The Mjolnir 2 thread

Follow-up to earlier questions/discussion about CIEMs, and specifically the UERM:

I tried my UERM out of the SE on Mjo2. First, I am a sissy, and even on low gain couldn't stand the pot at anything above "barely on at all". Second, there was definite noise against the blackground when no music playing. It was interesting- it wasn't a hiss, and at first I thought there was nothing, but then I could hear a soft breeze blowing. It didn't interfere with music at all, and was actually pleasant as far as background noise goes, but still, it was there.

THEN, I used the UE provided airline attenuator between the 1/4 adapter and UERM. Three nice things happened: 1) I could use more of the volume pot (duh); 2) the soft breeze was gone (yay); and 3) the sound didn't suffer (big yay). We don't need a discourse on the value/drawbacks of inline resistors, I understand both, the point is in this setup, Mjo2>UERM, the provided attenuator helped on all counts. I have read somewhere that the resistor value is 100 ohm, but can't find anything saying that directly from UE. Also, I don't have a DMM with me at work.

 

Decided it was time to stop lurking.

Let me preface this by saying I am fairly new to the audio world and the headphone world in particular. I am currently debating two setups and have been soaking up as much info as possible from the various relevant threads. I am fairly treble sensitive and not that keen on anything bass heavy. I am looking to spend around $2000 not including the headphones and would like something warm, engaging and euphoric.

Headphones
TH-900 and HD800/800S (Do not own the 800S but am eyeing them strongly)

Chain 1
Bifrost Multibit + Valhalla 2 - For the extra warmth of the Bifrost Multibit sans Wyrd on the HD800

Chain 2
Gungnir Multibit + Mjo 2 - For the extra warmth of the Mjo 2 on the HD800 with the resolution of the Gungnir Multibit

I am unsure of the benefit of going balanced and that may in itself be the tipping point. I saw Arnotts had almost the identical setup and have heard the HD800 on the stock Valhalla 2 + Gungnir Multibit. I found it very enjoyable but still lacked that extra warmth and, well, fun I was looking for. The Gungnir Multibit + Mjo2 seems to be the obvious choice from what I have read here but was looking for any stray thoughts on the two setups.

 

@Xeno The Gungnir Multibit + Mojolnir 2 is certainly treating me well and will be my main rig for a long time. The Tube/ss and Balanced/Single ended flexibility is awesome, as well as gain switch and preamp features. However, it is important to note that because of Mjolnir 2's specific topology, the balanced output is superior and more powerful than the single ended. I actually used this as an opportunity to learn cable building and make my own balanced cables.

The single ended still sounds good though, with headphones with fixed cables I haven't changed yet...etc. I really don't think you could go wrong with it, but haven't heard the HPs you're considering on it specifically

Edit: also if you're treble sensitive, the TH900 and HD800 may not be ideal, but I'll defer to others with more experience to confirm how they may act with your proposed amps

 

Thanks for the input @PoochZag . I currently own both the mentioned headphones and don't find the treble to be to bothersome but I wouldn't want to add any more. The major reason I am even considering the Bifrost Multibit / Val 2 combo is the supposed warmth of the Bifrost Multibit combined with the tube rolling abilities of the Val 2. The Val 2 / Gungnir Multibit combo I am currently listening to very much brings out the detail I like but is short on warmth and emotion. If the Mjo 2 adds in that warmth and tube rolling, gives me a boost via balanced outputs, and retains the detail of the Gungnir Multibit, it sounds like a perfect match.

 

Oh gotcha I must have misread, through you were considering those headphones. I don't have the Val2 or another OTL to compare "warmness" to the Mjo2, as most of my headphones are planars. All I can say is even though it's a hybrid it does add some warmth with tubes. Hopefully someone that has experience with both will chime in

 

Have had both. Currently have mjo2 for reasons you have probably already read if you are lurking threads talking about this issue.

Here is my take on "stray thoughts".

1) Honestly, if your main goal is increasing warmth from a Valhalla 2, consider tube rolling. The tube thread here is pretty detailed, and I know @jexby could point you in the right direction getting started. Mjo2 isn't that much warmer than Valhalla 2, but I don't really know how much warmer you want to get. However, if you have any interest or need to go balanced in your future...

2) Am I correct in understanding you already own a Gungnir Multibit, Valhalla 2, hd800, and th900? And you are on the fence of getting a mjo2? Are there any crippling financial drawbacks? If not, then buy the damn mjo2, and sell whichever you like less. I would not recommend you ditch the Gungnir Multibit, especially if you have already had it for a while. I suspect you will miss the detail too much.

 

@aufmerksam Solid advice. Ordered. Apparently got one of the last ones before they went on backorder.

 

Has anyone else gone from Val2 to Mojo2 for HD6x0? I just bought Mojo2 to stack with my new Gungnir Multibit but TBH I'm not hearing much value added, even when running balanced. It definitely feels like a side-grade so far...

 

You using your 6X0 balanced? SE Mj2 is going to be at best equal to Val2.

 

Yes, HD6x0 are balanced.

I really like Val2 for my Senns so I'm not sure what I was expecting, probably just more of the same but with everything turned up to 11.

Could this be a limitation due to stock tubes? Or is Val2 proficient enough at driving high-z Senns that it can equal an otherwise more versatile amp that is twice its price?

 

Interesting thoughts. That'll be useful for those deciding between the two. Could you expand more on "side-grade"?

 

Disclaimer: I am a complete novice at describing qualities in sound, so bear with me. Headphones are HD6x0. Music is redbook from a Macbook Air and Audirvana.

(Non-blind) ABing I perceive improvements between Gungnir Multibit and Bifrost Multibit. Resolution and a sense of space/placement seem to be a notch or two up. There is less of something that Bifrost Multibit has as well; the word that comes to mind is 'bloom', a warmth in the mids/lows that feels like it detracts from resolution.

When I switch between Val2 and Mojo2 on the Gungnir Multibit I can only hear a slightly different 'flavour' so far. It sounds warmer but unlike the warmth of the Bifrost Multibit the mids/lows remain well defined. The other technical aspects, like those that differed between the DACs, seem to essentially be the same.

I am aware of the notion of 'expectation bias', but I was expecting both Gungnir Multibit and Mojo2 to add value to my chain. I introduced Gungnir Multibit first and (albeit non scientifically) I could perceive improvements. Adding Mojo2 seems to introduce 'differences', but actual improvements are not as evident to me. This is what I mean by 'side-grade'.

What I am taking away from this so far is;

1. Maybe Val2 is proficient enough at its fairly specific task of driving high-z headphones that it can equal a more expensive (but more versatile) amp like Mojo2.
2. Maybe the stock tubes on Mojo2 are holding it back and have become a limiting factor (I am yet to try tube rolling so I am not sure what to expect here...)
3. Maybe I don't have enough experience to appreciate the improvements that higher tier amplifiers can bring to my chain.

 

What would be the best tube to use with mjo 2. My headphone are sennheiser hd 600 and alph dog

 

I listen to HD650 probably 80% of the time, HD600 for the other 20%. I have recently acquired TH-X00 but it hasn't really impressed me so far. I guess may just be because I have a hard-on for HD650 at the moment. If it was actually sealed and isolating there might be more instances when I would choose TH-X00.

Another take away might be;

4. How much do the inherent qualities of headphones affect my ability to perceive nuances between other devices in the chain.

I am getting a little grain with HD600 on both amps. Perhaps it is a little better managed on Mojo2 but it is a close call, maybe beyond my abilities to discern completely. I actually like this aspect of HD600 and see it as an attribute in some situations...

HD650 is equally smoother on both amps, but I think it is an inherently smooth headphone so maybe that is 'swallowing' some of this differentiation between Val2 and Mojo2.

As far as dynamics and low-end slam, I think Mojo2 may improve the low end of HD600 by adding a bit more presence/weight. However, I actually like the low end of HD650 on Val2 better as it seems tighter and better defined, whereas on M2 it seems to put on too much 'weight' and become a bit slower and less dynamic/responsive.

Sorry for the slight derail but I guess I was just expecting everything to be better when investing twice as much on an 'approved' amp like the Mojo2? It isn't as clear cut as that. If anything, this has definitely been an important learning experience for me that there is more to 'adding value' than by just adding money...

 

Sounds like another instance of getting too wrapped around the audio axle or whatever. As far as I can tell, audio equipment does not scale linearly with price, so if the Muledeer 2 isn't doing to trick, return it; and buy something even more expensive in an attempt to hear a difference.

Ultimately it should be about what brings you the most enjoyment, not the "best" sound.

 

To those who own the GMB + Mjo2 + HD800, what tubes are ideal? I am considering adding an HD800 to my collection.

 

How is Mjolnir 2 LISST vs Mjolnir 1? Schiit seems to imply that they're the same in their FAQ. Anyone try both. I may try trading my newly coming Liquid Carbon for a Mjolnir 1 or 2 + cash.

I have a Gungnir Multibit so stacking would be better with a Mjolnir.