Schiit Jotunheim impressions

I've been using the Jot with the Nighthawks, and while it sounds really good, it's not going to take the Nighthawks and make them something else. They still retain all the things people love and/or hate about them (at least to me). I'm still waiting for the new pads Audioquest has been talking about releasing this Fall. I think that will make much more difference than any amp. I am using the Jot DAC as well, so maybe the Modi Multibit could add something as well. But I find the internal DAC to pretty excellent, and really think it's worth getting even if you have another DAC you use separately (just in case you need someday, you never know).

 

The night owl will come with two sets of pads, so when they release the night owl, they will probably release the alternate pads.

 

I got the HD650 in, and what a beautiful sound out of these cans. As opposed to Colts impressions, I don't know how this could be classified as dark (even coming from the 400i). These two cans are toned very similarly, however I feel the bass mass/slam nod goes to the HD650, with layering to the 400i. Same with tonal weight compared to spacing etc. The HD650 also has more vocal weight, really nice cans here. Very complimentary headphones I must say, very impressed and can see why these are held in such high regard when paired with Modi Multibit/Jot. I'll be spending a couple weeks enjoying these cans before I pass them on to the next owner. Given such similar tonality, I probably won't end up keeping them and start looking at a set of cans up the ladder... but dang, what a nice sound.

 

Boom, headshot. Seems like they did what you were expecting. It's a lovely listenable combo, given how easy the bits are to come by, isn't it?

 

I was thoroughly impressed what the Jot did with the HD650 and MDR-Z7. I mean there's no point in waxing on about how I got more of what I love about both sets of cans, because its already old news Jot + HD650 = awesome. (But I can only speak for the balanced output) I miss the Jot loaner already. It made both better, and I suspect that's rare air. But I do suspect the Jot isn't awesome for all headphones. Just awesome for most of what I like. Maybe my DAC took some of the edge off the forwardness of this amp, but I'm not a DACologist and speculation comes into play.

But one more compliment is in order. The Jot is fantastic at low volume listening. I'm guessing it has something to do with being IEM friendly, but it needs to be mentioned. Many amps go wacky at very low volumes...

 

Precisely. It's a bit "eh" for HD-800S, for example. You're dead right about low volume being sensible, too- and it's a very well-behaved pot, too, no really massive imbalances down low.

It's a really well-behaved and fast balanced SS amp for the money. If that's what you're in the market for, it's a bit of a no-brainer. For me, it saved me having to haunt the "For Sale" threads looking for a deal on something exotic and balanced at a reduced price.

 

just look at the FR charts for the HD650. The treble region is lower than the mid and bass region. There is nothing wrong with dark, but that is dark. Bass = mid = treble is neutral. Bass < mid < treble is bright. Again, there is nothing wrong with dark. The HD is darkish to dark.

 

I just looked at tyll's. I also have listened to HD650 many times. They are dark relative to many headphones. I'm not saying dark is bad, and it certainly possible that there are combinations of DAC and Amp that present the HD650 as more nutrual. Again, there is noting wrong with dark.

 

There was a time when I thought the HD650 were dark (while HD600 were neutral) too because everybody said so, but I found it really depends on mods and amp matching. Now I consider my modded HD650 fairly neutral, but having a very smooth treble. To my ears, the HD600 is somewhat bright, and not really in a pleasant way, even when paired with a warm amp like ZDS.

 

I have found that what ever tuning I use for extensively becomes the neutral standard for me.
I had gotten used to HD800 many times. Leave it on the drawer for few months and it's bright vs my Genelecs. HD650 is dark relative to my speakers, and Genelec 8050 are already considered somewhat dark by pros. Vs better speakers (better than my Genelecs) in reasonable acoustics even HD650M is f'ing dark(and still a bit veiled) and HD800X is equally, in opposite direction f'ing bright (and glaring).
I didn't find Jot to change any of that for either cans, it is simply competent in transients, dynamics and soundstage, which is unexpected for a solid state amp.
From top tubes both hp-s are still significantly better.

 

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HD600 is the next best choice if you find the HD650 too dark. I feel that the mid bass is too much as I've said before. You can search for my mods in the HD650 appreciation thread. IMO, they make the HD650 sound like a new headphone compared to stock.

 

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Look here:

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/for-those-that-find-the-hd650-too-dark.2987/

My mods are NOT the standard SBAF mods but are an alternative to try if you find them too dark.

 

While I don't disagree with your comment. I will say that at least the HD650 (or HD600) isn't a massive gamble to try. Never underestimate the HD650's ability to scale. It sure does with the Jot. I might argue the Jot elevates this headphone more then the beloved Crack+Speedball.