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Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

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Posted on January 6, 2016 at 14:13:56

AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46291
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
Since: February 2, 2002

I'm thinking about getting the Schiit Asgard 2 headphone amp and was curious to know if anyone has experience with any of the Schitt headphone amps. What do you think? I'm not looking for 'high-end' but can you get pretty good results in the $150 - $350 range from these guys?

I'll be "casually" using Grado RS1e or Sennheiser HD650. I say "casually" because it will be attached to my laptop computer while I work. Thanks.

Schiit Asgard 2

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RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

tbish

11:32:10 07/24/16

I'm waiting for my WA6 to come in.

Cougar

20:24:30 07/19/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

Drumsgreg1

09:01:48 07/10/16

...

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RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

tbish

11:32:10 07/24/16

I'm waiting for my WA6 to come in.

Cougar

20:24:30 07/19/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

Drumsgreg1

09:01:48 07/10/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

connieflyer

17:16:52 07/10/16

beppe61

07:34:24 03/30/16

I have the Magni 2 Uber....

EdAInWestOC

00:21:30 04/03/16

Sorry ... what about a Lyr 1st edition ?

beppe61

03:03:19 04/03/16

I don't have any experience with the original Lyr...

EdAInWestOC

11:40:08 04/04/16

RE: I don't have any experience with the original Lyr...

beppe61

13:14:24 04/04/16

RE: I have the Magni 2 Uber....

beppe61

02:45:33 04/03/16

I have an Asgard 2...

Tubo

08:29:52 02/07/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

livinghigh@bellsouth.net

15:37:26 01/18/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

claud

05:32:59 01/17/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

claud

16:54:39 05/09/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

neolith

09:33:03 01/13/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

JimBop

09:37:31 01/12/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

KG4NEL

19:21:07 01/09/16

What I'm wondering is...

genungo

04:46:38 01/09/16

boboli

23:00:43 01/08/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

rrsands

08:37:55 01/08/16

EdAInWestOC

11:25:00 01/07/16

RE: I have a Lyr 2

connieflyer

19:06:34 01/07/16

I also have an Audible Illusions L1 in my main rig...

EdAInWestOC

09:32:58 01/08/16

RE: I also have an Audible Illusions L1 in my main rig...

KG4NEL

19:20:12 01/09/16

EdAInWestOC

09:07:57 01/11/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

jec01

07:41:24 01/07/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?

RJeff

14:54:22 01/06/16

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on January 6, 2016 at 14:54:22

RJeff
Audiophile

Posts: 1347
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: June 27, 2001

I have a Valhalla, which is my go-to amp for my Sennheiser 600s.

I bought it used, and heard all sorts of terrible stories about how they won't honor warranties if you're not the original seller. Well, of course it developed a problem that was not tube-related and I had to send it in. To be honest, the initial round of questions made me fearful, but at the end of the day, they repaired my amp and the price tag was under $32 (plus shipping it there).

So I would rate them gruff exterior but kind-hearted underneath.

Jeff

"Decaf is for cowards."
Jack Kevorkian

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on January 7, 2016 at 07:41:24

jec01
Audiophile

Posts: 1462
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Joined: September 22, 2004

I use an Asgard 2 to drive my Audeze LCD2 phones, which it does with aplomb.

One annoyance: the Asgard 2 runs in pure Class A, so it's hot. That's ok in and of itself, but the on-off toggle switch is on the back panel. There's also a hi-lo gain toggle switch back there. So you won't want to leave it on all the time, and if you use an equipment rack you'll be fumbling around blind for the right toggle switch. You have to wonder how much improvement in performance and cost was achieved by that layout.

Happy listening,

Jim

"The passage of my life is measured out in shirts."
- Brian Eno

I have a Lyr 2, posted on January 7, 2016 at 11:25:00
EdAInWestOC Audiophile Posts: 6828 Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA Joined: December 18, 2003	Its an outstanding product but today is the first day for the amp. So far its outstanding and worth more than what I paid. Ed Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

RE: I have a Lyr 2, posted on January 7, 2016 at 19:06:34
connieflyer Audiophile Posts: 130 Location: Michigan Joined: March 11, 2014	I have heard good things about Schiit products, but if you like tube rolling for your 650's the Garage 1217 Project Ember is for you, power to run the 650's and tube rolling from 9 pins to 6SN7's to dual 6L5G's lot's to chose from. I am using dual6j5.s from Visseaux now and sound is excellent, now using Senn 700's with them as well.

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on January 8, 2016 at 08:37:55

rrsands
Audiophile

Posts: 2568
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Joined: July 11, 2001

The Asgard 2 is on my radar screen, but thinking I'll pull the trigger on the Burson Lycan.

http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/lycan/

I also have an Audible Illusions L1 in my main rig..., posted on January 8, 2016 at 09:32:58
EdAInWestOC Audiophile Posts: 6828 Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA Joined: December 18, 2003	And a plentiful supply of old used 6922s that have been pulled out of the L1 after a year of use. I have a lot of Russian Military NOS 6922 Type IIIs (the really tough ones that are very transparent and dead neutral). I also have some NOS National 7DJ8s that I plan to try in the Lyr 2. Ed Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

I have a Lyr, posted on January 8, 2016 at 23:00:43
boboli Audiophile Posts: 997 Location: Phoenix Arizona Joined: May 12, 2005	which I have been using with my LCD-3 and HD600 phones for about three years. Good price and very good performance have made me a fan. I own several Schiit products.

What I'm wondering is..., posted on January 9, 2016 at 04:46:38
genungo	How does Schiit compare to Burson?

RE: I also have an Audible Illusions L1 in my main rig..., posted on January 9, 2016 at 19:20:12
KG4NEL Audiophile Posts: 120 Location: Hillsborough, NC Joined: April 19, 2005	7DJ8s should rock in that. I swapped a few in to a Decware CSP2, and they just sing. Fairly good price compared to "boutique" 6DJ8s, too. Jim J.

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on January 9, 2016 at 19:21:07
KG4NEL Audiophile Posts: 120 Location: Hillsborough, NC Joined: April 19, 2005	I don't have any of their headphone amps, but I have an original Modi and it's insane how good it sounds for a hundred bucks. It's making me think hard about whether or not my next DAC upgrade is a Benchmark or just a Bifrost for a few hundred more... Jim J.

Yes they do..., posted on January 11, 2016 at 09:07:57
EdAInWestOC Audiophile Posts: 6828 Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA Joined: December 18, 2003	I tried the 6922 Type IIIs and they were outstanding. Then I tried the National 7DJ8s and I have settled on those in the Lyr 2. The 7DJ8s were slightly better than the 6922 IIIs. I suppose they should last a very long time in the Lyr 2. The pair I am using now spent 1 year in the Audible Illusions L1 and are performing beautifully. Ed Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on January 12, 2016 at 09:37:31
JimBop Audiophile Posts: 1286 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Joined: October 7, 2002	Abe, are you in Colorado? There is a small group from Head-Fi meeting for a "canjam" in Boulder on January 23rd. Good opportunity to hear a variety of gear: http://www.head-fi.org/t/789994/2016-boulder-denver-co-winter-meet-1-23 Jim D

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on January 13, 2016 at 09:33:03

neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
Since: December 2, 2004

I was just looking around for a head amp as well as my RS-1 seems to have some problems. In any case, I came across the Objective O2 which is open source and sold in various colors including a DIY kit. While doing the research I came across some controversy regarding the Asgaard. Apparently it could develop significant DC offset on shutdown which could damage the headphones. The developer of the O2 ended up getting banned from Head-Fi over the issue. Also as a result the Asgaard now has a mute relay which I guess solves the problem.
You might want to do your own search and also take a look at the Objective O2. I have no experience with the Asgaard or the O2 but have been pleased with the Modi DAC from Schiit.

"Our head is round in order to allow our thoughts to change direction." Francis Picabia

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on January 17, 2016 at 05:32:59

claud
Audiophile

Posts: 958
Location: North Carolina
Joined: February 13, 2001

I have a Lyr and a Bifrost Uber DAC. I have lots of 6922 varients and am using NOS Seimens CCAs in the lyr now. Its a nice entry level headphone system for my Senn HD 600s and 702s.
You might think about buying used. Go to Head Fi forums and check the for sale forum.
I am upgrading this year. I just ordered a headphone cable and balanced ICs from WyWires. Next month I amy ordering Mr. Speakers Ether C. Then a Schiit Yiggy , then an MJ2. I like their Schiit!!

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on January 18, 2016 at 15:37:26
livinghigh@bellsouth.net Audiophile Posts: 83 Location: Florida Joined: November 19, 2007	I bought a Valhalla 2 about a month back. It's driving a pair of HE-400S cans and after about 50 hours of break-in it sounds really good. Good sound stage and very articulate. It does great driving my HD-580's as well. Great value. Al

I have an Asgard 2..., posted on February 7, 2016 at 08:29:52

Tubo
Audiophile

Posts: 375
Location: So. California
Joined: June 9, 2004

paired with a Schiit Bifrost Multibit DAC. I use them with a modded Fostex T50RP, a Sennheiser Momentum, and a few other headphones. My primary use of the system is to edit sound and music in my documentary films. The Asgard is very neutral and musical. It reminds me of my speaker amps, a Pass Aleph 5, a Pass Labs XA-30.5, and Coda 10.5. Perhaps it's because, like the Asgard 2, they all run in Class A. Highly recommended, as is Schiit as a company. Exemplary responsiveness!

Magni 2 here. , posted on March 30, 2016 at 07:34:24

beppe61
Audiophile

Posts: 4705
Joined: January 29, 2004

Hi !
i bought 2nd hand the Magni 2 for casual listening.
And i am finding it very good indeed also for more serious listening.
I have tried it with Akg k501 and k701 and like the k501 better.
It sounds better after a while (not class A ... the chassis does not get hot).
I like the fact that the power supply (a transformer) is external and not mounted rigidly on the circuit board.
There is an Uber version said to be even better.
I understand it has better parts and more refined circuit ?
I would buy the Uber version but shipping and custom to Europe are expensive.
Kind regards,
bg

http://schiit.com/products/magni-2

I have the Magni 2 Uber...., posted on April 3, 2016 at 00:21:30

EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003

I bought it after I moved my Lyr 2 down to my main rig. The Magni 2 Uber is upstairs in my office. It is fed by an Ifi iDSD Nano USB DAC and hooked to a Toshiba S75Dt-A7220 via a Pangea Silver USB Cable.

The Magni 2 Uber is driving my HiFi Man HE-400S cans and does a dammed nice job. I can only compare it to the Lyr 2 and the headphone amp built into the Ifi Nano.

The Magni 2 Uber is surprisingly close in sound quality when compared to the Lyr 2. The Lyr 2 has the last word in resolution but the Magni 2 Uber leaves very little to want.

When you compare the Magni 2 Uber to the amp built into the IfI nano there is little left to say other than it leaves the Ifi in the dust. The HE-400S is a very sensitive set of cans but they jump alive when you stick the Magni 2 Uber in between the IfI and the HE-400S.

The low end jumps to life and it frees up the HE-400S with greater dynamics. The Magni 2 Uber is a no-brainer type of recommendation when you consider the $150 price tag. You can pay a lot more and get much less.

The Magni 2 Uber delivers an honest and clean 1.5 watts to 32 Ohms. It is very quiet (not a hint of noise when turned up very high) and I have yet to hear it sound a bit strained or have the high frequency sound strident.

Its pretty ridiculous for $150.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

RE: I have the Magni 2 Uber...., posted on April 3, 2016 at 02:45:33

beppe61
Audiophile

Posts: 4705
Joined: January 29, 2004

Thank you very much indeed for your extremely valuable advice.
I had this feeling that the Magni 2 is fine but the Uber is a notch above ... the pot is better quality i think.
i just love its built.
I will look at how much is here in Europe because i think i will buy one immediately.
One sector of experimentation is the external transformer.
I would try to use a really good and more substantial one. A higher current unit.
Thanks a lot again for the very helpful advice.
Have a nice day.

Kind regards,
bg

Sorry ... what about a Lyr 1st edition ?, posted on April 3, 2016 at 03:03:19
beppe61 Audiophile Posts: 4705 Joined: January 29, 2004	Hi ! there is a guy here selling his Lyr "1st edition". I do not have a clue about the difference with the 2nd edition by the way. Do you have any advice ? I like the hybrid amp idea a lot. Thanks a lot again. Kind regards, bg

I don't have any experience with the original Lyr..., posted on April 4, 2016 at 11:40:08
EdAInWestOC Audiophile Posts: 6828 Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA Joined: December 18, 2003	Sorry. Ed Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

RE: I don't have any experience with the original Lyr..., posted on April 4, 2016 at 13:14:24
beppe61 Audiophile Posts: 4705 Joined: January 29, 2004	Hi ! no problem. I like the hybrid concept. I will look for one. Thanks again. Kind regards, bg

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on May 9, 2016 at 16:54:39
claud Audiophile Posts: 958 Location: North Carolina Joined: February 13, 2001	Well, I am finished this upgrade. Here is my new system with Ether Cs , HD600s and AKG 702s

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on July 10, 2016 at 09:01:48
Drumsgreg1 Audiophile Posts: 10 Joined: February 5, 2014	i have the Asgard 2 with the Bifrost Multibit driving my HIFIMan HE400s, it sounds great to me, no noise, no hum, plenty of volume. i do believe it will drive any headphone you want to plug into it.

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on July 10, 2016 at 17:16:52
connieflyer Audiophile Posts: 130 Location: Michigan Joined: March 11, 2014	have been using the Feliks Audio Elise since about April and of the amps I have had, this one is by and large the best I have heard under $1000.00. Using the Visseaux 6n7G's and Tung Sol 5998's with the Senn 800 also use is as a preamp and it sounds spectacular. Wide sound stage clear defined across the audio spectrum, well worth the price, now about &700 with stock tubes.

I'm waiting for my WA6 to come in., posted on July 19, 2016 at 20:24:30
Cougar Audiophile Posts: 4583 Location: SoCal Joined: June 25, 2001	I have read that the WE6 is a great match for the Sennheiser HD650. I will be using my WA6 with my Fostex. For me I have a pair of the Fostex T50RP's with Sony Ear pad. I did some mods to the vents and they now sound great. I may pick up the new Fostex T50RP III's.

RE: Schiit Headphone amps, anyone?, posted on July 24, 2016 at 11:32:10
tbish Audiophile Posts: 6 Location: MT Joined: July 23, 2016	I had the Asgard 2 for a long time and absolutely loved it with the Bifrost (first Uber then Multibit). It had enough power to handle anything I could plug into it, and was even quiet enough to handle sensitive IEMs. Detail retrieval was quite good. I have since moved on to the Mjolnir 2, which is stunning, but it was a hard decision to let go of the Asgard.

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