Schiit Mjolnir 3 Impressions

This one too if you prefer to have your knob polished

https://partsconnexion.com/products...ome-for-6mm-shaft?_pos=1&_sid=71ebffe8a&_ss=r

 

Even if you don't look the surfaces feel different. The lathe knobs are smooth and the new knobs are I think sandblast.

 

Oh, right, I think you have to contact them for the 30mm knobs. And some of the 30mm knobs are different on how they attach, which is why they are not on the website. They however won't sell you the buttons, like for Freya.

 

We are half way there.....

 

You didn’t see what he wrote to me!

 

Too many polished knob jokes already. Can’t laugh anymore.

 

This sounds like it might be SS end game for someone that can't afford a TOTL tube amp. Anyone know how it would pair with the Gustard R26 DAC? I'm using ZMF Atticus and modded HD800.

EDIT: f**k it, I'm about to find out myself how good this thing is, and if it's a good pairing with the R26.

 

I can agree with this. I have a high end tube amp and would feel the flavor of both would be too close to the same. I rather would like an SS amp to have more SS flavor and quickness I guess. I could never get over the soft and kind of dark nature of the MJ3.

But for an amp to SS amp to have that more tube romantic tube flavor, MJ3 could be the ticket. It nearly has more warmup time than most tube amps though, but you can also leave it on all the time.

 

Why an incisive DAC is the ticket I think. On Unity USB the combo hits so hard I actually prefer the more jittery SPDIF optical to soften it up.

 

I'm guessing the warmup has to do with achieving correct bias and therefore the sweetspot. Depending on the circuit, the bias may be very low (class A/B amp) at low temps.

 

Adding some new comments.

My initial impressions were with Yggdrasil GS/A1 and Modius AKM and for the past two days I've been playing with Yggdrasil A2 + MJ3 and comparing again with Yggdrasil A2 + MJ2.

Yggdrasil A2 with MJ3 does indeed work well.

I didn't completely grasp in my initial take just how intense MJ3 comes off vs. MJ2. Jason called MJ2 laidback in the past while I always called MJ2 aggressive, and there's some truth to both, but I do definitely see how mellow MJ2 is relative to MJ3. MJ3+A2 Yggdrasil is certainly an intense experience and MJ3+A1 moreso.

The MJ2 tube distortion warms the mids and lows and creates a liquidity that's relaxing. MJ3 doesn't have this MJ2 liquidity, but what it has is rhythm. The increased MJ3 clarity, speed and separation produces a percussive effect which is very on-brand for the Mjolnir line, but lacking MJ2's tubey distortion it's much less laidback.

Overall, I am finding I probably prefer the extra MJ3 aggression, but I am not going to rush to sell MJ2. These amps share some tasting notes but they are different animals, rather than the simplistic perspective I had initially, which was MJ3 simply represented a correction to the flaws of MJ2. That's kindof true, because MJ3 is so superior technically, but they do differ in character substantially.

 

Well crap I was just about to pull the trigger on a MJ3 but then read this about synergy with the LiM which is what I have. Bummer. Hard to believe the MJ3 would not work with the LiM, it sounds incredible with my Mini amp. Oh well. Might then still consider a CFA3.

 

Please try not to let other people decide for you. It comes down to preferences. Schiit has a 15 day return policy for a reason. And the Yggdrasil has other "flavors" for a reason.

 

That is not the case. It's less than 5% difference full cold to operating temperature. Any perceived difference in SQ is not due to bias change.

It can't run as Class AB in any case--this is a real, no-fooling, no-hanky-panky, actual hard-core current-sourced Class A amp, not a misnamed high bias Class AB amp.

 

I really don't hear the LiM as having a dark signature at all. I am really inclined to go ahead and order MJ3 to try it. My preferences I think are kind of different than others who seem to be tilted to ultra neutral, extreme detail resolution signature presentation. To me the LiM is absolutely perfect with great resolution and gorgeous tonality. I tend to listen mainly to acoustic guitar, Ash, Be Svendsen, Jesse Cook, stuff like that. Meze Elite headphones. So the current setup is awesome. From what I have read it seems like MJ3 might be right up my alley except for one review. May need to set up another system for another location is why I was looking at getting another amp and Yggdrasil, maybe a MiB this time to try that. Would be perfectly happy with another LiM dac though.

 

I haven’t heard my Elite with the LIM and MJ3, but I do have a Yggdrasil A2 and MJ3. For what it’s worth, I can heartily recommend that combination with the Elite, especially with the Angled Alcantara pads. For the Elite, I prefer to use push/pull mode on the MJ3 and go back and forth on whether I prefer low or high gain. I always leave feedback off though.

 

https://imgur.com/OlmDOIZ

Confirming purr1n's thoughts on the Mj3+Auteur combo. I'm running a Yggdrasil GS-->MJ3-->Autuer Classic (Lambskin perf + stock mesh). Amazing.

Brief thoughts on ZMF and @zach915m - I may have picked a more "basic" looking ZMF but this thing is gorgeous. I'm likely going to become a ZMF collector now. An Atrium open or closed is up next.