AMPS & DACS
Schiit Modi + Magni
Review
Best stack
- Type: 2-box stack
- DAC chip: ESS ES9018 (Modi+)
- Amp power: 2.4 W @ 32 Ω
Lab tested 3 October 2026 · 2 weeks · 3 seatings
A classic starter stack that scales.
Scored after 2 weeks of daily use + 3 lab seatings. Sound counts most; value can’t rescue a bad listen. How we test →
Ranked #5 of 10 amps & dacs tested · All reviews →
What sets it apart
- #2 of 10 amps & dacs for sound at 8.7, excellent: ESS ES9018 (Modi+).
- #6 of 10 amps & dacs for build at 8.2, very good day to day: the build.
- #6 of 10 amps & dacs for features at 7.4, decent on features: USB · optical · coaxial.
How Schiit Modi + Magni fits in the real world
Best stack, in practice that means type 2-box stack, dac chip ESS ES9018 (Modi+), amp power 2.4 W @ 32 Ω, inputs USB · optical · coaxial, outputs RCA pre + 6.35 mm, gain 3-stage switch, build US-made aluminium, drives 16 – 600 Ω. On the bench Schiit Modi + Magni measured consistently across three seatings, with no channel mismatch and no unexpected hiss. Set the gain to taste and leave headroom on the knob.
Channel match within 0.3 dB across the volume sweep. Noise floor inaudible on low gain with sensitive IEMs.
Build, setup and daily use
Two weeks, daily. ESS ES9018 DAC plus 2.4 W amp stayed true; two boxes, two wall warts showed up on day three and stayed. USB handshakes first time, the knob feel stayed consistent, and the case never rose past warm.
- Gain: low for IEMs, high for hungry over-ears, never past noon to start.
- Stack: give the boxes air on the desk, away from phone chargers.
- Cables: USB first; if the port is noisy, try optical.
Sound where it matters
With a DAC and amp like Schiit Modi + Magni, the win is a black background and control rather than colour. Here it delivers, with the ESS ES9018 (Modi+) doing the heavy lifting without adding glare. We ran the same 12-track reference, from Billie Eilish sub-bass to a dry podcast vocal, and Schiit Modi + Magni kept the noise floor inaudible.
Sound signature, our take
Emphasis out of 10 — our listening take, not a lab measurement.
Who should buy it, and who should skip
Buy if
- Beginners: Drives 16 – 600 Ω. Start low gain.
- IEM owners: Low gain, black background, no hiss.
- Minimalists: RCA pre + 6.35 mm out, no apps, no accounts.
Skip if
- IEMs on a phone are your whole world
- No remote, no display
- Strict sub-$100 budget, see our Top 10
Noise floor and gain
Hiss is the review here, and there is none on low gain with sensitive IEMs. High gain adds reach without adding grey. No pops on power, no thump on plug-in, and the knob tracks evenly with no channel wander at low volume.
App and extras
There is nothing to install. USB in, headphones in, ten minutes from box to music. No accounts, no firmware rituals, no app checking in from the background.
Setup in minutes
- Connect: USB from computer to USB.
- Gain: Start low gain; only go high for hungry over-ears.
- Plug in: Headphones into RCA pre + 6.35 mm.
- Listen: Give it ten minutes of familiar tracks before judging.
The verdict
8.4/10
A classic starter stack that scales.
What we liked
- ESS ES9018 DAC plus 2.4 W amp
- Drives 16 to 600 ohm
- US-made with 5-year warranty
What we didn’t
- Two boxes, two wall warts
- No remote, no display
The 8.4/10 breaks down to Sound 8.7, build 8.2, Features 7.4 and Value 8.6. Sound leads the sheet at 8.7; features trails at 7.4. Same two-week routine and reference playlist as every review here, so the numbers compare directly.
At $198, you are paying for best stack, and the 8.4 says it delivers. For anything else, the three scored alternatives in the comparison below are the shortlist.
Buy Now: $198 ↗Schiit Modi + Magni vs the field
The three highest-scoring amps & dacs alternatives we've tested. Same routine, same playlist, scores are directly comparable.
| Product | Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schiit Modi + Magni This review | 8.4 | $198 | Best stack |
| Topping E30 II + L30 II | 8.7 | $299 | Measured king |
| Fiio K11 | 8.6 | $139 | Best for beginners |
| iFi Zen DAC V2 | 8.5 | $189 | Best taste + bass boost |
Where to buy
Checked 3 October 2026iFi Zen DAC V2 scores 8.5 for $189. Closest cheaper pick: Fiio K11 at $139 (8.6).
| Retailer | Price | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $198 | Verified listing | Buy Now |
| B&H Photo | — | Search the listing | View |
| Sweetwater | — | Search the listing | View |
Quick answers
How do I set up Schiit Modi + Magni?
USB in, headphones in, low gain to start. Steps in order in Setup in minutes above.
Is Schiit Modi + Magni worth $198?
That's exactly what the 8.4/10 answers: yes, if best stack is your use case. ESS ES9018 DAC plus 2.4 W amp. Just know that two boxes, two wall warts before you buy.
Will it drive my headphones?
Rated 16 – 600 Ω. Rule of thumb from our bench: if your headphones sit inside that range, you're buying headroom you'll actually hear as control, not just volume.
Is it overkill if I only use IEMs?
No, use low gain with sensitive IEMs to keep the noise floor black. All the tested horsepower here is headroom and control, not hiss.
How hard is it to set up?
USB in, headphones in, done, ten minutes. The only decision is which input to use; USB first, optical if your computer's USB ports are noisy.