Schiit Jotunheim impressions

Well maybe it's the fact that it's a Bifrost Multibit, but I read other impressions that found it (Jot 4490x2) no different than the Bifrost 4490. Though it's certainly a price jump either way...$100 included DAC vs $400 DAC vs $600 DAC

 

We did a big headphone shootout last week and compared the Jot + DAC to the Jot + Modi MB. Even with the Modi, the difference was very very clear. We'll be auditioning the Bifrost Multibit next week, and hopefully it is better still.

 

It looks like an unfair comparison IMO. Bifrost Multibit must be far better

Indeed I am more positive about jotun's dac module. I like it over my odac and emotiva xda. I am pretty sure that jotun's dac is better than similarly priced non-multibit dacs on the market (there will be no true multibit dac in this price category except Modi Multibit THO).

Anyway I think $99 for additional versatility is never a bad deal. Just not as good as more expensive brothers.
Of course I am also considering to buy Gungnir Multibit next year. Until then, Jotun's dac is enough for me to sell all my other (creepy) dacs to finance the fund!

BTW, I felt Wyrd clearly did some magic to Jotun's dac.

 

...

 

Current impressions (Day 5 )

My balance flow cable is en route to my place. So all the below are about SE. I regretted a lot I didn't order 4-pin xlr termination..

• Wyrd does benefit the Jotun's dac module, probably because of better electricity and purer digital signal (not sure which effect is more dominant).
• Jotun drives both flow and he500 very well. Detail and clarity are top notch in both. But flow could take more advantage of better synergy (improved mid and overall cohesiveness).
• Definitely cool, clear, and vivid sounding. If seeking warm, lush, and rich tones, go find somewhere else (or should get such virtues in other parts of the rig).
• Headstage was wide, but depth varied across different configurations. flow+jotun+crossfeed >> flow+jotun = he500+jotun+CF >> he500+jotun , also wyrd vs no wyrd mattered here. I felt similar depth (at least not very different) between two cans when used O2+ODAC. Anyway I really like how flow+jotun+CF combo expresses the sound stage.

Expect to see how balance out would be even better.

BTW my biggest (maybe the only?) complaint of jotun is not having power switch on the front panel.

 

hello,

DO NOT go there.

 

My Jotty arrived a couple of days ago. A friend brought his AGD Compass 2 for comparison. I took my ECBA into the mix, just for fun. The setup: DAC=Vega, Amps=ECBA(KR PX4 tubes, balanced) vs Jotty (balanced) vs Compass 2 (single ended).

Background darkness: Jotty=ECBA=Compass 2
Drive power for planar: Jotty > Compass 2 >> ECBA
Soundstage width: ECBA = Compass 2 > Jot
Soundstage depth: ECBA >>>> Compass 2 > Jotty
Transparency: ECBA > Jotty = Compass 2
Openness: ECBA >>> Compass 2 = Jotty
Dynamic punch: Jotty = Compass 2 > ECBA
Treble Extension: Compass 2 > ECBA > Jotty
Bass Extension: Jotty = Compass 2 > ECBA
Details: ECBA > Compass 2 > Jotty
DAC quality: Compass 2 >> Jotty
Noise with IEM: Jotty > Compass 2

 

Zeissiez: cool set. How would you characterize Vega? Dryish? Resolving? Nice synergies with the amps?

 

The Vega is detailed, and natural. It's different from many Sabre DAC I heard that's there's lack of harshness in the sound. The soundstage is of moderate size, not huge. The sound images are very stable, and imaging is very good. I would say depending on which headphones are used. For LCD-X and HE1000, this DAC is rather good. For HD800, I think the AGD Master 7, which is thick sounding can be a better match. I like all Vega, Yggdrasil and Master 7, depending on matching.

 

Thank you both. Vega sounds like decent piece of gear. Did not make it to my shortlist given the high price. Enjoy that Jotty of yours!

 

I've had my jot for about a month now and while it is incredibly clear, I do agree with the posts about it being harsh in the treble and having a relatively small sound stage. This is with the vibro and the hd650 unmodded being fed from a USB connected Modi Multibit. Coming from a lowfi little dot, I'm surprised to say that I think the ld had a more spacious sound. I'd like a little more sub bass as well, but that could just be the headphones both being mid bass heavy. Not really sure where to go from here, maybe I just prefer the tube sound?

 

Mod the HD650. It's a while different headphone with the Jodie when modded.

 

i was under the impression that modding the hd650 only increases the highs and most people preferred the stockers for the jotun. is that incorrect?

 

Regarding modding the HD650 with the Jotunheim, I have gotten the impression that Marv's opinion is the most common with this combination.

I haven't actually tallied the opinions. Just the impression that I formed, FWIW. (You might want to do some searches on this subject.)

 

I recommend dynamat plus rear foam removal for the Joti. I don't perceive any substantial increase in highs vs stock. For the effects of the various mods you could start by looking here:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/sennheiser-hd650-love-appreciation-thread.44/page-25#post-41055

Modding the HD650s is a good idea in any case, but it's not going to fix the Jotunheim soundstage for you.

Is your Jot on all the time? That can alleviate harshness in the treble. Joti accurately feeds through any harshness from your source, so could also be that.

 

yeah i mean i'm just going usb from computer that i built to Modi Multibit. i have a coax on my pc i could try, but i've read the difference is negligible and don't really want to buy a cable to find out it's the same.

 

Sure, and while that's a question for another thread, I guess what I really wanted to say in relation to the Jotunheim is that the issues you have with its soundstage and with its treble are potentially of different natures, in that changing your source might fix the latter but probably not the former.

Spoiler: OT

You can just run an ordinary RCA phono cable to test if your coax out sounds any better or worse than USB. That should be sufficient to at least get the ordering correct.

 

Well, I heard the HD650 that marv sent out, and other at the LA meet did too, with the Modi Multibit and jotunheim. There was something off about the treble with Marvs 650, and "fully modded" 650s sound way better. ti me, the loaner 650 sounded lean, but the fully modded 650 sounded full. Others though there was something just off with the treble on the loaner 650

Bottom line, treble isn't the only thing fixed with the mods. Mids and bass are cleaned up too.

 

I've been listening to the Jot single-ended until now, my balanced 650 cable just came in and I thought I would share some thoughts. While I wouldn't call it a night-and-day difference, the benefits you get are appreciable and worth the investment into having the proper termination.

First track I put on I thought "Oh, this is immediately more spacious. That's nice. Is that it?" Well, yes and no. The more I've listened the more I've appreciated what a favor a little bit of extra space and definition do for this amp. I get less listening fatigue as the sound as a whole has more room to breath and is less "in your face".

Where previously tracks with dual vocals or choruses would crowd on top of each other in a cramped center space yet were still strangely diffused, each vocal source is now more distinct and intelligible. Fringe sounds seem to relocate to right outside of the ear now instead of firmly in the canal which could get a bit nauseating, especially as you go up in volume which this amp seems to beckon you to do.

Spoiler: Shameless plug

I got my cable from SurfCables, great guys based out of San Diego. Quite a bit more costly than re-terminating the stock cable but I think the quality reflects the price. Comes with a cool little bag too, for whatever reason.