Schiit Mjolnir 3 Impressions

RE: MJ3 + A2 + my HRTF + my preferences + 800s (I don’t EQ)

I opted for the 800s as a holiday gift to myself and managed to secure a good deal.

The 800s proved to be a pleasant surprise in terms of performance. It boasts excellent timbre, and its tuning complements the MJ3 well, especially when compared to the Utopia. The resolution is highly impressive, and it delivers ample dynamics. In addressing depth issues with the MJ3, the 800s has proven itself. Treble hasn't posed any concerns thus far.

While discussions in the new 800s amp thread assigned a somewhat conservative B- grade to the 800s and MJ3 pairing, I find the synergy more accurately leaning towards a B+ to A-, contingent on one's perspective. For context, I would rate the 6xx as a solid 'B' on MJ3 with A2. Having gladly sold an 8xx and the Jot 2 that powered it quite awhile ago, the 800s + MJ3 represents a massive upgrade.

I'm currently quite enamored with this combination, although it doesn't entirely intoxicate me or necessitate a cooldown period after listening to a great album, it is undeniably lovely.

 

Sharing some additional thoughts after listening to a lot of Iron Maiden and Elliott Smith, brain and drivers fully burnt in:

I’m convinced that the MJ3 stands out as an exceptional amp for rock music, a genre that often poses a challenge in finding the right synergy with various gear. While tube amps can work well with rock (even beyond MJ3), I appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of MJ3's solid-state presentation, particularly its tonality and remarkable clarity. Notably, the bass guitar is impeccably separated from the guitars, adding a textured dimension to the mix that extends to the nuances of percussion, vocals, and guitars.

Overall, MJ3 seems to complement the strengths of the HD 800s – be it the impeccable imaging, high resolution, timbre, or precise attack/decay. It effectively addresses any tuning or treble concerns, resulting in a well-rounded listening experience with excellent dynamics and depth. It's Class A for me.

While opting for the MJ3 + A2 + 800s combination might seem like a straightforward solution to bow out of the audiophile struggle, I'm eager to compare it with a Pietus + Atrium setup.

 

The above makes me curious as to what headphones the people at Schiit used when designing the MJ3.

 

They don't use headphones

 

Has anyone ever noticed faint and sporadic clicks/ crackling/ static discharge-type noises coming from the transformer/choke area (I think) of their MJ3 after the amp has been switched OFF for a bit?

I do not hear these noises while the amp is powered on, and I don't hear any issues through my headphones and speakers during operation. I definitely feel vibration through the chassis and volume knob though.

I am otherwise greatly enjoying the sound from my MJ3 through headphones and as a preamp, but these electrical discharge noises when the amp is not in use are starting to worry me.

 

It may just be contraction of parts as they cool off. Like a car engine makes noises when it's cooling off.

 

These noises do not sound like components expanding or contracting, like sounds the heatsinks make on my Pass Labs speaker amp. These definitely sound electrical (actual static and pops), like something discharging. Is this normal for the MJ3?

 

https://www.schiit.com/contact/help-support

 

I sent a support email more than a week ago, when I first noticed this behavior, but they never responded. I know Schiit staff have been slammed recently due to people being sick, new products being launched, and a backlog of orders being fulfilled. I realize that I may end up having to RMA my MJ3, but am waiting for an official response before going through the trouble. FWIW, mine was from the first run of these amps.

I'd certainly be interested if anyone else has noticed similar behavior.

 

Yes, usually directly after a turn off. The sound seems like a component. Relays or something more substantial than cooling. It's usually a couple loud clicks in short succession and then it is silent.

Mjolnir 2 was terrible about this though. When I had MJ2 in my bedroom I would have to keep it on all night because when powered off it would sporadically emit a click for hours after shutdown. It was creepy and jarring when trying to fall asleep, like it resented being shut off.

 

^^ Folkvangr has a similar shut down chorus; it's likely nothing more than what @roshambo123 mentioned, protections winding down, relays, etc.

 

I have no doubt that the HD800S would sound even better from the borderline insane amps listed in the recommended amps thread, but I can say firsthand the Mjolnir 3 almost seems like it was made for the HD800S. Not that other headphones don't sound great from MJ3, but MJ3 plus HD800S with a suitable multibit DAC is a synergy monster that reminds me of hearing Focal Clear OG with DSHA-3F or Grado RS2X with Folkvangr, where the transducer/amp seem to act like force multipliers (at prices that won't turn you into that Washington Post guy, yeesh).

 

Mine pops intermittently sometimes after a power down - could be a couple hours and I'll hear a click. Doesn't bother me and the amp works perfectly. I assume it must be normal.

I really appreciate your ratings and I was just offering my perspective. I think it is great with MJ3 and I could call it quits with 6xx and 800s with MJ3. As for that article about that man, I feel that people in the community are unnecessarily piling on the poor deceased fellow, cautionary tale perhaps he may be.

In general, winding up a lonely old audiophile - I would say the audiophilia is nothing more than the symptom of the problem and not the actual problem. It can be said as well that one can certainly afford an S class setup (as you often propose - a Stellaris + Utopia + totl dac) and not necessarily be in the range of spending so much money you are really putting yourself at risk, depending on your circumstances of course.

 

Has anyone checked what the power consumption is at the wall? Also wondering if anyone has put a Hifiman Edition XS on an MJ3. I imagine that pairing can’t be terrible.

 

50W, per the specs.

 

I got an edition XS specifically to pair with MJ3, with the idea that I wanted a planar to complement my dynamics. I ended up moving on from them. I found them to be bright and kind of sterile with Bifrost 2/64 and MJ3, whereas I don't experience that brightness or lack of engagement with HD800S (quite the opposite), despite the DAC's reputation for difficult highs.

 

Using a Kill-A-Watt I measure 40W in SET mode and 42W in PP mode. Power on in-rush is much higher for a very short time.

 

Thanks. This is a bit less than what I've found on the Holo Bliss which is what I was hoping to see. I've measured between 54-46W on my Bliss from power on to reasonable listening volume.