Updated October 2026 · prices checked Oct 10, 2026.
This was the classic “measurements vs character” matchup: Topping’s ESS-based all-in-one against Schiit’s multibit standalone DAC. In 2026 neither is a new-purchase option. The Modi Multibit 2 is out of Schiit’s lineup, and retailers are listing the DX3 Pro+ as discontinued. The comparison still matters if you’re looking at used units or trying to decide which camp you belong in.
Quick Verdict
- Buy a used Modi Multibit 2 if you specifically want Schiit’s multibit sound, already own a headphone amp, and find one at a fair used price.
- Buy a leftover DX3 Pro+ if you find one discounted, want one box with Bluetooth LDAC, and your headphones are easy to drive.
- Neither: buy current. For a Schiit stack, the Modi 5 ($149) plus the Magni ($119). For one box with Bluetooth and more power, the Topping DX5 II (about $299).
Schiit's current standalone DAC at $149: ES9018 with Schiit's own Mesh filter and Unison 384 USB.
The current Magni to pair with the Modi 5: 2.5 W into 32Ω and 415 mW into 300Ω from Schiit's spec sheet.
The DX3 Pro+ replacement if you want one box with Bluetooth LDAC, a remote and about 6.4 W balanced.
Specs Comparison
| Topping DX3 Pro+ | Schiit Modi Multibit 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Status (Oct 2026) | Being phased out | Discontinued |
| Last list price | Not verified | $299 black / $319 silver (2022) |
| Replaced by | Topping DX5 II (~$299) | Schiit Modi 5 ($149) or Multibit DAC card ($200) |
| Type | DAC/amp combo | Standalone DAC |
| DAC architecture | Delta-sigma (ES9038Q2M) | Schiit multibit (R2R-style) |
| Headphone output | 6.35mm, ~1.8W into 32Ω | None |
| Line outputs | RCA | RCA |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth | USB (Unison), optical, coaxial |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (LDAC, aptX HD, AAC) | None |
| Remote control | Yes | No |
DX3 Pro+ figures are Topping’s published ratings as reproduced by retailers.
The Measurements Story
Published measurements put ESS delta-sigma DACs like the ES9038Q2M ahead of Schiit’s multibit designs on distortion and noise. If measurements decide your purchases, the delta-sigma side wins, and in 2026 that means a Modi 5 or a Topping, not a used Multibit.
The Listening Story
Owners on r/headphones and Head-Fi have long described the Modi Multibit as fuller in the lower midrange and more natural on acoustic music, and describe ESS-based Toppings as clean and precise, sometimes bright with bright headphones. Whether those reports reflect audible differences or expectation is genuinely debated. If you want to try the multibit sound in 2026, the honest routes are a used Modi Multibit 2 or Schiit’s $200 Multibit DAC card for its modular units.
The Real Price Comparison
A standalone DAC needs an amp. Current equivalents:
| Setup (new, Oct 2026) | Total |
|---|---|
| Topping DX5 II (all-in-one) | ~$299 |
| Schiit Modi 5 + Magni | $268 |
| Schiit Magni with DAC card | $199 |
Who Should Buy What
Choose the Schiit route (Modi 5 + Magni) if:
- You like separates you can upgrade one at a time
- You drive 300Ω Sennheisers or common planars (see the HD 650 amp guide )
- You don’t need Bluetooth
Choose the Topping DX5 II if:
- You want one box with Bluetooth LDAC and a remote
- You want the most power for planars like the Sundara
