Schiit Jotunheim impressions

I'll be listening to the Jotun/Musette combo on the loaner tour, and I think @gbeast will be doing your beloved Jotun/Pavane combo later on. So plenty of Metrum goodness with this lovely amp...

 

nwavguy was right all along.

 

HD 800 stock benefits from rolled off gear while the HD 650 doesn't. Discounting tonality, they pretty much both benefit technicality wisefrom the same amps though.

The big exception is the Sennheiser HDVA 600 (HDVD 800 with DAC) which only sounds good with the HD 800 due it's weird, precisely chosen components and high output impedance to match to that headphone only. You can sense the technicalities of the amp with the HD 600/650 but the synergy/actual sound is bad.

 

So, did this today:



Using HD800S SE only (also tried HD600), and personally I quite like it. Jotunheim has what feels like a bit faster / slightly more treble, but it actually makes me think that the Asgard 2 is just a little bit mellow and laid back. Cymbals sound just a touch more realistic without sounding harsh, although I certainly could see it being too much if the recording isn't great.

My other takeaway is that good neutral solid state amps sound remarkably similar to each other, and while I'm impressed with how good the Jot sounds, the Asgard 2 is no slouch. Maybe if I went balanced I'd notice some further differences, but I kind of doubt it. Just to emphasize again, the differences above (already couched with 'a bit', 'slightly', etc.) are very small to me, and not even something I could reliably pick out.

With that said, I'm probably going to be selling the A2 and keeping the Jot, but that's definitely more for future potential balanced DAC upgrades than any big sound quality differences.

 

I'd say slightly warm tilt is good for HD800 while slightly cold or dead neutral is best for HD650. Rolled off is bad for both. Problem is the choice of amps with warmth. They usually suck at resolution.
I agree on the HDVA. Only it won't make any hp sing. It has this weird haze on HD800 trouble spot that kinda evens out problems there. Not making any favours to HD650 or even HD800X which has no issues on that particular spot.

edit: scratch that HD650 comment, after I dug on my notes I found that I quite liked it with Ehha, which is warm amp.

 

I'm no golden ears but the more I compare SS amps, the more I believe this to be broadly true. So much so that after hearing Jot at the weekend I'm getting one in with the thought that it could well replace my existing amp that costs TEN times as much (although of course the chassis probably accounts for a third of that). I'm looking forward to the comparison...

 

What were the HD800 mods used?

 

That should be pretty good. Not my favorite, but probably better than most. I'm not a big fan of covering the ring, but then again I'm not a big fan of the ring itself .

 

I watch too much porn to not chuckle at this.

My order status at Schiit says Jotunheim, so I assume the ice giants are holding it hostage. Probably because Schiit killed Loki.

I should have ordered an Yggdrasil instead of a Modi Multibit. Maybe, if they actually release a preamp and two channel speaker amp that will make me love my speakers more, I'll get one.

I tried the HD 650 straight from my iPod classic.

God I'm bored.

 

Just saved you a lot of money on audio gear and therapy. You're welcome.

 

Hearing your experiences about good SS-amps sounding pretty much the same gives me some peace of mind - and my wallet too. Lyr 2 with Lissts should fall into that category. Cheers, folks.

 

What are your favorite mods? What do you do with the ring?

 

I described my mods here:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...superdupont-resonator.1147/page-30#post-57753

I replaced the ring with felt. Subjectively the ring sounded zingy in the treble and I could never quite get the midrange the way I wanted with it. But I also wouldn't recommend removing it. The screws holding it in place will break as they're not really designed to be removed and screwed back in multiple times and I'm pretty sure removing the metal ring negatively affects the bass.

 

There's much talk about having good synergy between Senn 650s(mod/unmod) and Jotun.

What about pairing with Senn HD600s? Is it not as good a combo with Jotun, compare to Senn650 with Jotun?

I searched almost every single page in this thread, and apart from Marvey who gave his opinions, I don't see any other comments about HD600. Given that HD600 is one of the most well received headphones in SABF, I'm somewhat intrigued

 

I use a Dyanamat modded HD600 with my Joti. I love it. It sounds smooth and detailed and just effortless. I am interested in hearing how an HD650 compares with it, but I think the 600 pairs excellently with the Joti.

 

Any comparison to Soloist? Thinking of trying to go full balanced with my Xfinity 2.0, currently running Ether (original).

 

From what I remember 2 years ago, the Jotun would probably kill the Sololist.

 

Listening to Joti and HD600 SE right now. Lots of detail and clarity. It feels like it's more resolving in the upper mids, but it's slightly thinner than HD650. I don't think I'm saying anything new here. I should switch to the balanced cable that's on the HD650 and try it out.