Magni 3 released

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by neogeosnk, Sep 19, 2017.

  1. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    From what I understand...

    Jason made the Magni 3's prototype to replace the Asgard 2. However, the warmth (and maybe high-end smoothness) of the Class A amps wasn't as prevalent as with the Class AB design of the "Asgard 3"/Magni 3 prototype. Due to certain things with the Asgard 3's design, it didn't sound as good (in his mind and some other's minds) as the Asgard 2. However, he was able to adapt the design into the Magni 3, and based it mostly after the Jotunheim's SE-side of the topology.

    So, it's warmer than the 2U and Jotunheim, but not as warm as the Asgard 2. It probably has the plankton and cohesiveness on a level beyond the Vali 2 and Magni 2u, but not quite up tot he Jotunheim.

    Theoretically, this may actually make the Asgard 2 irrelevant to most people, and have them question whether or not the Jotunheim is actually worth the price to them. In practice, it'll probably just be slightly beyond the Vali 2 overall, but mostly a different sound in general.
     
  2. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    The Asgard 2 sounds like a baby First Watt amp.
    I don't think you can get close to that with a class AB design (not necessarily worst, but definitely different).
     
  3. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    The Asgard is literally the only amp from schiit I haven't liked. It had a thick, opaque sound. It just had no transparency to my ears. I love the Pivot Point sound of the Jot though.
     
  4. SoupRKnowva

    SoupRKnowva Official SBAF South Korean Ambassador

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    Where’s @Psalmanazar to defend the Asgard 2’s honor?
     
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm with Mith here (and also not a big fan of the Lyr 2). Comes down to preferences. Just different presentations.
     
  6. aggftw

    aggftw New

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    Any idea how viable Magni 3 is for HD650s now with the extra power it offers over the Magni 2? I know it's not only about quantity, but the quality of it, just wanted to hear your thoughts.
     
  7. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    If the reports of a tweaked Jotunheim are true, I may get one of those over a Magni 3.
     
  8. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I don't think it has anything to do with power, but rather does the amp complement the headphones tonally. Being warmer than the 2, some might say no. I personally like warmer presentation on my 650s, like the pairing with my BHC.

    I wouldn't go too far down the specification rabbithole on this.
     
  9. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    I just got an email from Nick at schiit. He said there has been no silent revision on the jot
     
  10. compoopers

    compoopers New

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    Would love to hear comparisons and reviews of the Magni 3 versus the Magni 2 Uber. I am currently using a Modi Multi + Magni 2 Uber with JBL LSR305s and Sony MDR-z1000s and am considering upgrading to Magni 2U.
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Will do. Hahah. I got everything you got here except the Z1000s. The Magni 3 should have been delivered today.

    I wouldn't expect huge changes with the JBLs. The JBLs have AD - DSP - DA - Class D. A lot of muck in the way.
     
  12. winders

    winders boomer

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    For my nearfield setup, I am using a Modi Multibit straight into my Swan M200MKIII powered monitors. These have a volume control on one speaker that I currently use. I had thought about getting a Modi 3 or maybe even a Vali 2 (since I have plenty of 5670 tubes lying around) to control volume and for my HD650 headphones in case I need to go quiet.

    Assuming I don't need the headphone jack, is there any real advantage to using a Modi 3 or Vali 2 between my Modi Multibit and monitors?
     
  13. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    A Sys would be way more cost effective and most likely more transparent, but obviously won't help with the 650s. For what it's worth, they just cut the price of the Vali 2 by like 30 bucks. If you are trying to change the sound of your speakers, I would guess (and it is just that) that the Vali 2 would do that more than the Magni 3 (assuming that is what you meant).
     
  14. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I'm excited about a slightly warmer Magni 3. I wasn't sold on the Magni 2U w/ the HD600 so was leaning toward the Asgard 2. But the Magni 3 may be perfect.

    I guess the other option is to mod a pair of HD650 like everyone else here... But I still find the HD600 special, just a little pickier.
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2017
  15. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    The Magni 3 has better channel tracking at low volumes. Pretty important for speakers. Also if it’s anything like the Magni 2U I have it should have lower noise due to the DC servo. I have the Mac Mini -> Modi 1 -> Magni 2U -> Topping amp-> Speakers. The house I was in had terrible electrical issues which caused really bad noise in the Modi. The Topping has a volume pot and I didn’t need the Magni 2U as a preamp. I added it in there because I didn’t want to constantly switch cables between the headphone amp and speaker amp, but I was wary about adding an extra component in the chain. So I was surprised when the noise went DOWN after the addition of the Magni 2U. You can even tell as you power it on because of the relay that disconnects the output until a few seconds have passed. Right when it’s powered on I heard a bunch of noise which went way down as soon as the relay latches.
     
  16. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    I placed my order for Magni 3 a minute ago. That, and a Modi Multibit. Should be fun getting both. A nice step-up from the Modi 2U, but I'll see how Magni 3 is compared to how the Lyr 2.
     
  17. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    Maybe the question should be "has there been a severe heat wave in Valencia?" Perhaps preecooked Jots have been coming out.
     
  18. abisai2

    abisai2 Friend

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    I placed an order for a Magni 3 / Modi Uber as a birthday gift for a friend. Then I bought a one for myself on an impulse. :D I'm looking forward to hearing what it sounds like compared to my Jotenheim. It will likely be part of one of my desktop systems.

    As for the weather in SoCal, we've had some pretty lengthy heatwaves roll through this summer. The most recent one coming at the tail end of August.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2017
  19. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    Hm... Just ordered one as well. How the heck to they expect us to wait for reviews to come in with a stellar track record and a $99 price tag, dammit? I've gravitated toward high efficiency planars (HEX v2, PM-3) recently so I'm looking forward to seeing how the little bugger drives them.

    I've been tempted by the Vali 2 for awhile now given that I've got a decent stock of 5670's laying around which I really like, but as frequently as I switch between music listening and video editing all the warm up/powering down nonsense with tubes has gotten on my nerves. Maybe another time.
     
  20. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I know this is "wrong" but honestly I just buy fairly cheap, good-sounding tubes and leave my Vali 2 on all the time. If a tube goes out then oh well.. I didn't pay $100 for it.
     

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