Schiit Ragnarok 2

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Vtory, Feb 12, 2019.

  1. supertransformingdhruv

    supertransformingdhruv Almost "Made"

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    The new USB is supposed to be getting away from using the CMedia ICs, right? That probably makes the new card larger than the current gen 5 card, which-- USB alone, nevermind the space needed for the DAC-- looks to be larger than the module slots on the Jot or Lyr.

    They do have significantly more vertical room with Rag 2, though, along with the option for 2 cards... so maybe there's the possibility of a Ragnarok-specific DAC module? It might even make sense, since using the existing DAC modules on the Rag 2 is basically pairing Schiit's TOTL amp with their weakest DACs.
     
  2. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    It can't be larger, there's no bloody space inside a Bifrost.
     
  3. Syzygy

    Syzygy Friend

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    While the Bifrost may or may not have room for a bigger USB implementation, the modular DAC board is completely different (than the Bifrost USB board).

    Given Jason's writings in Schiit Happened, I can't see them making a special board just for Rag2. Which of course doesn't mean that they couldn't revise the board with updates for compatibility. But it really just makes sense to have a single-SKU modular board that goes into everything. That's the kind of thinking that allows you to keep costs low.
     
  4. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    I was promised a Gungnir Multibit board in a Rag2! I demand my Gungnir Multibit board!
     
  5. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Pfft, forget multibit boards. I want to know if there's enough space to hack in a pair of speakon connectors :D
     
  6. GoodSchiit

    GoodSchiit Acquaintance

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    There is a lot to like in the Rag 2. For one, the Mani built in would solve the hum problem from the wall wart (yes, I've spent $ and time trying to get rid of the hum) and two, a remote makes it a great option.

    On the DAC side, is the Industry or just Schiit going away from S/PDIF and coax inputs? I understand Mike Moffatt has built a Schiit USB that "doesn't sound like ass". That and the not too distant Schiit Pi and Transport are potential uses. I'm thinking a standalone DAC with multiple inputs still makes more sense than the card? I have the Jot Multibit and wish I'd gotten a Modi, Gungnir or Bifrost for the extra inputs.

    An integrated amp has been high on my wish list for a while. The existing Rag 1 is now $1499. Will Rag 2 be $1699 plus cards?

    Here I was thinking the next announcement would be about the Sol.
     
  7. Aklegal

    Aklegal Friend

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    Man I do like the look of this. I just got a Hegel integrated though.

    I may still pick it up to try it out as it has a headphone amp and my Hegel H200 does not. I'm really into reducing how many components I have nowadays. The Hegel is really, really good though.
     
  8. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Wish it had a Toslink or HDMI ARC input for TV setups!
     
  9. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    Rag will never become a stereo receiver even if I'd like that myself. Imagine it having the loki integrated. Not gonna happen.
     
  10. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    It took them this many years to get USB down... Mike might be spinning in his grave before he tames HDMI.
     
  11. Olor1n

    Olor1n Friend

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    The NAD M51 has HDMI down.

    Rag2 looks great.
     
  12. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    I'm pretty sure Mike hates hdmi with a passion that makes his dislike of bad usb implementations seem positively bucolical.

    And he's also stated pretty categorically that the hdmi mafia is never getting another cent of his. Once bitten twice shy I imagine, since he made av receiverers for a while.
     
  13. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    One of the things that could be smart wrt the expansion cards however would be to give the openings on the Rag 2 more height, and just fill it with a taller grey plate for now.

    The purpose being, if for some reason Schiit came out with cards in the future that needed to be taller, like for acccomodating more inputs, then you’re not dealing with a new version of the case in order to accommodate them.

    Maybe the likelihood of this is low because of their desire to share cards with their lower profile amp/dacs - but one never knows what will happen in the future. For the sake of a larger opening on the back, and a longer plate needed for any expansion cards that are purchased currently, they would have more possibilities in the future for taller cards, or just one with simply more outputs (that could be wired into a shorter card).
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2019
  14. Rowethren

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    Sounds like a good idea in practice but until we have internal shots we don't know what is above those slots. Could well be PCB or components in the way already. Schiit internal designs are normally optimised to the max space wise.
     
  15. GanGreinke

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    I got a chance to play with the Ragnarok 2 at Canjam. The unit they had was still a prototype, but the sound was the final tuning.

    It was really remarkable how cool to the touch the Ragnarok 2 was. The 1st Ragnarok got really hot when it was kept on for any amount of time, but the new Ragnarok, which had been on for a few hours when I got to try it, felt around the same temperature as the Yggdrasil it was stacked on top of. The added heatsinks are definitely doing their job!

    Given the show conditions, unfamiliar music, etc., it's hard to give any meaningful impressions about the sound. When I asked one of the guys working at the booth about his opinion regarding the differences between Ragnarok 1 and 2, he said that he felt that Ragnarok 2 had more warmth compared to Ragnarok 1, which could sometimes be "clinical." I brought along my LFF-modded HE-5LE's, and I felt like the headstage and resolution were better than my Liquid Platinum and any other amp I've tried the HE-5LE's with (though I haven't tried them with a good speaker amp or any other TOTL headphone amp). I don't know if it was the Ragnarok or the Yggdrasil, but I did feel like there was some added warmth to the sound compared to the Gungnir Multibit A2 and Liquid Platinum that I usually use, and I felt it was a welcome addition.

    I'd be interested in reading some more impressions as more people get to hear the amp under better conditions.
     
  16. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

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    Any thoughts on the preamp?
     
  17. Scott Kramer

    Scott Kramer Friend

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    [​IMG]

    courtesy @schiit yesterday --> very cool looking 4-layer board
     

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  18. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    Don't forget the other picture of the prototype (source):

    [​IMG]

    Or Schiit Happened - 2019 Chapter 4: The Ragnaroks That Weren’t (link).
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2019
  19. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Mmmm....large transformers
     
  20. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    Wonder if the Ragnarok 2 could drive a pair of KEF LS50's? Just need it for a small office 10x10 office.
     

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