Magni 3 released

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

  1. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    The build quality is the same.

    If you're having problems, [email protected] and we'll get it taken care of.
     
  2. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I think you are making a wide generalization about Magni 3 vs Vali 2. What specific HPs and DACs are we talking about? I think maybe more reading and less posting, buddy.
     
  3. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    Since you asked PC > Eitr > Brooklyn DAC+ > Kenzie > HP800S

    The Kenzie amp replaced the Vali 2. I have switched amps just for shits and giggles and in order of preference Kenzie > Vali 2 > Magni 3. The Vali 2 is a good starter amp for someone who likes HD800S phones but you need a high end tube amp to really enjoy the HD800S. No surprise there.
     
  4. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Dude, @allegro, seriously MOAR reading and less posting. If you actually digested what I wrote rather than replying quickly, you would understand I was referring to your budget system recommendation of Vali 2 over Magni 3.

    I have a friend who got HD6XX, Modi Multibit and I recommended Magni 3 for him specifically because the tube rolling quickly costs more than the amp and I actually wasn't the biggest fan of Vali 2 with stock HD650 (he doesn't want to mod it yet). If he had HD600, I would recommend Vali 2 for him. The build quality is the same. See how I did that, do you get it?

    I read your profile where you posted your system; on top of the your mostly noise posts about HD800, Kenzie, Eitr you created a whole thread on a crazy-ass expensive USB cable to go with Eitr. Too much noise even for a junior achiever member like me. Please post small things like "Wow, I got a XYZ amp and it sounds great" (like I do) in your status, a lot of people respond. I was glad to see our post about the Kenzie because I heard the amp at a show and it seemed promising, however if you read more you would see how reviews are usually written and you could go back and add more content after you listen longer. I have a T3, Vidar, Freya, and HD800 all new(er) to me but I haven't written much other than status updates because I am still getting a feel for everything and only want to add useful content. Public Service Announcement over.
     
  5. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    For those who have heard both, does the Magni 3 offer any kind of sonic advantage over the Liquid Carbon for HD650 and LCDs? In terms of specs, the M3's power output is roughly double that of the LC's single-ended.
     
  6. shanchandi

    shanchandi Acquaintance

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    Big fan of the Magni 3, but running from my he400i's I found myself preferring my geek out v2 a lot more and so I sold it. Although it does have me wondering what the jot is like now that I have a pair of HD650s again instead of the He400is which i'm sure would make much better use of the extra power.
     
  7. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    What are you looking to improve from the GOv2 or Magni 3? I prefer the M3 over the Jot with the modded hd650s because it produces a smoother treble and isn't as claustrophobic sounding. The Jot definitely hits harder and is likely capable of pulling more details (have not compared directly). In addition, I would take the Valhalla 2 over either amps for the HD650s.

    Either way, I don't think the Jot would be enough of an upgrade to warrant the money. Ideally you'd want to get a stand-alone dac with either Gen 5 USB or Eitr if you are using USB. If you're not in a rush, hints have been dropped on future schiit amps.
     
  8. shanchandi

    shanchandi Acquaintance

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    I guess I've seen the jot hyped a lot, even compared to the ZDS, so I assumed it would be a large upgrade,

    I'm essentially looking for an around $500 amp specifically for the hd 650s, something thats more engaging when I listen. You definitely gave me a lot to think about. Gonna look into these schiit rumours, might be better off running the gov2 balanced until they make an announcement.
     
  9. Rynsin

    Rynsin New

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    The only HP I've heard through both a Magni3 and a LC was the HD650. I think I actually would prefer the Magni3, but the comparison is strange because of the difference in price point. I found the LC to be too warm with the HD650, and perhaps a little rough around the edges (apologies for not knowing the exact right word to describe what I mean by "rough around the edges..." will edit the post if I remember).

    IIRC, @JoshMorr and @ButtUglyJeff both posted some LC / HD650 impressions a while back.
     
  10. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    If you don't want to get a balanced cable for your HD650, I would say the Magni 3 is a little more lively then the LC. You'll especially notice it in upper and mid bass accuracy. And the nice part is mids don't suffer. Though I might argue that you should really go Vali 2 or Jot over both...
     
  11. Abhishek Chowdhary

    Abhishek Chowdhary Friend

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    Jot pairs fine with the HD650, however a lot depends on what DAC you'll use with it. Something lean , bright is a no-go with the Jot.
    The closest thing Jot sounds like is an iPhone 6, very clean but somewhat brittle, some glare, missing microdynamics.
    Gov2 on the other hand has a better depth and marginally better microdynamics, but shares mostly the same metallic timbre. Also it struggles to drive something like an HE560, whereas Jot should be plenty powerful.
     
  12. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    When it came out here there was a ton of hype and then later on more criticisms started coming out (see @Abhishek Chowdhary's post above).
     
  13. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    I am currently using the LC with HD650 balanced, but was just curious if the much cheaper Magni 3 brought something additional to the table. Might pick it up for a little different flavor.

    Fed by Gungnir Multibit.

    Just trying to figure out what SS amp is really worth upgrading to from the LC, under $1K. Will wait and see what's introduced in 2018. I'm guessing I want something "warmer" than the Jot. To be used with LCDs as well.
     
  14. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    @allegro - If you are getting a hard edge to the sound with the Magni, you might want to look elsewhere in the chain.

    This is not a hard edged amp. It may exhibit some compression or sound a bit constrained when cold, but after about 30 minutes it is excellent and not only for the price.

    @rott My early impressions of the Jot/dac with 650s was not good. Could never get past what it did in the upper mids lower treble. Literally can not listen to the version with the dac built in.

    Magni3 is a bit warm but not moreso than a Lake People G109s for instance, maybe a bit more fine grain in the upper part of spectrum, still like it better than my 1217 Polaris which was not a slouch.
     
  15. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    If you could expand on the relative merits/weaknesses of the M3 vs Polaris I'd be grateful. Considering a new amp myself and find the flexibility of the Polaris appealing, but even up here north of the border landing a new Magni would be cheaper than a second-hand Polaris. DAC is a Modi Multibit, phones would be HD6XX and K702.
     
  16. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    From my notes on the Polaris with 650s, mids set back just a bit more than I would like with a very small amount of tube like distortion or grain. Magni3 seems more clean and a bit more forward with my hd-600s (650s are gone).

    Overall in other areas the Polaris and Magni3 are both very good. Flexibility is of course better with the Polaris but I would not kick either out of contention in their respective price categories. Not sure I can add much more since it has been some time since listening to the Polaris.

    As for Magni3, it could be better if it had a bit more tightness in the bass and a bit more liquid upper mids lower treble, but these are slight nits. I feel there maybe better amps just above the Magni3 price point, and maybe better "value", but that is rather subjective. Ask me in a few months if I have found one.
     
  17. Pillars

    Pillars Embarrassment to Colorado crew

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    I liked the Jot, thought it was worth the money. However, in MY experience on it using 400i and 560 the planar really exposed the soundstage depth problem of the Jot using Modi Multibit. So, ultimately I parted ways. Magni 3 doesn't seem to have this issue.
     
  18. joeexp

    joeexp Don't ship this man FD-X1 ever

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    Nothing wrong with the Jot.
    Just needs to be on all the time to loose the metallic sound.

    The M3 isn't even in the same league. If you want something cheap get a Vali 2.
     
  19. Ali-Pacha

    Ali-Pacha Friend

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    The more I listen to it, the more I think I do prefer Magni3 over Vali2 with my HD800. Magni3 may be a tad cold, but it has some bite / impact the Vali2 lacks...even if the mids of the Vali may be a bit better.

    Ali
     
  20. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I have a Jot fed by Gungnir Multibit for hp listening in my main rig that I otherwise use for speaker listening and tv/movies, but have been using my Geek pulse alone for my desktop since I sold my Vali 2/Modi Multibit setup to help fund the Gungnir Multibit purchase. While I believe the dac in the Geek pulse is pretty good for an es9018 implementation, I don't feel the amp section does it any favors, and the combination can be a little wince-inducing through my hd600s occasionally. I could live with it, but at it's price, thought the M3 might be a reasonable solution in context, so ordered one last weekend. Scheduled to ship 1/30-31, so once I have a chance to suss it out I will share my thoughts if I feel I can add anything useful.
     

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