Schiit Jotunheim impressions

I'm not sure if you want the collective head fi heads spontaneously exploding reading that on your hands.

 

Or women.

 

I am thinking about ditching my Valhalla 2, going for the Jotunheim and picking up balanced cables. As the sage on the stage regarding modding the HD6X0 family, would you say that this amp makes the mods (defoam the back, damp the rear assembly) unnecessary? Haven't modded my 650's yet, but like Gollum says, "Once it takes hold of us it never lets go" Not wanting to do anything with excessive haste....

 

Did anyone get a Jotun with phono? I wonder how the Jotun phono compares to Mani.

 

I think you should do the mods regardless. It took only 1 hour for me to listen to the stock hd650s (with the V2) before I modded my pair. No regrets.

 

Okay... uhm...

...I'm not sure if power in my place is wonky or what, but I'm noticing strange things with Jotunheim:

1) Both my GOv2 and GOv2+ were not happy going straight from balanced output into Jotunheim with adapter. I have to connect SE output into RCA in on Jotunheim as well for there to be no noise/issues, even when I'm taking input from balanced (so both SE and BAL are plugged in, but Jotunheim is set to take BAL input only). I'm guessing... ground issues with both. Didn't report this because it felt like it was just me, since a few other friends reported no problem plugging their GO2A directly into balanced out.

2) Today I plugged Jotunheim through an isobar EMI/RFI reducer unit because... well, reasons. I got it mostly as a surge protector (precious precious headphones!!) and also because I'll have an extra outlet for shit. But what I didn't expect was that the sound coming out of Jotunheim... improved again!

So how does Jotunheim sound like now with isobar?

Even cleaner sounding and blacker background. There is more "body" and more "calmness" to the sound. High notes no longer zing or zap me with the HE-5, but instead, it's a smooth and silky flow. Shoutiness is reduced as well. Now the amp sounds perfectly neutral, if not a tad more laid-back than how I remember other Schiit gears.

It's not just in my head either. Went back and forth with the same outlet, with or without isobar. Improvement is there. What the hey??

 

I hope now nobody questions if hi-fi substations are a real thing.

 

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/personal-utilities-poles.2605/#post-71114

 

This would be fun to do, though I by no means have access to all of Schiit's amplifiers.

Right now I have a Vali 2 (running on the stock tube), a Lyr 2 (with both tubes and LISST) and a Ragnarok.

While it's quite tempting to pick up a Jotunheim, I've no interest in another AKM 4490-based DAC so unless Schiit release a balanced-output multi-bit DAC in the same form-factor, and/or I wind up adding a second turntable (just for fun), that temptation is unlikely to be fulfilled.

I'm not sure what other Schiit amps are around in the local Seattle group, but I will see what I can scrounge up.

 

Any impressions of how Jotunheim compares to the Magni 2U?

Also, what would be a more meaningful upgrade from a setup consisting of a Magni 2U and a Modi 1: Jotunheim or Modi Multibit? (Headphones used: mainly Fostex X00, but also a 600ohm Beyer DT880).

 

Trying to find enough listening time to come to a conclusion on that exact question- the Jotu only arrived today!

(..and the Magni 2U really is a remarkable little amp for the money and size.)

Odd, I found that the Modi Multibit worked flawlessly plugged into my 9.7 inch iPad Pro via the CCK.

 

Replaced Magni 2U with Jotunheim with a Modi Multibit.

I've been listening for a week now and find that the Jotunheim is more resolving and dynamic (punchier). I can hear more details in the music.

It's also brighter - enough so that it bothers we with AKG 7XX. I didn't notice this at first but after a week of listening, yeah. it's there. They aren't unlistenable with it just a little bothersome to me, others may and will differ.

I really love it with HD 650's (unmodded). I was thinking of buying a pair of Elear's but now I'm thinking why spend the money if this is so enjoyable.?

 

hello,

MrsForBin has an Asgard 2.

we live in Slaughter County.

 

That looks like one excellent desktop system!

 

Here is my current desktop system which is delighting my auditory senses while allowing me to choose tube or transistor as the mood strikes. Vali 2 with 6cg7 is fed with the preamp output from Jotunheim.

 

I suppose I should make a followup for the dacs... (yeah I'm a hack; this was not nearly as inspired as the first one; move along, nothing to see here)


How much sauce do you need?

1. more cowbell
   1. do you want to be able to go portable with it, even though you know you probably never will?
      1. Yes = Fulla
      2. No = Modi2
   2. even more (upgradeable) cowbell?
      1. nah that's enough thanks = Bifrost
      2. Bruce Dickinson ain't got Schiit on me = Gungnir
   3. with a side of cow pie = Jotunheim w/dac module
2. mega combo burrito
   1. one shot, one kill, and...
      1. bullets are expensive = Modi Multibit
      2. I'm all outta bubblegum = Bifrost Multibit
   2. I like my women like I like my coffee...
      1. covered in bees = Gungnir Multibit
         
      2. with a spoon in 'em = Yggdrasil
3. royale with cheese
   1. wait until March, or not, I'm just messing with you guys, or am I?

 

Now you're making me regret selling my Valhalla 2! I could have done the same thing with the preamp outs.

 

I'm glad I keep my Valhalla. Stock tubes too sparkly? Roll some warm Amperexes!

I bet you miss 1975 Reflektor Single Wire.