Schiit Midgard Review, Impressions, Measurements, Science

@micr0g Just to be clear, the slight buzz/hum that I'm hearing while touching the volume knob is only coming through my headphones. My wall wart doesn't buzz or hum at all, in case you thought that's what I was referring to, I couldn't tell.

Unfortunately, this buzzing/hum issue could vary in severity from unit to unit, so my experience while using the amp might not be similar to what you're hearing with your unit. I can tell you the buzz that I'm hearing through headphones is very slight and not as loud as what I heard in your video of your speakers. Since your wall wart is also buzzing, which is the first I've heard anyone say anything about it, you could either have a faulty unit or your electrical wiring is causing it. I'm not sure though, I'm not qualified in that regard. I would ask Schiit about it to see what they think.

Considering other owners have reported similar issues and @jeromeof posted that their new unit doesn't have any noise issues, I would say it could be seen as a defect or issue with certain parts of early batch units. I'm not sure though, there could be other factors causing it.

However, since the noise issue coming through the headphone out is only present when the volume knob is being touched, I personally don't see it as a big deal or problem because I'm not touching the volume knob while I'm listening. It doesn't bother me, but if what your hearing is bothering you then I would contact Schiit to see if you can get a replacement.

I do plan to keep my unit for the time being, it works well enough for what I use it for, but I don't use it much. Most of my listening is on powered speakers.

 

I tried to duplicate the buzz on my unit. I set high gain and turned it up a bit but it is still dead quiet with my Focals. I am using XLR cables for input, and my DAC is grounded if that is of interest. I usually never listen on high gain and rarely get past 10 o'clock on low.

For me this is the best Schiit product I have purchased and indeed one of the best solid state amps I have heard. Dynamic, detailed and smooth without that THX smooth/haze. The Midgard really suits live tracks in particular, they have a great feeling of real performance.

 

More of a question between different amps. I just picked up the Midgard amp and I love it. I stopped purchasing equipment years ago because curiosity is a money pit. I have had a for a few days now and thinking to myself should I have just gotten the Jot 2. Anyone have experience with both that can offer a little advice? My thoughts were I wanted an upgrade from my previous setup but now im thinking this might have been more of a side grade. Granted my subjective listening of my new setup tells me that bass is punchier and mids on my sundaras feel more forward.

My gear currently is Modius E, Midgard. Coming from Topping D30 dac with Thx 789 AAA. HD 6xx, Sundara, Arya SE.

 

Yes I bought some custom periapt cables a while back for my sundaras and HD 6xx to run on the balanced output on my old thx 789 AAA. My arya SE are in the mail and will be here in a few days. If you are saying they sound better I trust it. I enjoy the sound far better than my thx 789 aaa amp.

 

Also thanks for the reply. Its much appreciated.

 

Definitely not bad. I ran that for the past couple of years with no issue. But after listening to the Midgard I want to say the thx sounds a little more sterile to me. I am not experienced enough in this space so I am going to use vocabulary that may not fit what is really happening.

Its why I was inquiring about the Jot 2. So the Jot 2 using the balance outputs, how would it fair with the midgard in your opinion. Soundstaging, detail retrieval, veiled or not . Use cases for me is mostly music / gaming/ online content. I dont really venture down the road of flac files etc. That might be a road I will eventually get to but given my desire to dig into things I need to focus on one thing at a time or else ill get lost in the sauce lol.

 

You sir are a menace. Well looks like it’s time to jump. Thanks you for your help

 

Just ordered. Lets see what all of this talk is about. Thank you again.

 

I had a chance to try the Midgard at the Schiitr with my Meze 109 pro and HD650 (unmodded). Not sure it's my thing. While better sounding than the Magnius (my least favorite Schiit ever) the treble sounds artificial and wrong. The midrange is reasonably engaging and the bass has serious authority. This amp is a powerhouse that can drive almost anything. I've read some comparisons between the Mid and MJ3 and I have to say: nope. Not even close. The presentation couldn't be more different. The MJ3 all silky smooth and the Midgard just raw grunt power. It doesn't sound horrible, just not terribly refined. But for $219 U.S., If you need a powerful amp, It might be what you need, just don't pair it with headphones that are steely or too prominent in the highs, as it will probably be fatiguing over long sessions. Even with darker-sounding headphones, It's character still shows through. I'd prefer a Magni Heresy over the Midgard; good power, more refinement.

 

i thought the Nitsch PM was supposed to be warm, is it not? at least my impression of reading the whole thread and people elsewhere calling it tube amp-ish was that the PM was a warmer sounding amp when paired with the ess card or a modius e. your phrasing of "Unless you are looking for a notable warmer sound" makes me think i interpreted all of that wrong tho and maybe the pietus isn't warm; just, not sterile and topping-esque like the midgard or jds amps.

 

Use the Force Teeto

 

So I received my replacement from Schiit eu
Nice support and this time dead silent.
No volume knob touch ground thing
but the new wall wart still make noiseee.
If someone knows a silent wall wart to replace this china thing.