tkam Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Has anyone here heard Schiit's balanced amp the Mjolnir? Looks interesting and apparently puts out more than enough power to drive any headphone. I'm thinking of starting my headphone rig over from scratch - most likely with the LCD-3 phones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Monkey Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 I heard several of the Schiit amps at RMAF though I couldn't tell you their names. I liked them a lot, especially for the price and the Schiit guys struck me as pretty straight shooters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadphoneAddict Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 I tried it at RMAF 2012 with some LCD-3 that Schiit provided at their table, and with my HE-500. I thought it sounded fantastic with the LCD-3 but it was slightly bright with my HE-500 + silver dragon cable. Not sure why, but someone suggested that it was the Schiit balanced DAC that sounds bright (I suppose the LCD-3 are a little darker than my HE-500 with silver dragon cable?). It certainly seems like a bargain for the price, and actually reminded me a little of a more spacious and punchier sounding version of a DACmini which I prefer with my LCD-2 over the HE-500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skullguise Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 I have it, but haven't had time to really listen, it's not hooked up at this moment (still listening to my Stax). Initial listen with the NuWave DAC and balanced Senn 580's showed real good promise, though, the music had me toe-tapping some. Detail, dynamics, some space, but not a big loss in musicality seemed to be the norm. Recently just picked up a balanced AKG 701, it's able to eek out some decent bass from them. But something didn't seem quite exactly right to me with that match, need to listen more. But due to room work, the whole system is offline at the moment. Hope to have it hooked up again next weekend..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wink Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 "I thought it sounded fantastic with the LCD-3 but it was slightly bright with my HE-500 + silver dragon cable. "Try a copper cable on the HE500. Silver = bright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Monkey Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 "I thought it sounded fantastic with the LCD-3 but it was slightly bright with my HE-500 + silver dragon cable. " Try a copper cable on the HE500. Silver = bright. wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudeWolf Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Well, you do have to keep good care of it. Occasional brushing and toothpaste treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 This seems like a decent deal - http://www.ttvjaudio.com/Apex_High_Fi_Audio_Arete_p/aaa0000011.htm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 (edited) Edit. Edited January 27, 2013 by Dash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 The Arete is not balanced. Where does Todd say he'll only consider a balanced amp? He asked for suggestions for the LCD-3 (sort of) and used the Mjolnir as a starting point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 (edited) Missed the obvious. Edited January 27, 2013 by Dash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wink Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 wink, on 27 Jan 2013 - 17:06, said: wrong. My Zu Mobius cable for my HD650/HD600's is silver. It makes the HD650/HD600's sound brighter than the Equinox, Cardas and standard cables which are copper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Monkey Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 That's your brain telling you that and I suspect you know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkam Posted January 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 While I didn't specifically mention balanced only, the fact that the Mjolnir is balanced is what intrigues me the most about it. Anyone else have any direct experience with the amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 I exchanged emails with Jason this weekend about open box products. The Mjolnir sells for $80 off if open box. He mentioned having some open box ones available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skullguise Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 (edited) OK, hooked up the Mjolnir again last night, did some listening then and again tonight. System: Panny DVD player --> PS Audio NuWave --> Mjolnir --> either Senn 580's with Zu balanced cables or AKG K702 rewired with balanced Mogami Comparison system (yes, apples to oranges): Another Panny DVD --> Micromega MyDAC --> Marantz 1090 integrated --> Spritzer-built Lundahl Transformer Box --> Lambda Pro's So all the stuff I said about the NuWave in that source thread stays true: space, detail, a bit warm (Carl called it slightly dark, I could potentially agree: some warmth combined with large space sounds a bit dark). But even with the warmth of the NuWave, the Mjolnir sounded a bit forward with the AKG's. It extracted some very good bass out of them, but I noticed some very slight glare in Karen Carpenter's voice (Carpenters Gold, XRCD). Switching to the Senn 580's lessened that glare a lot, but at the expense of some loss of detail. I'm looking forward to getting the Senn 600's from Nate to try them, and might even have to get the 650's again. Again, just a very brief listen, on this CD and also using Coil - Stolen and Contaminated Songs (freaky shit). But my short impressions are that this amp will be detailed, energetic but fairly smooth, and pass on many of the traits of the source in front of it. I've never heard the LCD-3's, so can't comment on potential matches; but I've heard the LCD-2 latest rev driven by the Bryston headphone amp, and I think it would sound a bit similar. Maybe the Mjolnir a bit less brash. FWIW, I liked the LCD-2 and Bryston combo a fair bit. Now....all that said...... I listened to the same 2 CD's on the other system, and fuck if it was just more musical and fun! Even with that cheap Micromega MyDAC, driving through a vintage amp and a transformer-based Stax driver....when Karen Carpenter sang to me, she was so smooth she was licking my ears! Not the last word for spaciousness, but lovely mids for those vocals, and still fun & dynamic. I remember why I love the Lamda's so much. I know the Micromega has been getting FOTM treatment in some places, but this could be something that almost lives up to the hype. For less then $400 it's got REALLY well-balanced sound. Is it as smooth and spacious and yet detailed as the NuWave? No....but it ranks high on the fun factor, and even does hi-fi pretty darn well. Sorry for stealing a bit of Mjolnir time in the post, but had to call that out. Edited January 29, 2013 by skullguise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkam Posted February 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 Well some Schiit arrived today....the Gungnir and Mjolnir stack to be specific. Will post photos and some early thoughts sometime this weekend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFKMan23 Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Yay for tkam. I hope you like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp11801 Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 lazy and raising this from the dead, I have a Mjolnir 2 on the way, while I am pretty sure that PCC88/7DJ8s are drop in subs for the 6922/6DJ8 family of tubes just checking here with anyone that may know prior to toasting the amp. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzziguy Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 They are not direct drop in subs for the 6922/6DJ8 family as they have different filament voltages. I can't say if they will work in the Mjolnir 2. I'd suggest asking Schiit directly as anything else will be a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 They will likely work just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augsburger Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 Whatever you do please take pictures when you do it. It has been rather slow around here lately and... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp11801 Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 FUCK! I hate FedEx, I live in a mixed commercial/residential building, so I place a sign on the front door telling the FedEx robot my door is on the side of the building the FedEx robot instead of coming to the side door (which also had a sign on it indicating this was in fact the correct door for the delivery) put the missed delivery door tag on the sign on the front door that asked the robot to go to the side door. Rant over - impression of the Schiit will have to wait until said robot can deliver the amp to the nearest FedEx store - holding my breath on this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Sucks Jp. Possible you will have sometime today or are you looking at Monday? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp11801 Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 no, it's direct signature so I am fucked seeing as I work to be able to afford schiit. I'll have to pick it up on Wednesday if they follow through on the promise to drop it off at the local FedEx store Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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