Schiit Mjolnir 3 Impressions

I won’t go into too much detail yet, but I just got my MJ3 yesterday and had my first listening session with my Yggdrasil A2 and Meze Elite. First impression: very impressive.

I let the amp warm up for about a half hour before plugging in the headphones. I used my eclectic “test tracks” playlist on Tidal to sample out a lot of different types of music. The first thing that stood out was the level of resolution, like many owners have mentioned. I feel like detail retrieval is at least a solid step above my other two amps, the Cayin iHA-6 and SW51+. The increased resolution/detail is not forced on your ears though. I was able to easily switch between relaxed listening (leaning back) and really focusing on all the extra info being presented (leaning in). Detail is presented very naturally without boosted treble or any other tricks.

The other thing that stood out in my first listen was the bass. Impact, texture and overall bass detail was excellent. I could follow the bass line in any song with ease and make out all the subtle nuances that are easily glazed over with other amps.

I can definitively say that I have no regrets on my purchase of this thing. I’m looking forward to trying it with my OG Auteur as well. My gut feeling is that the Yggdrasil A2/MJ3 is a going to be great combo. I imagine it will only get better as the amp settles in and I get more accustomed to all the things it is doing.

 

Then why they still sell Yggdrasil with more flavors than Baskin Robbins? It doesn't make any sense.
I think it's transformers availability if I have to guess.

 

That's a good point, though I recall reading somewhere that the OG might to be going out the door once the stock dries up leaving them with only the LIM available.

 

For Yggdrasil, the days are reportedly numbered on the OG due to the availability or price increases of the Analogue Devices chips.

According to Jason, for the Mjolnir series, MJ2 was discontinued because Jot 2 was around as good in moar smol form factor for less money and MJ2 used transformers that were complex, had long lead times, and had variability issues.

MJ3 is close to double the price of MJ2, still chonk, and has heat safety questions for children and animals. Not hard to predict it's a limited volume item.

 

I'd be very interested if anyone has had experience with the Mj2 and Utopias 2022 pairing.

 

And leaning in when you're trying to listen for "technicalities".

 

Oh that's an interesting idea. Similar to a Magni prototype I did with low voltage rails and bigger output stage for the purpose of driving crazy headphones.

With respect to MJ3, the reason I said "final run" is simple: I said this was a limited run product, and I don't want to misrepresent that fact. We failed at delivering a 230V version, so that opened up the opportunity for another run. But the reality is this is a big, hot, inconvenient amp, and I think the second run will pretty much naturally cover all the interest.

If not, we're considering a mechanism where people can vote on bringing stuff back for another limited appearance. It'd be a "pay $2 to vote and get in line, the $2 is refunded if we make the product and you buy it, otherwise we keep it." Like putting in your $0.02...except with inflation. So that's another possibility.

 

So your point is heat will not stop one person from buying the amp?

@schiit, the pay $2 to vote sounds like a weak version of Drop.com, that's not a serious commitment. 10% down, minimum, IMO. That's an amount personally I'd be saying "am I serious?"

 

Not looking for serious. Looking for a vote. Looking for an amount you'll willingly say goodbye to if it doesn't happen.

 

Can anyone give a sonic comparison between the MJ3 and the Piety? The Piety is my all time favorite *schiit* amp and the only one I have kept long term.

 

@yotacowboy posted a bit on Piety vs. MJ3 in his impressions back on page 4

 

Vali 1, Modi 1 MB…take my money please

 

After experiencing temperatures found on EC Zana Deux 6C33B-C tubes, Mjolnir 3 is downright tame.

My money is on amps designed with Eimac 450TL tubes. 450W plate dissipation. Thermal management necessary to keep the tube seals below 200 °C.

Or maybe we could use weight as a metric. Heaviest, with biggest heat sinks = betterer.

 

Sorry, but image doesn't load..?

 

Absolutely. Two tall sheets of clear, rigid plastic, with adhesive, insulating foam strips, placed on either side of the amp, keeps my fur beasts safe,* like this:



Mack prefers the snuggly warmth of the Yggdrasil.

* I don't leave the amp on unattended.

 

Perhaps not Schiit's vision; I will say there are quite a few willing to get a 1.5 times better Yggdrasil at 2x the cost.

Given the inflation (all regards - many headphones being stupid expensive and money loosing value) I can't see this amp being even close to scoring top range on the chart of 'ridiculously expensive'.

Sending prayers and good wishes for more expensive = better Schiiit.
Something for nothing does not exist and very good stuff cost money.

Haven't gotten the chance to listen but I got exited about Schiit over a long time after the Tyr was announced.
I had invested about the same money as two of those would have cost in parts to make my own m0noblock amps just half a year or so before Tyr was announced. I felt cheated by fate - again.

Heat? What business do snowflakes have with hot stuff?

 

Are these two amps (Starlett, MJ3) complementary or mutually exclusive? Do you have further comparisons / have your findings evolved? If you have the time, thanks - I recently put down a pre-order on the MJ3