Schiit Jotunheim impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Bill-P, Aug 30, 2016.

  1. Comzee

    Comzee Facebook Friend

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    Having owned both, you won't be disappointed.
     
  2. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Yeah... just wanted to add some thoughts on this.

    Sorry, been slammed lately (8AM classes evry-dai, dang!) so I haven't been able to post much. But there may be some truth to this.

    I've had some time comparing my Crack w/ Speedball against Jotunheim (black) now and it seems in general that:

    1. To me, Crack is a bit bassy but in general doesn't sound like it's reaching that low in the bass, which sometimes results in a hollow sounding coloration with certain songs. Jot seems to extend further and at least with Sennheiser headphones sounds like it's a bit more "solid." Also Jot has better bass gradation and nuances as well, Crack slams hard like a whip but doesn't seem to want to show me awesome whipping skills with bendy curves and all that... it just hits and retreats (basically a bit more one-note sounding?).

    2. Interestingly enough, I think my Crack is voiced like it's a bit... brighter? Or something in the upper mid is definitely perked up. Think the regular V-shaped curve. It sounds more "lively" than Jot to me with certain songs. Not to say "Jot sounds dull" but Crack sounds like it has an upper mid emphasis. @Audio Zenith pointed this out to me at the last meet, too, and now that I'm hearing it as well, I think he's on to something. Generally, my new Jot sounds like it's a bit more laid back than my Crack. Maybe Crack is a bit better at "spotlighting" inner details due to that? I have no idea.

    3. The black color of the casing might have influenced my subjective impressions of Jot for all I know. It looks dark so maybe I'm thinking dark. Crack has bright wood and tubes and stuffs.

    4. For those who are wondering, I sold my Jot a short while ago due to financial issues (and also I'd only drive like... HD580 with it so I felt it was a bit of a waste seeing as I use Andro + ZX2/AK120 more), but I always regretted the decision, and now I have Jot again. Probably gonna stick with this amp. I still prefer what I'm hearing to many other Schiit amps, if not all of them.

    5. NOT implying that black Jot is more laid-back sounding or anything, but just reporting back on Crack versus Jot. I feel like this needs to be clarified because it seems more folks are reading stuffs from this site now.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2017
  3. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I'd agree with that. I listen to Jot + Eikon all day at work and listen to BHC+SB + Eikon at home. Maybe it's my tubes, but it seems that cymbals are a little ringy too on my Crack.
     
  4. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    This is just my brief $0.02 comparison of the Jotenhiem and Valhalla 2, as I don't have ears capable of a full review. I have had the Jot for a week now, and the Valhalla 2 for quite some time. I'm using both from a Gen5 Bifrost Multibit with stock hd650's (balanced cable with the Jot).

    The Jot sounds technically better than Valhalla 2 in most ways - faster, clearer, with much blacker background, more slam. Jot has noticeably more bass and better bass extension. This seems to highlight a weakness of the Valhalla 2 (soft bass).

    However I feel like the treble presentation of the Jot is a little less natural sounding than Valhalla 2. So things like the high strings on a violin sound just a bit like a bell rather than a string; it's pretty subtle, but the Valhalla 2 gets the timbre of the violin a touch better. Also, the Valhalla 2 seems a bit smoother in the treble, Jot is a bit more edgy or something. But part of that is the more dynamic and detailed sound of the Jot.

    I'm not entirely sure which I like better. The Jot has definitely captured my interest for now, but the Valhalla 2 has a way of getting you there, so maybe time will tell.

    Edit: One additional thought. The Jot really shines on large orchestra recordings, where the big, sometimes boomy, sound from the large number of instruments really benefits from the Jots clarity, detail, and better bass.
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2017
  5. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    I picked up a Jotunheim for want of a little more power to drive my HD6XX. I had read that the pairing between the two was special and that the Jot's abilities really allowed the HD6XX to shine. I'll be the first to admit that I have no depth of experience with the varieties of amplifiers in the market, but I did notice the Jotunheim's superior control over my little Magni2U.

    I had not expected, or understood really, what other's had mentioned about the Jot's forward nature, but I quickly learned that it wasn't as laid-back as the Magni2U. Honestly, I didn't like it at first. It seemed a bit flat and too close for comfort, and longer listening sessions left me a bit fatigued.

    Well, after some steady usage, the "forwardness" of it's presentation has diminished. I'm not saying the amp has changed, I'm saying I have. Listening more has allowed me to appreciate its qualities, and not fault it for what it's not.

    Admittedly, I'm new at this, and I know the experienced crew here know what they like and don't like, but for those of us just starting out, give the gear a try for a bit to see if you really don't like it. You might be surprised.
     
  6. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    @captkirk

    Are you leaving the amp on 24/7? It helps take a bit of the edge off.
     
  7. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Yes. I started to after reading some posts here. In retrospect, leaving it on does coincide with the mellowing of the sound.

    Shiiittt...I still claim that my ears are maturing, but +1 on leaving the Jot on 24/7.
     
  8. Mdkaler

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    My Jot has been running for a week, and I agree it sounds better now despite the fact that I am learning/adjusting to the sound signature at the same time.

    I am a noob, but allow me to practice and share some impressions for the few days I have listened to it so far:
    - Fast. Too fast. Nuances disappeared coming from Vali 2.
    - Headstage is wide but flat. Sometimes like a U shape that wraps around my head. This actually makes sense to me later, more to come.
    - There's actually depth to the stage, but I had to learn and adjust to the sound.
    - Balanced out gives more powerful yet controlled bass, and better instrument separation (air?) using the 6xx Kiss.

    My work place chain is windows 7 -> lowly Modi 2 (can't install drivers) -> Jot.

    Just as I thought I was enjoying the Jot and 6xxK, and perhaps approaching my end game as I can't imagine better technicalities will allow me to enjoy my music better.
    Then I made a polarity reversing cable and, damn son what a blast. PR itself doesn't do much with Jot, but adding the Vali 2 before the Jot... Man I am telling ya, you forget you're wearing headphones. More to come on this subject, as I have more listening to do before I post in the twisty thread. Oh and some 6SN7 on the Vali 2 as well.

    I was a believer that I could wait for the latest and greatest, but this had me reconsider that thought. And a better Jot wouldn't serve me well, as I need to add a Vali or Saga between the DAC and the amp. So getting the Jot amp only now is worth it to me.
     
  9. EeePee

    EeePee Acquaintance

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    I've Googled my butt off. Are there any impressions about this thing with the phono board in it? I know what it should be, but I'd be interested to read something about it. I could probably plug my Mani into my Mjolnir and just about be there...
     
  10. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I swear the Jot's treble sounds better - less steely/glarey - on low gain, this on the HD650. Does this track for anyone else?
     
  11. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    If I were Schiit, and I'd found a tweak that improved the Jot, smoothed the treble or whatever...there is no way in 40 hells that I'd even do a silent revision. Imagine the tidal wave of backlash. And this is not how Schiit does business historically to be fair. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see some improvements in the Jot.

    It will be called Jot 2.
     
  12. ckwong

    ckwong New

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    I actually prefer high gain for most of the tracks/genres I listen to on the Jot - it seems to be a bit more lively. Although, maybe I'm strange, since I have never found the treble glarey on high gain unless it's a very poorly recorded track.
     
  13. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    Never tried low gain on Jot, let me do that now.

    My Jot is pretty new, but then I didn't get to compare the original. I think I might have the original unfortunately, but I can't be sure cause I don't have another DAC to compare.
    Can someone tell me if the Modi 2 has "treble fuckery" or grain? Can't wait to go to Schittr, but it isn't time yet. And I hope they sell upgrade boards there.
     
  14. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I have had both the Modi2 4396 and the Modi2 4490. Neither exhibited grain or treble fuckery, to my ears. The 4396 was very neutral. The 4490 is better and has more micro detail and plankton than the 4396. On the other hand, the _Magni2_ has treble grain. imho
     
  15. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    Thanks @lm4der. So maybe my Jot is effed :(
    Will try to find a way to duplicate to the treble stuff and isolate the source - is it the track, or the Jot.
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The phono section is fantastic. Only MM, but it's better than the Schiit Mani into Jot. Also phono section compliments Jot's behavior well. No aggro, even from the get-go without roasting in car and leaving it on all the time.
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Modi 2 (non multi-bit) all delta-sigma versions, come off a bit grainy to me.
     
  18. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Actually, I think that's basically what happened.

    I was able to compare my black Jot (BLJ) against Marv's silver Cali-sun-baked Jot (SBJ) today. Here are some notes:
    - Lower mid is more present in BLJ, it's somewhat warmer, think HD600 vs HD650 where SBJ is HD600 and BLJ is HD650. I also heard this last time I was over at @brencho's, and it's somewhat noticeable with HD580, HE-4XX, and Code-X as used headphone, so I don't think it's a power issue.
    - SBJ is actually quite warm/smooth even in comparison to the MCTH present at the meet, and according to @Hands, MCTH should be even smoother than regular Jot, so I'd expect the difference between BLJ and regular Jot to be even bigger. SBJ and BLJ are pretty close with slight differences.
    - SBJ by itself is actually very pleasant/warm with slight harshness/hardness in one very specific spot in the mid treble that I honestly don't notice much, but it's there on specific tracks. BLJ is just ridiculously smooth everywhere. If there is a peak, I can't detect it. But I can hear an obvious peak in SBJ and then in the MCTH in a different spot.
    - Upon closer listening, I think SBJ could be described as "dead neutral with a hint of warmth" whereas BLJ is "slight downward slant from around 1KHz", everything else is equal.
    - SBJ has just a "touch" more upper mid, probably around the 4KHz region, than BLJ. Or at least I can somewhat hear this.
    - SBJ has a neutral "eye-level" soundstage where everything is equally to my sides, BLJ sounds almost like everything is pushed "down" lower in the soundstage, so image-wise, I hear things to my sides and lower, rather than on eye-level, if that makes any sense.
    - SBJ has very good bass impact, but it's a bit hollow to my ears, still. This is with HD580. BLJ has fuller sounding bass with HD580, and in fact, it's a bit too full sounding. Both SBJ and BLJ sound about equal with Code-X and HE-4XX, though, and bass on both of those headphones have better grip than HD580 while having better extension at the same time.

    Or maybe I'm just crazy, and after 500 hours of burn-in, BLJ will brighten up and sound much sharper. Who knows...
     
  19. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    Bake the black Jot for science, Bill!
     
  20. Perot

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