Schiit Mjolnir 1

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Azimuth, Aug 8, 2021.

  1. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    This is for the original Mjolnir, aka MJ1. The MJ2 has a thread here.

    Now, the original Schiit Mjolnir came out in early 2012. It was marketed as “end game performance at a mid level price.” Since then, in 2015, the Mjolnir 2 was introduced with the similar output stage, but now with a tube voltage gain stage, kind of making it a hybrid. In 2021, this was discontinued indefinitely because of parts availability and slow sales.

    01.jpg

    So for an amp that lived between 2012-2015, it makes this amp nearly vintage or ancient in terms of headphone hi-fi sub-market. However, once this hi-fi sub-market began to explode in the mid 00’s, it seems we have eschewed product after product, amp after amp, after DAC, after DAC, and many of us still use headphones that were designed and released in the early 2000’s. (HD600 - 1997, HD650 2003). Not to mention that most hi-fi stuff in the 2 channel world has a much longer life cycle, and even longer in the higher end pro-audio world and in the upper end hi-fi; and the reason that is because most of those products throw a bunch of technology so it is already packed full of quality and features, or it serves a purpose or fills a gap and now a staple product (SM58/SM7, SL-1200 etc.). But going back to 2-ch, there is still a whole lot of hi-fi in some of that vintage gear and even some of it going for major major buckaroos (JBL, Adcom, Sansui, Pioneer, Dual, Scott, Advent, Luxman, The Fisher, and a host of others including even PS Audio). I know many that still run amps, speakers, and even turntables from the 60’s and 70’s and still swear by them. Why not headphones? Why not headphone gear?

    There is a whole other discussion which can trace the peak of hi-fi 2 channel between 1965-2005. Meaning, there are tons of products in that era, but beyond that gets more expensive and less product saturation. Headphones is MUCH later as the early 70’s and 80’s stuff was not up to the task, not counting a few products like Yamaha and early Fostex orthodynamic headphones and of course the Koss Porta-Pro. Sure the electrostats were introduced in the 70’s, but electrostats have not really taken a strong hold in the main headphone community and still kind of have been an anomaly. The other reason is what I already mentioned in the fast sales cycle of a product. It almost seems like Schiit would release a new product to get more sales, and improve an existing product to spur sales. So we have to go back and say, “was this product that bad?’ “How does this TOL product then compare today?”

    The reason I say things like this is because other headphone amplifiers have been out in the market nearly unchanged for years that compete directly with Mjolnir and did compete with it when it was originally in production. Maybe not always in price, but with performance. Like the GSX or GSX Mini, or the BHA-1, or the Pass HPA-1, SPL Phonitor, or some DAC/Amp like Questyle or something like a Topping A90 that is all chip amplification. (note: not many SS only amps in this category, as the market has gravitated towards tubes). Once beyond the price range, you get ECP amps like the DSHA series amps, which are a different topology altogether, require expensive transformers, and thus up the price considerably as well as performance and rather competes with the likes of Ragnarok.

    Now that is said, we have to address the elephant in the room. Yes, it is all balanced. It has unbalanced in, but at only half the gain amount. But no, and I mean absolutely NO unbalanced output. Thankfully Jason built in this protection circuit that will shut off the amp from self-destruct if you use an balanced to unbalanced adapter. If not, there would be a lot more burned out Mjolnir’s out there.

    It also does not have a gain switch. Gain of 8 (18 db) is what you get. Also, no input switching. The RCA inputs are tied to the XLR inputs with a ground lift if needed. Sorry. Live with it.

    So...what do you get out of a headphone amp from 2012 with no gain, no source switching, unbalanced out only? First, let’s look at the advantages of a circlotron amplifier:
    • Linear frequency response and fast transient handling.
    • Absence of global negative feedback extends full power frequency response
    • Reliability that failure in one triode or transistor can be offset by re-biasing the amp
    • No DC protection circuit, meaning no AC or DC coupling needed
    • able to drive relatively high capacitance loads
    Circolotrons were first patent applied for in 1951, and granted patent in 1955. Tube amp design of course. Circlotrons were produced by Electro Voice in the 1950's and 1960's for PA use, as well as Phillips. Even some McIntosh amplifiers are circlotron because the special winding of the output transformer eliminates one of the two floating power supplies.

    More history and info at https://circlotron.tripod.com/

    The drawbacks? Power and heat. Kind of like a class A amplifier, but we still get more output for less. They can be finicky and require a very complicated power supply; many bi-polar independent power supplies and rails. They also need complex balanced input and driver stages, and luckily we don’t design them, we just listen to them and enjoy them and reap all the advantages. It is actually stable with many different capacitance loads and never sweats and is even safe with nothing plugged in. True circlotrons are also more popular in tube amps.So why don’t we have one...we do. Atma-Sphere M-60 is an example of a transformerless circlotron.

    MJ! - board.jpg

    And one look under the hood, and what do we see? A WAY overbuilt power supply, with ceramic caps in parallel with the main electrolytics (something you might see in old computers for smoother and cleaner power rails), but also Vishay RN military grade resistors. Why are these resistors important? Super low noise, less susceptible to resistance changes under temperature changes, precision and high tolerance, and derated (will readily support twice the rated power load. Basically you do not see these kind of resistors in a production units unless it is a super hi-fi unit or super overbuilt DIY (like my Dynalo clone, lol). These are hard to find through hole parts and know I kind of understand why this kind of amp can’t be built my Schitt anymore. The resistors AREN’T the secret sauce to this amp or any other box you see with these type resistors, but knowing Jason is not one that just throws high end parts (Mundorf caps, Zfoils) willy nilly at an amp, I take this as a sign that Jason knew what he was doing and the choices he made when he designed and developed this amp. Also remember, only Lyr was the bigger amp at Schiit at the time and this amp was designed as the flagship amp (until this amp expanded into Ragnarok - a bit on that later).

    And before we get to my thoughts, it has been an amp that has been around the block...so a) what are the specs, what have others said about it?

    You can read the chapter on the development of the Mjolnir -

    https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...robable-start-up.701900/page-73#post-10566213

    Specs -

    Debuted 3/29/2012 for $749

    Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 2Hz-400KHz, -3dB
    Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 8.0W RMS per channel
    Maximum Power, 50 ohms: 5.0W RMS per channel
    Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 850mW RMS per channel
    Maximum Power, 600 ohms: 425mW RMS per channel
    THD: <0.006%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS
    IMD: <0.008%, CCIR
    SNR: >104db, unweighted, referenced to 1V RMS
    Crosstalk: >-75dB, 20 Hz-20KHz
    Output Impedance: 1.5 ohms
    Gain: 8 (18db)
    Topology: Fully discrete FET, cross-shunt push-pull Crossfet output stage, no overall feedback, noninverting, single voltage gain stage
    Power Supply: specific Circlotron 4-primary output stage transformer with over 65,000uF filter capacitance, plus dedicated transformer for high-voltage asymmetrical discrete-regulated front end stage with 90V/25V rails and over 15,000uf of filter capacitance
    Inputs: one pair balanced XLR, one pair single-ended RCAs, choose one
    Outputs: one 4-pin balanced female XLR, one pair dual 3-pin female XLR, and one pair male XLR preamp outs
    Power Consumption: 45W
    Size: 16 x 8.75 x 2.25” (40,5 X 22,2 X 5,7 cm)
    Weight: 13 lbs (5,9 kg)

    So what did some have to say about it shortly after Mjolnir's release?

    mjolnir_01_04.jpg

    Reviews:

    There are virtually none on this site, so I had to go to the other site. Links to reviews posted.

    @Marvey -

    “So all else aside, why I do love this amp? Because it sounds so involving. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but Jason supposedly said something along the lines that the Mjolnir is an amp that makes him not miss tubes...What struck me then was how involving the Mjolnir (+ Gungnir) was to me. It’s the kind of effect that makes us want to keep listening and not put the headphone down.” - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-mjolnir-headphone-amplifier.603218/post-8638659

    Marv goes on this review to call Mjolnir “assertive,” which I would quite agree with.

    “I played the Talking Heads track Television Man, and the music was so involving that I did not want to press stop to analyze and hear other tracks (LOL, I listened to the whole thing through.) To me, this "immediacy" aspect of music reproduction is clearly a sign of something good. The EC amps do this. The DNA Stratus does this. They draw you into the music and won't let you go.” - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-mjolnir-headphone-amplifier.603218/post-8427079

    Soldude

    “... it is not laid back. If you want an amp to just sit back and relax with, move on, nothing to see here. Like the Peak the Mjolnir has drive, its dynamic range is insane. There is no glare or sheen but the assault is fatiguing. I imagine I'll get used to it but for now its like standing beside the speakers at a concert. In this case the dB level is the same but the attack is so fierce it sounds louder than it is, the anti HD800 :wink:” - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-mjolnir-headphone-amplifier.603218/page-63#post-8642128


    Mikek200

    “All I can say,it is the most dynamic,strong,clear,detailed sound,,I could have imagined,or hoped for. Simply amazing. One of the strongest points is the bass,much deeper,that what I had from the Lyr. Most of my music files are ..acoustic guitar,some rock,and mild jazz..all come through perfectly. With the mjolnir,you hear details in the music,you never heard before…” - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-mjolnir-headphone-amplifier.603218/page-79#post-8698474


    45longcolt - (a colorful review)

    “The Mjolnir does not play nice. This is Thor's frigging hammer after all...this thing is as revealing as Biden's gaffes and as merciless as a judge at the Nuremburg trials. If there's any unpleasantness on the recording, the Mjolnir won't sugar coat things. What the Mjolnir does well, it does enthrallingly well. Tectonic bass, more detail than a forensic audit, low noise floor, jumps like a startled acrobat.’ - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-mjolnir-headphone-amplifier.603218/page-83#post-8703485


    Olor1n - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-mjolnir-headphone-amplifier.603218/page-43#post-8601778

    "I haven't been able to peg the Mjolnir's inherent signature. The way it sounds changes with every recording. Every flowery audiophile term can be applied but less flattering descriptions can also be accurate under different conditions. I get the sense I'm listening to the quality of the recording, the limitations of the Bifrost and the signature of the headphone. The Mjolnir is inconspicuous and it is indeed damn cool."​


    Most of those were from here - https://www.head-fi.org/articles/schiit-mjolnir-reviews-and-impressions-collected.15844/

    You can also check out an alright published review of the Mjolnir here -
    https://www.headphoneer.com/schiit-mjolnir-review/

    “In the end, it all boils down to this: The Mjolnir is powerful amplifier with a neutral sound signature that will fit most headphones. Is it a total giant killer? No. It is a very solid performer at a great price.”​

    That reviewer was also comparing it to Aralic, Violectric V200, and WA22 - much more expensive amps.

    Another super hi-fi review (note: very wordy) - http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-349&lang=en

    "Mjolnir is also a powerful, dynamic beast, that delivers impressive pace&rhythm. That allows it to play also dynamic music like rock, or electric blues without slightest hesitation."​

    So, how does it compare today? Remember, I have seen some of these recently as low as $350 all the way up to the original price of $750?

    mjolnir_01_08.jpg
    Sound


    First and foremost the thing that hit me is that this is an analytical and some would say forward amp. The assertiveness and dynamics are immediate. Some might like this and some might not. Most shy away from assertiveness, but assertive to me does not mean flat soundstage and bright. I will say this amp is on the slightly brighter side of neutral as the bass is rounded yet well textured. You can really hear all the details from a bass guitar, and that is super appreciated, but the bass is not what I would call fast or sharp or slammy - more rounded and warm on the bottom, but not fuzzy - very clear focus on the bass. BHA-1 was actually a bit brighter and more harsh on the highs.

    Highs are there and sometimes kind of peaky. Every little cymbal hit, bump, texture is there. Not really harshness, but the top end is not rounded and smooth like the Gilmore. The highs come through, but are not super dominant to make things overbearing. Everything else is there as well and no sense of congestion. I thought my Gilmore was un-congested, no, this one is. I think the Gilmore may sound wider, but the Mjolnir sounds deeper and with more microdynamics. Like this is a microdynamic king without killing the macrodynamics. THIS is what the Jot 2 should sound like - slamtastic, never breaks a sweat, thumping hammer. There is a reason this is named after Thor’s hammer! (However, Jot2 is a $399 amp and this was a $749 amp when it was introduced, so I know they are far apart in price). If you have brighter headphones, this will sound bright. Do not expect added warmth, it is just not “steely”, just maybe on the slightly brighter side of neutral - just a touch.

    The mids are pure bliss. Vocals come through the music and the vocalist sounds like they are right next to me or in front of me. It was an odd experience at first as most of the time on good amps I like the “in the room” feel where you feel you are actually transported back to the studio where it was recorded - trust me, this amp does that, but I never expected the vocalist to be sitting right there too with and the breath and details.

    Bass is just pure bliss, even moreso than the mids. This thing has grip, and grip, and more grip. SO much bass definition. I have never payed more attention to the bass guitar than with the MJ1. Not that the bass is dominant, is that you can hear the base TONE and all the good stuff that comes with it. You can feel it in the bass hits and tom hits. Impact is just amazing, and no distortion. I can now clearly hear the difference between a P-Bass, a J-Bass, a Rickenbaker, and if it was DI’d, mic’d or a bit of both. So clean.

    schiit_mjolnir_2_balanced_headphone_amplifier_1560520122_36186c52_progressive.jpg

    So I have said before that this Schiit amp has depth. I will say, depth or soundstage some define differently. If you have a good, accurate, fast amp that does not color too much and presents without congestion, the image becomes clear. Some call this instrument separation, some call it depth - I probably go between those two terms. As far as soundstage, yes, it is front row, however, the cleanliness of details really puts you in the room with the instruments. That is what it gives depth to me. It may not have the width, as I found the BHA-1 a bit wider and a bit further back, the MJ1 still has depth. It will not trick you that it is a tube amp and give you an immersive soundstage. Going to something like a Vali 2 just collapsed. I wish there were more descriptions, but the best way I can describe it is that I feel like I am in the recording studio and if I were mixing, this is the most accurate amp I have ever heard - darn near flawless.

    I say darn, because it is not without flaws. I would not pair this headphone with an HD800 first off (although one HF reviewer loved it with HD800 and the bass it had), but secondly, yes, no gain control, and fully balanced. It might be a one trick pony, but holy crap is that trick really damn good. Some also found the BHA-1 more airy and have better depth and that does put you a few rows back, but I found the BHA-1 kind of smeary and congested in the highs and kind of harsh after awhile.

    It is also very unapologetic. Meaning, after awhile, it might be fatiguing. It demands your attention and has that immediacy that you can’t pull away from sometimes. I love this amp for all the stuff, and yet, sometimes you just need some music to drown out your own thoughts to concentrate on the other things you need to be doing. It may not be the final amp in resolution or depth as it is not as wide as some might like. Some may not appreciate the assertiveness, but I love it. I really feel like I am unlocking some of the crazy amount of detail from my Theta DAC and it is the most revealing of any source of any headphone amp I have heard.

    Lastly I will say that I found with dynamics, or planars, it performed best on high impedance dynamics or low impedance and high demanding planars. Low impedance headphones, like my D2000’s or any other low-impedance Foster variant, you don’t get the same magic. Not only are you low on the volume, but it is too much, too aggressive. Those always sounded better on my more laid back Gilmore. It is not a tube amp, however, it does not scream solid state- and no tube nervosa.

    I know @ksorta modded an original Mjolnir with Elna Silmic’s and Silmic II’s that got passed on. He said there was some improvement in resolution and depth. The new owner contacted me and asked me what else could be modded to improve it, and I am at a loss. I mean, all the resistors are the highest grade, high grade caps, Alps 4-gang RK50 pot, and I am sure high grade transistors and lord knows I am not going to suggest changing any op amps or other active components since I don’t even quite understand the entire circuit. Jason just about did everything you could given the price point and the space and desired outcome. I for one am not touching this thing and will just enjoy it as is.

    Also, just to point out, @Merrik not only has one, but two now. He purchased one a few weeks after myself and we both agree that it is a seriously overlooked amp. The super modded one from @ksorta is now on it’s way to @Armaegis.

    I will also say this, the original Ragnarok was based off of the same circlotron, just more microprocessor controlled to keep it from thermal meltdown. And that is Schiit’s flagship amp. They have updated it to the new way of amplification at Schiit and moved away from circolotroh, which I think is a damn shame. I cannot comment on Ragnarok

    mjolnir_01_10.jpg

    So now we get to the part where we ask, “Why did Mjolnir get discontinued for Mjolnir 2?”

    Mjolnir 2 happened for what I can see are 2 main reasons. 1) tubes, tubes, tubes, and 2) features. Tubes are cool, hybrids were everywhere. Why not? Tubes sell. I know Jason wanted tubes, but could not get it without thermal meltdown, so some compromises had to be made, sad. 2) features. Yes, the HP crowd wants flexibility in a high dollar amp and not just a high dollar one trick pony, so summing is added for unbalanced output, and a gain switch for those that have to listen super quietly or for those with a big powerful amp on super sensitive headphones. It also added input switching, so if you had two sources.

    In Jason’s chapter he lists 1) Aesthetics and 2) Convenience as things they did not pay attention to when developing Mjoliner. Schiit has had the same aesthetics for years and no one cares. It is what it is. The convenience is right - things like gain and unbalanced out. You can read about more in the Mjolnir 2 chapter:

    https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...obable-start-up.701900/page-495#post-11852665

    Now you can read the chapter yourself, but he goes on about Rag requires a microprocessor, which he was trying to avoid with Mjolnir 2 because of cost. Essentially he was trying to incorporate tubes to keep the thing from thermal meltdown. In the process he had to make some compromises. The biggest is DC servo is back.Remember, one of the advantages of circolotron is “no need for DC servo”, however, without microprocessor bias control, compromises were made and DC servo had to be implemented, and on the other side with capacitive coupling (AC coupling). Sigh.

    In the end the Topology changed from “ Fully discrete FET, cross-shunt push-pull Crossfet output stage, no overall feedback, noninverting, single voltage gain stage” on the MJ1 to “Tube voltage gain or solid-state tube voltage gain, cross-shunt push-pull Crossfet output stage, noninverting, single voltage gain stage.” (NOTE, the “solid-state tube voltage gain” is from LISST”, which I think used to ship with MJ2 originally along with the 6DJ8 tubes.

    2112278-fae52ba9-schiit-mjolnir-2-headphone-amplifier.jpg

    Anyway, there are not many comparisons I found between the two amps. Some found the soundstage better on MJ2. I have not heard MJ2 directly, so I cannot comment.I will let others chime in here. It was just recently discontinued in 2021 due to parts shortages after being introduced in 2015 and was still a solid part of Shiit’s amp lineup. I will still say, likely mostly due to the conveniences added, and I am still not sure about the other stuff. Essentially just pointing out that compromises had to be made for tubes to happen in Mjolnir 2.

    And finally, to @schiit I am not complaining that you ever discontinued this amp. I completely understand you had to move on. You had to pivot where the market was going and it looks like it paid off since Mjolnir 2 was in the Schiit lineup for quite some time and only recently discontinued due to parts availability because of COVID-19. That too is unfortunate. And with these through hole parts and very specific components, I REALLY understand why an amp like this cannot be made in high production numbers to make profitable sense. I just really appreciate this amp the way it is and still cannot believe the value it brings to the table, even at the original price, and even more so for aftermarket used prices. I only mean to highlight this oft overlooked amp in the early history of Schiit as a real winner piece.

    ;TLDR - Mjolnir was a really good value SS amp then, and still a super duper SS amp now on the used market.
     
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    Last edited: Aug 11, 2021
  2. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Nope, not me... though I was certainly considering it.
     
  3. Erroneous

    Erroneous Friend

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    Mj1 is developing a cult following, and for good reason. I want to say it's the poor man's BHA-1, but I feel like I'd have to miss the BHA-1 to make that comment. I don't do much solid state amplification these days, but I'm sitting here listening to a Mj1 fed by a Holo Spring and using a Verite Closed, and I can't find any nits to pick about what I'm hearing.

    Mj1 is an extremely capable, overall no sins-of-commission, resolving, powerful, workhorse. On the used market at $350-400, if you're into solid state, it's a no-brainer. You can buy a lot less amp for a lot more money from current offerings.

    Also regarding head stage, the right DAC opens it up considerably. I have a couple to choose from, and the amp is transparent enough that you can immediately tell differences in DACs. Choose well, and any narrow head stage worries are thrown out the window.
     
  4. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I'm just gonna play devil's advocate as the anti-hype guy and say that I really did not like the MJ1 that I heard years ago. I felt it was way too forward and almost brittle sounding (to the extent that I almost wonder if it was faulty). Still to this date I have not really liked any Schiit amp that I've heard (with the possible exception of the Rag 1), though I do keep trying them out of curiosity.
     
  5. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    The one thing I left out of my review was warm up time. At < 1 hour warm up, I completely agree with you. However, like many solid state amps I know that don't have microprocessor bias control, there need to be a time to get up to optimum stabilize ld temperature. My Gilmore takes about 15 to 30 minutes, but this Mjolnir seems like forever - maybe like 2 hours. I have never tested it, but it behaves like a multibt DAC is this regard.

    Now, it is forward, and may not have the right synergy with source or headphones. Lean DACs need to stay away. And I particularly did not find good synergy with PM-2's - a but too brittle and bass too quick.

    My headphones are - HD600, HD650, JAR600, ETA Genesis-G. It does wonders with all of those at least. I am still curious to try more hard to drive planars.

    My source is a Theta DS Pro Basic II. I tried briefly with a Geshelli Engg 2 Pro and was okay, just more bass lean and not as immursive.
     
  6. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Since I’ve been called out here ( ;) ) yes, I do have two Mjolnirs. I purchased the first one off eBay after @Azimuth and a few other members told me how good it sounded and how underrated it was. After a few weeks with it, I bought a second one off @Ksorota. Not the mega modded one, a more lightly modded one that sounds very close to stock to my ears.

    Quite frankly I am addicted to the sound of this amp. Crisp, clear, and resolving, but not harsh, steely, or sterile. When we talk about how good tube amps sound “like solid state”, we tend to think of those amps as being very clean, but retaining a musical quality to them. Yet when we talk about solid state that “sounds like tubes” we tend to mean solid state that sounds warm, like the Jotunheim 2. Mjolnir isn’t warm, nor does it sound especially cold. I’d describe it as transparent, as it allows the character of the source to come through without significant sins of commission.

    I also have to concur with Azimuth’s comments on the bass quality of the Mjolnir. With a Gungnir Multibit A1 and the ETA Gen G, the texture and tone of bass and percussion instruments are superb. It’s sounds so good that I became addicted to the sound and this pushed me to buy my second amp for a secondary system. I’ve rarely heard another headphone setup that can reproduce bass and percussion with such lifelike qualities.

    The Mjolnir is definitely assertive. It’s not a throw it on in the background kind of amp, not sleepy or laid back. It’s a grab you by the balls kind of amp, and I personally find that sound intensely exciting and can and do listen to the Mjolnir for 8 hours a day, five days a week at work. I could absolutely understand why some would find it to be too much.

    I’ve heard most of Schiit’s amps and I find that I like the Mjolnir far and away the best to my taste, with the Vali 2+ being the runner up but obviously an entirely different class of amp. I keep hearing good things about Ragnarok 1.5 (I don’t know what 1.5 means exactly), and as that does have the same circlotron topology as the Mjolnir, I am curious to hear it. But the real draw of the Mjolnir at this point is the performance for its price. While I think the Mjolnir was competitively priced when it was released, you can now find them for as low as $300-$350 if you’re patient and at that price it’s an absolute steal. Of course you have to be okay with balanced only out and the gain level. For high ohm dynamics or power hungry planars, the gain isn’t an issue. However I do have lower ohm dynamics and IEMs, so I have a Goldpoint SA1X and a JBL Nanopatch for those times where the gain would normally be too high.

    The Mjolnir is to date my favorite amp I’ve owned, regardless of topology. It’s just the right sound for me.
     
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  7. TamHo

    TamHo New

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    I owned this amp and paired it with my LCD2 via se input and balanced out. I have to say I hate its sound. The bass is bloated and somewhat soft to my ears. But the main reason I sold it because of its fake timbre and claustrophobic sounding
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2021
  8. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    First thing I've got to say -- it's awesome to see discussion of obtainable & good equipment, rather than on newly released equipment. There's way too much focus on the latest and most hyped equipment here, even though it's not at Head-Fi levels of hype.

    There's so much that can be done for better audio with second hand gear, changing configurations or inexpensive hardware and software tweaks.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2021
  9. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    @Azimuth brought the MJ1 over for me to play with.

    I'm not going to pretend to be able to discuss audio on a technical level, but my overall conclusion is that I'd love one for my planars. They really gripped the drivers and brought tons of energy and slam. A really engaging listen.

    With my HD600s, the SW51+ was still my preference. They sounded cleaner and more "600ish" to me. The MJ1 seemed to bring them close(r) to the 650s and if that's what I wanted...well, I'd listen to the 650s. :p

    For the price, it's a steal.

    *disclaimer - I was listening to the MJ1 paired with his DAC (Theta, right?), which also colored the sound greatly. It's possible my impressions of the MJ1 are skewed due to the differences between my BF2 and his slightly warmer sounding setup, which could explain why the 600s sounded a bit off.
     
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  10. JeremiahS

    JeremiahS Almost "Made"

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    I think the biggest problem with this amp is the high noise floor that makes it has greyish background.
     
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  11. Erroneous

    Erroneous Friend

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    What in tarnation are you talking about. Unless you're talking about big money solid state, I can't imagine what you mean.

    Can you let me know what you mean when you call it grey?
     
  12. JeremiahS

    JeremiahS Almost "Made"

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    I'm not sure what kind of explanation you are looking for. Black or grey background is a common concept I think? With some amps I feel that they have such low noise floor that you can feel that the notes come from a pitch black background.

    Unfortunately I don't think the Mjolnir 1 is very clean. For comparison I dislike the Ragnarok 1 sound but I could tell that it has a blacker background than the Mjolnir 1. I apologize if I wasn't too clear.
     
  13. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    The grayness might be the source. Never found it to be gray. I have yet to see any review that complained of noise.

    I will say it does have a gain of 8, and there still might be an op amp or two in the audio path.

    It's not perfect, however, I have heard worse for amps in the same price range. The timbre is very natural and transients and dynamics seem to come through and detailed enough for most headphones. It is still an incredible value on the used market IMO.

    This would stull be a good amp to get on the bench.
     
  14. Erroneous

    Erroneous Friend

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    I'm not hearing grey, so I agree that it's likely coming from the source, but everyone's chain is different and I have no doubt you hear what you say you hear.
     
  15. Marvey

    Marvey Super Friend

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    Mjolnir has a stereotypical "MOSFET" character - best to leave it at this.
     
  16. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    I'm a bit puzzled at how the MJ1 gets love but its enhanced version, MJ2+LISST gets much less.

    My guess is that most reviewers tested LISST and tubes together. After switching from LISST, tubes are seductive, they make a great first impression like the switch from steamed to fried rice, or from a green salad to a cheesy one. But tubes, fried and fatty foods soon feel heavy, and the desire for clean + fresh lures you back to lighter foods and solid state sound.

    Of course there's one potential compromise in MJ2 +LISST vs MJ1 - and I'd be curious if anyone has insight. MJ1 could design its input stage unconstrained: but LISST had to be small enough to fit in a tube socket, and high voltage + depletion mode to be compatible with the tube wiring.
     
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  17. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Let's not forget that compromises to the original full on circolotron design had to be made for tubes for MJ2 to happen. LISST happened as a side thing, for those longing for the snap of SS. I remember questions like, "Is MJ2 with LISST basically an MJ1?", and Jason’s response was "No."
     
  18. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    Circlotron is a tube design? But on both MJ's it's the output stage, so fully solid state in both amps, right..?

    "Not just"

    My interpretation is that LISST was targeted at MJ1 owners who wanted an upgrade but didn't want to feel forced to use tubes.
     
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  19. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I only mean to say that there are not many SS cirolotron designs and the idea started from tube amps in the 50's.

    Both MJ1 and MJ2 are circolotron SS MOSFET as the main output. With tube or SS gain stage. However, I am not sure how much of the simplicity of the original MJ1 design JFET input was part of MJ2. Many like tubes and tube gain stages, but that presents even more complex power supplies for tube heaters and bias points and such. But Jason also wanted a SS option, to hence LISST, but that still mean the same SS gain stage as MJ1.

    You made me realize the first link to the original Mjolnir was actually the chapter on the Mjolinir 2. That is now fixed. So in the chapter on the MJ1, Jason says:

    "Well, a big part of it is simply that I have a soft spot for circlotron, or “cross shunt push-pull” amplifier designs. They’re simple, high-performance, and neatly sidestep some of the problems inherent in other amplifier topologies (more on this later.)

    Back as Sumo, we made circlotron-style amplifiers, but they were Jim Bongiorno’s designs. I’d never designed a circlotron amp. And yet they kept drawing me back in. First, because the topology is so different than anything else out there. When you first look at it, your natural reaction is “how the hell could that ever work?” Then, when you understand the principle behind it, you think, “wow, that’s really elegant. Why aren’t there more of these? And, another big part of the decision was based on the fact that there were no circlotron-style headphone amps on the market. Period. None. Zero. Nada.”"
    He then goes on about other topologies and the advantages and disadvantages quite quickly. It seems the circolotron disadvantages is power supply complexity. Jason's early chapters are also pretty tech heavy. Much heavier than later chapters.
     
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  20. dubiousmike

    dubiousmike Friend

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    I always wanted to hear this amp, and you all are making me think I really may have to keep an eye out for one on the used market. Anyone out there pairing one with an OG Yggdrasil?

    My recollection, which seems to have been correct, was that this was one of the few (only?) Schiit amp(s) that the crew at head-case actually seemed to like - just not as much as a SS dynahi/dynalo (which is also on my bucket list).

    Main thread: https://www.head-case.org/forums/topic/10824-schiit-mjolnir/?tab=comments#comment-558413
    Spritzer comment on value: https://www.head-case.org/forums/to...quid-lightning/?do=findComment&comment=607425
     

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