Schiit Mjolnir 3 Impressions

This is the black one.
https://partsconnexion.com/collections/knobs/products/audio-note-knob-30mm-matt-black-for-6mm-shaft
Credit to Yota.

 

^Whoa! I am thinking about selling some extra Pietus Maximus knobs for a lot less than that…but not ready yet.

 

Probably the reason for that (from the product page):
“They are machined from solid brass…”

 

Yeah, I didn't actually weigh mine, but it's gotta be at least a 1/4lb.

 

The MJ3 knob has no screw, it just pops off.

Taking the knob off the problem isn't the knob to chassis fit. The ALPS pot itself is rough and makes a light scrape noise.

 

Considering moving from a Jot2 to a MJ3. Source is a Naim NDX2 with HD600s + Focal MG cans. Just wondered what the sound signature from the Jot2 is compared to the MJ3? I listen to all kinds of music and wondered whether this a relevant upgrade path, would the MJ3 give more energy/punch/slam to the sound?

Any thoughts, help, experiences or opinions much appreciated. Wishing all SBAF a very happy Christmas and a safe, fun, prosperous, happy annd interesting 2024!

 

Speaking purely in terms of my experience running balanced on everything, Jot 2 is closer in general technical capability to Mjolnir 2, just with a different signature and less tubeyness. MJ3 is one step up from both those amps, but source really matters. Jot 2 I feel is a fairly neutral entity that's predictably decent to very good with quite a few sources (provided they aren't thicc) and you could say the same for MJ3 except for the fact when you get a source that really works it blows the curve on what you believe the amp capable of. Properly setup MJ3 chains can touch greatness.

 

My MJ3 knob has a set screw, so does the extra I bought from Schiit, and the pot is smooth as butter

 

I've got a first run MJ3, my pot is smooth as can be. Feels just as smooth as my Asgard 2.

@CEE TEE I'm ok with the delay, just please get me an invoice for the black knob before Valentines Day...

 

I am using the Jot2 SE input & balanced out,, if that makes sense!

 

I know Jason has refereed to the MJ3 as "a hammer"

I just saw this on the PCB yesterday...

 

It's The Hammer for sure given its name. 'Tho Beta Ray Bill has a better one.

Hooked my MJ3 up to my MMF5.1/Mani+. Oh, my!

 

Finally got around to getting the MJ3 and Yggdrasil OG A2 setup so far they seem to pair really well together, the hammer has enough power feeding my HE6 SE V2 via roon even when utilizing the parametric eq (harman target with an overall 6db drop).

Certainly interested in the black knobs @CeeTee if and when they become available. My MJ3 is a first run as well with no discernible issues with the pot.

Looking forward to getting everything burned in. Any issues stacking the MJ3 on top of the Yggdrasil?

 

I’d personally put something between the Yggdrasil and MJ3 if you’re going to stack them long-term. The bottom of the MJ3 gets pretty toasty. I picked up some cheap isolation feet on Amazon to put under my MJ3, mostly for peace of mind.

 

My current system is as follows:

DAC: Bifrost 2/64

Amps: Schiit Folkvangr and newly acquired (early December) Mjolnir 3 (MJ3).

EQ: Schiit Lokius

Headphones: Denon AH-D9200 and Sennheiser HD650, mostly use the 9200’s

I am contemplating upgrading my Bifrost 2/64 to either the Yggdrasil + OG or MiB. Having attended the SOCAL Can Jam 2023 and listening to the MJ3 paired with the Yggdrasil+ OG at the Schiit table, I really enjoyed the pairing with my 9200’s I brought with me. I made a post on the Facebook Schiit page and was encourage to post the question here. I know how something sounds is subjective but I would appreciate all input. Thanks.

 

I'd go for the OG because it will become unobtanium soon.

 

This is exactly my setup. Roon with Oratory1990 PEQ preset for HE6se V2. So based on your opinion how well the Mj3 drives them? Is there any distortion when playing loud? Or does it even push the HE6se V2 to loud levels? Could you colaborate a little, please?

 

Edit. Modi was on top of the Mjolnir just for the photo. It sat next to it during the loaner.


I want to give a thank you to SBAF, and to Julie for organizing this loaner. Being able to participate is really helpful.


Eitr->MMB1 (OPA2156)->MJ3->JAR650 V1.5

In retrospect I think I should have used a more common headphone instead of a one-off JAR modification. I'm hoping to give a bit more context. The V1 was a Super 650, the v2 traded the traditional 650 presence for expansive, ethereal/thin sound stage, with a little more treble energy with new production Sennheiser pads. The v1.5 somewhat splits the difference, but also tuned to be noticeably bassier than either version, has the v2 treble etch with new Senn pads and can have a temperamental sound stage based on a few factors. I like using it with plenty of amps, but with the MJ3 I understand what people mean by scaling. It really works.

Mjolnir is not what I expected. It has a mature and warm application of power. Like, lots of power, more than I would think just by going off the specifications. The MMB1 isn’t the right pairing in this situation or the most resolving dac, but the MJ3 still somehow sieves something from the areas where the MMB1 struggles. The MJ3 out scales the MMB1, but the MJ3 isn’t a jerk about, presenting the flaws in a more constructive criticism sort of way.

Between the amps I am familiar with like Piety, ECP Torpedo III, DNA Sonett 2, the Mjolnir has exceptionally low top end treble energy. The rest of the range feels reasonable which is remarkable because I don’t associate these qualities with solid state gear.

This is the first item from Schiit I’ve been able to interact with that has more than two switches. I know they have used symbols since forever, but they aren’t very intuitive to me with the number of options on the MJ3. Is it a method to get people to read the manual? Which, I’m actually impressed with the manual. They managed to get everything relevant onto two pages, and it’s easy to read. Awesome.


Some thoughts about the various settings,

SE/XLR
XLR is better, but I spent the majority of my time on SE. Single ended helped the v1.5 have a cozier, more cohesive sound stage.

Gain
I’m starting to think that higher gain on any device is not for me, but I appreciate the number of options the Mjolnir has available.

Negative Feedback
It’s a little bit quieter with it on, but it didn’t impact my enjoyment which surprised me considering the amount of vitriol I read about negative feedback throughout the 2000’s.

Class A/Push pull
I’m still not 100% with what I experienced with this setting. Using Class A as a basis of what sounds most normal to me. When switching to push pull, I would get the sporadic feeling that what ever is “center” would be more prominent. I didn’t get the sensation that push pull was more powerful.

2023 was kind of a heck, and the MJ3 loaner came at a great time. I thought it got better as it got toastier it through the day, and I was able to enjoy everything from Youtube, animated shows, to music. Mjolnir 3 is so reasonable from its price to its sonic character. You can really build something nice with it.

 

To me what I hear is the air in the highs seemed more compressed on push-pull. At first I preferred SE but been running with PP.

I didn't go to business school but don't know I agree with the "unobtanium" part.

My guess is discontinuation of OG is not going to increase demand.

Anecdotally, A1/GS didn't skyrocket after being replaced by A2/OG, at least that I have seen.

If anything, total OG demand should drop because currently OG is the highest priced new Yggdrasil, so after OG goes OOP customers who simply want the highest priced new Yggdrasil will just buy MIB.

Buyers that were always willing to buy OG used aren't adding demand after new OG production ceases because they'd never have bought a new OG anyway.

So any increase to OG demand after new production stops is customers that want OG, would have originally bought new, but are willing to buy used. Seems like a small section of the market, but of course I don't have the data. From what I see, the used market for OG's seems to have good supply right now.

If the prices of used OG's shoot up you'll know I was wrong. Otherwise, I think choosing based on sound is the wiser move.