are justified moving from say a G45 to my setup maybe not. For me YES, but as with everything quality based mileage will vary.
I am quite happy with what I have but I WILL be moving onto a proper $200-$300USD pair of headphones at SOME point in time.
Other points to note:
In addition to improving the quality of your hardware, it is ESSENTIAL you move to improved sources. mp3-FLAC is NIGHT and DAY. Using a good player like JRiver or even AIMP (the successor to winamp). You can't overhaul your car engine intake and exhaust and continue to just run on good ole super. You would be intentionally hampering your gains. Using WASAPI - bypassing windows sound processing allowing your sound card or DAC to covert the digital format back into analog sound.
I used a DAC as my PC is an HTPC and I do NOT have space for another PCIe card. Hence I needed to move to USB. A good sound card could suite you very well if you have the space. So the jump you make need not destroy your pocket.
Lastly go to Head-fi.org and READ READ READ, oh and also ask anyone on the forum who you see actively participating in these types of discussions.
