SCHIIT JOTUNHEIM WORLD PREMIERE: Schiit Show 2 - August 27, 2016 So Cal

I don't have much experience with mid-tier amps, although I really like the Jotunheim.
Been listening to it all day, with hd800-sdr. Also tried lcd3f and some iems.
A hair bright, using akm4490 module makes it a bit more bright. Something to keep it mind with pairings.

 

Has anyone tried Jotunheim DAC version with and without Wyrd? If so, does Wyrd make a noticeable positive improvement?

Before that I should ask Jason, is the Jotunheim DAC module internally powered or via 5V USB from computer? If it is self-powered by the DAC then there should Wyrd shouldn't make much difference (at least in theory).

 

I'm waiting for the jot 2!

 

I would. $30 sounds reasonable to me. (I have no idea how typical I am on this, but since you are asking...)

If one buys this as a headphone amp/preamp, another single ended input seems like it would be useful to some.

Making it optional rather than standard makes more sense to me. Otherwise people will be seeing the Jotunheim starting at $429 rather than $399 and that seems to have an impact.

 

Heck freekin yeah.

 

And somehow have that done in the digital domain with some variant of the megaburrito filter... but that's kind of a pipe dream.

 

Yeah, but doing that while also meeting the super strict standards (read: measurements) of audiophiles/enthusiasts is tough. And it isn't cheap to build a nice EQ in the pro world either. So I dunno. Plus people would agonize over the center freq and Q (I know I would, as I use parametric EQs for work all the time). The right center freq for one tune is not the right for another, etc, though of course a broad and gentle Q would minimize this.

 

Oh, so you were at the meet and know what the environment was like and what the conditions were?

I mean, I only brought down my own pair of headphones and listened in relatively quiet rooms to recordings I am familiar with, so.... yeah.

It is ok for different people to have different opinions on a piece of gear, or is it?

 

I take your point but it's coming across a bit



It would be fair to include the impressions of everyone who was there that writes a cogent report (which would definitely include T-Money). Still, I don't think it's a shocker than even with good meet conditions it's often not ideal. You listened with the built-in DAC and you also listened to vinyl, which you don't normally listen to, right? So using your own DAC at home might give you a very different impression. It doesn't invalidate your impressions, but it does mean there is room for further investigation. People here focused way too hard on the "combo" portion of the Jotunheim when that is not what holds value for SBAF members/serious enthusiasts. It's the amp section.

As you posted:

 

IMO, Marv is just adding links to people's impressions on this thread who didn't listen to them at the schiit show. I think it's more convenient to put them there as this has now become the entry Jotunheim thread of record. This is on top of what the others said.

 

Personally, I'm more interested in comparison between Jotun with Lyr 2 than Valhalla 2, even though I own Val 2. Lyr 2 and Jotun (based on impressions so far) share quite similar sound sig (neutal-warm/sweet). Lyr 2 also matches well with low Z phones, again like Jotun. Plus, Lyr 2 can be more flexible than Jotun with tube rolling capability.

$50 difference between Valhalla 2-Jotun-Lyr 2 is more nail-biting than Android phones.

 

Ever tried this thing Marv? http://www.phasemation.com/product/epa-007x.html
Japanese dual mono discrete headamp with output impedance and damping factor control knobs. I've been curious about it for a while.

 

You manufacture outrage like a millennial.

 

Is there any kind of passive but adjustable eq module that could be inserted between DAC and amp, or between amp and headphones? Or is that a can of worms best left unopened?