Schiit Mjolnir 3 Impressions

I personally didn't hear it but my coworker felt vocals were more accurate on PP. So, I somewhat believe the reports that people heard mids come forward, even if I didn't hear it myself.

Did any of the measurati ever do distortion measurements on PP vs SE?

 

This is the simple 1KHz 0dBu 300R distortion measurement, Hi gain, NFB off, PP vs SE

PP mode has higher AC mains noise than SE, especially 120Hz, which is reflected in the THD+N roll-up. In PP mode the AC mains noise is still decidedly below threshold of perception for most headphones.

Distortion surfaces are likely to reveal more, but I can't allocate the time necessary to create those for a little while.

 

Bingo. You don't know heat unless you've had a pair of 6C33B's throwing heat your way. During summer. Cause that's how we roll.

 

SBAF version of this scene:

 

Not sure if it’s just my chain, but I am now leaning towards push-pull in high gain. I was using SE and low gain, but these new settings seem to do everything I like with my Meze Elite. Bass is so controlled and textured. Detail retrieval in the vocals is better than I’ve heard with any other amp. Back-up singers and layered harmonies are so easy to focus on and follow throughout a song.

I think most of this is readily apparent on SE or push-pull and in low or high gain. I’m just finding a tiny bit more of everything in push-pull/high gain. It’s fun to have all these options on one amp. I haven’t turned on the SW51+ for a couple of weeks now, and sadly it might continue to gather dust for a while.

 

With the right DAC pairing can MJ3+ OG Utopia = ? I only ask because I haven't heard any direct reports about it in this thread

 

^probably should go to general advice thread.

 

In defense of thoughtless replies in online threads, we must acknowledge that not all communication is intended to be profound or meticulously crafted. My bad.

 

Can't remember what you initially wrote but wasn't it "= endgame"? Granted, endgame can be had for the cost of a KSC75 in some cases so it's ultimately up to each to determine what's enough for their specific use, but I think giving benefit of the doubt is fine here.

The way it was phrased was closed ended but I think it could be worth opening the door to talk about specific DAC synergies with headphones that are known references.

The Utopia pairing has been guessed at, but nothing in extensive detail:

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...olnir-3-impressions.13699/page-18#post-416424

Back to lurking.

 

no not endgame - I originally said 'homerun'?. just is it really great with Utopia. I'll see about posting impressions here when I receive mine and compare to some other amps

 

Don’t sweat it, but don’t dislike people for giving you advice and generally trying to be helpful. I tried my OG Utopia on MJ3 at a mini meet at my house. It was pretty good but nothing amazing. I heard a couple planars on the MJ3 that seemed to have better synergy. However please let us know after you try it what you think.

 

I'll be sure to post my thoughts on the Utopia + MJ3 + A2 in the general advice thread. That being said, as I suspected - Schiit is getting the November orders out sooner than said, understandably so. I was looking to get some feedback if possible about the MJ3 + Utopia. No big deal and certainly not sweating it.

 

Can you please elaborate? What was the source? What other amps have you compared to the Mjolnir 3 with the Utopia? "Nothing amazing" could just mean that the Mjolnir 3 doesn't have the coloration and bloom of the DNA Starlett listed in your profile (if that's still current) and/or that you just prefer tube amps to solid state amps in general.

 

I listened to my 2020 Utopia with CD>Urd>USB into a Weiss DAC204 balanced out into MJ3. I quickly went through SE/PP/Hi & Lo gain. It was my first listen to Urd, the Weiss DAC and MJ3 at a mini meet at my house. So very quick and dirty impressions. I felt that Meze Elite and especially a modded HE5SE better showcased the prowess of the MJ3 compared to Utopia. My remarks were not meant as a dig at MJ3, I really think it is a remarkable achievement for Schiit. I just think there are better matches for Utopia out there both SS (Piety, DSHA3F) and tube (any DNA). I was just trying to be helpful to @Johnny the Nose but oh well. I hopped on the MJ3 loaner to try it again with my usual setup that I know well and maybe I’m wrong. Pic or I’m FOS

 

I feel the same way about the Focal Clear - the MJ3 is more synergistic with my Sennheisers. I have yet to try any on-ear other than Porta-Pro and ETA O2. O2 is nice on the amp, but that is a given, they are less difficult to dislike than the fussier cans like the Utopia. Find a used Torpedo and run away from the forum. Or a Black Diamond / DSHA.

 

Well that is a very interesting comment.

My WFH desk and headphone gear rack basically make a cockpit. And I have experienced that exact problem with the gear I have.

 

Not sure if this belongs here or in the preamp thread but I was so impressed with the MJ3 that I decided pick up a Kara as well. I recently got some new speakers and, at the same time, the MJ3 has renewed my interest in solid state and was kind of hoping the MJ3 would be good enough to displace my tube preamp. Between the MJ3 and my M22 I think I finally understand well designed gear with the right parts can be badass no mater the topology.

Anyway, as a preamp the Kara pretty much destroys the MJ3 just on sound alone and that is before you get into convenience features like, more inputs, outputs, and a remote. There is a distinct loss of detail, separation and clarity through the preamp output that is nothing like the headphone out. Smaller less focused soundstage too but that usually goes hand in hand with clarity. It almost sounded like things are blurred together. I couldn’t figure out why Schiit would release two so similar products at the same time and I guess now I know. I don’t know. Maybe it is just my gear, but that is what I heard. I was running comparisons with a LIM and Mission 700 speakers.

Still already one of my favorite headphone amps ever. Does make me wonder how the Freya stacks up to the Kara though as I never heard it.

 

First impression is wow.

Chain: Urd -> Yggdrasil OG Balanced -> Mjolnir 3
Cans: DCA Stealth, Focal Utopia ‘22, HD600
Tracks: Red Rain, Don’t Give Up, Sledgehammer, Mercy Street, In Your Eyes from the 2002 remastered CD.

Low gain no feedback and se Class A sounded the best for me with all cans. Push pull sounded like ass while warming up, came back to it, no problems. So amp needs a couple of minutes it seems.

Comparisons:
MJ2 - Comfortably outclassed. MJ3 extracts more micro details and feels a lot faster.
MHA200 - The McIntosh has a super clear black ground. MJ3 less so (consistent with house sounds). It is very obvious that the MHA200 is a very mid forward amp with a deep soundstage and vocals up front. MJ3 has a very even soundstage with nice placement. Deep it is not.
Folkvangr - Would you compare a Dodge Viper to a Bentley Continental? Me neither, so I won’t.

Can’t say I picked up roll off anywhere. Still in “new to me” period and will get to know it more throughout the week. Best pairing so far has been with the DCA Stealth, but all cans I’ve tried did great. Maximum synergy for the Utopia ‘22 continues to be MHA200.

Yes, it vibrates. I put it on isoacoustic legs and moved on. Not enough to bother me. Unit is quiet - for reference, FV has always had a somewhat noisy power hum audible within a foot but does not intrude once the music starts.