Topping D50 vs Schiit Modi 3 | Sound Quality Showdown

There is a lot of budget DACs out in the market today, but how well do they perform? In this article, we would compare two budget DACs that often get compared as competitors. The first DAC is the Topping D50 while the second one is the Schiit Modi 3. The result might surprise you since it’s not always the more expensive model that wins.

The main difference between them is that Topping D50 is a DAC and amplifier combo. It has an output impedance of 100 ohms and can be used as an amp when connected to a speaker or headphone that has a low impedance. The Schiit Modi 3 is an amplifier only and has an output impedance of 75 ohms. It can be used with any headphone or speaker that has an impedance above 16 ohms.

Comparison Table of Topping D50 vs Schiit Modi 3

Parameters	Topping D50	Schiit Modi 3
THD+N, A-weighted:	<0.0004% at 1kHz, <0.0005% at@ 20Hz–20kHz	<0.0002%, 20Hz-20KHz, 0dB
SNR, A-weighted:	122dB at 1kHz	>119dB, referenced to 2V RMS, unweighted
Frequency response:	20Hz–20kHz(±0.1dB)	20Hz-20KHz, +/-0.1dB
Output level:	2Vrms at 0dBFS	119dB, referenced to 2V RMS, unweighted
Output impedance:	100 ohms	75 ohms
Output:	AUX	RCA Stereo Analog (single-ended)
Input:	USB/OPT/COAX	USB, Toslink SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF
Dimensions:	4.7 x 4.3 x 1 in (11.9 x 11 x 2.6 cm)	5 x 3.5 x 1.25”
Weight:	16.9 oz (480 g)	1 lb
Channel crosstalk:	-116dB at 1kHz	-130dB, 20-20kHz
Power Supply:	DC5V/1A	USB powered with +/-5V switching rail generator; auxiliary USB power input for 0mA USB power draw devices
Sample Rates and Bit Depths	44.1kHz–192kHz/16Bit–24Bit; DSD64 (Dop）	16/44.1 to 24/192 via USB, Coax, and Optical
USB in:	44.1kHz–768kHz/16Bit–32Bit; DSD64–DSD512(Native); DSD64–DSD256(Dop)	-

Other Differences Between Topping D50 and Schiit Modi 3

Both are excellent DACs and amplifiers, but they do differ in specifications and design, their other differences include:

1. Weight

The Topping D50 DAC weighs 480g while The Schiit Modi 3 weighs 453g (1.02 lbs vs 0.9 lbs).

2. Size 

The topping D50 has a dimension that extends 4.7 × 4.3 × 1 while the Schiit Modi 3 goes 5 ×3.5 × 1.25”

3. Outputs 

The Topping D50 output is AUX, while the Schiit Modi 3 is RCA Stereo Analog (single-ended).

4. Channel Crosstalk

For Topping D50, it is –116dB at 1KHz, while for Sciit Modi 3, it’s greater than -124dB, 20-20 kHz

5. Inputs 

The input for Topping D50 is a combination of the USB/ OPT/ COAX, and USB, Toslink SPDIF, and Coaxial SPDIF for Schiit Modi 3.

6. Sound quality 

The first thing that you should know about these two devices is that they both have excellent sound quality. They can make your music sound better than ever before and this is why people love using them so much. However, there are some differences between the two devices when it comes to their sound quality.

For example, if you want to get more detail from your music then Topping D50 might be a better option for you because it offers more detail than Schiit Modi 3 does. However, if you just want something that will make your music sound clear without adding too much detail then Schiit Modi 3 should do the job just fine.

7. Connections

Topping D50 has a balanced output, while Schiit Modi 3 doesn’t. However, the balanced input is available on both DACs so you can use it with your amplifier if you have one.

Schiit Modi 3 has coaxial, optical, and USB inputs, while Topping D50 has only coaxial and optical ones. So, if you intend to connect your DAC to your computer or mobile device via USB, you will need an adapter (which may not be included).

8. Functionality

Topping D50 has more functionality than Schiit Modi 3. Firstly it supports DSD natively (up to 11.2 MHz), so it can decode high-resolution audio files such as WAV and AIFF without converting them to PCM first. Moreover, it comes with additional accessories and supports gapless playback of lossless formats (FLAC/ALAC/WAV/AIFF). Schiit Modi 3 doesn’t support gapless playback and lacks a remote controller altogether.

About Topping D50

The Topping D50 is a high-quality digital-to-analog converter. It has an impressive frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz(±0.1dB), which means it can handle any audio signal thrown at it. It also has a dynamic range of 122dB at 1kHz, which means it can handle even the most demanding headphones. The Topping D50 supports multiple digital inputs, including USB-B, coaxial S/PDIF, and Toslink optical connectors.

What Makes the Topping D50 Special?

The Topping D50 offers excellent sound quality with minimal distortion and noise. This makes it perfect for audiophiles who want to listen to their music in the highest quality possible. The little device also comes with several features that make using it easier than ever before:

It supports sample rates up to 192kHz/24bit, so you’ll never have trouble playing back high-resolution audio files again. You can use the built-in display on top of the device to monitor important information about your source signal or connected headphones without having to look away from what you’re doing.

About Schiit Modi 3

The Schiit Modi 3 is a DAC for the modern age. It’s not just about the quality of sound you get from it, but also how easy it makes it to connect to whatever device you want to use.

The Schiit Modi 3 is a high-end DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that can be used with virtually any source. It’s also one of the most versatile products in the Schiit line because it offers a variety of input options, including USB, S/PDIF optical, and Bluetooth. If your source device isn’t compatible with any of these protocols, some adapters can convert them into something the Modi 3 can understand.

What Makes the Schiit Modi 3 Special?

The Modi 3 is designed to be an all-in-one solution that lets users connect directly to their smartphones or computers without having to worry about driver updates or compatibility issues. The only thing they need is something that supports USB audio streaming like Android phones or Macs with the latest OS versions installed.

Are Schiit Dacs Any Good?

Yes, Schiit Dacs are good. The best way to figure out if a Schiit product is any good is to find someone who owns one and ask them about it. You can also read reviews online, but keep in mind that when it comes to audio equipment, people tend to either love or hate what they hear, there aren’t many middle-ground opinions.

Does Schiit Modi Need Power?

Schiit Modi does not need power. It is a DAC or digital-to-analog converter. It takes the digital signal from your computer or other source and converts it to analog, which is what goes into your headphones or speakers. The only power that Schiit Modi needs is just enough to run its internal circuitry and provide a small amount of voltage to the output stage so that it can produce sound.

Does Schiit Modi Come With a USB?

The Schiit Modi is a great DAC for the money. It has a USB input that can be used to play high-resolution music from your computer. It supports up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution, which is just about as good as it gets for a DAC in its price range.

What Is Schiit Multibit?

Multibit is Schiit’s hybrid R2R/2R resistor-ladder DAC design. It uses a single-ended output stage, but with a fully balanced input stage and output driver. It has been carefully designed to be extremely low noise and distortion, and it has a differential output stage that provides excellent common-mode rejection.

Final Note Topping D50 vs Schiit Modi 3

Ultimately, both units have their positives and negatives depending on the subjective listener. What is key here is that each amplifier offers a full and refined sound with some of the neutral elements absent from lower-quality units. Each has its strengths for different genres of music and both are great for any entry-level audiophile that requires an upgrade from a computer’s weak headphone amplifier output but not necessarily from the mobile device’s internal amp.