hwsoderlund

I just want to report that I solved my problems with this: USB Isolator, Galvanic Isolated USB 2.0 - Electronics-shop.dk When I first plugged it in I thought I was in for trouble as the computer refused to do anything audio related. I couldn't even open the audio settings in Windows. It didn't crash, the dialog just never showed up. However, after a reboot everything worked fine and still does after about a week of solid use. The Modi is completely silent now. Money well spent.

Yes, you are probably right. But even if it is, the HRT is somehow able to reject the noise whereas the Modi is not. Perhaps the HRT is just better isolated.

In my case the distance from the other units seems to be unrelated. I just realised that when I tried the Modi together with the laptop I never moved it. So it was still in the same position, very close to the TV and the HTPC, and yet the noise was completely gone. It has to be the computer, it cannot be anything else. I have ordered a galvanic isolator. If that does not work I will have to start thinking about replacing my HTPC or selling the Modi. Or do you think that it could be something to do with the combination of the Modi being polluted by the signal from the HTPC and it being close to the other electronics?

Ok. Yes, I guess I should have taken my time and built my own with a more powerful PSU instead on buying something off the shelf. I did try the Modi yesterday with another USB cable, which was longer, but I didn't think to move the Modi away from the computer. That is another thing I have to try later tonight. Do you think a galvanic isolator might help? I was thinking about this one: USB Isolator, Galvanic Isolated USB 2.0 - Electronics-shop.dk

So your HRT makes noise but mine does not. Both our Modis make noise but mine much more than yours. Computers are strange. And yes, I have read your review. If I disregard the noise I agree that the Modi beats the HRT. Pity I cannot use it. But it wasn't very expensive and I should be able to sell it easily without too much of a loss now that I know there is nothing wrong with it.

@Oscar09: Perhaps my amp reacts differently to the noise, because it is quite loud in my setup. Or it could be that my computer is just noisier than yours, like Great Gig suggested. Now at least I know the Modi is not likely to be the problem. @Great Gig: Yes, I have tried all the USB ports, no difference there. And yes, I do use the HTPC for other things, but even when I turn everything else off, the noise is still there. The one thing I haven't tried is turning off WLAN. I will try that later today and see if there is any difference. Shame about the Asrock. I guess I will have to get a new HTPC eventually. But I have to say I still find it strange that the HRT Music Streamer 2011 manages to reject the noise while the Modi does not.

Here is the recording of the noise: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/7890705/Memo.m4a

I received my Schiit Modi yesterday. When I turned up the volume on my amplifier I started hearing a lot of noise (scraping, like static from a radio), even when the DAC was not playing. The noise is quite disturbing even when I am playing at moderate listening levels. In fact I noticed that even when the Modi is not selected as the current playback device, the noise is the same. Also, the noise is there even when the computer is idle, no software running at all and no sound playing. When I do start some software or just open a file explorer the noise gets a lot worse. So it seems that the computer activity is somehow causing the noise/static. I also own an HRT Media Streamer 2011, and when I plug that in I can not hear any noise at all. I have however had other problems with the HRT which was my main reason for ordering the Modi. I am using Windows 8 on my HTPC (Asrock Core 100HT-BD). The only other reference I have found to a noisy Modi is this: "The HRT sounds better on my main headphone rig but that's because the Modi is noisy there for some reason. Both DACs are quiet on my work setup, however, and I'd say the HRT has the advantage overall." The above quote is from this thread: Schiit Modi USB DAC I have tested the Modi with one other computer (laptop running Win 7) and I could not hear any noise at all. So it seems to be an issue with my HTPC. I have been in contact with Jason at Schiit Audio. Apparently I am the first customer experiencing this. I have sent them a recording of the noise. I don't know if it will help. Probably not. I would like to ask any Modi users out there to turn up the volume way high on your systems without any sounds playing. Are you hearing any noise?