Two Very Different Approaches to $149–$199
The Topping DX3 Pro+ ($149) and Schiit Modi Multibit 2 ($199) compete in the same price bracket but represent fundamentally different philosophies.
The DX3 Pro+ is an all-in-one DAC/amp combo with a best-in-class measurements profile, Bluetooth LDAC, and a remote control. It’s the practical, Swiss-Army-knife choice.
The Modi Multibit 2 is a pure standalone DAC with an R2R ladder architecture. It measures lower than the DX3 Pro+. It sounds different — warmer, more organic, more musical — in ways that many experienced listeners prefer. It requires a separate amplifier.
This isn’t a head-to-head where one product wins. It’s a question of what kind of listener you are.
Specs Comparison
| Topping DX3 Pro+ | Schiit Modi Multibit 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | DAC/Amp combo | Standalone DAC |
| DAC architecture | Delta-sigma (ES9038Q2M) | R2R multibit ladder |
| THD+N | <0.00045% | ~0.003% |
| SNR | 122dB | ~115dB |
| Headphone output | 6.35mm, 1W into 32Ω | None |
| Line outputs | RCA single-ended | RCA single-ended |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth | USB (Unison), optical, coaxial |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (LDAC, aptX, AAC) | None |
| Remote control | Yes | No |
| USB implementation | Standard | Proprietary Unison USB |
| Typical price | ~$149 | ~$199 |
The Measurements Story
By every objective measurement that exists, the DX3 Pro+’s ES9038Q2M chip outperforms the Modi Multibit 2. The THD+N figure is roughly 6x lower. The noise floor is slightly better. The frequency response is more perfectly flat.
If you decide audio equipment quality on measurements alone, the DX3 Pro+ wins, and it’s $50 cheaper.
The Listening Story
The Modi Multibit 2 sounds warmer, more natural, and more musically engaging than the DX3 Pro+ for a significant portion of listeners. This is the long-standing observation about R2R ladder DACs versus delta-sigma: the harmonic character of the distortion profile (even at inaudibly low levels) contributes to a different presentation.
ESS chips, including the ES9038Q2M in the DX3 Pro+, are described by many listeners as clean, precise, and slightly analytical. Not bad — but cold relative to alternatives.
The Modi Multibit 2 is described as warm, organic, and musical. The lower midrange has body. Vocals feel present. Acoustic instruments sound more natural. Many audiophiles who buy the Modi Multibit 2 stop looking for a better DAC.
Whether these descriptions reflect real audible differences or listening psychology is genuinely debated. What’s clear: they’re consistent enough across experienced listeners that dismissing them isn’t intellectually honest.
Who Should NOT Consider the Modi Multibit 2
- You don’t already have or plan to buy a separate headphone amplifier — the Modi Multibit 2 has no headphone output whatsoever
- You want Bluetooth LDAC for wireless audio — the Modi Multibit 2 has no Bluetooth
- Measurements and technical specifications are how you evaluate equipment
- Budget is tight — the Modi Multibit 2 is $50 more plus the cost of a separate amp
Who Should NOT Consider the DX3 Pro+ (in this comparison)
- You’ve already heard enough technically perfect, slightly clinical DACs and want something different
- You have a separate amplifier or are building a separates stack
- You want the warmest, most organic DAC character available under $300
- The R2R / multibit debate appeals to you and you want to experience it
The Real Price Comparison
This matters: the Modi Multibit 2 is a standalone DAC. To use it with headphones, you need an amp.
| Setup | Total cost |
|---|---|
| DX3 Pro+ (all-in-one) | ~$149 |
| Modi Multibit 2 + Magni Heresy | ~$308 |
| Modi Multibit 2 + Asgard 3 | ~$448 |
The DX3 Pro+ wins on total system cost by a significant margin if you’re starting from scratch. The Modi Multibit 2 setup wins on sound quality and upgrade path flexibility if you plan to grow your system.
Sound Pairing Notes
DX3 Pro+ with warm headphones (HD 650, Moondrop Aria): Excellent. The ESS brightness balances the warm headphone character.
DX3 Pro+ with bright headphones (DT 990 Pro): Passable, but the ESS + bright headphone combination can become fatiguing. A warmer DAC like the Modi Multibit 2 is better here.
Modi Multibit 2 + Magni Heresy with HD 600/650: One of the most celebrated combinations at this price. Natural, engaging, highly musical.
Modi Multibit 2 + Asgard 3 with HD 600/650: Possibly the best all-Schiit stack — the warmth compounds pleasantly and the HD 650 sounds its best here.