Updated October 2026 · lineup and prices checked on schiit.com, Oct 10, 2026.
The Short Answer
Buy the Modi 5. It’s the only Modi Schiit still sells, at $149. Every other generation in this table is discontinued and available only used.
The only current Modi: ES9018 with Schiit's Mesh filter, Unison 384 USB, USB/optical/coaxial inputs. $149 direct from Schiit.
Need an amp to go with it? The matching stack is the Schiit Magni (Unity) at $119. See today's price for the Schiit Magni (Unity) on Amazon ↗ See today's price for the Schiit Magni (Unity) from Schiit ↗
Buy used instead if: you find a working Modi 3+, 3E or Modi+ for well under the price of a new Modi 5 and you don’t care about warranty.
Don’t buy any Modi if: you want one box. A DAC/amp combo like the FiiO K11 R2R (~$170) is simpler. See today's price for the FiiO K11 R2R on Amazon ↗
Every Generation at a Glance
| Generation | Status (Oct 2026) | DAC | USB | Verdict today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modi (original) | Discontinued | Delta-sigma | Older USB | Skip unless nearly free |
| Modi 2 / 2 Uber | Discontinued | Delta-sigma | Older USB (no Unison) | Fine if you own one; don’t pay much |
| Modi 3 | Discontinued ($99 new) | AKM AK4490 | Older USB (pre-Unison) | Fine budget used buy |
| Modi 3+ (Dec 2020) | Discontinued ($99 new) | AKM AK4490 | Unison USB | Good used buy |
| Modi 3E | Discontinued | ESS | Unison USB | Good used buy |
| Modi+ (Nov 2022) | Discontinued ($129 new) | Delta-sigma | Unison USB | Good used buy |
| Modi 5 | Current, $149 | ESS ES9018 + Schiit Mesh filter | Unison 384 | The one to buy new |
| Modi Multibit | Discontinued | Schiit multibit | Older USB | Character pick, used only |
| Modi Multibit 2 | Discontinued ($299–319 new in 2022) | Schiit multibit | Unison USB | Character pick, used only |
We’ve left out launch years and used prices we couldn’t verify. Used prices move a lot; compare any listing against a new Modi 5 at $149.
Modi 3 vs Modi 5
This is the comparison most people search for, so here it is directly.
- DAC: the Modi 3 and 3+ used an AKM AK4490. The Modi 5 uses an ESS ES9018 with Schiit’s own Mesh digital filter, which Schiit describes as optimized in both the time and frequency domains.
- USB: the original Modi 3 used an older USB input. The Modi 3+ (December 2020) brought Schiit’s Unison USB to the $99 Modi. The Modi 5 uses the newer Unison 384, which supports up to 32-bit/384 kHz.
- Output: the Modi 5 outputs 1.5 V RMS on USB power, or 2.0 V RMS with Schiit’s optional Linear Override AC wall-wart.
- Price and status: the Modi 3 was $99 new and is discontinued; the Modi 5 is $149 and current.
Should you upgrade? If you own a working Modi 3 or later, probably not yet. A better amp or headphones will change more. If you’re buying new, there’s no choice to make: the Modi 5 is the current model.
Why “Modi 2” Still Gets Searched
The Modi 2 made Schiit’s budget DAC famous, and plenty still work. If you’ve inherited one or found one in a drawer, it’s still a basic delta-sigma DAC over USB (and optical/coaxial on the Uber version).
What you give up versus anything current:
- No Unison USB. Schiit’s in-house USB input arrived later and was designed to be more robust against noisy computer USB.
- Older chip and output stage. Each later generation improved measured performance.
- No warranty. Schiit’s support is good, but not for long-discontinued units.
A working Modi 2 you already own isn’t worth replacing until you upgrade something else. Paying real money for one makes less sense: put it toward a Modi 5.
The Delta-Sigma Line: Modi 3 to Modi 5
The Modi 3 was a full redesign. The Modi 3+ (December 2020) kept the $99 price and added Unison USB, which Schiit had previously used on its pricier Modius and multibit DACs. The 3E switched from AKM to an ESS chip, widely linked to AKM’s chip shortage after its factory fire in late 2020. The 3+ and 3E are close enough that you should buy whichever is cheaper used.
The Modi+ arrived in November 2022 at $129, alongside the Magni+ and Magni Heretic. The Modi 5 adds Schiit’s Mesh filter, the Unison 384 interface and the optional Linear Override power mode. At $149 it’s no longer an impulse buy, but it’s also not a DAC you’ll feel pressure to replace.
The Multibit Branch
The Modi Multibit and Modi Multibit 2 were a separate branch: Schiit’s multibit conversion in the small chassis. The delta-sigma Modis are the measurement choice; the Multibits were the character choice. Owners consistently describe the multibit sound as fuller and more natural on acoustic music, while measurements consistently show the delta-sigma Modis are cleaner.
Both are discontinued. Read our Modi Multibit page for what to buy instead if that sound is what you’re after.
Which One for Your Setup
- New desktop setup, buying everything now: Modi 5 + Magni (Unity), $268 total from Schiit. See our Magni Heresy replacement guide for why the Magni (Unity) is the current amp.
- Tightest budget: a used Modi 3+ or 3E. Spend the savings on headphones.
- You already own a Modi 3 or later: don’t upgrade the DAC first.
- You want remote control and a display: the Topping E30 II has both. See Modi vs Topping E30 .
- You want one box: see our best DAC/amp combos under $200 .
For full-size headphones, the amp matters more than the DAC. Our HD 600 , HD 650 and DT 990 Pro pairing guides pick current amps. For more DACs, see our best DACs under $200 .
