Schiit Jotunheim disassembly?

Hello,

I mistakenly received my order for Schiit Jotunheim without the (DAC) module I wanted, so I decided to install it myself after receiving the DAC module later separately.

My main problem right now is this: How do I even open up the unit?

I can see that I am supposed to slide the cover off but it seems like my muscles alone are not enough. Brute strength also does not work very well because I cannot get a good grip. I removed the volume knob, and after peeking through the holes, cannot see that removing more screws is going to help. I would prefer to not risk being unable to reattach things after removing more screws simply because I cannot reach inside. If only a hammer will do the job, then I do not want loose parts on the inside.

Since I do not want to cause any more cosmetic damages on this brand new unit caused by an attempt to pry it open, I hope someone here actually has a clue as to what the "trick" is.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide!

 

Thank you for your reply, @Vansen ! Since I made sure to do those things, it seems like it is time to get buffed. Not that I am weak now, but obviously it is not enough for this unit.

 

Update: Since it would take a few months or most likely years to get buffed enough to pull this cover off by hand, I had more success with a hammer. After some beating, the cover finally came off.

 

Oh, thank you! I only kept Googling before asking, and found nothing.

 

Did you manage to not scratch the cover? Impressive if you did.

 

@Armaegis, I made a couple tiny dents after my failed attempt at prying it open (people should not try to do the same), but I did not make any new scratches with the hammer approach. I folded a piece of paper until it was fairly thick, then hit the cover with the hammer at just a slightly different angle than the body as accurately as I could, evenly on both sides until it came loose.

 

Rubber mallets man... $5 from the hardware store!

 

Oh, good idea

 

So, advice after the fact and all, but something you can try with metal *stuff* that needs to be pounded on a little, is to use a small block of wood between the metal piece and a hammer. You can whack the shit out of it and the wood block won't damage the metal. Unless its a soft metal like brass or copper...

 

Thank you for the advices! Although I personally e-mailed Schiit before asking here, you guys replied while I am still waiting for Schiit. Not trying to defame anyone, I just got a little impatient after a chain of bad experiences this time. I am happy someone knew the answer and helped me could confirm my suspicions, so I am not personally blindly following "just any" advice.

Maybe worth mentioning is that I ordered a Fulla 2 and Wyrd along with the Jotunheim. So far, Fulla 2 will be RMA'd due to some issues (maybe other reasons as well), and Wyrd does not solve any of the problems I thought it would solve: popping sounds in my headphones both due to non-constant USB power as well as when someone flicks light switches or powers other devices on/off on the same electrical circuit. The only device useful to me seems to be the Jotunheim, but even this one does not eliminate popping sounds in my headphones e.g. while the computer is (re)booting.

I am a bit surprised that I have recently tried 3 new DACs (mentioned here + 2nd gen. Focusrite Scarlett 2i4) that have the same problem, while my good old Sound Blaster X-Fi HD either had none of them or reduced them to almost negligible levels. I didn't expect much more expensive equipment to have such obvious problems.

Sorry, my post went way off topic.