Schiit Mjolnir 1

There is a C-stock one available at Schiit right now for $579

 

Heh, this thread happily takes me back a while. I've had a Mjolnir 1 since late 2013 that I use with a pair of Audeze LCD-3s from around the same time, luckily just before the fazors appeared. The Mj1 / LCD-3 system is now a secondary one that gets used several times a week but not daily, as that spot got taken over by DSHA 3F / Utopia. It has been a long time since I was critically comparing amps to the Mj1. At some point I brought in a Ragnarok 1.5, which I did prefer over the Mj1, but the Rag is now exclusively running speakers.

When I decided on the Mj1, the other main contenders were the BHA-1, a Phonitor X (I think but I'm not sure which exact model I tried), and the GSX Mk2. It was surprising that while I was ok with the prices of those amps, I still ended up with the cheapest one by a long shot. The BHA-1 was the only other amp that wasn't quickly rejected. I found the GSX to be way too prickly in the treble, and overall much too harsh for my taste. The Phonitor was the opposite in some ways, inoffensive but really really flat and boring sounding. Not flat in terms of soundstage, but dynamically flat. Just not involving at all for me. The BHA-1 sounded pretty good to me, but in the end, at least with LCD-3s, I found the bass to be a bit more controlled with the Mj1 and it was also a bit livelier which I preferred. Note that these comments are based off my memory of the conclusions from listening almost 10 years ago, things can get skewed in that time. But I do still enjoy the Mj1/LCD-3 pairing, mostly for content that is either more bass-rich or similarly less guitar-heavy, where the DSHA 3F / Utopia slays IMO.

 

Marv - you mention the MOSFET situation - how does that position the MJ1 and the M^3 for you? I always thought the M^3 was a great place to be at the end of the day when your hard earned money was involved.

 

I think there are electrical advantages to MOSFET in lower power requirements and can be faster, high transient currents, temperature stability, immune to secondary breakdown,

They also require higher bias, meaning higher temperature, and lower transconductance.

Sound wise some say MOSFET can be soft and hazy. (Which, Which, the MJ1 has snap and punch and is MOSFET, so go figure) Some compare MOSFET's to tubes and BJT's to high snap and punch. However, how much that carries forward depends on other factors, but in the end the characteristics are still underlying. It would be interesting for a BJT circolotron, but would likely require an even bigger power supply and maybe other things I am not even thinking of.

 

I think it's worth noting the M3 and B22 use the same output MOSFETS - albeit in fairly different configuration, especially being cascoded in the B22, and sitting at different bias currents.

In this context (and I think like most solid state amps with global negative feedback), sound characteristics are probably dominated by the voltage gain stage. And while I'm sure there can be definite and detectable differences between output devices as different as BJTs and MOSFETs, they are likely relatively subtle in comparison.

Then again, maybe in something way out there like a circolotron, it ends up being quite different than traditional output buffers.

 

In circolotron. there is an absence of global negative feedback. This helps extend the full power frequency response.

I do remember a post from Jason talking what makes something sound "tube" or "SS" and there is a theroy it has more to do with the topology itself rather than the components used. I think arguments can be made either way, and some underlying part will still be there. Much in the same way certain DAC chips or tubes or op amps sound a certain way.

 

LOL, yep, that'll be a big enough difference!

I'd be skeptical that is the benefit of no global NFB. Taking the M3 and B22 for example, they are ruler flat into the 1-2 MHz range with somewhere between 60-120 dB NFB depending on the VAS and OPAMP. I'm sure NFB vs not can make significant differences to sound, but frequency response is probably not it.

 

I got that almost directly from the Wikipedia page on Circlotron (I guess I also have been spelling it wrong)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circlotron

"Absence of output transformer and global negative feedback extends full power frequency response into hundreds of kilohertz."

That is not cited, so I am not sure where that came from. It IS Wikipedia after all.

 

Well, that probably makes a lot of sense in terms of the original 1950's tubes. I need to do more reading to better understand the design......

 

I did notice that Atma-Sphere amps list Circlotronic® output.

Here is a tube example

Here is a SS example

 

Both MJ1 and MJ2 were marketed as zero feedback amps. That trait seems to have gone out of fashion..

And I have a hunch MJ2 sounds a little better (more linear) in it's low gain (feedback) setting when using LISST's FETs for voltage gain.

 

Mjolner 1 Review



In the dark



Gear

Pi2AES with NoiseNuke -> Yggdrasil A2 (the best version!!!) -> iso max PO-2XR -> SE -> MJ1 -> modded LCD-X

AFAIK, going SE in is the same as balanced in, so that should not be a consideration here.

In Brief
The Mjolner 1 (henceforth MJ1) is a great sounding amp and an absolute steal at the current used prices. It’s got a powerful, open, dynamic, resolving sound with great tonality. It’s extremely even and balanced sounding. I hear it as a refined Jottenheim 2. A similar sound but less problems and refined and more powerful. Anyone who likes the Jottenheim 2 should buy one of these used for 1/2 or 2/3 the price. It’s got the same ju ju but it’s better in every way. @Vtory , buy an MJ1 asap before people read this and the prices go up. The MJ1 also spanks the BHA-1 for a fraction of the price. I can’t think of anything the BHA-1 does better except being expensive and maybe bass control.

I’m not going to dip into bass, mids and treble because they’re very neutral and even, it’s a pretty balanced amp in every way so there isn’t a lot to say. I’m just going to list some qualities, the good and the few bad.

The Good

• Tonality is very good this is one of the best solid state amps on the market, that I’ve heard anyways. It’s got none of the typical solid state issues. There is natural warmth and an open, layered sound that is usually associated with SET or Hybrid amps.
• Excellent soundstage with great layering and depth. Not TOTL Eddie Current huge, but really good.
• Detail retrieval is excellent. My unicorn SOHA1 beats it but it’s no slouch. It beats the Jottenheim 2 easily
• Dynamics are really excellent. They hit harder than my SOHA1, but are a bit softer.
• Midrange is very natural sounding and beautiful.
• Treble is extended and clean with plenty of air
• Bass really slams with this amp and goes deep. It’s a bit looser than my SOHA1 however. I don’t really agree with all the comments about outstanding “bass grip” but it’s not bad
• This amp is dead silent even with the 103dB sensitivity of the LCD-X. No noise whatsoever which means no noise on any full sized headphones including Grados. Gain is also lot an issue. Sure I don’t use much of the usable range with the LCD-X but there’s plenty of room to get the volume right.

The Not so Good (nothing is bad about this amp)

• The treble is a tiny bit hard sounding, lacking the last bit of transparency and refinement and also a tiny bit emphasized, but only very slightly. It’s only noticeable on my one treble reference track, on all other music it’s not noticeably exaggerated. For realistic purposes I would call it neutral
• Bass is a bit loose but not bad at all
• My biggest complaint is one I have with the Jottenheim 2 as well, but it’s actually better with this amp. There is an artificial quality about the overall tone that hides itself well but it’s there. I tried to describe the same thing with the Jottenheim 2 but it’s not easy to describe. It sounds as if there is some kind of "3D power amp" sound filter affect button turned on. It just doesn’t sound like its is naturally creating it’s sound, it sounds tuned to sound like a powerful amp. I don’t know how else to describe it because I can’t liken it to anything. It’s not plastic-y or metallic or etched or sibilant, or strident or glarey. The general tone is very good. There is just an undercurrent, mostly heard in the midrange to bass that doesn’t sound quite right. I would take this over the flat/sterile/cold tone of most solid state amps any day though. Especially as it is on the MJ1. The J2 has this same tonal issue but is about twice as bad. I’m guessing its the Nexus tech or whatever it’s called. Its’ kind of an unnatural reverby type tone. That’s the best I got.

I still prefer the tone of the Magni 3+ but this amp trumps it in all technical ways. The Magni3+ just sounds absolutely natural, the best tonality of any solid state amp I’ve heard. But it’s not so great in the technicalities.

Final Thoughts
This is really an uber Jottenheim 2. The availability of these used makes the J2 a stupid buy. Get an MJ1 instead. I don’t know why Schiit discontinued this amp, or why it didn’t sell. I’m guessing the balanced only output plus size and price just put it in an awkward spot. But for 300-400$ used if you can use headphones balanced buy this amp if you’re considering a J2. I wish the LCD-R could be paired with this amp instead of the J2.

 

You have an awesome talent to motivate me to look for this product! lol.

I'm still unsure whether MJ1 is able to replace J2 to my liking (given I prefer J2 to anything cheaper than 2.8k usd among heard no matter tubed or not -- I've honestly failed to nitpick J2 for half an year). But surely very interesting read. I like how you listed benefits in a very appealing way.

 

I can confirm that the Mj1 is not noisy with Grados or most IEMs that aren't as sensitive as the Andro (note: I haven't actually tested the Andro with the Mj1), but the gain may leave little room on the pot.

 

i just think if you like the J2 you would like this amp better because they have the same sound. I can’t imagine preferring the J2 to the MJ1. If the MJ1 was expensive I wouldn’t be pushing it on you but it’s cheaper than your J2 and you could sell it and recoup all costs if you didn’t agree.

it’s not for me due to the tonal issue and not doing anything really better than my SOHA but I didn’t like the J2 ultimately despite it doing many things right.

 

i guess if you need to be at 10 o’clock then yes. But if I had no issues with range on the pot with the LCD-X then no other headphones should have issues.

 

The only time I ever heard this, ever, with this amp, is after I compared with BHA-1. So I know you have some good amps to compare it to. It is odd, because I think it is just dropping off the detail at that point, or something. Either way, once the BHA-1 was gone and a few days from it, it never bothered me again. I just know the BHA-1 was picking up some details the MJ1 was not, but it was WAY deep in there and the BHA-1 presentation was just way off and like concrete. Bu yes, in the lower mids, like you say, ever so faint, and I would say that most won't even be able to hear this at all.

The 3D thing just sounds like spatial queues and the effortless nature of this amp. Although I could be off base.

I had the J2 loaner and I know @Merrick actually owned the J2 and I am telling you, the MJ1 slays the J2 into pieces. I would agree with @rhythmdevils that is has the same tonal quality and high-end plankton like j2 and I can see how he might consider them similar, if not siblings, however the MJ1 is SOOOO much more effortless and fast and ready to deliver power in an instant.

I think everyone is still forgetting the benefits of the circlotron topology:

• Linear frequency response and fast transient handling.
• Absence of global negative feedback extends full power frequency response
• Reliability that failure in one triode or transistor can be offset by re-biasing the amp
• No DC protection circuit, meaning no AC or DC coupling needed, ie. no caps, and no DC Servo- what!?
• able to drive relatively high capacitance loads

Who does not want all of that...fast transients, absence of negative feedback, no DC offset to fix, and drive high capacitance loads? This is why Jason chased after this as well as Sumo did back in the day.

In essence, an improved MJ1 became Rag, and we all know how that story went.

TBH, I really think this amp is a low power speaker amp that just does amazing things when using headphones.

 

@Vtory you should at least hear a Mjolnir to compare against the Jot. It is in another league. But then I personally wasn't a huge fan of the Jot 2 despite it doing some things very well.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Now I get a little more tempted to try out this amp. It might be good for me to pick up an additional amp for faster switching among multiple headphones.. (self-justifying as usual lol)

Tried to read posts in this thread more carefully. Then I realized my dis-preference toward Mjo2 (Lisst included) and Rag1 might not be a good predictor for Mjo1 sounding. The latter still feels like a little warning signal tho.

Aside: I don't hate those two. I just take Lyr 3 and Jot 2 any day over either. Too easy decision for me.

Anyway re-budgeting myself very hard. Damn.