Magni 3+ and Magni 3 Heresy released

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by redrich2000, Nov 29, 2019.

  1. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    I think it will never be easy to choose between the two Magni versions for people that haven’t heard them or aren’t overly familiar with Schiit yet.

    But no recommendations for the Jotunheim with the HD800S and my use case?
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I mentioned tendency toward stridency (recording and transducer dependent) at high gain for 3+ in the blind test thread. I wouldn't call it a weird timbre or a gritty thing at all - that would be way over exaggerating or plain wrong.

    Comparing x1 gain between Heresy and 3+, heard none of this though. So in case this very minor bit of stridency rears its head in the recording / headphone, there is a turn off switch.

    I used Modi 3 throughout. So again, disagree that 3+ needs NOS DACs for optimal synergies. I just flat out don't think Heresy and 3+ are all that different, except for headstage and dynamics, where Magni 3+ discernably outperforms.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2020
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Vali 2 or Lyr 3 if you want to stay with Schiit. Vali 2 has plenty of power for HD800S. HD800S doesn't need power. A few microWatts is enough. 1W will explode them.
     
  4. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Was planning to use the Modi 3 with the Magni 3+ that I ordered yesterday. I was expecting good things with the pair even before reading this. Hard to bitch for something that cost $200 tops.
     
  5. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    We may be thinking of the same thing, to some extent. The stridency I can hear. But I am fairly sure I hear elements in the upper-midrange that sound somewhat rough regardless of gain and transducer. Or, perhaps they're one and the same, and I'm just hearing it a peculiar way.

    For what it's worth, I saw no relief with low or high gain, nor different transducers. And while I can't say this particular complaint is egregious, in that I'd still easily recommend the amp, it's a particular trait I don't hear all too commonly.

    My first reaction to hearing the 3+ vs 3 and Heresy was that I, for a very brief moment, got worried perhaps something was broken with the 3+. I think the 3+ is a pretty noticeable departure beyond just head stage and dynamics, and the first comparison points I listen for are almost always tone and timbre. In those regards, I was getting vibes much closer to the Valhalla 2 off the 3+.

    Hmm...might see if I can do a sort of blind test this weekend when a few others get to hear these. Probably something simple like cover them in construction paper and have someone swap cables in back if I can't adequately cover the back ends up too. Will see if any common thoughts develop on them.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The thing about blind tests is that they always seem to make differences smaller than with sighted tests. The differences are still there, in the same aspects, but just smaller relative to each other. So it's entirely possible that I've become subject to expectation bias from the blind tests during my sighted listening experiences. Or either I'm getting older and caring less and less about minute differences in gear and just learning to be happy with whatever I happen to have on hand.
     
  7. kris2014

    kris2014 Acquaintance

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    If memory serves, Apx555's input noise is 1uV. In their spec sheet, low voltage input mode has a noise floor no less than -117 dB (which is 1uV / 0.775V). So i think they wrote the specsheet assuming input should be higher than 0.775V.

    I don't know what would be lower limit of detection in these applications. But it seems weird to measure beyond noise floor.
     
  8. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    yes. please. glad to have self joined this ^^ club, and happy there are others.
     
  9. QuadFacepalm

    QuadFacepalm New

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    Maybe I'm just waxing philosophical here, but isn't that the whole point of this crazy hobby in the first place? To actually enjoy the music you're listening to instead of being paranoid that there might be something better out there?

    It confuses me when people freak out about differences that don't really matter in the bigger picture, both in terms of audio and the rest of this crazy thing called life.
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's about balance. It's fun to split hairs too and fun to do silly things like to daisy-chain up 5 USB-decrapifiers to see what can happen.

    That's the other extreme called Audio Science Review.
     
  11. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Yep, decided. A Vali 2 on top of the 3+ and Modi. Bet it'll sound as good as it will look on a Schiit Shelf. :)
    Just thinking if I'll use RCA splitters or a Sys in reverse to connect both amps.
    Do splitters reduce the output voltage when both amps are powered on?
    In that case a Sys might be a better idea.
     
  12. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    NM, I just remembered we have Google these days. It doesn't and should have negligible impact on SQ if any.
     
  13. kris2014

    kris2014 Acquaintance

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    Splitters are bad ideas. If you really need to select a source, be sure to use a switch.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2020
  14. sacredgates

    sacredgates Audio-Technica's high priest

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    Please clarify or make a link with explanation to your ascertainment...
    Not (just) bitching; also genuinely interested...
     
  15. bboris77

    bboris77 Friend

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    I am using a switch but have heard over the years that running two amps off a source should not be an issue at all.
     
  16. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

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    Exactly. I'm not using multiple sources and from what I find splitting a source doesn't lower the output voltage to the two amps you send the signal to.
    Here's what Schiit's FAQ says on using the Sys to send the signal to two amps:
    "Hey, can you use this in reverse to switch 1 input to two outputs?
    Yes, with the volume all the way up. But why not just use RCA Y-cables or splitters, like these?"
    The other way around is probably not a good idea without a switch since you could be sending two signals in at the same time.

    Been looking into tubes for the Vali (read the whole 49 page thread) and I'm only after two of them:
    Brimar Ediswan ECC88
    Valvo/Siemens E288CC I find them with black or red lettering, not sure what the difference is if any.
    They seem to go for crazy prices on first sight so when I have some more time I'm going to see where I can find them more reasonably priced. Maybe keep an eye on some eBay auctions instead of the fixed priced ones I find there.

    Anyway, Schiit stack on the way, ordered from 3 different places: Schiit EU, UK and USA. UK had the Magni and Modi, EU the Vali and USA the Pyst cables.
    Was thinking of using AudioQuest WEL Signature cables first at 6600€ but 50cm is way too long. ;)

    Also waiting until this beauty is back in stock:



    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2020
  17. kris2014

    kris2014 Acquaintance

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    It's likely to cause grounding issues and potentially crosstalk depending on how you plan to use it. In his case he wants both amps on. That means the Line out voltage would be divided into 2 amps, which would lower SNR as you need to amplify the signal 2x to get the same output voltage (doubled noise floor and higher gain distortion kicks in).

    It is better to just avoid doing so. Daisy chain is better than splitter.

    Schiit SYS is $49 USD solution, which is not too bad. A pair of canare cables would cost similar. In this price range, if you got a problem with splitter, it just makes the cheap alternative choice expensive.

    PS. There are other choices out there, such as Rolls.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2020
  18. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    @AppleheadMay from someone who has gone down the black hole of tube rolling the Brimar ECC88 for $40 is really all you need in the Vali 2. Unfortunately they are out of stock at the moment. This Amperex 6D78 from tctubes is also very good, I had one that lasted over a year until one channel went bad and I bought some Brimars.

    tctubes stands behind their tubes, if it goes bad within a few months they will replace or refund. The Amperex and the Brimar are close in sound quality but the Amperex is a bit more expensive. If you are looking to spend more than $100 for a tube for the Vali 2 IMO you should be putting the money toward a more expensive amp. Enjoy your Vali 2!

    Edit: the Brimar ECC88 are back in stock at Tubemonger!
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2020
  19. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    where did you find that? and how do I get one?
     
  20. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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