Magni 3 released

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

  1. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2016
    Likes Received:
    390
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    CA
    Oooh look at the Magni 3 stack photos, with the new feet now it sits lower. Very nice.
     
  2. Robert777

    Robert777 Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Likes Received:
    64
    Trophy Points:
    28
    I received my Magni 3 earlier in the week. I needed a little Schiit Audio customer service and they knocked it out of the park** as always.
    I was up and running last night listening to CDs from an old Philips CD player ---> NAD C510 ---> Magni 3 ---> TH900 and I did not want to go to bed.
    I am very happy with this amp. It made me realise how dead sounding my previous amp was.*** The Magni 3 sounded much more realistic with more tone and texture in the bass and more snap to the high frequencies. This is the first time I understood how the TH900 can be too much for some people with certain music but I have no problems with it. My last amp had this kind of smearing affect which rounded out the notes.
    Very excited.

    **I feel a little dirty using a baseball metaphor as I am English. Not sure where that came from.
    ***I wont say what because I plan to sell it on eBay this weekend.
     
  3. Peter78

    Peter78 New

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    8
    I received my Magni 3, yesterday, and my impressions mirror yours quite closely. I tried a number of headphones (HD-650, HE-6, HE-560, and LCD-2.2c) with the Magni 3, and all of them sounded significantly better than with my previous amp*, which I've recently found out (thanks to the more-experienced folks here) is not very good-sounding (dull, lifeless, smeared, etc.). The biggest surprise for me was the LCD-2.2 (pre-fazor). I hadn't listened to those much, for some time now, because they didn't have that bass-slam and smooth vocals, for which they're known. With my previous amp, the bass was weak and the vocals seemed veiled/recessed, and I was scratching my head trying to reconcile what I was hearing with what others have said about them. With my previous amp, I found myself preferring my HiFiMan planars (possibly due to the better high-frequency extension?). I have no idea if my LCD-2's are of the "unicorn" variety, but they sound very good to me with the Magni 3. Don't get me wrong, all of the headphones I mentioned sounded noticeably better (even the HE-6, with which the Magni 3 didn't seem to be underpowered, though I've never tried them with speaker amps as many recommend), but the LCD-2 stood out as being the most different than what I was accustomed to hearing with them. Honestly, I feel like I'm hearing all of these headphones for the first time again, and most importantly, I was able to really enjoy the music with all of them. The Magni 3 seems to be quite the deal, for $99. I'm looking forward to trying it with my other headphones (the E-MU Teaks, especially).

    One complaint about the Magni 3: I wish that the volume knob were located a bit farther from the headphone jack. The headphone plug seems to get in the way of volume adjustment a bit, which I fiddle with a fair amount, while listening.

    I may now be a Schiit-convert. For some reason (or reasons), I had shied away from their gear in the past. Now, I'm seriously considering one of their DACs. The Gungnir MB will likely be my next purchase, though probably not for a few months (maybe it'll be a Christmas present).

    *I've discussed my previous amp in other threads here, recently. Like Robert, I also plan to list my previous amp for sale, possibly this weekend, so I won't name it again here.
     
  4. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,455
    Trophy Points:
    113
    @Peter78

    1. Regarding the volume knob being to close to the jack. Just ask, maybe schiit will move it for you. They made a four outlet floor wart for me in about 10 minutes.

    2. I wouldn't buy the Gungnir Multibit ATM. I'd keep what you've got or buy a Modi Multibit. I think that the landscape may change pretty drastically in six months or so.

    3. So the Magni 3 powers the he-6 pretty well huh? All I can say in damn....impressive.
     
  5. Peter78

    Peter78 New

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Ha ha. I did see that earlier in the thread. Very impressive response time, indeed.

    Intriguing. You must have some inside info. Gen 5 USB had me thinking that it was finally time to make the plunge, but I'm really in no hurry. I just figured that the DAC was the next logical upgrade. I'm honestly not dissatisfied with my current DAC (SMSL M8 with LPS), but I also don't have much to compare it to (previous DAC was Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card). Thanks for the advice. Maybe I will wait to see what comes out in the next 6+ months.

    It sounded good to me (including the bass), and the Magni 3 didn't seem to be struggling with the load, but I haven't tried vintage or modern speaker amps, as others advocate for the HE-6, so take that with a grain of salt. My HE-6's are the 6-screw (not the coveted 4-screw), as well. I'll hazard a guess, from what I've read, that I haven't yet heard what the HE-6 is capable of.
     
  6. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    12,569
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    What is with this "I'm not going to name my previous amp since I'm putting it up for sale" stuff? It doesn't help us understand where the Magni 3 falls comparatively to other amps if people aren't willing to name the amps they're comparing it to.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,455
    Trophy Points:
    113
    @Peter78

    First of all, I don't know jack shit. I do however keep my ears open for the bit and pieces that get dropped around here.

    I was only joking about the plugged getting moved for you, of course.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    LOL. We already know what it is. Let him dump it on HF ASAP before it becomes unsellable like the other stuff that received turd ratings.
     
  9. Robert777

    Robert777 Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Likes Received:
    64
    Trophy Points:
    28
    @Merrick

    cough Audio-gd cough.

    It is not really because I want to sell it. It is more that Audio-gd has been going through the ringer a little bit recently and I did not want to add to it how much the Magni 3 has improved my listening enjoyment.

    Especially as, you know, new toy syndrome and the fact that mine are not trusted ears.
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    As far as Schiit DACs from Bifrost on up, they are future proof because they have provided upgrades.

    I'd make sure to listen if possible. Modi Multibit and Gungnir Multibit are a little different in tone. Also Magni 3 won't take full advantage of what Gungnir Multibit can do.
     
  11. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    12,569
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Thanks, I don’t follow every thread here so I don’t see what everyone is using. Glad you like the Magni!
     
  12. Peter78

    Peter78 New

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Thanks. I recall reading (elsewhere on this forum) allusions to something big in the next 6 months, but I thought it was regarding an amp (not a DAC), but I may have misread or misinterpreted. Or there could be something big for both.

    Yes, of course. I did see those (amusing) posts.
     
  13. Peter78

    Peter78 New

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    8
    @Merrick

    Audio-gd, as well for me (NFB1-AMP, specifically). The value is dropping even as I type this...
     
  14. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,474
    Trophy Points:
    93
    For whatever reason, their singularity 19 was just..shit. So shit they pulled it from the store yesterday. Apparently, the R2R 7 is good, but...that's Yggdrasil money. Spending Yggdrasil money on a product that no one wants to touch due to the S19 is kind of absurd. Apparently, they updated the NFB 11 to fix the issues I had with that amp section, but a $400 entry-level combo is not very appealing when the Magni3/Modi Multibit stack exists.

    There's quite a few people that I trust the opinions of that say the Master 9 amp and the NFB 7 dac (so, by extension, the NFB 27h) is very, very good for a non-r2r, so they at least have that going for them.

    Out of pure curiosity, did you try the dac section with the Magni 3? I'm wondering how bad the amp section holds back the NFB11's DAC.
     
  15. Robert777

    Robert777 Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Likes Received:
    64
    Trophy Points:
    28
    @PacoTaco

    Mine is an old SA-31SE which is amp only.

    Please forgive the quick reply, I am just rushing out the door at work.
     
  16. Peter78

    Peter78 New

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Thanks. That's an excellent point, regarding the upgrades.

    I didn't think that I would get a chance to listen first, and if that's the case, the Gungnir Multibit seems to be a safe bet, at least based on what I've read (which has basically been all positive, as I recall). I was actually looking at the Yggdrasil and the Gungnir Multibit, but I think that the extra cost of the Yggdrasil would be pretty hard to justify (to me, at least). Regarding the Magni 3, I do understand. I didn't expect it to be end-game (nor should that be the expectation at its price-point). I figured that it was cheap enough to give it (and Schiit) a try, as well as to compare with what I currently have. I also figured that I could move up to something higher in the chain, at some later point, if I liked the entry-level offering. The Magni 3 is definitely better than I thought it would be. If all of the Schiit products offer this type of value-proposition, then they are doing good things, indeed.

    Thanks for the advice; it's definitely appreciated. I've probably posted too many times in this thread already, so I'll shut up now and enjoy some music.
     
  17. hifiandrun

    hifiandrun Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2016
    Likes Received:
    489
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Boston
    Don't wanted to steal the thread talking about Jotunheim too much. But Jot is now compared with the Magni 3. In addition to by warming up 1 hour to smooth out the "metallic treble", I opened the Jot and swabbed the fuse with an audio fuse from Partsconnexion. It smooths out the treble a little bit further. The treble is still crystal clear, but enjoyable and engaging. I think the Jot is sensitive to power line. An EMI-filter power conditioner might help. Mine was from @Perot and previously owned by Torq, not sure it is from an early batch or not. I enjoy what the Jot is now with my Grado SR80e. My HD 650 is on the way.
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2017
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    A few years ago, I would have said Schiit would have been on par with AGD. I honestly did not like the Asgard 1 (and I don't like the Asgard 2 all that much either) and the Lyr 1 has a huge disappointment (and the Lyr 2 is still meh). I even said such things on HF. Jason was gracious with what I had to say. Fine. I certainly appreciated what they did by providing affordable entry level products to the market.

    At the end of a headphone meet I think in 2012, Jason and his group pulled me aside and had me listen to the prototype Vali 1. "Shhh, come here. Check this out." After five seconds, I looked up toward them and exclaimed: "This is f'ing better than the Lyr!" as they then howled in laughter. The Vali 1 heralded the second generation of Schiit gear. The second generation stuff was a leap from their first generation stuff.

    What you are experiencing now with the Magni 3 is probably another such event. (I guess the Jotenheim could have been considered generation 2.5). The Magni 3 doesn't seem to have any of the difficulties of the Jotenheim (which seems to be required to be left on all at times). And to be honest, I'm not sure any of the other amps in the Schiit line will give you significantly better results across-the-board. There are more resolving and involving sounding amps in the current lineup, but you will probably lose some of that clarity or that honest timbre of the Magni 2.

    I guess what I am saying is three things: you are lucky enough to have made a jump at precisely the right time to get maximum value; A-GD never got any better, but Schiit did; based on past history, Magni 3 is likely to be a herald of even greater things to come.
     
  19. Tachikoma

    Tachikoma Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2015
    Likes Received:
    429
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Out of curiosity, how does the Magni 3 perform as a preamp?
     
  20. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2016
    Likes Received:
    8,193
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    So that'd make the one being sold here damn near a collectors* item - a veritable bargain and an absolute must-have for budding gong-farmers everywhere.
     

Share This Page