Schiit Asgard 3 Headphone Amp with Continuity Output Stage

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Vtory, Aug 28, 2019.

  1. loki993

    loki993 Facebook Friend

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    This is what I've been waiting for. When Lyr3 came out all I wanted was the other shoe to drop and for them to basically do an SS version of it...this appears to be that.

    I mean I'm curious as to how it compares to the Jot but for the price Im not even sure it matters.

    one real question I suppose.....are they now offering stuff in black or is all the black stuff just a limited thing again.....this will make a difference as to I buy now and put it on the paypal....or wait until I actually have some extra money and pick on up later.....I want the black one.......I know it shouldn't matter
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2019
  2. TheloniuSnoop

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    IMHO it does matter. Silver is nice; black is better. I'm pretty sure black is a permanent option. Clue: the screws are black: also the subchassis. I'm waiting for them to offer Lyr in black. Waiting...waiting...zzzzzzzz.
     
  3. starence

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    On head-fi, Jason said:

     
  4. ShaneD

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    This may be an odd comparison, but does anybody with an Asgard 3 also have a Burson? If so, could you compare the sound? I have a Burson Fun-Classic and am thinking about replacing it. I am Very happy with my Schiit Loki and am thinking about trying a Schiit amp.

    Thanks!
     
  5. starence

    starence Facebook Friend

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    It's a little early for detailed impressions, but I'm f'ing shocked by how good this amp is! Get one before Schiit realize they've set the price way too low.
     
  6. ShaneD

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    It does sound like it is pretty good, but I wish I could test first. Or at least have an idea about the sound and how it compares to what I have now. I have bought a ton of gear this year and really don't need anything else, especially an amp. I have two that I am trying to sell and two that I like.
    But this thing is getting great write-ups on a few sites...
     
  7. Metro

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    That's what Schiit's return policy is for. You can order one and return it for refund within 15 days, and Asgard 3 has a 5% restocking fee. Not as generous as some other direct sales manufacturers (some allow 30 days trial and no restocking fee), but it's available if you are serious about trying it out.
     
  8. mkozlows

    mkozlows Friend

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    Roundtrip shipping plus 5% restocking fee adds up to $45. That's an awful lot of money to spend just to see if you like a $200 amp.
     
  9. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Or, alternatively, you can just wait until they've been on the market for a while, buy it used and resell if you don't like it
     
  10. SSL

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    Just think of it as a $250 amp that you get at a 20% discount on if you like it.
     
  11. ShaneD

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    That would get expensive, if you live in Canada. My pattern of self abuse is to just buy stuff and sell at a noticeable loss if I don't like it. This amp will cost me about $378.00.00, landed. I would be lucky to get $300.00, if I sell it. More likely $250.00 to $275.00.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2019
  12. jnak00

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    Yeah the return policy on Schiit stuff doesn't work well for Canadians. You'd be out shipping two ways and duties/brokerage so probably $100 or more right there, plus the 5% restock fee, which isn't too bad on something Asgard priced. You'd end up losing about 30% of the purchase price by sending it back - might as well try selling it and recouping more than that.
     
  13. starence

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    Yeah. It seems like Schiit didn't bother to send out review units, if they had the hype level would be crazy. This amp is such a ridiculously good value, both because of the build quality and sound. Resolving and detailed, neutral yet smooth and non fatiguing, controlled yet powerful bass. Just an all around joy to listen to. I know this sounds like an advertisement, but I genuinely love this amp. So far I've only tried it with my JAR 650, great combo.
     
  14. Wushuliu

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    I went through a round of headamps recently with a Liquid Spark, Sunrise III (modded), Asgard 3, APPJ PA1502A and cheap JLH-based headamp (modded). This is with a Soekris 1021 DAC and HD6xxs.

    If comparing them all in stock form, the Asgard 3 is the best of the bunch out the box. After 24 hours, it exhibits the classic traits of Class A - smooth, textured, good presence and great mids. It also has some 'solid state' traits like low noise floor, micro-detail/plankton, and tight defined bass. I definitely get the sense that you get out what you put in - you can trace the contributions of preceding gear in the chain.

    However, despite its Class A design, it doesn't exhibit the same level of texture and timbre as the tube-based amps I compared it with. Doesn't quite have that immersive quality (which may just be due to combo of poorer separation/2nd Harm. dist on the part of the tube amps?). The Asgard hues to the 'neutral' side, and is somewhat flat in presentation comparatively.

    What sets it apart from the rest I think is the audibly lower noise floor, resulting in clean sonics and detail without fatigue. That said, I still prefer my Sunrise III. But I also tweaked the hell out of it. In stock form I think it would be equal to the Asgard, depending on one's preferences.

    I think I will keep the Asgard as a reference amp that I can use for any future diy endeavors and when I want no fuss no muss listening.
     
  15. ShaneD

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    What was your opinion of the Liquid Spark? I was on Monoprice yesterday looking to get more info on their new amps and I couldn't help but notice the open box Sparks for $80.00. I have been curious about the Liquid Spark/JDS Atom for several months and decided to grab one. Even with the horror of currency conversion and shipping it was a pretty good deal.
    I was surprised when I learned that it only had a 90 day warranty. I then learned something else: Once you submit an order on their website, it is "uncancellable". I phoned them 50 minutes after my order was placed and no go.

    So, now I will sit back and enjoy the sound. And hope nothing goes wrong after 90 days.:)

    Shane D
     
  16. Wushuliu

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    I loved the Spark. Was hard to put it aside. The others are better in different ways but the Spark is so engaging and toe-tapping that it was tempting to ignore the others and just curl up with it. If you like it, just put your fingers in your ears if anyone mentions something better. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. and cheaper.
     
  17. starence

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  18. redrich2000

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    Thanks for this. So the modules that would go in the new A3 are the same ones they have been using in previous module amps? What about the AK module v the basic Modi 3? I understand the M3 has the advantage of optical, does it have other advantages?
     
  19. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Unless you're making an office desk system you just want to make as compact as possible the best use of the slots is as extra inputs - 20 bucks for an RCA card.

    Even if the DS card compares to the Magni 3, the latter wins just by virtue of its easy to sell and change later.

    Edit: oh and presents. For anyone not into our absurdly nerdy hobby, an asgard 3 with DS card - or mcth with sdac, and so on - would be endgame system for life, probably.
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2019
  20. ShaneD

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    I don't expect it to replace any of my amps, but I am really curious to hear the sound of the $100.00 amps. I am currently enjoying the LCX very much.

    Thanks for the feedback!
     

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