If I don't like it, I can return it in 15 days or sell it later. It's bound to be the FOTM at HF in the near future. I probably won't lose much, if any, $$$.

If your hearing sucks, then why even bother? Aesthetics? That warm new-toy feeling?

I was being semi-sarcastic or something...

Yeah, so was I. I'm trying to hint that you don't need to make excuses just in case you end up liking or disliking the stuff that you buy. It's OK to have an opinion, as long as it's informed.

Okay. Thanks.

I think I might still get an Asgard so I have a little ss amp to bang around. It'll be nice on my side table where I don't have much room and it'll make wifey happy not seeing a big amp take up half the room.

Anyone have any thoughts about how the Schiit amps would compare to the EC/SS? I'm wondering if Papa Monkey would want one.

For 250 I wouldn't be expecting the earth but it will definitely do for what I want it for. At that price level I'm not gonna get picky and it should be pretty close to the ideal ortho amp on a budget. I've never heard the Ed so no clue which would be better.

Make something up.

Make something up.

It would seem that works for a number of people.

Make something up.

It would seem that works for a number of people.

If you do it enough times they may make you an administrator.

I owned the EC/SS a couple years ago, and own the Schiit Asgard now. Apples and Oranges, since no direct comparison, but I'd classify the Schiit as more dynamic/powerful, and slightly more fun. The EC/SS is more maybe refined and slightly more neutral IIRC. EC/SS went well with my Grado's and Deepak's HP-2 at the time, and even managed to make a Beyer sound pretty decent.

The Schiit is likely to be more suitable for more variety of cans, though. The EC/SS sounded decent, but a bit lifeless on some of the cans I threw at it (couple AKG's most noticably, 271's and 701's). I don't have those same cans now, but the Schiit would likely have more dynamic sound. Haven't listened to it for a few weeks now, but that midrange glare I heard in my first days listening was still there slightly at last run. Not wholly intrusive, but noticable to me.

My 2 cents, worth probably about half that.....

Very helpful, thanks!

Shipping update:

Schiit shipping

Fishy. An amp which allegedly runs in class A but doesn't even get warm, yeah. Either it's a very low powered amp or it's not class A.

Had mine (m-stage) for a week now - it does run warm/hot - not burning hot, but very warm to the touch

I have it sitting next to a Cute Curve - which doesn't heat up at all - so the difference is quite noticeable

Class B headphone amp? Gross.

edit: referring to Cute Curve

M-Stage was pretty good actually for the price it commends. I wish I've had the opportunity to compare it with the Asgard.

Not strictly on topic, but I got my Schiit Valhalla tube amp a few days back. Had it sent up to Maine while on vaca, so don't have much for sources or headphones to try it with. In fact, I am waaaaay out of recommended use with an iPod Nano headphone jack as source and Shure SE530 IEMs (below recommended impedance) as monitors. Should have sounded hissy, flabby, and noisy, but, mais non, messrs et madames, sound ver terrifique (ask Al to translate). This thing is a keeper, and one of the best $349. audio purchases I've ever made.

It's a pity that you can't roll toobs with the Valhalla because I'm sure that's is the funnest aspect about having a tube amp.

Still if I'm in the market for one, Valhalla will definitely my #1 choice.

damn...high praise from gene. wonder how it would stack up against the crack. roughly the same price. hmm...

damn...high praise from gene. wonder how it would stack up against the crack. roughly the same price. hmm...

It's nowhere near how much you're ending up paying for yours

i paid $326 for the crack (only)

i paid $326 for the crack (only)

Always remember that building it yourself makes it sound 62.7% better.

i paid $326 for the crack (only)

How much have you spent on tubes (only) so far?

Always remember that building it yourself makes it sound 62.7% better.

With burn-in, it sounds 2062.7% better.

tubes are not important

speaking of which, moar came in today running 421A and bugle boy now. with all the noise in the background, cant tell the difference between the $20 hytron 5814a and the $70 amperex bugle boy.